Having been in the paddling lifestyle for still less than a year, I can not claim to be an expert or even a know it all about the sports. I do know that Canoecopia was the place to be this past weekend. I was expecting a lot of kayaks and canoes, but what I walked into was way more than I was ready for. This was THE PLACE to see and touch anything and everything that the paddling world has to offer.
Now, I am still in the early stages of the addiction. I paddle a 33 year old fiberglass canoe that I paddle with a $40 kayak paddle. I have about $300 into my set up, including gear, and it is enough for me at this point. Don't get me wrong, if I had the expendable income, I would own a boat for every occasion and enough gear to survive in any conditions. What I am getting at is, I have enough to get me out on the water and I was not headed to Canoecopia to buy. I was headed there to be surrounded by the love of paddling. And that's what I found.
Here are some of my favorites from the show.
The first booth that caught my attention was PakBoats. This was my first time seeing a folding boat so it was pretty interesting to me. I had the misconception that folding boats were not very durable. After talking to some reps at PakBoats, I learned a lot about the boats they had. These boats are inflated pvc coated canvas on an aluminum frame. This makes them super light and sturdy. I am still shocked that a 17 foot canoe folds into a 37 inch bag. If space is a concern or you like to take your boat on worldly travels, this may be a great option for you.
The next booth caught the attention of our youngest paddler. Delta kayaks has a bottom window on a lot of their boats that would really be cool in clear water. Locally, it may not be the best option, but I could see it being really cool in the tropics or spring fed lakes. They also had some cameraman style hulls that were very interesting.
Now this is something that I have been interested in for quite some time. The little Teardrop trailers of the past are back and better than ever. While they look very basic, they are actually very well built and lightweight. As you can see, this one is loaded and ready for any type of adventure. I was shocked at how quite the camper was once you got inside. Even in a busy exhibit hall, the inside of the camper was quite and peaceful.....and that was with both doors open still! The one in the picture has the kitchen option on the back. Just like the ones of the past, this one has a tailgate that lifts up to reveal a full kitchen with a space for everything you need.
I think my favorite part of the show was the wood boats. I consider these boats more as Art than anything else. I could sit and stare at some of these for hours. There was one canoe that was dated 1870 and it was very cool to see the similarities to the modern wood boats. While not much has changed in the making of these boats, the art has definitely been refined.
Chesapeake Light Craft had a huge display of wooden kayaks and paddle boards. The skill and care that they put into these boats really shows. I would love to have one of these, but I would be to afraid to actually use it! I would just lay it in my living room and stare at it.
P&H Sea Kayaks had a huge display and it was very cool to be able to sit in all the styles that they offered. I have been around a few sea kayaks, but this was the first time I was able to sit in one and really get the feel for them. I could see myself paddling one of these for days on end.
Current Designs was also one of the major displays at the show. They had some pretty affordable boats if you were looking to get into kayaking. They seemed to have something for every paddler's budget.
My daughter loved jumping in and out of all the kayaks at the show. She got to see everything from tiny play boats that were as long as she is tall, to sea kayaks that she could lay in and not be seen. But that was not her favorite part. I could have left her at the ticket counter for the day and let her roam the maze they had set up.
We had a great time at Canoecopia and can't wait to go back next year. I learned some tips, got some info on paddle spots, and learned that the boat that I have is perfect for what I do with it. It gets me out on the water and I am comfortable in it. In the end, that's what really counts.
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