The UW Kayak Club is planning a big bash somewhere around the middle of April. It'll be happening right in town at the UW docks by Montlake Cut, and the whole paddling community is invited! We were also thinking of inviting the PP Ball Ramp - what do you guys think, would you be interested in joining forces? We don't yet know what the bureaucratic forces will have to say about a ramp, we'll cross that creek when we come to it.

JP, thanks for setting me straight. Instead, we'll have a 3 foot plastic playground slide set up for all the pool-reared pros to show their stuff. 

Jule it is unlikely that without significant assistance, involvement and financial support you will have a ramp set up. You have to rent scaffolding, buy consumables (screws, plastic lattice, straps, etcc) on top of having the Ramp it self. Find 10 people to help do the transport, assembly and of course work out the liability with the land owner, your association etc.. it is not a small undertaking. Not trying to discourage you but having the actual frame is not the biggest obstacle your going to have.

Plus you need a bunch of drunk kayakers to set the ramp up, which requires massive amounts of Ranger beer and alcohol.  

Sorry, Jule- like I said I'm in the minority. I just figured I'd come out swingin right off the bat and stake down the extreme opposite end of this spectrum. It's what I do.



The reason I come out so hard with the anti-ramp stance is this: "pool reared pros" these days all tend to be drawing the cart before the horse. They know how to roll, know how to cartwheel, but don't know the first thing about paddling a boat in a straight line. You see, increasingly, whitewater kayakers don't ever learn how to properly paddle a kayak.

This is not an opinion. This is FACT.
Too bad scores of paddlers in the past got injured and died to learn real skills that New School Punks don't even know exist. Because, armed with the Old School Knowledge most of the Whitewater Communitty has discarded, more of these so-called "pool reared pros" could actually progress faster than they already do.

Instead I hardly ever see any pool jockey kids on the river at all. And the modern class IV crowd seems to cap out on CC Stilly when, if they knew how to drive a boat, they could be rippin' up Robe. Ramps are cool if you have a three-axis sense and a bag of tricks to huck, I'm just saying that novice kayakers of any stripe would be better served learning to paddle in a straight line on pure flatwater. Even for only three two hour sessions or so.

Sound boring? You can't get Bruce Lee without doing a little "wax on wax off". My point is, you can't reinvent the wheel. All the New School skills are cool, don't get me wrong. But, there's no reason to shoot in the dark about the rest of whitewater kayaking, or discard skills that were painstakingly learned and are still relevant. It's been figured out for decades now. Moving forward, its important to retain the foundations that got us where we are so we can keep refining it, that's all.

But, I ain't complaining, because my favorite runs remain uncrowded.

I only know one person personally who has broken their back after launching off a ramp in a kayak.

Ramps are so... 2000.

UW could step it up a notch with the Kayak Catapult!!!

Gravity be damned. We are men. We need MORE POWER!!!

There's a guy who tosses pianos via catapult for giggles. If you think you may want to utilize his expertise, just let me know.

and then, there's this... http://youtu.be/RR8HKxtRUvM

Build a massive in the water slingshot that you can attach to the back of a boat and fire people across the water like a skipping rock. Also have a wet t-shirt contest.

I love you people! Always good for a heated discussion spiced up with speculation, trash talking, and tangents. That's how the passion shows!

So to clarify: the lake party will happen on April 15, and presumably the next day we'll have an event on the river. The lake fun will include lots of old-fashioned boating skills like FLATWATER RACES, boat yoga, BBQing, and beer drinking. And we were thinking that a ramp might be a great thing to have in order to attract the larger boating community.

People come to UW because they're serious about academics, and that's often not compatible with getting out a whole ton. The UKC has actually been super active, with several formal beginner classes every year, trips most weekends, and we have built up a really sweet collection of gear. 20 bucks a quarter! The problem is convincing experienced boaters that they should be spending their time coddling beginners, but really, people have been extremely generous with their time.

This proposed map could be used as a marketing tool for those prospective students who are on the fence about which paddling institution they want to attend. This map should include for each institution data points such as: average population (i.e. sperm count) and size of the local area (would this be measured in cold or warm weather?). This reference would allow the comparison of the worthiness of each institution based on the caliber of paddling opportunities of each club or should I say caliper?

Many of us ukc members are often going on runs that are appropriate for our skill level. Many of us are trying to "step it up" because we enjoy the sport/extracirricular activity. We also enjoy paddling together and watching each other improve.

Fiddleyak, you know your stats on local collegiate whitewater standings. Next time I want to put a bet down-I know where to go for the beta.

Jule stated this was a "paddle fest", not a whitewater exclusive fest.     

Sorry to chime in so late. The ramp is just sitting in my yard and only gets used once a year at the ball so I would love to have any other opportunity to whip it out.

As James pointed out there are some logistics that need to be covered. Scaffolding rental is the biggest. We can get you a list of the scaffolding we rented the last couple of years and most companies will deliver and pick up for a minimal fee.

Second is transport. It will take 1 full size  pick up with an open bed for the ramp portion and someone willing to drive a 20ft section on their roof for the lead in section. A big van with a roof rack works great for that although with proper precaution most any vehicle will work.

Third is the consumables. I have to inventory what we have leftover from last year for the plastic lattice, screws, etc. This is a pretty minimal cost.

Lastly is manpower. It will take 6 people minimum and the better part of a day. More people can make it go faster to a point but you'll need time at the site before and after the event to set up and tear down.

The only other thing to consider is that flat water landings can really hurt. If you land flat hull, all the force is going into your spine. Participants need to be aware of this and sign waivers. You also need safety boaters, especially on a lake, just in case someone does get hurt.

If this works for you then its a go. I would be stoked to get the ramp out. I built it for everyone and would love to get more use out of it other than a yard ornament. PM me and we can catch up with details.

Adam, you know you just missed a stellar opportunity to say, "Excuuuse me while I whip this out." :)

Am really interested to see how this all turns out, I think it's great UW is having a paddle-fest!  Let's get some SUP'ers out there and really ruffle some feathers.

I gotta comment on pool kayaking - It is an incredible tool that we use at UPS to not only introduce kids to kayaking - but also get them out on the river.  Sure some flail, but I've seen so many kids hit combat rolls their first time on the river.  You can't deny that. 

JP you especially can appreciate this next fact.  Do you kayak to be on the river, or do you kayak to huck some sh*t.  I know what i'm going to be doing the rest of my life - and I will see you there JP!

Haters gonna hate on the pool.
Anyone want to go to the UPS pool sesh tonight