I am a recent transplant from western Washington to the Tri-Cities who went kayaking for the first time last weekend in the Klickitat River. It was incredibly fun and I am excited about getting involved in this sport.
I have a few questions though.
After looking through the site what is PIP?
What will it cost to get outfitted with all the right gear? I dont need to go top of the line but dont want to end up with bottom of the barrel gear either.
PIP stands for paddle in the park. Its when people meet in Leslie Grove Park by the sand volley ball courts and paddle around and practice rolls. Its a great way for new people to make contact with the club. When new people first post on the website, we usually tell them to come by PIP. If for some reason, you can't make a PIP or nobody shows up that week, then one of us would be happy to show you how to roll a kayak.
Here's what I reccomend for gear:
Booties: $40ish
Poagies or neoprene gloves: $30ish
Werner fiberglass paddle: $240ish
Snap Dragon Spray Skirt: (not the kevlar one): $120ish
Utility PFD: maybe $100ish
Higher end PFD (to buy in the future) $200ish
Helmet $80-$100ish
Kokatat Dry top (not Gortex) $220ish
NRS Farmer John wet suit: $110ish
Fleece pullover shirts to wear under drytop: 2 for $60ish each
Used boat: $300 and up
New boat: $900ish
Throw bag: $30ish
Some type of roof rack for your vehicle (not needed if the kayak is small enough to put inside or you'll just set it in the bed of a pickup): Not cheap
I reccomend you get a cheap used boat, paddle, spray skirt, and PFD. That will get you out practicing rolls on the Columbia. If you know of a used kayak for sale, we could tell you if it seems like a reasonable price.
When you're ready to run some more easy rivers in the summer, you can add a helmet (or buy it when you get the other gear to save a trip).
In the fall when the temperatures start dropping, you can add the wet suit, dry top, and fleece.
Then in say 6 months you'll probably be ready to get a better boat.
By getting the equipment gradually, you'll probably make better decisions because you'll see what other people are using plus splitting it up will maybe make it seem like you're spending less than if you bought it all at once.
I will be at PIP tomorrow about 6ish. We meet at leslie groves park in Richland at the swimming area. From george washington way take newcomer, left on davidson, right on park st. There is a parking area immediatly to the right, it is above the swimming area. If you're planning on going tomorrow, please give me a call and we'll talk about gear and any other questions you have
Ill have to take a raincheck on the PIP as I am leaving for my wedding and honeymoon today! When I get back I will make sure and come and check stuff out. Thanks for the information I will start looking at used gear and see what I can find.
Hello Everyone!
Posted - Jul 28 2010 : 10:54:26 AM
