A casual conversation with Diane about paddling in Northwest rivers quickly turned into a new toy–only not for me. Diane bought a Kayak yesterday, a very slick, light 14 foot Necky Manitou composite Kayak. It took a while for her to get outfitted but as usual the guys at Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe in Jantzen Beach were really great. Thanks for all the help Dennis. Incidentally, Dennis showed me a beautiful carbon fiber canoe paddle that makes most of the paddles we use look like homely sticks.
We took the Kayak down to Multnomah channel and got her launched with me on my SUP board as lifeguard/goad. She had a couple of panic attacks when she got into the current, but got over them and settled into paddling. Anyone that knows Diane well is shaking their head in disbelief. She’s not the biggest chicken in the world, but she’s in the top ten. She snorkels in waist deep water holding onto a boogie board for dear life and still gets the occasional panic attack that has her crawling on top of me like she’s trying to stand on my head.
She did fine with the Kayak, and she’s excited about paddling with me in flatwater. Our cruising speed is well matched, this will be fun. I think I’ve got a new camera/chase boat. And a new paddling partner.
I’m surprised she didn’t get one of the adventure islands. I’m still interested in either getting one myself or building a kayak and outfitting it the same.
Hello Bill,
I am getting a RRD Longrider. I am planning on going SUP on the Multnomah Channel soon.
I live in NW PDX and am new to SUP ( never done it really).
Anyway let me know if you are in PDX, maybe I can come for some first instructions.
I don’t know how this board will perform, I found about SOS later.
Regards
Luis
I am indeed in Portland, went out for a three hour paddle yesterday. Let me know when you’re ready to give it a try, I’ll help you out. If you leave a comment here it’s automatically emailed to me.