Find A Demo Day Near You - Kayaking Basics and Great Fun!The weather could not have been better on April 25th at Sunset Lake in Braintree, Massachusetts. Right here in my home state, a perfect setting for the REI Demo Day. It was colorful, exciting and loaded with knowledgeable folks to help anyone wanting to try out the kayaks and learn a few kayaking basics on site.
Oh, so many kayaks; sit-on-tops, singles, tandems, touring kayaks, folding kayaks and more.
The staff was everywhere in and out of the water to "yick yak" with everyone.
Because it's great fun (and free).
It's a way to see and experience the different types of kayaks.
You can pick up some kayaking basics from the pros and yick yak'n with others.
Paddle to compare handling, size and price; Learn how to properly adjust your PFD; Get product discounts (very nice); Meet other paddlers of various skill levels; Find paddling groups in your area - local groups usually partake in these events.
The Auxiliary is a volunteer civilian arm of the United States Coat Guard. These dedicated individuals donate their time to perform non-profit services such as teaching public boating courses twice yearly in most parts of the country. They also offer an on-line course: Americas Boating Course.
The Auxiliary assists the US Coast Guard in search & rescue and patrol navigable and state waterways.
For their boating and safety course info, call 1-800-368-5647 or visit their website at: www.cgaux.org.
I love REI and here's why ...
As a cooperative, they return dividends they call an "Annual Member Refund" to customers at the end of each year. How do they do this? They offer a (get this) $20 one-time (yes, one time)lifetime membership fee. Members get discounts on the equipment they purchase, classes (which are sometimes free to members), and adventure trips that they offer.
Now, the math is easy - if you're going to invest hundreds of dollars in a new sport such as kayaking, and 10% of that investment is returned at the end of the year - the $20 lifetime fee will pay for itself. Additionally, those who attend a Demo Day like this, are handed a coupon with 15% off one full-price boat and 20% off a full-price paddle and PFD at the time of your purchase including within two weeks after attending the event. Some exclusions apply - so read carefully. Wow! This certainly beats any deal that your local sports equipment store offers.
In viewing their catalog for kayaking basics they currently offer paddlers, I was pleased to find: Introduction to Kayaking (Level 1), Kayaking (Level 2), Basic Kayak Navigation and Trip Planning, GPS Basic Navigation, and Map and Compass Basics. These take place at the local stores or at a planned location nearby.
If you're the tri-athlete type, REI also covers climbing, cycling, hiking, river paddling and sea kayaking. They incorporate the love of all these activities in their Adventure Trips. How about a paddle adventure in New Zealand, Croatia, Norway, Galapagos Islands, Belize, Costa Rica, Antarctica, Canada or Alaska? Ask for the catalog - it's worth the pictures alone.
REI extends itself way beyond the products it sells. Considering the quality of their equipment, the classes and trips they offer, they really stand up to the motto on the back of their business card that reads: "We inspire, educate and outfit for a lifetime of outdoor adventure".
But that's not all they do ... to learn more about REI's impressive commitment to conservation, click here.
Learn some more kayaking basics, to find a Demo Day in your area - click on REI.com From "Demo Day", back to Home Page
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There were plenty of life jackets and paddles for all the happy paddlers eager to try out the array of kayaks.
YOU CAN ...
Meet Brian McMahon - he's the Rear Commodore of the USCG Auxiliary.