Yesterday's club paddle showed how very important it is to bring along items that we never seem to use.
- Extra paddle: One paddler's paddle did not fit together properly. A member had brought an extra paddle. Problem solved.
- Flex tape (or some other water proof tape): We noticed that the patch on the keel of one boat had come off. One member had brought some flex seal tape.
- Knife or scissors: We needed to cut the flex seal tape and another member quickly produced a knife to do it. Problem solved.
We learned that all that extra stuff we have been taught to bring, but never used, ended up being used. Good lesson learned...when we finally needed the gear, it was there to save the day. (Oh yeah, I HAVE all the items needed but to save weight and space, I had quit bringing them because I had NEVER used them in years. Lesson learned..but learned the easy way because of the other club members).
Ralph Earhart