Ocoee opening weekend a blast!

March 21, 2005

The Ocoee opened up this weekend and there were plenty
of kayakers
from all over the USA to put-in on day one of the 2005 season. We left
on
Friday afternoon and drove to Chattanooga with the RV, stopped at Sticky
Fingers for a good bar-b-que dinner, then went to the movies. On Saturday
morning we woke up and drove the rest of the way to Rock Creek Outfitters,
our first USA dealer and number 2 in sales last year for Jackson Kayak.
Most of the Jackson Kayak staff came up to paddle for the weekend. We
hung out until noon at Rock Creek, showing people how to use the outfitting,
what boat is for them, etc. In case you didn’t read this in my
"outfitting your Jackson Kayak" article, the key way to approach
one of our
boats is: "If it isn’t the most comfortable boat you have ever been
in, you
are doing something wrong." The seat position, Happy Feet set-up,
hip
pads, and back band are designed to perfectly house your body in a boat
that
is designed to fit perfectly, unless you are in the wrong sized boat.
Well, my favorite part of being there, is I can put anybody in the
appropriate boat and in 3 minutes or less they will be perfectly set up,
even people who told me that they couldn’t even get in the boat before.

The Rocker made its debut this weekend. It was the
first time it was seen in public. We have a winner here for sure. It is
not in production yet, meaning bulkhead and mold tweaking still in progress-
but we aren’t far away!

Emily, Dane, Nick, and I got ready to paddle, with
the staff guys all waiting on us. The run was like coming home. This is
a river that I first ran in 1984 and have run it just about every year
since, perhaps every year, I’m not sure. Both kids love the river because
there are tons of fun little moves, and playspots, and they aren’t afraid
of anything on it. Clay was on the river with us and it was a reminder
of just how good this guy is!

On Saturday night we hung out at Rock Creek and talked
kayaking with the staff there. These are some of the best people you can
find in the industry to buy a boat from. They know their stuff. Once our
hunger pains kicked in, we walked next door to Whitewater Restaurant for
dinner. Jackson Kayak bought the pitchers of beer for our staff and a
few friends. Great burgers.

On Sunday, I got to paddle with Johnny and his dad
Mike, Lauren and her dad Nathan, Jim Fortune the manager of Rock Creek.
That was fun stuff. Lauren learned to rock spin, while Jim showed her
dad how to squirt better. Hell Hole didn’t have the regular kick, but
was still fun.

A three hour drive home and were back at the ranch!

🙂 EJ