High and Dry
Published December 8, 2008 | 
There’s a muddy river rolling to the sea
Raging wild like our love used to be
But today you left me here all alone
And I’m all dammed up inside and my tears refuse to flow
I’m high and dry since you said goodbye
High and dry no more tears to cry
Lord today you left me high and dry
- Marty Brown
Ok, so I was reading a report that said over 30% of Americans were cutting back on things like prescription drugs and food to deal with this current economic crisis. We should be glad we’re still chatting about kayaking! But it does sort of beg the question. . How is your leisure time, i.e. “Kayaking” going to be effected? Is it life as usual or are you feeling left high and dry?
Anyone putting off trips, or maybe going to wait on that new kayak? Are you going to skip symposiums this year? Maybe you’ve got all your stuff and live in a great location and don’t feel the economic changes effect you all that much?
How’s the economy going to affect your paddling. . if at all?
Related Posts:
8 Responses to High and Dry
Here it starts:
Florida Gulf Coast sea kayak symposium:
“Due to the uncertain economic climate, we regretfully will not be having our annual symposium this coming February.”
(From http://www.sweetwaterkayaks.com/symposiums.html)
working in outdoor/kayak retail up here i have to say that thus far this industry ie self-propelled outdoor recreation is alive and wel here in BC. people seem to be staying closer to home and no longer indulging in far flung travel.
the idea of a kayak for many is as a safe, tangible investment that will provide years of enjoyment, therefore offering great amortizing over the long haul. Our november sales were through the roof boat wise, better than any other month this year so far which is most unusual.
as far as symposiums go, they are expensve to get to, expensive to sign up for, expensive for accomodations, and the average sea kayaker that attends them seems to fall into the baby boomer bracket, those folks who USED to have disposable income but took a hit in the market downturn.
i can certainly see a downward trend in symposium attendance, unless/until a new, interesting formula is found for such events that makes it more inclusive ie not strictly aimed at the ticket-chaser crowd (no offence intended, i dabble in the cert game myself from time to time).
i think more low-key home grown events like the Lower Columbia Kayak Roundup and the symposium that Derrick attended that had a kids section and day care are the way to go now.
Our sport will never grow if we don’t reach out to casual paddlers more and to families and kids.
Credit availability is down; construction is down; architecture is down.
I was laid off from my architecture job just in time to take advantage of November storms on Lake Michigan. This was great at first. Now, the air is 20 degrees colder, and nobody really wants to paddle much on the Lake.
If I ever get laid off again, I’ll try for spring.
The economy keeps me closer to home for paddling destinations. So, I’m sticking to the Missouri River and its tributaries here in Missouri and some area lakes that are within 30 minutes of home.
Dude, I haven’t been to the beach nearly enough this year. A few trips, but things are tight to say the least. Already been prepping the kids for a skinny Christmas.
Lots of good old forward stroking out on the river though. I am lucky to live 5 minutes from water. Should the river dry up, I reckon I can string up some ropes in the trees in my yard, and get to learning qajaasaarneq or whatever you call it ! : )
Take care!
Thomas
This summer’s crazy Canadian gasoline prices had me staying much closer to home, within 20 miles, mainly, I did paddle more than maybe any other year. I was never driving very far from home to do it. Weekend and longer trips were way down. Instructing was up.
Luckily, I’m one to enjoy seeing the small changes in the same shoreline from one day to the next. And, I instructed more, too.
Here, gas prices are falling WAY slower than the cost of crude. The economic mayhem is still to follow this Autumn’s crash. At least our paddling will remain inexpensive… close to home.
Oz is doing just fine. Petrol (gas) is now cheap but the cost of going anywhere outside the country is comparatively high so checking out Australia is a good idea and kayaking is dirt cheap once you have the gear.
I like the whole culture of kayaking which is about paring down the superfluous and making sure the essential is in place. The best luxuries are often the cheapest. Like remembering to put a tube of condensed milk in the kit or sitting on the sand with the Trangia boiling away and coffee brewing. It puts things in perspective and prepares you for uncertain times.
Yeah, I think a lot of us are in the same place. We’ll just stay a bit closer to home. The folks running the businesses, Tour Guides, Outfitters, Symposiums, Lessons, etc., I think they will all be struggling to different degrees.