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If you'd like to receive our email newsletter just email us at newsletter@raftandkayak.com and we'll put you on the list.
Below are samples of previous newsletters.
April, '04 Newsletter
Hey Folks!
Thanks for taking the time to look over our latest email. It chock full of
new info. Here goes:
Many thanks to all who attended the 4th Annual Port Angeles Kayak Symposium!
We had record numbers this year due in part to the decent weather and your
passing the word along. Special thanks goes out to all of the volunteers
that helped make the event go smoothly! Any feedback on what we did right
or wrong and how we can improve it next year would be highly appreciated.
Our Spring Sale will continue through this Saturday, April 24th. Mention
this email to continue the savings through May 1st.
Starting May 3rd we'll be offering some fun (and free!) paddles on Lake
Aldwell. EVERY MONDAY at 7:30 am we'll be meeting at the shop for coffee
and an hour-long paddle on Lake Aldwell. This is open to everyone,
first-timers included. One of our awesome instructors will be present for
those wanting paddling tips. We'll be setting a slow pace to enjoy the
scenery and wildlife. Even if you don't have a kayak you can join in on the
fun. We need to have pre-registration before Saturdays at 5:30 pm to make
sure we have the necessary equipment available ahead of time. This gives
you an opportunity to paddle a variety of different kayaks each week. Give
us a call and join the fun and tell your friends! Remember, this will
happen every Monday throughout the spring and summer.
Also, starting May 6th we will be offering fitness paddles from 6 pm to 7 pm
EVERY THURSDAY evening. This will give you an opportunity to relieve the
stress of work, refine your paddling techniques, and get some exercise! As
with the Monday morning paddle, this weekly event is free, open to
first-timers, it gives you the oppportunity to paddle different kayaks, and
pre-registration is necessary by Wednesdays at 5:30 pm.
We still have room in our Rock Garden Class being held on May 1st. This
class will help you gain more confidence in chaotic water conditions and
feel more comfortable amongst rocks and cliffs. Minimum skill prerequisite
is our Intro to Sea Kayaking Class or equivilent. Call for more details.
Paddling Tip: For those of you who have the rubber "tupperware" style
hatches on your kayak and have occasional trouble getting them to seal
easily, here's an idea: Use 303 Protectant (the same stuff the manufacturer
recommends for you to put on your latex drysuit gaskets) on the inside and
outside of the hatch. What this will do is keep your hatch cover softer,
greatly reduce UV (sun) damage to the outside, and lube the inside for
greater ease getting the cover off and on. Give it a try!
Got an email recently from Marilyn Santiago wondering about the interest in
starting an Outrigger Canoe Club. Sounds like fun! Anyone interested can
contact her at santiago@olympus.net.
Anyone who is part of the local paddling club, Olympic Peninsula Paddlers,
is invited to participate in the club sponsored Elwha River Rafting Trip on
Sunday, June 6th. We'll be meeting at our shop at 12:15 and will have a
potluck after the trip. Anyone not rafting can spend the afternoon paddling
Lake Aldwell on your own and meet back with us at 3:30 for the potluck.
Cost for the raft trip is $29 per person plus tax (normally $49) and a $5
park fee unless you have your own pass. Space is limited so call now!
Bring your own food and beverages for after the trip. Coolers and a BBQ
will be provided. Any whitewater boaters are welcome to tag along. Bring
your own wetsuit or drysuit or you can rent from us.
That's it for now! Dave & the Crew
March, '04 Newsletter
Happy Spring Everyone!!!!
As always, if you'd like to stop receiving my blithering newsletter please reply with remove in the subject box and I will personally remove you. No hard feelings, really, I mean it!
Since I haven't sent an email newsletter since December I have lots to go over with you. Here goes:
The 4th Annual Port Angeles Kayak Symposium is drawing near! This year I'm promising sunny skies, more clinics and slide shows than ever and really, really great prices on kayaks and accessories. Go to www.raftandkayak.com/ks5.html for more info. Clinic and slide show sign-up starts March 16th. You'll want to sign up for the clinics early since many will book full.
One of the highlights will be local paddler Chris Duff doing a presentation on last summer's paddle around Iceland. (If you want to see it this weekend he's doing the presentation in Madison, Wisconsin but if you can wait it'll only be $3 at the Red Lion on April 17th.)
Volunteers are needed for the event. If you are interested in working a few hours at the check-in both or collecting $$$ at the slide shows then email back or call and we can get that set up. Rewards for your work will be an event shirt, one free clinic, and my undying gratitude.
Two sea kayak classes are available soon. Give us a call for more info or to sign up. We're offering:
Sea Kayaking II (SKII) is a follow-up class to the Beginning Sea Kayaking (SKI) class & beyond. Review your kayaking skills and begin developing new ones as we practice and polish paddle strokes, learn the powerful applications of edging techniques, and delve into the process of decision-making and problem solving on the water. This course is designed to enhance your paddling skills, in addition to developing the mental skills and judgement for safer kayaking. Fee: $79 Instructor, Deb Volturno, March 20, 2004 9:30-4:00
Introduction to Rock Garden Paddling - Begin the process of learning how to paddle safely in the dynamic "rock garden" environment from one of the country's best and most qualified teachers. This is a class that introduces you to how to paddle in and around rocks, how to recognize hazards, safe spots and play spots. Depending on conditions, we may even get inside a sea cave. Prerequisite: Surf Zone Class or instructor approval. Instructor: Deb Volturno, ACA Instructor Trainer Educator Fee: $79, add $20 for kayak, gear and wetsuit rental May 1st, 2004 9:30-4:00
The rafting season is coming up fast and we have a good snowpack in the hills. There are some good weekend (and weekday) dates left in May and June for individuals, families and groups. We have some great group rates for your company picnics or family reunions (or other groups!). Give us a call for more info. Remember, first timers and scaredy cats are welcome! You are in good hands with our professional, full-time guides. We are entering our 20th year rafting on the Elwha!
Miranda Green is back with us managing the shop. Miranda was the manager for about 6 years prior to going off to Arizona last summer. We're lucky to have her expertise and her being here means I can get more time on the water and not in front of this computer! Feel free to stop by and say hi to her!
New Product: We have brought aboard Seaward Kayaks to our impressive selection! We are looking forward to showing you these quality fiberglass boats. With all of the manufacturers trying to get into our shop we have to be selective and we've found that Seaward has a great reputation of building really high quality kayaks. They're attention to detail really shows through on the showroom and on the water. Our first shipment is coming just before the symposium and their Customer Reps will be on hand at the symposium to help with test-dives.
New Product II: Ladies, the FUD's are in! What's a FUD you ask? Well, uh, let's just say this: Deb will be teaching a clinic on the use of these handy dandy little, uh, um, things at the symposium so you can find out more by looking at the clinic list. 'Nuff said. (No, I'm not blushing!)
More New Products: Attention drysuit owners or soon to be owners! We have some new products for you including one-piece fleece liners (you know, those teddy bear things or whatever you call them). I got one and wear it under my drysuit and have found them so comfy that I figured everyone needed one. Even if you don't have a drysuit they're great for wintertime hanging out on the couch with a good book and a roaring fire. Also, we now have drysuit care products like Zip Care and Zip Tech for keeping your waterproof zippers clean and lubricated.
Yeah, Yeah, More New Products: Soon we will be offering the new NRS Extreme Drysuit as well. This suit is durable, breathable (a must!) and retails for only $450!!! Lots of new books as well so come on down and browse!
Well, that's all I'll bore you with for now. Happy Paddling! Dave
April, '03
Hello Everyone!
Spring is finally here, the geese are starting to nest on Lake Aldwell, the
rivers are patiently waiting the Spring snowmelt, and the flowering currants
and fruit trees are in full bloom. Time to scrub the rust off and start
thinking of getting out on the water!
Thanks goes out to all of you that attended (and volunteered!) at our Kayak
Symposium last weekend. It was a lot of fun and, although I'm kinda glad
it's over (whew!) I'm already looking forward to next year. Any feedback on
how I can make the event better next year is welcome so feel free to email
back with suggestions.
Although our Spring Sale ended on April 19th, I'll extend sale pricing (10%
to 40% off everything!) for anyone mentioning that they are on the email
newsletter list. This is good through this Saturday (4/26).
The long awaited Olympic Peninsula Paddlers Club is now taking members!
It's a club for whitewater and sea kayakers, rafters, and canoeists (or any
other paddle powered wetercraft). Reasons to join include networking with
other paddlers with the same skill levels and interests, learning about safe
paddling through clinics, etc., money savings through Olympic Raft & Kayak
and Sound Bikes & Kayaks (show your card for 5% off the retail price on any
item in stock), a free newsletter with free classified ads, fun events like
club paddles, potlucks, etc. And another good reason is that you
automatically get a free membership to the American Canoe Association and a
year subscription to Paddler Magazine. You can pick up more info by
stopping by the shop and getting an application.
Benefit Kayak Trip - We'll be offering a benefit kayak trip on Lake Aldwell
on Thursday evening, May 1st, meeting a 5:30 pm. We'll go out and spend a
couple of hours enjoying the great scenery and calm water. Everyone 5 years
old and up are welcome. We can supply all the gear or you can bring your
own. We will have at least three guides along to help any novices. If you
need gear then you will need to sign up in advance by giving me (Dave) a
call at (360) 452-1443. Donations of $15 (or anything you can) will be
accepted. We'll ask for an extra $5 for equipment rental if you need gear
and ALL proceeds, including the rental fee, will go to the Port Angeles
YMCA. The annual Strong Kids Campaign is underway to raise $70,000 to
support kids (and sometimes adults) in the programs the YMCA conducts. The
YMCA has never turned away a kid or parent who want to be part of the
basketball league or some other youth sport, they subsidize the cost of the
programs through this annual campaign. Please think about join us, rain or
shine, to raise money for this worthy cause. We raised over $450 for them
last year and I'd like to top that.
Paddling Tips of the Month - (I know I repeat some of these but they're good
ideas and there are many new people getting this!)
Remember, Coast Guard regulations require a whistle or other sounding device
when you are on the water in any watercraft.
Now's the time to check for leaky bulkheads in you kayak. Dry out the
inside of your boat and spray water with a hose at the bulkheads for awhile
then check for leaks on the other side. If you find any leaks then use some
marine grade caulking to fix it. Make sure the caulking is okay for you
kayak material (plastic, fiberglass, wood, etc.). If you feel unsure on
this then bring you kayak down and I'll fix it for you (free as always).
At the same time check the bungee cords on the deck of your kayak. If they
seem brittle or worn then bring your kayak down for free replacement
(bungee, not kayak!).
For those of you with Gore-Tex drysuits, make sure you use Gore-Tex approved
cleaning solution for your garment. There are many cleaning products out
there that can actually clog the breathable pores in Gore-Tex. There are
also some designed specifically for breathable fabrics. Check the soap
label when in doubt or call me for ideas.
Got some smelly neoprene? Wetsuits and booties can be cleaned with mild
soap and water but sometimes bacteria and other microthingies will get into
neoprene pores making it smelly even after a good washing. There are
products available to get rid of the smell (microbial stuff) and it is easy
to use.
If you have a two-piece paddle, make sure you take it apart after every use
and hose it down good (inside and out) after salt water use. Otherwise
you'll end up with a one-piece paddle which is okay until you want to put it
in your trunk.
Going to transport your kayak on your vehicle? Think about getting a
cockpit cover. They're under $30 and they work great for keeping rain out
of you boat. Water can get heavy and add many pounds to your kayak while on
your rooftop. They also help keep bugs, slugs, and other critters out when
in storage. I've seen where mice have chewed on vuluabe seats, etc. while
in winter storage.
Getting sore shoulders, back, wrists or other joints while paddling? It may
be that your paddling techniques need a lesson. Good technique can allow
you to paddle pain-free so think about a private lesson or signing up for a
refresher class.
Employee Update - We've got another new steff member in the shop. Rose
Appel has joined us to help with the retail shop and help with our guided
tour clients. You may know her from her excellent work at Siren's
Restaurant and Bar in Port Angeles where she has been working. She'll be
working part-time at both places throughout the summer. Next time in say
"hi".
Many of you are new to the email newsletter since you signed up over last
weekend's Kayak Symposium. I want to let you know that if you are
unsatisfied for any reason with our monthly updates you are welcome to reply
with "remove" in the subject box and we can take you off the newsletter
list. No problem.
Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings. If you have suggestions or
ideas to make these monthly updates better please email me! Sorry,
suggestions on better grammar will not be accepted. Dave
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