Yes Jack I have raced…
kayaks before. Year before last,I entered a race in MD. with my 15’ Merlin XT and EVERYONE else had 18’ racing kayaks.I got killed of course.But last year I entered the same kayak in the Susquahanna River race and finished 2nd.I will try again this year. (the girl that beat me in a 13’ kayak moved to California).
Gaylordsr
How old do you have to be ?
Don’t think I qualify being only 59 this past June. I do manage to get out a couple of times a week in the warmer weather. I also ride my mountain bike quite a bit up until snowfall.
My father has a bass boat (OMG)and fishes in the New York BASS Chapter Federation senior tournaments among others.
After a tournament this summer, my Mom was backing the Expedition with trailer down to pick up Dad and the boat from the water.
His fishing partner for the day exclaimed that she was really good and asked how old she was. Dad said that Mom was 80.
Youngster (around 50) exclaimed ‘Holy $hit.’
Dad said ‘Yeah she is a bit old. I’m only 79.’
As noted by the above story, I’m not sure I would yet qualify as a senior paddler. Then in reality I am a junior.
Cliffjrs
I avoid racing because…
…I don’t want to embarass anyone by beating them. Same reason I avoid Hollywood talent scouts and Presidential nominating committees. How’s that for a rich fantasy life?
Seniors vs. Geezers
OK, y’all have finally goaded me into asking:
- When does a normal human being become a “Senior”?
- When does a “Senior” become an “Honored
Citzen”?
- What’s the difference between the above
euphemisms and what we used to refer to as a “Geezer” or an “Old Bag” when I was young? (Apologies to you women, ladies, girls or whatever is the politically corrct term for adult human females nowadays.)
I have canoed since before all but one or two of you who responded to this thread were born. I bought a sea kayak when I was 68 1990, but sold it a few years later because I found it bloody uncomfortable to sit in it for hours in one position with my legs stuck straight out in front of me.
I have two canoes, a kevlar Wenonah Advantage and a kevlar MR Malecite, which I usually paddle solo because it’s better for fishing. With the Advantage I can easily keep up with run-of-the-mill tandem paddlers.
How old am I? Well, let’s just say, Hitler invaded Poland a few weeks before I started college. This turned out to be a very signifant decision for both him and me!
My hat is off to you sir…
I hope that I can maintain my health and still be paddling at your age.
You are a inspiration
Cheers, and
Merry Christmas,
JackL
Senior or Geezer?
When does a senior become a geezer?
Not to put too fine a point on it, I believe I am not only a geezer but an old geezer to boot
Of course one never thinks of ones’ self that way. But speaking as a guy who entered college a few weeks after Hitler invaded Poland, I guess I qualify as the oldest geezer on this form (though I certainly hope not!)
So to give you under-aged whippersnappers some hope,- I own two canoes, kevlar (of coursse!). One is a Wenonah Advantage and the other an MR Malecite which I usually also paddle solo. I had a sea kayak a few years ago but sold it because I found it very hard on old bones to sit for hours in one position with my legs stuck straight out in front of me.
With the Advantage I can easily keep up with most run-of-the-mill tandem teams out for a recreational paddle. The only thing I don’t like about it is the tractor seat, because I find it much nicer to be able to kneel and move around in a canoe. I always use a Zeveral paddle in the Advantage, but usuall use a Grey Owl cherry otter tail, of my Sawyer “double-bend” laminated paddle.
My advice to other old geezers who canoe is to get the lightest boat you can afford and the best paddles . You and your paddle are the canoe’s propulsion system … its engine and drive train. You may be stuck wiyh an antique engine, but at least you get the best transmission. And note that I said “Paddles”. Just as there is no canoe that is ideal for all circunstances, different conditions call for different types of paddle.
when you will not tell your age cause
a. embarrassed
b. call everyone you meet hi kid
c. don’t know
I refuse…
I refuse to answer to senior citizen, geezer, old geezer, old fart, and other such titles
of questionable distinction.
I already have a name; my name is Robert, but you can call me BOB, or thebob.
I’ll be 63 the day after CHRISTMAS!
now i’m curious
so many of us “older” paddlers seem to have picked up the activity relatively late in life. (though i cannot claim actual “senior” status, i am firmly ensconced in middle age.)
which makes my wonder…why and/or why now? as for myself:
i am forever indebted to a friend who bought one and shared his adventures via stories of his outings. while mulling over the decision, i kept rationalizing that i quite enjoyed canoeing as a child–even though i was constantly terrified the thing would tip over–but being a city kid, never managed any kind of immersion in the activity. (did i really just type that? shame on me! ;-). ) 4-h camp on bay lake was about as much canoeing as i got.
anyway, i have always loved water, so after debating with myself about whether or not i would use the thing; or if i just wanted it because i had adventure-envy (plus i wasn’t sure if i would be comfortable paddling alone and knew i couldn’t expect him to babysit me every time), i went for it.
my first time out was, indeed, in his gracious company. we paddled a place about which i had heard him talk a number of times. we got to a certain spot off the beaten path–no speedboats or jetskis–and i was so completely awestruck by the peace and beauty i cried.
and at that moment i knew…
i’m still a bit nervous when paddling alone, as much because i am a beginner as for personal safety (it’s a girl thing). but, i try to be sensibe and aware about the choices i make relative to their inherent risks…and go for it.
so, what made you do it?
Age is a number…
…old is an attitude. My only problem with my age is I keep not getting hired for jobs I performed for 44 years, not that I need the dough. I’m also grateful that I won’t need Viagra unless they find it works for arthritis.
63 Dec. 25th
Going into my 6th season of paddling.
For me and my wife…
– Last Updated: Dec-24-05 5:56 AM EST –
It was the love of nature and allowing us to get to remote, isolated, pristene places where even hiking you can't get to.
Nothing can compare with camping on or exploring a off shore uninhabited island, and there is no way you can hike through a beautiful swamp, so we were just naturlly drawn to paddlecraft
That is what originally hooked us.
Then after doing many flat water rivers you decide to try a little white water. As we progressed with that and found the adrenalin rush of coming through a class II-III, it just beckons you to hone your skills. Learning to read the river is never ending.
Then one day we made the "mistake" of entering our big old heavy Old Town Discovery into a five mile race and won the novice division.
We find now that even though our first love is touring and exploring, racing keeps us both in great physical shape.
Yesterday we did a 12 miler in our kayaks, and my wife had not been in the kayak for two weeks.
She wanted to get aerobic, so we did the first three miles as intervals, and then the last nine nature watching and exploring.
Our moving average for the day was 3.9 MPH.
Not to bad for a 67 year old lady.
By the way I am an "Old Fart" a month away from 70, but I don't look a day over 103.
When I am called that by my 40 and 50 year old paddling friends, it is a term of endearment. When I can't keep up with them any more and I hear "Jack is getting old" thn I will take offense
Cheers and
Merry Christmas
JackL
Happy Birthday to both
You and THE BIG GUY!
Hope you have many more years of happy paddling, and I hope HE makes sure you stay healthy.
Cheers and
Merry Christmas
JackL
I consider myself a fanatic old fart
when it comes to kayaking. It all started when I lived in Ontario and used to spend my holidays canoeing with friends at Algonquin Park. Eventually my wife and I moved to BC and I got hooked on kayaks. I have never taken a lesson but I have a collection of books and magazines from where I have learn and practice a lot . My wife suffers from a severe lung desease, therefore travelling was ruled out for our future, I eventually purchase a kayak and started to make day trips on our beautiful lakes, rivers and coastline, with the ocassional 4 day trip to the gulf islands and sunshine coast. I usually travel by myself and enjoy inmensely the solitud and peace that this sport gives you, I have been doing it for 7 years now. I am now 65 years old and with severe heart problem (I had 6 bypass surgery 5 years ago) but this has not stopped me from enjoying kayaking and actually my doctors recommend it…Well, here is one happy senior taking a day at the time!!!
Merry Xmas. and Happy New Year to all…
Senior Paddlers
Thee’s a guy of 76 in our club who took part in a 10 mile wild water race last month which involved 6 weir shoots. He placed 7th in the veterans Over 50 section, which is pretty good going.
Thank you for making me feel like a
kid at 57!
- Looking for sponsonship.
Senior Paddlers
I bought an Old Town Otter almost four years ago when I was only 72. Haven’t used it too much but hope to do more. Do enjoy paddling on East Texas lakes. Haven’t run across any other old coots with kayaks but there must be some.
My child bride is only…
…60, and loves her Otter. I keep urging her to let me get her something more efficient, but she’s stubborn and I’m afraid of her.
Every time I get beat in a race…
I tell it freely to anyone who will listen.
That is the best excuse that anyone can come up with.
Cheers,
JackL