By Suzanne M. Wood
As my husband, Scott, scurried around the staging area, yellow legal pad in hand, grouping provisions and inspecting gear, it occurred to me that some hikers spent less time preparing to travel the 2,100 miles of the Appalachian Trail than we were devoting to taking our kids on a 2.5 day camping trip.
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PVC or Polyvinyl Chloride is a thermoplastic polymer that is second only to Polyethylene in terms of industrial and commercial use. While PVC has some good industrial applications (for example, as a building material), the production, use and disposal of PVC has been linked to some significant health and environmental concerns by credible sources. While nearly every known substance can be considered toxic in the right dose, PVC does seem to be getting a lot of press lately and perhaps rightly so.
For example, PVC production utilizes plasticizers and other additives to make PVC easier to work with. Many of these additives have known health risks and they leach out of the PVC over time in a process called outgassing. Also, PVC is based on a vinyl chloride monomer that has been known to be carcinogenic since the 1960s. PVC disposal can also release Dioxins into the environment in sufficient concentrations to be a health concern.
For some good information on PVC that isn’t anti-industry, look here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyvinyl_chloride
While there will always be debate over heath risks and environmental concerns related to PVC, we at Great Outdoor Provision Co feel it is prudent to be conservative with our own health and backyards. In the paddlesports industry, PVC is most frequently used as a buoyancy aid in PFDs (lifevests) and as a material used in the production of drybags. If a viable alternative to PVC is available for a comparable price, why not use it? If the alternative actually performs better than PVC for its intended use, everyone wins.
Here are some manufacturers who offer not only viable alternatives to PVC but in many cases better alternatives to PVC:
By Tim Glover, Wilmington Shop Manager
Winter is the perfect time to reflect on past fishing adventures, and to daydream about the nice weather arriving with spring. Reels and other equipment are cleaned and repaired. Fly boxes are filled again as the tying table looks more inviting than the cold. Well, maybe if you live somewhere else, but fortunately North Carolina offers excellent winter fly fishing opportunities for red drum and other species along the coast. If you enjoy sight-casting to fish in shallow water, than red drum are the right target, and a window of nice weather is the perfect opportunity.
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Burt Kornegay returns to several Shops in February:
“The Perfection of Traveling: a History of the Canoe from Birchbark to ABS”
Setting out in a birchbark canoe to paddle through the wilds of Maine in 1857, Henry David Thoreau immediately sensed that the canoe presented him “with the freedom of the lakes and the woods.” And during the 10-day trip he discovered that no matter how small the passage, “wherever there is a channel for water, there is a road for the canoe.”When Thoreau and his companions paddled across lakes, he found it “inspiriting to hear the regular dip of the paddles.” And he decribed running rapids as being “somewhat like navigating a thunderspout.” Toward the end of the trip Thoreau reached the fast-flowing Webster Stream, which to him looked like an “inclined mirror” sloping for miles “between two evergreen forests,” and he found his swift descent down it to be “very exhilarating, and the perfection of traveling.”
One-hundred and fifty years later, I hope that you will join me for an “exhilarating” hour at one of the locations below, where, taking my inspiration from Thoreau, I’ll trace the history of wilderness travel by canoe from its beginning with the American Indians down to the present day. Along the way, we’ll see drawings and photographs of every kind of canoe you can imagine, and you’ll hear stories of incredible paddling exploits, from whitewater to warfare. Using slides and maps, I’ll also show you some of the most beautiful rivers in North America to paddle. Slickrock “vets” will be honored guests!
Quick Facts about Burt:
Presentations start at 7:00 PM. For further information, go to www.slickrockexpeditions.com
Tues, Feb. 13: Greensboro Shop, Friendly Shopping Center
Wed, Feb. 14: Raleigh Shop, Cameron Village
Thurs, Feb. 15: Charlotte Shop, Park Road Shopping Center
» Recommended Boats @ GOPC:
We are excited to have Matthew Copeland from NOLS in our shops for Presentation/INFO sessions on NOLS courses
Chapel Hill Shop
Wed. Jan. 24 - 7:00 pm
Charlotte Shop
Thurs. Jan 25 - 7:00 pm
WHERE: Winston-Lake YMCA - 901 Waterworks Rd.
WHEN: Sundays 2 to 4pm, Jan 7th and 21st, Feb 4th and 18th, March 11th and 25th
Clean boat and PFD required. This will be an open pool session for individuals to work on their own and receive helpful advise to tune their skills. (Help will be available at no charge for those wanting to learn to roll on a first come bases)
$5.00/person/session. Call our Winston-Salem Store for more info (336) 727-0906
CUSTOMER COMMENT: I RECENTLY ATTENDED A “PADDLE CLASS” AT THE FORSYTH “Y”. I MUST SAY, I DON’T THINK I’VE EVER HAD MORE FUN AMONG STRANGERS! DON (W-S Staff) AND HIS KNOWLEDGE ARE A TREMENDOUS ASSET TO YOUR COMPANY. NOT ONLY DID I LEARN ABOUT MY BOAT, BUT I ALSO LEARNED TO ROLL UP THE VERY FIRST NIGHT! I’M SURE THIS ISN’T THE GREATEST OF THINGS THAT AWAIT ME IN MY UP COMING PADDLING ADVENTURES, BUT ITS A GREAT START! THANKS TO YOU AND YOUR COMPANY… R.G.
Don’t let the cool weather keep you from boating. You just need to be prepared. Know the dangers of cold water boating and take appropriate precautions. You can comfortably and safely enjoy boating all 12 months of the year. The American Canoe Association has provided Cold Water Survival Information on this PDF file. Be sure to download and study the information provided before boating this winter.
Be safe and have fun!
COLD WATER SAFETY
(Taken from FROG HOLLOW OUTDOORS Site)
Often the best paddling opportunities exist when cooler weather and cold water increases the risks associated with getting wet. The following advice will increase your odds of survival should you capsize or encounter bad weather.
Cold Shock is a dangerous, sometimes fatal, condition that can result when a person is suddenly immersed in cold water, such as would occur in a capsize. The sudden exposure of the head and chest to cold water typically causes an involuntary gasp for air, sudden increases in heart rate and blood pressure, disorientation and can possibly cause cardiac arrest.
Hypothermia is a dangerous and often-fatal condition that results when exposure to cold temperatures causes the body to no longer be able to maintain its normal temperature in the core region (heart, lungs, etc.). While this condition can occur through exposure to cold air alone, its onset is much faster when the body is wet or immersed in water. Paddlers must take special care to protect themselves from this danger any time they paddle in cold water, rainy conditions, or cool air temperatures.
To reduce the exposure to these hazards:
In the event of a capsize in cold water:
Note: Any decision to swim for shore should not be entered into lightly. Physical activity such as swimming, or other struggling in the water increases heat loss. Survival time can be reduced to minutes. Strong swimmers have died before swimming 100 yards in cold water. In water under 40 degrees farenheit, victims have died before swimming 100 feet. Also keep in mind that judging distance accurately on the water is difficult.
The Symptoms of Hypothermia
The most typical symptoms of hypothermia are listed below in the general order of onset.
Treatment of Hypothermia
Mild hypothermia (victim shivering but coherent): Move victim to place of warmth. Remove wet clothes, give warm, sweet drinks; no alcohol or caffeine. Keep victim warm for several hours.
Moderate hypothermia (shivering may decrease or stop): Victim may seem irrational with deteriorating coordination. Same as above but no drinks. Victim should be kept lying down with torso, thighs, head and neck covered with dry clothes, coats or blankets to stop further heat loss. Seek medical attention immediately.
Severe hypothermia (shivering may have stopped): Victim may resist help or be semiconscious or unconscious). Removed from water, victim must be kept prone, on back and immobile. Victim must be handled gently. Cover torso, thighs, head and neck with dry covers to stop further heat loss. Arms and legs must not be stimulated in any manner. Cold blood in extremities that suddenly returns to the core may induce cardiac arrest. Seek medical attention immediately.
Victim appears dead (little or no breathing or pulse, body rigid): Assume victim can still be revived. Look for faint pulse or breathing for 2 minutes. If any trace is found, do not give CPR. It can cause cardiac arrest. Medical help is imperative. If pulse and breathing are totally absent, trained medical personnel should start CPR.
Acknowledgments: This article was adapted from information in the ACA video Cold, Wet and Alive, and from the article Off-Season Boating, Cold Shock, and Hypothermia by Charles A. Sutherland, Ph.D.
Greensboro
Barber Park – Tees marked by a cylinder at ground level. Equal hyzer and anhyzer setup, with 9 wooded and 9 open holes. Tends to play long due to elevation changes and unique fairways.
Directions: I-85 to Lee St. in Greensboro, exit towards downtown, 1st right on Florida St., park is 0.5 mile on left.
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Winston-SalemHorizons Park – Historic, beautiful course. Picnic areas and other activities.
Directions: I-40 to US 52 North to Route 8 North (Germanton) to a right on Memorial Industrial School Rd. Watch for signs.
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Burlington
Cedarock Park – Open, with grass fairways covering 10 acres of rolling countryside. Lot of trees, creek, two park road OBs. 2 pin and 2 tee placements per hole, allowing 4 configurations.
Directions: I-85/I-40, exit 145 (Hwy 49) from Capt. D’s Seafood, south 6.3 miles, left at Friendship-Patterson Mill Rd., 0.25 mile, left at park road, 0.9 mile to 1st lot on left.
Wellspring, Cedarock Park – Accuracy oriented course, with lots of woods and hills. 2 OB creeks, a lake and dual tees. Fairways clearly defined and walkways between holes are lined. Please pack out trash and be kind to the course
Directions: I-85/I-40, exit 145 (Hwy 49) from Shoney’s, south 6.3 miles, left at Friendship-Patterson Mill Rd., 0.25 mile, left at park road, 1.3 miles to 2nd lot on left.
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Zebulon
Zebulon Community Park – Nice mix of rolling hills, green grass, with both open and wooded holes. Plays around 2 softball fields with water and OB on several holes.Directions: I-64 east from Raleigh about 17 miles, exit at Zebulon (Hwy 96), right at top of ramp, 2 miles to park on left just past the 3 sets of RR tracks.
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High Point
Johnson Street Park – Very challenging course through dense forest with rolling fairways and elevation changes. Some tunnel shots through utility right-of-ways. Longer holes often uphill with wide fairways.
Directions: From I-40, take Hwy 68 south toward High Point, to a right on Johnson St., 2.5 miles to course on right next to fire station.
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Thomasville
Old Plank Road – Tight little wooded course with lots of elevation changes. Requires accuracy. $5/day or $10/yr. Private – call in advance.
Directions: From Greensboro; I-85 south, exit 103. Go left to a right on Cedar Lodge Rd., 3.2 miles to a right on Light Rd. 1st drive to right. Parking is behind whit house. Eric Beck (336)476-4962 (336)247-3920
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Yadkinville
Yadkin County Park – Good combination of open and wooded. Elevation change makes it play longer than measured.
Directions: I-40 to Winston-Salem Exit 188, Hwy 421 north 20 miles to Yadkinville, exit 601 south, left 300 yds to stoplight, left on access road, then 1.5 miles.
Cedar Hills – Tight, wooded and hilly course of championship caliber. Winds around scenic underdeveloped city park. Tough to shoot par!
Directions:440 Beltline to Six Forks Rd., north 2.5 miles to right on Millbrook. 1 mile to left on Sweetbriar, dead ends into course parking lot. 1st tee near picnic shelter. Course is also accessible off of Spring Forest…just west of Sandy Forks.
Kentwood – Very busy course with many birdie opportunities (redesign completed in 2003). Two extra baskets for putting practice.
Directions: 440 Beltline to Western Blvd., NCSU Exit, right on Kent then right on Kaplan, course on left.
Buckhorn @ Harris Lake County Park – Features tight fairways through rolling terrain. Water comes into play on 6 holes (4 throwovers!). Dual tees. Loaner discs at park office (919)387-4342.
Directions: From Raleigh take US 1 south to the New Hill exit (#89). Turn left on Hew Hill-Holleman Rd. toward power plant, 2.5 miles south to entrance on right. Course is midway into park with gravel parking lot on the right.
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Valley Springs – Championship caliber tight course. Excellent terrain changes and hardwoods make a tough combination. Seasonal restrooms and softball fields.
Directions: I-85 west of Durham to Cole Mill Rd. exit, north to a right on Rose of Sharon, then 0.5 miles to a left on Valley Springs Rd., 0.25 mile to park on left. 1st tee by ball fields.
Cornwallis Road Park – Tight, heavily wooded course on rolling hills. Short but challenging. Fitness train and basketball court.
Directions: I-85 to 15-501 Bypass, south to Cornwallis Rd., left 0.5 mil to Wade Rd., right to park.
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UNC-CH (Carolina Adventures Outdoor Center) – On former ball golf course, mostly open, but stay on fairways. The rough (poison ivy too) is thick. Non-UNC golfers welcome.
Directions: I-40 to NC 54 to Chapel Hill, straight past the 15-501 overpass, uphill toward UNC Campus, left at 1st light on Country Club Rd., 3rd right into Center, 1st tee at bottom of hill.
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Zebulon Community Park – Nice mix of rolling hills, green grass, with both open and wooded holes. Plays around 2 softball fields with water and OB on several holes.Directions: I-64 east from Raleigh about 17 miles, exit at Zebulon (Hwy 96), right at top of ramp, 2 miles to park on left just past the 3 sets of RR tracks.
Boats of all sizes have been using the wind for thousands of years. Kites with canoes and kayaks act much like a downwind spinnaker on a sailboat. With a tailwind, you can really get a free ride.
Using a kite with a canoe or kayak works best with a stern rudder or using the paddle to rudder the boat. The key is to keep the kite out front. Placing a cleat in front of the cockpit helps with keeping the kite ahead of the boat.
Parafoil kites work best for this application because they have no frame and can be easily launched and retrieved. They also drain better once they accidentally splash.
Kiting and kayaking work best when the winds are light and steady. Take your time and practice. This is an easily learned skill; however, there is a learning curve. Stop by the shop to see our kite selection.
- Danny Batten
Paddlesports Specialist
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