2007 REI Paddling Demo Day

2007 REI Paddling Demo Day
4/22/2007 10:00 AM

Try the latest in boats and paddling gear on the open water! It’s free and a BBQ lunch is included!

On Sunday, April 22, 2007 REI will host its annual Paddling Demo Day. The event will take place from 10am-3pm at the Nimbus Flat Area of Lake Natoma. You will find an array of kayaks

I will be here on Sunday with ocean kayaks.  Anumber of other manufacturers will be represented as well.  Good chance to paddle/demo a variety of yaks////

ps anyone fish lake natoma?  I want to get there early and try for trout if possible.

Allen

Sorry to say but it looks like rain in the forcast for Sunday.
Just be sure to dress for it.
Will it take place rain or shine???

REI is also having its demo day at San Pablo Res on the 29th of April from 10am to 3pm.

Pat R

Yeah it rained last week in Santa Rosa too.  Muddy and uncomfy, then it cleared up.  I'll bring my boots this time LOL...

main thing is getting an hour or so of fishing in before the demo/seminar stuff.  I blew it last week, had to travel from home at 6am after picking up my family at the airport at midnight.  YAWN

and yes there will be two more demo days, shoreline and Berkely (San Pablo)
I'll be at those as well.  Check the REI websites for details.

allen

I plan to be there if it's not raining too hard.

ps anyone fish lake natoma?  I want to get there early and try for trout if possible.

I live 20 min away and have fished there many times over the years. Haven't caught anything to brag about. There are some large trout in that lake that seem to be too smart for me.

What time were you planning to fish? I was considering fishing there also.

Al

We had a break in the weather, so I took a drive to the demo. Lots of kayaks to demo. I paddled a Tarpon 120 and 140, a Prowler 13 and the Prowler Big Game. The Big Game is a wide, stable  boat.
Best part was meeting Allen at his display. Had a very nice chat with him.

Allen at his display:


The Prowler Big Game:






Misc:

Nice boots Allen

Nice pics Al - Boy, I sure miss working for REI....I always looked forward to working the Paddle Demo day event 

Can't wait to see the new Prowler 

I had fun. You can see there wasn't much of a crowd there. Didn't have to wait long to try any kayak. All the REI people were helpful and friendly.

It was also funny to see lots of people walking around in soaking wet jeans.

Nice boots Allen

hey thanks for noticing.....It wasn't too muddy, like Santa Rosa was.... I didn't fish cause it was raining so hard the night before and forecsst was rain continuing till noon.  It was mainly dry, but windy and cold, so no fishing for me.

Nice day talking to quite a few wannabe yakfishers.  Highlight of the day was meeting alfredo.

Next week is Shoreline  on Saturday and San Pablo on Sunday. 

Allen

Next week is Shoreline  on Saturday and San Pablo on Sunday. 

Allen

Hey Allen, where exactly on Saturday?  I have two buddies who've started to express interest in kayak fishing & only one of them has ever been out on a yak.  (hahaha...and that was years ago, when he and his girlfriend got blown out to sea and had to get rescued by the Coast Guard) The demo would be a good opportunity for them to try out different models, and hopefully get hooked so I have more fishing partners. 

Thanks,
Pete

Allen, will they have a variety of paddle brands and lengths for demo purposes?  I've been borrowing a mid swift, I believe it's a 240CM but would like to try a 230CM to see if it feels better to me.  I don't think I've seen any swifts at the REI's I've been to so I'm mostly concerned with testing the different lengths.

Will the have Marauders out there?  I'd like to try the paddle with the same type of boat that I paddle.

What's the cost of the event? Is it less expensive for REI members? 

Angel, the event is free. REI members get to hit the water 10 - noon, after which the public gets access.

Angel, I don't recall Cobras being a part of the demo (because REI does not sell 'em ) but I could be wrong. The only two sit on top kayaks that I remember were Ocean Kayaks and Wilderness Systems.

As far as paddles, all I saw where Werners.

I might be able to drop by at the Shoreline event.

Here is info regarding the next two Demo Days (also the final 2 for Nor Cal)

ATE: April 28, 2007 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
LOCATION: Shoreline Aquatic Center
HOST STORE: Mountain View
PHONE NUMBER: (650) 969-1938

DATE: April 29, 2007 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
LOCATION: San Pablo Reservoir/Recreation Area
HOST STORE: Berkeley
PHONE NUMBER: (510) 527-4140

The paddles available for demo are generic paddles, though different lengths are available. 

Marauders are not available, as Mooch points out, REI does not sell them.  They have every boat available that they sell (makes sense, right?)

Also it looks like they are offering a 15% discount on boats and some related gear for the Demo Days, so potential deals are out there.

I hear good things about fishing at San Pablo, so I will definitely be trolling for trout early in the morning there....company more than welcome.  Breakfast Burritos more than welcome as well.

Allen

Allen