Hello!

I recently came to California from Virginia to work. I have an old Dagger Caper that was set up for solo or tandem but I converted it to solo only. Then my thigh straps/toe blocks broke (damn twenty year old outfitting) and I decided to upgrade to a saddle. That’s when I got my job in California and had to leave Virginia before I installed it and lost all of my help/instruction. I fear this project is beyond my knowledge and could use some help, suggestions, or even the number of an outfitter who could install it for me. I'm currently located outside of Bakersfield but willing to go anywhere in the state to get this done. I know there are not many open boaters out here (I stopped in Kernville and asked at an outfitter and they didn’t even know that people paddle canoes in whitewater) but any and all help is welcome.

Thanks,

Nate

Hello Nate,

Welcome to California. I don't know of any open boaters in Bakersfield area, but there might be. Ask up at the Kernville brewery or check with the Kern Valley river group. There are some links on the Kern river pages.

Larry Wade, from the LA area was a very strong open boater. Actually, now that I am thinking about it, look up the Los Angeles Sierra Club River Touring Section. There were a bunch of open boaters in that group. Go to the AW affiliates page and look up the California clubs. [www.americanwhitewater.org]
There are probably knowledgeable people in most of them.

In Fresno there are a couple of open boaters who might help. I would offer more help myself, but there is a saddle still sitting in my garage, that I have been meaning to put in my 17 foot Penobscot, so I can do more than class 2 with that boat.

I could send you some emails and phone numbers via private message, if you would like.

Paul

Paul,
Thanks for the help! I emailed the LA Sierra Club River Touring Section and hopefully they will know what direction to send me in. Both my boat and the saddle are currently sitting collecting dust at a relatives house in Tahoe right now making me sad. I'll try to check out the Kernville Brewery on my next break from work if I haven't made any progress before then. It would be nice to meet some fellow open boaters out here. If I don't figure out anything soon I will send you a private message and see if any of the boaters you know can help me.
Thanks for your help once again,
Nate