A few items that might help during a Marathon Canoe Race in Texas:

KAMP-RITE "tent cot"
Available through the Camping Outpost

Received on the Billboard:
Vance- I agree with Jay- if you're using 3/8" hose on your water jug- that's what's making your jaw muscles sore. Use the 3/8" tubing to come out of the jug a few inches- then run the rest in 1/4" - I put the 3/8" tubing in boiling water and put the 1/4" tubing in the freezer before I put them together- it makes it a lot easier - I get my white rubber corks at a place that sells supplies for making home made beer - I put a "V" slot in the bottom of the 3/8" tube so that it can't pull a suction on the bottom of the jug - I also put a piece of a plastic toothpick between the 3/8" tubing where it goes through the rubber cork- for a small vent hole. The 1/4" tube never makes my jaw sore- the 3/8" tube sure did!

CaptJack Krohn

There are a lot of different wings to choose from. Some common types are made by Descent/Flite in New Zealand and there are several manufacturers in South Africa. The paddles made in SA and NZ are typically around $175-200 new if you order direct. The quality is ok but they won't be as light as the Pegasus. The Flite #6 is a good choice for marathon. The Flite #3 which is bigger and closer to a sprint blade but more forgiving. The South African paddles are a mixed bag in terms of quality so I prefer the Flites because I know what I'm getting. alhough I'm satisfied with my South African "Bratcha". There are several European paddle manufacturers (e.g. Brasca, Lettman, Plastex). My impression is that the European paddles tend to be high quality, expensive and hard to find. For a non-wing, I like the Lendal Powermaster & Arpechigalo, Descnte Italia and the lighter and more expensive Epics Wayfarer and Lightning touring paddles

New on the market are Jim Terrel made Quick Blade wing paddles, very lightweight at $285. Three Quick Blade models: the Tiger Claw, a big sprint blade, the Neutron a medium blade and the Proton, a small blade. The Neutron is medium large. The Proton has a long narrow blade. The man in Florida is Joe Pettigrew phone/fax 941-493-4088.

Another dealer in Florida is Bruce Gipson (Venturesports) who deals mainly in South African made wing and non-wing paddles. 561-395-1376. Bruce has a large selection and the one paddle I bought from him a South African "Bratcha I" wing was of could quality and fairly light. The Bratcha I is small the next larger size would be better for an adult male. In addition to the Bratcha Bruce has the Lettman line (or copies), Vortex (good for rough water) and Rasmussen wing copies.

Brasca Paddles are good quality paddle in several sizes. Find the link on the TCRA website. The South African "Bratcha I" is small but very comfortable to use and might work for the Texas Water Safari). I think that Trebits Andras manufactures Bracia or (Brasca) paddles: 011-36-1-326-5350 or braca@mail.datanet.hu

Werner no longer makes the Pegasuas large wing blade. They may (or did) make a smaller wing called the Gryphin. Contact Kayaks of Morro Bay, CA for info. 800-92-KAYAK, or call John VanNess at Austin Outdoor gear and guidance as John in a Werner dealer. Werners main # 800-275-3311. The Pegasus is a full size sprint paddle modeled after the U.S. Team paddle used in the 1992 Olympics. The Pegasus is big and catches too much water for marathon racing unless a brute is pulling it. That aside, it's a very good efficient lightweight paddle. Another full size sprint wing is Greg Barton's Epic Excalibur II. Duane at TG Cnaoes carries Spic paddles.

Danny Broadhurst in New York imports paddles, probably from England and/or South Africa. 516-281-6650. Danny isn't cheap but carries good stuff and knows equipment.

Hank Hayes makes the ultra-light non-wing Lightning touring paddles 503-824-2938.

Duane TeGruitenhuis (TG Canoes) is a dealer for Epic and Lendal Paddles (non- wing Powermaster* and Arpechilago*). 512-353-3946. Lendal also offers a variety of shaft weights and stiffnesses. If you want an Epic Wing, Excalibur Jr. is a smaller version of the Excalibur II Epics are a very light and nice and very expensive. The Wayfarer is the non-wing Epic. Duane can also get Laminex paddles from the Czech Republic.

Descente/Flite paddles are a good deal. Bernard Fletcher makes them in New Zealand. The Italia Elite is the best non-wing and I think the Flite # 6 and Flite #3 Large are good marathon wings. There is also a Flite #5 Medium which is a bit smaller than the #6. The #3L is about right for me for a 1 hour and 45 minute race. The #6 for a longer race. Flites, Lendals and South African wings aren't ultra light but they are pretty durable and easy to use. Descente also offers an aluminum paddle tip and adjustable take apart shafts as options. TheFlite #5 Large and Flite #7 Large as these are sprint paddles. Order Descente/Flite paddles direct from Bernard Fletcher:Box 1613, Taupo, New Zealand 011-64-07-377-0486.

Plastex wing Paddles from Poland are nice and light. Call direct 48-22-751-12-50 and ask for Richard Seruga or Wojciech Kudlik. The ladies model* of the Plastex, it was very light but had some give which would be ok for touring or a long race but not for a hard sprint You might be able toget them from Tomas Buday in Canada 905-271-8713. Tomas Buday can probably get Hungarian and Italian made paddles and aluminum/titanium paddles. Other Plastex contacts: Jerome Seremak or Dennis van Laken in Canada 204-925-5681

Peter Patasi is a Canadian who makes several TURBO wings for $300. He can be reached at pbpatasi@falls.igs.net

Another Canadian who sells wings: Laslo Latorovsvki 902-860-3697 or latorovszki@ns.sypatiico.ca He carries aluminum/titanium wings.

Jeff Houser makes a Hungarian style "Edge" wing that is pretty inexpensive and easy to pull. However, I only recommend it for straight ahead paddling. It does not work well for bracing and turning strokes. Jeff can be reached at usckt@northnet.org

Patrick Hemmens (Ocean Paddlesports, CA) offers several paddles for $255 including Rasmussen and South African makes. 714-642-0755 or kyak@714-642-0755.

Robert Palmer (RGP Composites in Seattle) makes several good quality paddles including wings and a nice touring paddle. 800-899-2610 or 206-869-7272 or206-522-5142. Jack Spencer at Spencer Canoes 512-357-6113 can get RGP paddles.

Another Seattle area importer: Karl Osusky imports GUT SUPER PADDLES from the Czech Republic. 425-481-0407

A really good German paddle is the Lettman .... I think Englehart Products has them 216-548-2096. The Lettman Nordic* model which is a medium large sprint wing.

Le Tecnoresine is an Italian company which makes many models. Contact Luciano Lippi at lucn@ats.it

Bill Bragg makes paddles dba California Sports Equipment...link on TCRA website.

Also, Merv Larson designs in California 805-653-0551.

Bill Smoke at Kayak Specialties in Michigan sells (or did) wings and other paddles. 616-695-9637.

Leon Qnoyam is in New York and imports relativly inexpensive Russian made paddles. 718-272-6358.

Lee Deviney