Pumps

[FullGnarlzOC]

<edited by moderator (Sir Adam)>

[magicmike]

Hey ian- You guys who live in paddling Meccas, with obviously alot of peer pressure, might get called wusses for using pumps. But around here , I get more innovative baddass feedback. Even though I'm neither innovative nor baddass.-M-

[hazardharry]

most men will agree that sitting in cold water... http://youtu.be/8DoARSlv-HU" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Randy Dodson]

I think you re over estimating the depth of this thread.

The pros are obvious- you don't have to dump you boat.
The cons are obvious- you look like wuss and there s some maintenance

Plus, at least half the posts are meant to be a joke.

I used to worry about looking like a wuss but then I moved on to the 8th grade.
just meant to be a joke.

[busterblue]

The no-pump faction seems to think that pumps are some terribly difficult magic. In reality they don't empty water all that fast. At least in my experience. At best, my pump gives me the convenience of being able to trickle out some bilgewater after a big rapid while paddling to keep up with my kayaking/better-OC1 buddies.

And it isn't hard to install or maintain. Where does that idea come from? The fact that I have one proves it is easy for dummies.

I do sympathize slightly with the objections that are based on aesthetics. But for me that faded away after the first play spot.

One of the best things about having a pump is voluntary roll practice on flatwater.

[Atucky]

One aspect I have always loved about paddling, is that it's an individual sport. we all have our own personal goals, limitations, and equipment preferences.

I like it that way.

Nice job chumming for this thread! haha

[NickParker]

...I do sympathize slightly with the objections that are based on aesthetics...

Agreed.

The objections based on pump users being "lazy" or "lame" are complete BS. Some quick 5th grade math will tell you that using a lightweight paddle eliminates more physical effort than a pump ever could, by a wide margin. If you want to claim pump users are lazy, you need to be using one of these when you say it: http://www.nrs.com/product/1500/carlisle-economy-paddle

Perhaps the best comeback for "No Pumps" is "No Hypocrisy".

[Einar]

Well, we have flogged that dead horse down to the bones, again.
Usually this kinda response only goes in the deep of January dark.

Wha' happen, all the creeks dry up back east... due to Global Warming?

[FullGnarlzOC]

hardly any effort on my part to cause an uproar... its real easy... u say no pumps. then watch ppl come out of the woodwork try to justify why they use a pump. its great

[FullGnarlzOC]

and i agree.... people that use pumps are not lazy... i mean they have to 1) buy the stuff to install a pump, 2) install a pump, 3) take out their battery every day they paddle, charge, and put it back in boat, 4) make repairs to keep pump operational

[Einar]

.... I thought the Global Warming closer was gonna get us another 6 pages.

[FullGnarlzOC]

i blame el nino

[Smurfwarrior]

Pump or no pump, who cares... just say no to douchebaggery. We seem to have more problem with that around here than pump envy.

[busterblue]

As a total dork, I actually really enjoy this thread. The discussion on pumps touches upon all sorts of interesting padding philosophy issues. Like, why do we canoe rather than kayak? What's the difference between OC1 and C1? And, if I can't feel my feet, are they still there?

And if folks start ranting, or using hyperbolic language, I just interpret that as someone pounding the bar, rattling the glasses, during an interesting debate. Pumps? No pumps? Clearly there is no answer. But it's interesting to hear how people think.

(P.S. 'hyperbolic' Yep. Hard as a rock.)

[Smurfwarrior]

Einar- are you going to the Tamihi slalom race? I'm planning on being up in BC for that and it would be great to boat with you again.