"Cracked Pumpkinhead" wrote in
oups.com:

HA HA HA HA, I can't afford a bus or limo!

So far, paddlers seem to be a pretty cool bunch. Can't wait to meet ya
on the water in my............well whatever I'm in! A dingy is looking
promising? Or one of those big blow up Shamu's from Marineland, eh?

I'll keep you all posted as to what I decide. However, I'm thinking of
going on weekend intro courses for both S.K and W.W. Someone told me
about this place http://www.canadianwildernesstrips.com/index2.html and
said it was awesome and highly recommended it. Anyone else in Ontario
been on a introductory course such as this or even better, been to this
specific place?

At first glance that 2 day introductory trip looks like a good way to go.
When I first started I took a similar class that included one evening in the
pool then two full day outings. By the end I was hooked and immediately
started searching for a good quality touring kayak. I've never paddled
Algonquin park but I hear that it's a great place to paddle though you might
want to find out when the black fly/mosquito season are because I hear it
can also be pretty buggy.

If you're up for a vacation attending a multiday sea kayaking symposium can
be a good way of immersing yourself in the sport quickly. There's one in
Grand Marias, Michigan that's supposed to be real good that may be the
closest to you. The Gulf of Maine Sea kayaking symposium is also real good.
There's also a Paddlesports show in the Adirondacks that has been getting
huge turnouts every year. There are others in various other parts of the
U.S (the one in Charleston, SC is quite popular).

Sea kayaking symposiums general offer a variety of features, including:

* classes at many levels taught by some world class kayakers (it's like
taking bicycle lessons from Lance Armstrong)

* boat/paddle demos (kayaks from many different vendors are lined up on a
beach for you to hop in for a test drive)

* on water demonstrations (greenland style rolling demos, etc)

* off water seminars on a variety of topics (how to pack a kayak for
camping, use of signaling devices, etc)

* good food and great company (the Maine symposium has a lobster dinner)

Check out Sea Kayaker magazine (or their website: www.seakayakermag.com) and
their events calendar for a whole list of symposium and paddle festivals
coming up this year.