[Jeff Potter (of OutYourBackdoor.com)]

Is there some hot new paddle forum out there where all the real
discussion action is nowadays?

There's a lively Texas paddle forum for the TWS. And there's a surfski
forum from S. Africa, I think. But I really haven't found any main new/
other forum.

The http://www.kayakforum.com seems VERY old-fashioned, without much
action. ...But it does have plenty of good resource info parked on it.

Duckworks is SUPER for the builders. But... there's so much more to
talk about and share!

"Sea Kayaker" has a tiny little forum---but it's pro. "Canoe & Kayak"
won't let you even see theirs unless you log-in---bad form for the Net
scene.

There are tons of free forum software-programs out there that other
sports use to create lively forums. Where's ours?

It goes without saying that my OYB website has had just such a "pro"
paddle/boat forum up and running since about 1995. But sadly it
doesn't get much traffic...even though my main website gets 15,000
visitors a month! (And a million hits.) To me, I see no reason why it
hasn't taken off. It's set up and ready to make a great HQ for all
types of indy outdoor discussion.

I like all kinds of small boat, human-power boat action, myself.
(Canoe, kayak, small sail.)

--JP
outyourbackdoor.com

[Two meter troll]

On Oct 24, 11:52*am, "Jeff Potter (of OutYourBackdoor.com)"
wrote:
Is there some hot new paddle forum out there where all the real
discussion action is nowadays?

There's a lively Texas paddle forum for the TWS. And there's a surfski
forum from S. Africa, I think. But I really haven't found any main new/
other forum.

Thehttp://www.kayakforum.comseems VERY old-fashioned, without much
action. ...But it does have plenty of good resource info parked on it.

Duckworks is SUPER for the builders. But... there's so much more to
talk about and share!

"Sea Kayaker" has a tiny little forum---but it's pro. "Canoe & Kayak"
won't let you even see theirs unless you log-in---bad form for the Net
scene.

There are tons of free forum software-programs out there that other
sports use to create lively forums. Where's ours?

It goes without saying that my OYB website has had just such a "pro"
paddle/boat forum up and running since about 1995. But sadly it
doesn't get much traffic...even though my main website gets 15,000
visitors a month! (And a million hits.) To me, I see no reason why it
hasn't taken off. It's set up and ready to make a great HQ for all
types of indy outdoor discussion.

I like all kinds of small boat, human-power boat action, myself.
(Canoe, kayak, small sail.)

--JP
outyourbackdoor.com

IMO we are out your back door paddeling
(personaly i am getting set up to build a sampan and a new sail so i
am on a little more than normal)

[Wilko]

Jeff Potter (of OutYourBackdoor.com) wrote:
Is there some hot new paddle forum out there where all the real
discussion action is nowadays?

There isn't just one, there are a ton of them, each catering to their
own niche of the market. Many are not only aimed at a certain kind of
paddler, but also at individual countries, languages and smaller areas
within countries. Since now almost anyone can find a specific forum to
cater to their needs and wishes, more general forums become less
attractive to a lot of paddlers.

I like to know what is going on in my neck of the woods as well as
further away, but right now that means following five forums in three
languages.

--
Wilko van den Bergh wilkoa t)dse(d o tnl
Eindhoven The Netherlands Europe
---Look at the possibilities, don't worry about the limitations.---
http://kayaker.nl/

[Jeff Potter (of OutYourBackdoor.com)]

On Oct 27, 6:31*am, Wilko wrote:
Jeff Potter (of OutYourBackdoor.com) wrote:

Is there some hot new paddle forum out there where all the real
discussion action is nowadays?

There isn't just one, there are a ton of them, each catering to their
own niche of the market.

Ah! So can you give us some?

How about one for sea kayaking? One for canoeing? ...I mean good,
broad, active forums.

As I said, I found a good one for racing, but it's the TWS forum and
so is limited in that way. I also found a good one for surf-skis. But
nothing for SK or canoe. Thanks!

Many are not only aimed at a certain kind of
paddler, but also at individual countries, languages and smaller areas
within countries. Since now almost anyone can find a specific forum to
cater to their needs and wishes, more general forums become less
attractive to a lot of paddlers.

I wonder why the general thing falls off. It seems that both close-
view and big-view are always needed.

--JP
oyb

[BobCP]

One for canoeing? ...I mean good,
broad, active forums.

cboats.net for whitewater (and some fla****er) canoeing.

[Wilko]

Jeff Potter (of OutYourBackdoor.com) wrote:
On Oct 27, 6:31 am, Wilko wrote:
Jeff Potter (of OutYourBackdoor.com) wrote:

Is there some hot new paddle forum out there where all the real
discussion action is nowadays?
There isn't just one, there are a ton of them, each catering to their
own niche of the market.

Ah! So can you give us some?

Sure, do you want the ones for Britain, France, the Netherlands,
Germany, Czech Republic, Spain or Austria? That is, if you speak any
language besides English, and you are interested in the niche that each
language and area caters to.

How about one for sea kayaking? One for canoeing? ...I mean good,
broad, active forums.

The problem is that broad doesn't automatically mean good. I like the
international forums, but they have slowly gone out of fashion for the
reasons I already gave below.

Many are not only aimed at a certain kind of
paddler, but also at individual countries, languages and smaller areas
within countries. Since now almost anyone can find a specific forum to
cater to their needs and wishes, more general forums become less
attractive to a lot of paddlers.

I wonder why the general thing falls off. It seems that both close-
view and big-view are always needed.

Although I agree that the general thing has a charm of its own, the wide
variety of forums available and the desire of most people to not only
find one that is specific to their area, but that is aimed at their kind
of paddling and is in their language means that anything too general
will not see enough traffic to make the forum interesting to others. The
critical mass needed to start your own forum is easier to reach
nowadays, with so many paddlers having their own high speed internet
connection and willingness to search for some place to communicate with
like-minded individuals, especially if that forum is very specialized
and aimed at a local group.

So, if you miss one for your area or kind of paddling, start it up, but
there are several general forums available that see hardly any traffic
that already are aimed at what you're trying to offer, so save yourself
the trouble and look for where the demand is now, and not for what you
can offer.

--
Wilko van den Bergh wilkoa t)dse(d o tnl
Eindhoven The Netherlands Europe
---Look at the possibilities, don't worry about the limitations.---
http://kayaker.nl/

[thief]

On Oct 24, 2:52*pm, "Jeff Potter (of OutYourBackdoor.com)"
wrote:
Is there some hot new paddle forum out there where all the real
discussion action is nowadays?

I would say
Boatertalk.com
Paddling.net
UKRGbook in the UK

the main three that i check in on....