What's Holding Paddlesports Back?

[@georgemorcom9700]

Thank you for taking the time to not only talk about boat building but to defend others who are trying to help people in paddlesports learn and become better paddlers. I saw that episode where Brett handled the criticism. I thought that it was typical of some of the ones who comment on anything these days. It’s very much a shame. He is trying to teach something to all who are watching. I like watching the Adventure Otaku videos. I’ve paddled many years but I’m always learning. Even if I only get one bit of information from the video that benefits me, I consider it worthwhile. I have responded to several of his videos and he is very quick to respond. That shows me he cares about his viewers and I appreciate that. Once again, thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[@brendankayaks]

Thanks for addressing the Adventure Otaku stuff, it was super frustrating to read because he’s great.

[@TurningPointBoatworks]

No problem! I thought it was well worth using it as an example of the dogmatic BS the old school kayakers throw around. Being a newbie in a sport is hard enough without a know it all belittling everyone to feed their own ego. The younger generations are not only risk averse, but also conflict averse. Why would a younger person want to be involved in a sport where people are arguing and attacking each other?

[@Boilermaker92]

Brett’s videos were invaluable to me as a new paddler during COVID. I would watch them and then try out his advice on the water. Since then, I’ve been able to find great instruction, but Brett got me started.

[@PaddleDogC5]

​@@TurningPointBoatworksit's opinion if you think Brett would be a certified instructor in ACA you can share your opinion.

[@TurningPointBoatworks]

@@PaddleDogC5, so you want me to have an opinion of someone I’ve never paddled with? I’ve met Brett, we’ve talked many times, he’s a down to earth guy who loves paddling and loves to share it with the world. That’s my opinion. Come on, is that all you’ve got today?

[@robclinite]

​@@PaddleDogC5 wow! He's educating and introducing people to a sport we love. I've seen nothing in his content or message that leads people into an at risk situation. I'm sure Brett is a stronger kayaker / educator than a lot of active certified kayakers in NA.

[@robclinite]

Spot on Joey. I only found Brett last fall and he serves kayaking very well. @AdventureOtaku is equally as good, if not better, than Ken Whiting in making kayaking accessable and enjoyable for all. I enjoy his lean towards the process and mindset of getting the most of of kayaking / camping. You both are crushing it this year and don't change a thing. The intent, education, & tone are on point. Paddle on Shine on ✨✨

[@TurningPointBoatworks]

Thanks Rob! It is sad that he has become a "lightning rod" of sorts that highlights the new vs old school culture that is developing in paddlesports. We need growth to survive in a business we love. So many manufacturers struggle and customer acquisition costs are high enough as it is. There is another successful social media paddling personality that has all but disappeared. I've reached out to them to find out what happened.

[@kathleenarchambeau7592]

Big fan of Adventure Otaku - helps me as a newbie to the sport. I have a background in other water sports and have found his focus on safety, risk aversion and preparedness resonate with the approach of any good sea person. We all do things differently, have different experiences- him sharing his experiences and opinions are thoughtful and helpful and if they don’t work for me I move on. And as my mother tells me- if you don’t have anything nice to say-don’t!

[@user-rh6vz7dy7l]

ok mate I'm live and was born in Plymouth England and I dig what you say, well said.

[@TurningPointBoatworks]

Thanks mate! Appreciate the kind words!

[@liquidadventuring]

At 07:00 you said the name of a channel you follow but try as I might I can't make out what you said. It sounds like "Adventure A Taco". Please elucidate. :-)

[@TurningPointBoatworks]

Adventure Otaku. It was late in the day and my “low fuel” light was on!

[@user-zw9yc7pl7l]

Who is Brett?

[@TurningPointBoatworks]

Brett is the Adventure Otaku channel here on YT

[@PaddleDogC5]

Guess my post was deleted?

[@TurningPointBoatworks]

Not sure what you are referring to, but that is not my style. If you made a conscious decision to write something and stick by it. I will let it stand for all eternity.

[@PaddleDogC5]

@@TurningPointBoatworks ok thanks I'll be back fair enough no clue what happened after I posted it.

[@DerryWalsh-s6v]

Defending Brett - no argument, he does tailor his channel to influence new paddlers but, as a voice with a bigger audience - and I replied to him: he needs to be careful to be accurate with his advice and voice - he has a big following and should be careful to moderate his content for accuracy. His videos about Werner paddles clearly showed that he does not know how dihedral works on a paddle. "Werner wiggle"? Please! And then him saying that Werner told him that he just needed to grip the paddle harder? No. WTF, just wrong.

[@TurningPointBoatworks]

It is my opinion that Brett’s value is with the kayaker in the first part of their journey. He doesn’t profess to being an expert, but has a lot of on water experience and a lot of thankful students/subscribers. The trouble with accuracy is that in this particular example, the accuracy is pretty subjective. Knowing how a blade works in the water is less important than how it feels to the paddler and he was relaying his direct experience. Some people respond to the intricate details of product design, most are focused on how it works for them. As far as Werner goes, nice paddle. They work well, but pushed too hard, they will flutter. Yes, tightening your grip is enough to arrest it. I paddled with an Ikelos for years until switching to a Lendal Storm when I became an Ambassador them. I am no longer affiliated with Lendal, but it is my only choice now. I have yet to find a better designed blade that feels as powerful and smooth. The difference is I keep a much lighter grip on my Storm than the Ikelos because I am not trying to compensate for flutter. So, the design of the dihedral directly connects to my experience and ultimately my most important requirement. I have found Brett to be very responsive to critiques and very open to them. I gave him some pointers on his roll and he was very appreciative. That is a rare commodity in social media.

[@DerryWalsh-s6v]

@@TurningPointBoatworks Com'on man... please. There is no scenario where gripping a Werner paddle harder or "more firmly" results in paddling efficiency - it's all about paddle angle and entry - technique. This guy has a growing channel. Bravo - a plus to our paddling community - I support. But, I cannot support ignorant denigration of a product or design. With the ability to influence, so comes the responsibility to guide.

[@TurningPointBoatworks]

@@DerryWalsh-s6v sorry, but your level of expectation will never be met on KZbin. That level of expectation can be conveyed through direct, in person instruction. Again, I don’t agree on the assessment that the Werner blade design doesn’t flutter under pressure. Here’s something you don’t hear anyone saying. Matching a blade with the boat is incredibly important. The kayak he paddles is not the most efficient in the water. It requires more from the paddler to propel it, thus more pressure on the blade. With a Werner, it going to flutter unless you are perfect with technique when the blade is over powered. Maybe 1%, if that much, of the paddlers out there have a perfect forward stroke. Again coming back to unrealistic expectations. Does the Werner paddle work well, yes. Will every paddler perfect the forward stroke, absolutely not. You have to take into account who Brett’s audience is, the new paddler. Does what he get them off to a good start? Yes. Is he perfect? No. Does he need to be? No.