new Randolph
07-28-2005, 03:32 PM
After reading the "other" thread that seems to be going on about the mandatory "EGO" that must be obtained prior to officially becoming a "PRO" kayaker, I thought I might say a few things without mentioning the original topic of the other thread.
The nice thing about a media source such as an internet forum is that there it is free and therefore, a lot of people look at it. Does this make it any different from a video or from a magazine? I think it's a little hypocrytical to rip on the people who are advertising their accomplishments online while a copy of Liquid Lifestyles is sitting on your video shelf at home.
Let's face it. Cool shit has been getting media coverage as long as people have been paddling it. Remember when footage of South Silver Creek came out? It was in like EVERY movie for two seasons in a row!! I can't help but think that other runs that are getting high media exposure right now will soon loose some of their media appeal; that is, unless people continue to go on and on and on and on and on about them on internet forums. It's just the trend of the sport, and as much as some people may not like to admit it, it drives the sport to better arenas.
Let's look at a few things. Take the Jefe for example. Liquidlogic created this boat with an enourmous amount of athlete feedback. These are the same athletes who are under criticism right now for being ego-mania-ass-holes. The pro athletes that are out there pushing the sport are also the ones who are somewhat responsible for advances in equipment and new companies. Let's face it, it there was no LVM and no SLP or YGP and all the good athletes were simply doing it because they love it, there would only be Perception and Wave Sport and we'd all be using LC-1 sprayskirts and Navarro drytops. A company like IR does an good job advertising and marketing their stuff to be cool. If publishing photos of certain atheltes on certain runs is what it takes to do that, well.... You figure it out.
I also think it's a little hypocrytical to label athletes as being in it for the CLAIM and the ego if you do not know that athlete personally. Okay, I've said a few bad things about Tao's interviews in various Twitch movies over the years, but I don't go around talking shit about him on the internet. Many of the athletes who are taking this criticism right now from the "O" wannabes are nice guys (from what I gather, I dont' know any of them personally, but I've heard good things about many of them).
Come on, "I'm not saying that those guys aren't good paddlers, but they shouldn't be in it for the exposure...." What a f*#kin lame verse of $hit talk. Of course these guys are sick paddlers. Anyone who says that Pat Keller can't run the shit is an idiot. To say that the only reason they are in it though is for the exposure is a bit over-dramatic I think. Anyone who has pushed themselves to the top of their game knows the feeling that is accomplished by doing so. No one can really explain that feeling, but we all know it. It doesn't matter if it's running waterfalls or learning to cartwheel. When you push yourself and obtain goals in your kayak, you feel it. THAT'S why these guys are out doing these things. Someone just happens to point the camera at them while they're doing it.
I know this seems weird for ME, the ultimate and shameless instigator to be saying this, but come on, let's not become like skiers. Park rats rip on the big mountain guys, big mountain guys rip on the park rats, tele skiers smell funny, and bumpers think they can dominate everyone anywhere. We all like to kayak. Some of us like to talk smack about it too. The bottom line is, let's just be content with that and not take EVERYTHING so serious.
Sorry to get all preachy, but it's just another ass hole's oppinion.
P.S. The Reno Park is going OFF right now!! Everyone should drive from where ever you live to go rip it up here. It's SO sick. I almost swam the other day though, luckily there were some Reno Locals out doing throw bag practice that could have saved me if I had.....
The nice thing about a media source such as an internet forum is that there it is free and therefore, a lot of people look at it. Does this make it any different from a video or from a magazine? I think it's a little hypocrytical to rip on the people who are advertising their accomplishments online while a copy of Liquid Lifestyles is sitting on your video shelf at home.
Let's face it. Cool shit has been getting media coverage as long as people have been paddling it. Remember when footage of South Silver Creek came out? It was in like EVERY movie for two seasons in a row!! I can't help but think that other runs that are getting high media exposure right now will soon loose some of their media appeal; that is, unless people continue to go on and on and on and on and on about them on internet forums. It's just the trend of the sport, and as much as some people may not like to admit it, it drives the sport to better arenas.
Let's look at a few things. Take the Jefe for example. Liquidlogic created this boat with an enourmous amount of athlete feedback. These are the same athletes who are under criticism right now for being ego-mania-ass-holes. The pro athletes that are out there pushing the sport are also the ones who are somewhat responsible for advances in equipment and new companies. Let's face it, it there was no LVM and no SLP or YGP and all the good athletes were simply doing it because they love it, there would only be Perception and Wave Sport and we'd all be using LC-1 sprayskirts and Navarro drytops. A company like IR does an good job advertising and marketing their stuff to be cool. If publishing photos of certain atheltes on certain runs is what it takes to do that, well.... You figure it out.
I also think it's a little hypocrytical to label athletes as being in it for the CLAIM and the ego if you do not know that athlete personally. Okay, I've said a few bad things about Tao's interviews in various Twitch movies over the years, but I don't go around talking shit about him on the internet. Many of the athletes who are taking this criticism right now from the "O" wannabes are nice guys (from what I gather, I dont' know any of them personally, but I've heard good things about many of them).
Come on, "I'm not saying that those guys aren't good paddlers, but they shouldn't be in it for the exposure...." What a f*#kin lame verse of $hit talk. Of course these guys are sick paddlers. Anyone who says that Pat Keller can't run the shit is an idiot. To say that the only reason they are in it though is for the exposure is a bit over-dramatic I think. Anyone who has pushed themselves to the top of their game knows the feeling that is accomplished by doing so. No one can really explain that feeling, but we all know it. It doesn't matter if it's running waterfalls or learning to cartwheel. When you push yourself and obtain goals in your kayak, you feel it. THAT'S why these guys are out doing these things. Someone just happens to point the camera at them while they're doing it.
I know this seems weird for ME, the ultimate and shameless instigator to be saying this, but come on, let's not become like skiers. Park rats rip on the big mountain guys, big mountain guys rip on the park rats, tele skiers smell funny, and bumpers think they can dominate everyone anywhere. We all like to kayak. Some of us like to talk smack about it too. The bottom line is, let's just be content with that and not take EVERYTHING so serious.
Sorry to get all preachy, but it's just another ass hole's oppinion.
P.S. The Reno Park is going OFF right now!! Everyone should drive from where ever you live to go rip it up here. It's SO sick. I almost swam the other day though, luckily there were some Reno Locals out doing throw bag practice that could have saved me if I had.....