[ukc-polo] RE: Possible new venue - kayak polo

[Seattle Raft and Kayak]

Hi all,

Yes we are pumped at the prospect of hosting UWKC polo events at our
location. FYI, here's the city's idea of how the beachfront will look after
the development is completed (end of 2005, they say)...

http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/parkspaces/spmp/documents/sepa%20Fig4.pdf
Our shop is located in the center of Bldg 11, right about where you see the
#4. Currently there is a 3'-high bulkhead along what will become the beach,
and access to the water is in the small bay at the top left of the picture,
about where the #10 is.

We'd be glad to hear any workable ideas about how this could benefit
everyone concerned. At our event a couple weeks ago we discussed offering
your group a place to store the goals, as well as some space for boats if
needed.

I have a couple of questions. OK, more than a couple --

I'll check into costs of picking up a fleet of boats to rent to your group,
but it would be a hefty investment for us so I'd like to get specs on boat
type (model, features, etc) to see if the boats could be used in any of our
other rental programs. Would they all have to be exactly the same ... or
could you use some of our various instructional boats that we have in the
shop already?

How often would the polo games happen? Do you have specific days and times
that you play? Is there a league with a competition schedule?

Are non-UWKC members allowed to play?

Are the "official international" kayak polo rules enforced per your club web
site?
(http://students.washington.edu/~ukc/polo/polorules.html)

How many people usually show up -- and how many bring their own boats vs how
many would rent?

Any particular boating gear that we should provide in the store for purchase
by UWKC members? wet suits, pfds, helmets, paddles, etc?

Does UWKC carry liability insurance for this activity? Don't know if this is
an issue for us if you're putting on the event, but if it's co-sponsored
(UWKC and SRK) then we both will need to carry coverage.

As Eric suggested, let's continue this discussion. Maybe a get-together soon
to look over the venue in the daylight? Let me know what day and time is
good for some of you to come check it out.

Meanwhile, make sure the TWITCH V video West Coast premiere is on your
calendar, Friday March 11. http://www.teva.com/twitch.htm Your admission of
$5 is donated directly to American Whitewater's conservation and
river-access efforts in Western Washington, AND it's deducted from the price
of the video if you buy a copy on the night of the event.

Also, all you UW students, our raft-guide school is set for the week of your
Spring Break, Sunday 3/20 - Friday 3/25. A great way for you to spend your
break on the river. Call or email for more information.

Bill Walker
Seattle Raft and Kayak, LLC
paddlazz at comcast.net <mailto:paddlazz at comcast.net>
206-528-1700
206-940-6269 mobile


-----Original Message-----
From: Eric Bessette [mailto:ebessette at 650dialup.com]
Sent: Monday, January 31, 2005 6:21 AM
To: Polo
Subject: Possible new venue


A week or two ago, Seattle Raft & Kayak had it's pre-grand opening.  In
addition to showing some video premiers they asked for the communities ideas
for how to best utilize the store.  They have a waterfront store on the
north side of Magnuson Park in Sandpoint.

Bill, the owner, gave an example that a regular polo game could be set up in
front of their shop.  Now, I don't know what he had in mind, but I can
imagine the shop buying a set of plastic polo boats and renting them out for
a couple a dollars an evening and possibly even storing the goals.  I'm just
theorizing here, but if anyone would like to talk to SRK about this
possibility, I've included Bill's contact info below.

Bill Walker
Seattle Raft and Kayak
paddlazz at comcast.net
206-528-1700

Thanks,
Eric