Waterscapes September 2002

By Jim Allen

My love affair with boats began when I read Tom Sawyer.

Tom s raft fired my already overactive imagination. Floating down the river on a raft and seeing all of the sites, including Mississippi River boats, seemed than and now as an idyllic way to spend time.

Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens) wrote in the preface to Tom Sawyer; "Although my book is intended mainly for the entertainment of boys and girls, I hope it will not be shunned by men and women on that account, for part of my plan has been to try to pleasantly remind adults of what they once were themselves, and of how they felt and thought and talked, and what queer enterprises they sometimes engaged in".

Mark Twain was only the beginning for me. My world was soon filled with fantastic voyages and adventures brought to me by other authors. James Michener led me all over the South Pacific. Henry David Thoreau took me on journeys through the mind made possible by his descriptions of Walden Pond.

I rode with Earnest Hemingway as he fished the Carribean aboard Pilar. Jack London added intrigue and adventure to travel from the South Pacific to Alaska. However it begins for each of us when the boating bug comes it is with us for life.

The theme of this month s Arizona Boating & Watersports is "Boats, Boats, Boats". What better way for boys and girls of all ages to revitalize their imaginations than to look at, and dream about boats?

When you talk to a boater you are talking to someone who has not lost the ability to enjoy the wonders that the world has to offer, someone whose is still in touch with their fun imaginative side. Boaters are a breed unto themselves. No matter where you go if you are a boater you have friends. The camaraderie is always there.

This month s Arizona Boating & Watersports covers many facets of boating. For kayaks we have Nancy Kanu s column "Liquid Lifestyles". Nancy owns Canyons & Coastlines Kayak School.

If you are into hot boats The Arizona Hot Boat Association is having Poker Run in Havasu City in October. If you are looking for boating instruction the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will be offering classes in September. If you like fishing on Arizona s southern lakes you will enjoy Margie Anderson s column "Arizona Angle" which features fishing & boating on Lake Mittry near Yuma.

Mark Kile s column "Hook-Up" talks about cooler weather bass fishing. Mark is optimistic that it is going to cool off soon.

Dennis Lynde of the Sailboat Shop brings us an article on "plastic craft".

For boating at its ultimate don t miss Bubba s column about his mothers Colorado River rafting expedition.

Jimmy Siemers from ASU brings us the history of water skiing. And, for those who enjoy California boating activities this months issue of Arizona Boating & Watersports brings you stories about the thunder boats on Mission Bay in San Diego in September, an article on Southern California sport fishing by Zack Thomas, and an article on diving.

Also in this issue you will find the program for the Outdoor Recreation Expo sponsored by Outdoors Arizona and the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

The Outdoor Recreation Expo is not just for boaters but is for all who enjoy the many outdoor recreational activities that are available in Arizona.