Please take a look at Banditleaders webpage (posted on his profile.) Many of us took his comments to literally ( myself included.) I have echanged some delightfull emails, and he is not "anti gear." This is not the easiest medium to communicate in. It is fascinating to connect with people worldwide; Turkey,Sweden,Netherlands,Poland,Great Britain,Hong Kong, Singapore,Malaysia, Italy,Denmark,Israel,Canada. To then use English as our common language ( I can't even understand a friend from Alabama half the time) and be understood is doubly so ;O) P.S. edit remark- I forgot Australia! I don't want the NSW kayakers attacking the local navy base for my ommission