I have just recently begun to paddle, really, after finding a nice fiberglass (and duct tape) kayak for $10, including paddle and skirt, at a river gear swap a few years ago. Shortly after that purchase, I went rafting on the Nantahala for the first time. Loved it, but I kept seeing all the kayakers and thought "I need to do that!" So, when I arrived back in Salt Lake City, I took the so-called "boat" out on the Jordan river. Boring! (In case nobody has guessed, I am an adrenaline junkie. I ride a motorcycle, surf, skydive, love to ski steeps and powder, and dream of hang gliding and rock climbing.)

Then, last year, I found a nice blue Dancer for sale in my price range. Thinking that it would be really simple to learn this sport, I put the Dancer into Little Cottonwood Creek to run a nice looking section. Well, needless to say, I flipped. Panicked really hard for a moment or two, then remembered that I could get out! Cool! After fishing myself and the boat from the creek, I decided that lessons were in order.

The only lesson so far was on the Colorado. We took a two day class from Canyon Voyages in Moab, and had a great time. We have both fallen in love with the sport, and plan to keep going with it. We just bought a Dagger Vortex, which seems like a good boat for either of us. This summer, we will probably take another trip to Moab, and may head up to the Payette or over to some river in Colorado. We will also likely do some paddling on the Weber.
 

If anyone out there would like to exchange information, feel free to get in touch. I can't tell you too much about Utah's rivers, but may be of some help with logistics of any planned trips.
 

-Mike