Gear Program
Our Gear Lending program has been scaled back significantly for summer of 2009.
Thanks to everybody who has participated with us, and to Dick’s Sporting Goods for making it all possible.
We give great thanks to Dick’s Sporting Goods for the phenomenal donation that kicked off this program. We also thank the individual Recycled Fish friends and members who donated the gear to this program.
We still have a limited amount of gear available:
Boats – $10/day donation requested
Confluence – Dirigo 120
Woodsman Canoe
Caster 12.5 Sit on top Kayak
Paddling Accessories – Included with Boat
PFD
Canoe Paddles
Kayak Paddles
Dry Bags
Fishing – $2/day donation requested
Spincast Rod & Reel Combos
Baitcaster Rod & Reel Combos
Spinning Rod & Reel Combos
Camping – $2 – $5 per item donation requested
MSR Hubba Hubba Tent
Coleman Flatwoods 12×10 Tent
Coleman Sleeping Bags
Therma Rest Trail Comfort Mattress
Therma Rest Toughskin Mattress
Whisper Light MSR Stove
Quickbed Combo – Queen w Battery Pump
If you’d like to borrow gear, please be our guest. Here’s how it works:
If you have a Premium Membership ($25 annual donation to Recycled Fish) then you are welcome to borrow gear any time, free of any charge. (Donations to help cover storage, maintenance, and administrative overhead are always welcome.)
If you have a Standard Membership (Free) then you are also welcome to borrow gear, but we do request a nominal donation, a suggested guide is found with the gear list.
If you’re part of an organization that would like to borrow gear in bulk for an event or outing, there is no charge. We are especially excited to work in partnership supporting outdoor organizations or any other groups who would like to borrow gear.
Here are the guidelines associated with the program:
The borrower has to leave a credit card number, expiration date, and security code with Recycled Fish to ensure return of the items. If items are not returned, the card will be charged for the replacement value of those items. The card information / imprint will be destroyed upon return of those items.
All gear should be returned in the same condition it was lent. While we’ll make exceptions for reasonable wear and tear, badly damaged gear will not be available to other members, so we ask that the borrower would consider covering replacement or repair in the event of lost or damaged items.
Report anything lost, broken, malfunctioning or missing from any and all borrowed items. You will not be penalized. Repair or replacement of damaged gear is strictly a request, and is based upon honor system and voluntary participation by the borrower. More important is that we don’t send anyone out with non-functioning gear that could ruin their outdoor experience. Your help in reporting anything that may not be working properly is greatly appreciated.
Cleaning of the items prior to return is the responsibility of the borrowing member or partner organization. This program is operated in the spirit of co-ownership of the equipment with Recycled Fish. Help us keep our operating costs and program management time low by returning equipment clean and ready for the next user.
Sleeping Bags are the exception to the “return clean” policy. While returning sleeping bags washed (commercial washer / dryer) is welcome, borrowers are encouraged to pick up sleeping bags in advance and wash those prior to use to ensure that they are clean and ready for a new adventure.
Prior to setting off on an adventure with equipment users are encouraged to test the equipment. This will ensure that you aren’t short a tent pole once in the back country, for example. Basic instruction on how to use the equipment will be available upon pickup.
Every user of the equipment will be asked to sign a release of liability upon pickup of the equipment.
Hand-off of the equipment will be worked out between borrower and Recycled Fish, and will be subject to scheduling. It is expected that borrower show up on time at the scheduled time to pick up equipment. Failure to do so could forfeit the opportunity to borrow equipment at that time or in the future.
Equipment transportation is up to the borrower. It must be handled safely and responsibly to avoid damage to the equipment and/or injury to people and property.
Duration of borrow is subject to scheduling, but is flexible and can be for extended periods of time as necessary.
Boats come with a few precautionary notes:
- Please never drag the boats on dry land, and never stand on them on dry land. This accounts for the majority of scratches in the hulls of the boats.
- Transportation of the boats is your responsibility. Be warned that transporting them on the roof of your car or truck may result in scratches or dents to your vehicle, which is solely your responsibility. We expect that boats and all other equipment will be transported in a safe and responsible manner, which means strapped down and padded.
- Boats are at their most stable when completely in the water. Partly on land and partly in water, or up on a log, rock, or other structure makes them exceptionally tippy and can result in turning them over, ejecting the passenger, and damaging the boat.
- Passengers in both canoes and kayaks are expected to wear PFDs, which are provided.
Canoeing and kayaking are potentially dangerous activities which come with inherent risks. Liability associated with these activities is solely on the part of the user.
Drinking alcoholic beverages or using illegal drugs while using any Recycled Fish gear is strictly prohibited. This includes canoes and kayaks. No Recycled Fish gear should be used in any way or for any activity other than that for which it was designed.
Recycled Fish reserves the right to refuse lending the equipment to any person for any reason. Normally this would only be in the case of a previous misuse or abuse of equipment, flagrant neglect of scheduled meeting times (pickup or return), or a perceived clear intention of the borrower to misuse or improperly use the equipment.
Please contact us to get your hands on this equipment, and take it on its next adventure!
Have you taken the Recycled Fish Sportsman’s Stewardship Pledge? If not, it’s an easy way to advance the Stewardship Ethic. Catch and Release best practices and Selective Harvest are important, but conservation and stewardship of our waters means preventing the spread of invasive species, SAFE Angling or “green fishing,” and other angler ethics. The truth is, the stuff we do every day – even off the water – matters just as much, because our lifestyle runs downstream.
Stewardship Tips are available here.