Re: [Paddlewise] Fwd: Near Miss Report 1997

> Ralph Diaz wrote:
>
> Having said that there is nevertheless a high danger level in whitewater
> paddling among _expert_ paddlers.  There are very few cases of expert
> seakayakers getting killed (aside from surf kayakers).  I am only aware
> of one or two in the last 10 years.  However, in whitewater, experts do
> die regularly especially as they seek greater challenges.  Weren't there
> about three or four recent such deaths highlighted in a recent issue of
> Paddler?  Hardly a year goes by without some prominent whitewater
> paddler with a steller reputation getting killed.
>
> ralph
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
Pardon my ignorance but would you not class white water kayakingas an extreme
sport the same as sky-diving and would this not
leave sea kayaking in the category of "recreation" (although recognizing
some of the extreme circumstances which can occur on the ocean).

Extreme sports seek for the maximum challenge of difficulty and the
associated adrenalin rush, where as sea kayaking for the most part is
recreational and accepting of dangers that can arise but not such that
one goes deliberately looking for them unless they have to.
Therefore would the proportion of deaths that do occur
amongst white water kayakers reflect a propensity for much greater
risk taking where as recreational kayakers are more conservative in their risk
taking?
This being true the mortality rate favours sea kayakers not because one or
the other group has superior skills but rather a willingness or unwillingness
to take such risks.

I would certainly welome your views on this Ralph.

Sincerly,

Philip

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