Re: [Paddlewise] Fwd: Near Miss Report 1997

> 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.

Yes, this does happen (and I agree with your analysis, BTW), and 1997
was an especially bad year for it.  There is now a great deal
of soul-searching going on -- and there darn well ought to be --
among whitewater paddlers.  Personally, I respect folks' *informed*
decisions to paddle whatever they want to attempt, but I hope that
they are very clear on their motives before starting out, and
I hope they've taken at least a moment to reflect on the impact to
their family, friends, and boating community if they screw up.

I do.

---Rsk
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