Re: [Paddlewise] Fwd: Near Miss Report 1997

Philip,

I think it is unreasonable to consider ALL whitewater kayaking an extreme
sport. Certainly there are those within the sport who always seek to push
limits and run more difficult whitewater (grade V-VI), however the
majority of whitewater kayakers run far easier water (grade II-IV). I
think the majority of the high profile deaths last year occured on grade V
or IV whitewater (Rich K. probably knows better details on this). 

I also think it might be difficult for non-whitewater paddlers to
appreciate the difference in difficulty or risk between the various grades
of whitewater. A good start would be to consider the number of the grade
as an exponent on the base number ten. Then by this measure, risk is
measured similar to the Richter Scale for earthquakes, and grade V is ten
times more risky than grade IV, and a 100 times more risky than grade III.

I know lots of long-time whitewater paddlers who are happy as can be
running nothing harder than class III with occasional class IV. Also,
class III skills are relatively easy to come by. Most beginners that I
teach have the skill to begin paddling class III by their second or third
river trip, although it generally takes a year or more to reach solid
class IV
skill. 

It will always be my position that sea kayakers stand to gain a lot of
skill by exposing themselves to whitewater. Even a two-day lesson on easy
(grade I - II) whitewater would really help with bracing, edging, rolling,
and general boat control. 

Cheers,
Kevin

On Wed, 18 Feb 1998, Philip Wylie wrote:
> >
> 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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