On Fri, 15 May 1998 07:31:05 -0400, you wrote: >I think so. I don't have a major problem with mandatory safety instruction; >I have a major problem with stupid safety instruction and stupid safety >rules. The proposed Canadian regulations were clearly written by someone, >or multiple someones, without the slightest clue about whitewater. I can offer some information in this regard as I was recently talking to a person at the Cdn Coast Guard office about the small boat advisory council (currently being restructured) which (I think) had input into the new Regulations. Apparently the person who was to represent paddle sports wasn't able to attend m/any meetings, so that perspective may not have been presented. Too bad, methinks. >As far as the wearing-a-PFD all the time issue goes, yes, I firmly >believe every boater should wear one at all times. But that's a far cry >from insisting that government regulations should be passed in order >to enforce this by law. Certainly, for white water paddlers and sailors, that makes sense. I am not certain that I would not like to have the choice about wearing one when I am paddling my local canal (very flat calm water) or lake. If someone was to say, "but what if something unexpected happens on the river or lake" I'd counter with "but what if something happens while I am swimming." Life is a choice about acceptable levels of risk. In Ontario the rules regarding bicycle helmets changed in the last year or so, to make it mandatory for someone under age 16 to wear one, but for older riders there is a choice. I would accept a similar rule for PFDs. BTW, in this morning's newspaper is a report that a private member's bill is making an unopposed journey through the Ontario legislature. The bill would enact legislation to fine and suspend a boater's motor vehicle driver's license if that person is convicted of operating a boat while impaired (drunk operation of a boat). This seems like a good idea to me. BTW, the water was wonderful for swimming today, May 16, in a lake in the Ottawa Valley. It is the earliest I can recall such nice weather/water. :-) -- cheers, Stephen stephen.bird_at_superaje.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sat May 16 1998 - 11:54:37 PDT
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:29:56 PDT