Re: [Paddlewise] Kayaking safety

from Dr. Wilde's book:  "one's increased belief in personal skills
increases risk taking out of proportion to real risk."

This is exactly what I was talking about.  I have no problem with paddlers
practicing their skills in benign conditions.  How else could they learn?
I've watched folks play a number of times.  But, I have *never* seen
paddlers practice their rolls in hostile conditions.  How do they know that
what they learned to do in the pool or pond is going to work when the chop
is high and the wind is blowing?  I know from personal experience that an
intentional capsize is very different from an unintended capsize, if only
because an element of surprise is involved.

Clyde Sisler wrote:  "Not everyone wants or needs to be an expert in every
aspect of any sport. Some folks just like to just paddle around in 'quiet'
waters while others like heading out into the rough stuff. IMHO the key is
to know your capabilities and limitations and to paddle within them."

I understand Clyde's comment.  However, I used John Winter's risk chart to
calculate the difficulty level for a couple of open water runs that I've
done this spring in order to reach or return from the quiet waters that I
wanted to paddle.  Those open water runs, in each case well over a mile
across open water with winds gusting to at least 20 mph, were Grade 5 runs
on his chart.  I don't necessarily enjoy the rough stuff, it just happens
to be between where I am and where I want to go.  Therefore I'm always
interested in honing my paddling skills.

Steve Scherrer  wrote "IMHO NOTHING takes the place of PROFESSIONAL
INSTRUCTION."

I won't argue with Steve's assertion.  However, for two years I have looked
for roll training that I could attend.  There aren't any providers within
an hour's drive.  I participate, when I can, in the activities of a club
located in a neighboring state.  One of the members is working on BCU
instructor certification and does some teaching now.  I'm skeptical.  I've
seen him blame a mishap on a paddler's lack of skill instead of diagnosing
the equipment failure that actually occurred.  I've seen plenty of ads for
kayaking instruction but I don't have any way to evaluate the competency of
the instructors prior to signing up for a course and, as a collegiate
institutional researcher who is very familiar with the fact that
credentials and competency are two different things, I'm skeptical about
claims of professionalism.

Continuing that line of thought, I've been thinking about paying for
private instruction rather than taking a class with a group.  A couple of
hours spent with a skilled instructor, dealing with questions that I need
to have answered, would be worth more than the cost of that instruction.

Bob

--------------------------------------------------
Robert C. Perkins, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Research and Planning
Methodist College, Fayetteville, NC 28311
910-630-7037     rperkins_at_methodist.edu


***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/
***************************************************************************