> The problem is that the call for greater safety through licensing and > mandatory operator education is hard to counter. Who could possibly be > against greater safety? Surely we don't want more people to drown. > What > could be wrong with making people learn proper safety practices? > As Dave said, who's going to enforce it? How are they going to physically catch some who decides to avoid interrogation by heading into the marshes, tiny creeks or even a marina or wherever. And what are they going to do if they catch a violator, revoke their license, fine them, confiscate their boat/equipment? Hey, take the license, try to collect the fine (out of state/country), and my property should be protected the constiution. They don't confiscate cars do they (except the drug runners which still seems like a constituional violation). I don't think any country needs or wants more laws, rules or regulations that can't be enforced. On the other hand, if national/international organizations such as the Coast Guard, US Power Squadron or others could/would offer comprehensive voluntary courses at a reasonable price, I think many people would take advantage of them. I would proudly display a certificate of completion (somewhere). There will always be those who will ignore or bypass whatever system is put in place. > Paddling seems benign but it really isn't because it is so easy to get > into > trouble. As the media focus on paddling related accidents grow more > The ww and rock climbing people are constantly striving for the previously unobtained, and more and more of them are dying in the attempt every year. I would guess, that as more people get involved with sea kayaking, with or without licensing, more of them will be pushing the limit and more of them will be dying also, heading out into storms for larger waves, surfing in over shoals, etc. As techniques and equipment (gadets?) improve new levels will be challenged. I can see a 40 foot sail boat heaving to in a major storm, hanging on for dear life and a half a dozen sea kayaks stopping by to see if those on board are ok. > and the use of alcohol. Is this true? It says that paddling > organisations > already have certification programs but are they wide spread and are > they > really doing the job? They most certainly aren't very uniform. It > suggests > I haven't heard of any certification programs at all and would be interested to know of any. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:32:49 PDT