Re:[Paddlewise] Solo Paddling

At 01:48 PM 7/7/98 EDT, WILAX_at_aol.com wrote:

>So now folks, lets take a poll... How many of you go out alone?  I know I do.
>I am ultra careful to do the "right thing" and have the "right stuff" but
>everyone thinks I'm a nut.  I don't think so, well, yeah a nut but not a nut
>with a death wish.  Can paddling alone safely ever be regarded as safe?  OR,
>if a great white gets me will people always say "too bad, he had a knife,
pfd,
>float plan, flares, vhf, kitchen sink etc. but he broke the rule, he went out
>alone".
>Comments?

I paddle alone, prefer to in fact.  I take the whole nine yards (except for
epirb and phone/radio), plus a survival kit.  I've had the luxury of being
trained to manage in survival situations (on land, admittedly), and have
chosen to practice these skills often enough to believe they are bombproof.
 I like to go places some would consider dangerous (some folks are scared
of snakes and gators), but the swamps and blackwater rivers of the South
are incredible places.

Two reasons I'm comfortable solo paddling:

I could die for stupid reasons anyway; I minimize the risks by being
mentally and physically capable of handling the situation.  I make the
choice not to carry a radio, because of the cost and because I paddle to
get away, not stay in touch.  Hell, I've got good insurance;  I'm probably
worth more to my wife as a settlement.

If I only paddled with others, I'd never paddle, or would only paddle with
folks with minimal skills and experience.  There ain't many sea kayakers in
south GA.  I see other experienced kayakers about once or twice a year.

Wynne
Americus, GA
USA

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