Re: [Paddlewise] Solo Paddling

outdoors_at_biddeford.com wrote:
> 
> 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? ...Can
> paddling >alone safely ever be regarded as safe? 

> It's been my experience that many kayakers are introverts.  They enjoy being
> alone and renewing their energy paddling out on the sea by themselves.  I
> agree with you that it is very important to be as prepared as possible for
> almost anything.  However, IMHO, when people argue that it is unsafe to
> kayak, hike, climb, etc. alone, they are arguing that their point of view is
> more important and more right than the introvert's.  Many, many, many people
> want you to believe what they believe.  I think they see it as validation
> that they are right if they can convince you to take on their beliefs.
> Another method they use is to make it illegal to act in a way that doesn't
> match what they believe.

> [snip] I think modern
> society is far too concerned with wrapping all its members in a safe womb so
> no one will be harmed.
> 
> Bill Ridlon

Bill did a bang-up job of summarizing my point of view on solo paddling,
and scratched my bias about people who want to "protect" me from my own
poor judgement, as well.

I, also, paddle solo, now and then over 25 days/year, with a couple
overnight ventures amongst those days.  

Re:  the safety angle:  I suspect the issue may not be whether you
paddle SOLO, but HOW you paddle solo, and WHERE you paddle solo.  Thrown
in might be your skill level and degree of inventiveness in retrieving
yourself from predicaments.  I know I have spent a couple dozen days on
the Lower Columbia River, sometimes in sections commonly regarded as
"dangerous," and did not feel at risk.

I sometimes like solo paddling because I feel more at one with my
natural surroundings.  Most of the time, though, I get lonely for
company, and decide it's more fun to paddle with one or two others. 
Sure hate the mob scenes the formal clubs seem to generate, however!

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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