Re: [Paddlewise] Why hate all Jetskiers? (Re: Vote in poll on Jet skis)

From: Bob Tellefson <lists_at_zooid.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Jul 1998 10:49:29 -0700
At 12:19 PM 7/14/98 -0400, you wrote:

>
>   Again, there are many obnoxious non-jetskiing boaters, and many
>responsible jetskiers.  Let's try not to have any knee-jerk
>discrimination here.  Every boater should be judged on his own actions. 
>If a boater is particularly obnoxious, the response should be to call
>the marine police and have him (or her) ticketed.  
> 

>
>    Lets try to judge others as we would like to be judged ourselves.
>

I agree, but I still vote yes to remove PWC from the park systems.  I would
also vote yes to remove the roads, ski boats, cars, ...

It is not that I think that all people using these "technical improvements"
are irresponsible or nasty people.  It is just that there are too many of
us wanting access to the great outdoors and this pressure has definitely
caused a decline in the quality of the experience for all of us over the
past 10, 20, 30 or however many years you wish to look at.

Thirty years ago a group of us lobbied to leave roads in the Los Padres
Forest open to motorcycles.  Our reasoning sounded much like yours.  I am
now glad we were not successful.  There are just too many motorcycles now
to allow for this freedom.

Clearly the harder it is to get where you are going, the better the quality
of the experience when you get there.  Thirty years ago backpackers were
not very numerous.  The fact that they are everywhere today tells me that
many folks are willing to work harder for a better quality experience.  I
think our park systems should encourage this; they should limit mechanized
access and reward those that willing to walk or paddle. 

With a large, relatively wealthy population (able to afford toys and
leisure time), it inevitably becomes a freedom vs. quality decision.

By the way, I have a motorcycle, a camper, and a motorhome.  I just sold
the motorhome.  I will keep the camper to get to where I put in or begin
hiking.  Anyone interested in a 500 Yamaha - cheap?

Bob Tellefson
http://www.zooid.com/sbpaddle


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Received on Tue Jul 14 1998 - 10:51:32 PDT

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