Re: [Paddlewise] two dear friends lost

Richard,

I think it is very understandable to ask questions and have a need
to know "why" or "how" when you lose someone within your community,
even more so the closer your relationship to the victims.  It is
understandable to look for those answers within the community that 
most closely identifies with the tragedy and where others may have 
also experienced the loss of a dear friend or loved one under similar 
circumstances.

My sympathies to you and all the friends and family of Mark Seltzer
and Marilyn Chan.  I did not know them and I have not heard anything
of this incident before your post.  I hope you can find some comfort
here and maybe helpful dialogue if not satisfying answers.  Since
one of the primary reasons we are here is to learn and to avoid 
serious accidents, I think that this is a most appropriate place for
you to "talk about it."

Sincerely,

Jackie

> From: Richard Procter <rjp_at_interlog.com>
> 
> I am reluctantly rejoining this list (or what used to be the Wavelength
> list) after a couple of years absence. The reason is I've just lost two
> very dear friends and colleagues - Mark Seltzer and Marilyn Chan, whom you
> may have heard, were lost in a kayaking accident near Pond Inlet, Baffin
> Island, last week.
> 
> My reason for getting involved in this list and on this topic is to explore
> some answers as to why this tragedy might have happened and learn what we
> can from it. I am a fairly active canoeist and kayaker myself, so this sort
> of analysis is important to me in more ways than one.
> 
> I'm seeking any input from people who might have been to the area (Pond
> Inlet) and know the conditions there, or might have other insights as to
> what went wrong, what might have prevented this tragedy from happening, and
> just where we can go from here.
> 
> I am not seeking to place blame anywhere and I don't want to get into any
> questions about the skill level of the kayakers involved at this point,
> although I realize that this was a factor in the incident. For your info, I
> don't exactly know what their skill level was - obviously not enough.
> 
> Maybe this isn't such a good idea, or maybe this isn't the place to talk
> about it, and if you think so, please don't hesitate to tell me so and I'll
> move on. On the other hand, if anybody has any insights to share regarding
> this particular tragedy, please feel free to contact me or carry on the
> discussion.
> 
> Sincerely,
> 
> Richard Procter, <rjp_at_interlog.com>
> Mansfield, Ontario.
> 
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