Re: [Paddlewise] Weather

John Winters wrote:
> 
> Scott wrote;
> (Large SNIP)
> >It's just not worth the energy to try and cram it down the
> >peoples throats.
> 
> Fair enough but then let us quit kidding ourselves about being concerned
> about safety. If the reality has more to do with the bottom line for
> commercial interest let's cut the crap and admit it.
> 
> I have read enough stuff here about always wearing life jackets, always
> having a GPS, always doing this, always doing that and why not doing it
> means I am an unsafe paddler and not setting a good example if I don't do
> it to fill a life time. But just mention something that may not be fun or
> something you can't buy and suddenly safety just doesn't matter much.
> 
> No problem for me. I will just remember all this the next time some
> lifejacket, scuba knife, GPS, VHF, paddle float, radar reflector, bilge
> pump, sponson bedecked safety evangelist mounts the  podium to tell me how
> important safety is and why I should do one thing or the other.
> 
> If it ain't fun then why should anyone care?

At the risk of advocating yet one more safety device, I have the
following suggestion.  Buy a weather radio.  Cheap as $19 at Radio
Shack, and even the ones with bells and whistles (water resistant case,
emergency weather alert signal, etc.) cost at most $49.  It is something
one can buy and is fun to use, so it should please everyone.  Very
simple to use like a PFD.  Even simplier actually.  With your PFD, you
have to go through so much bother such as open the zipper, put your arms
through the arm holes, zip up and then tighten any side cinch belts. 
With the weather radio just turn the on-off knob. 

In using a weather radio, it is advisable to tune into the local NOAA
station during the 24 hours prior to your planned trip.  This will give
you vital information on what winds are doing as they can change
patterns of tides and currents depending on your locale.  If there are
warnings of a possible shift in weather while you are out paddling,
bring the radio with you in a ziplock bag and make certain to check when
taking a lunch or snack break.

Maybe I am lazy or strange but there are rooms and rooms of guys and
gals in NOAA offices all over the place, with meteorogical maps,
computers, and lots of experience (and I assume windows they are looking
out of too to see what is going on).  They are anxious as hell to fine
tune their reports and forecasts all day long.

Probably 99 per cent of the paddling most people are doing is within
range of one of those stations.  So put yourself in the hands of experts
for 19 bucks and the occasional replacement of double A batteries.

ralph diaz
-- 
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Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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