Re: [Paddlewise] Trip Report/Accident Report

hi Doug,

you ask a tough question... you can't please everyone, so you may as well
please yourself.

in the area that i paddle, there are many folks with varying paddling skills
and experience. i have met many novice paddlers who are adults, so they are
able to make decissions that effect their well being. they will padde where
i'm there or not. i meet these folks on the water because they chose to be
there, not because they are paying me to be a guide.

some paddlers are critical of me and others who paddle with paddlers who do
not conform to some illusive set of paddling ideals...i feel that by
friendly communications with folks that perhaps the safety level can be
improved. others prefer to just flame and run. if an individual is knowling
acting in a reckless manner that endangers me too much, i'm out of there -
that's my choice.

Flaming in this region is hot enough that many novice paddlers are turned
off by a local club and thus do not benefit from well organized training
events...myself included. Indeed it is my impression that many of the novice
paddlers have been flamed off the local paddling club email. this forum is
one where they are more comfortable discussing paddling topics...

PFD's, cold water, rack tie downs, and a few other topics often generate
lively discussions - from which we are exposed to various views that can be
enlightening. Paddling reports and real time judgments provide us with
examples from which to learn.

if you don't share, i can't learn. if you do share, you may be flamed. you
ask a tough question... you can't please everyone, so you may as well please
yourself.

bye bye bliven





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