Re: [Paddlewise] Maligiaq Padilla

In a message dated 4/22/99 10:58:27 AM EDT, timothy.g.mattson_at_intel.com 
writes:

<< 4. He wasn't wearing a PFD, a whistle or a knife!  
 I wish I could see him in action.  Please, if any of you did get to see him
 paddle, could you provide full reports to the list? >>

Tim,  I can't comment on your other observations regarding Maligiaq's paddle 
or paddle strokes.  I can tell you, however, that there was some dissension 
about his lack of PFD.  While the symposium site required that he have one 
on, his representation of traditional Greenland paddling does not.  According 
to John Heath, their boats are their PFD's.  Their skills and individualized 
boat fit are developed to keep themselves in their boats at all costs.  John 
told me that if Maligiaq were wearing a PFD upon capsize, that he'd remove it 
underwater and use it to roll.  They do not necessarily want to be buoyant 
upon capsize, because it may interfere with their role in severe conditions.  
Does this make sense?  The park therefore required Maligiaq to wear a PFD 
while he was practicing, but not while he was doing his demo.  If you saw 
what this kid is all about, you'd agree that he looked silly in a PFD.  John 
felt so strongly about preserving Maligiaq's tradition that he threatened to 
disallow him to participate if a PFD was forced on him.  John is a great guy, 
not inclined to rock the boat, so to speak, but in this case he asserted 
himself based on his vast knowledge of traditional Greenland kayaking.  All I 
can say is, and I've said it again and again, the kid is awesome.  You need 
to see him in his skinny little boat to see the roots of our recreational 
sport.   Sandy and her longest Paddlewise posting to date  :)
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