RE: [Paddlewise] how far offshore?

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bhansen97_at_aol.com [mailto:Bhansen97_at_aol.com]

> Maybe my memory is playing tricks on me again. I thought the original 
> question of "how far offshore" one could safely paddle came 
> from a person who 
> was relatively new to the concept of  paddling in the ocean, 
> including the 
> coastline. Do the answers which are coming in to the group 
> address the 
> concerns and limitations of such a person? - Bill Hansen 

  I don't know whether or not Darian Dunn (the original poser of the
question) is new to paddling or a grizzled old salt, but his question was:

"When you plan on paddling down the coast (or up the coast), how far off
shore do you normally paddle?

I was making the assumptions that most people would stay outside the
surf, but how far out beyond the surf?"

 I interpreted this as a question about how "we" normally paddle when taking
a trip along a section of coastline.  I have no doubts that many in this
group are well qualified and have made long open water crossings (Arthur
Hebert might be the extreme example), but I don't think that's what the gist
of the original question was.  So how about it - how far off shore do you
normally paddle when going from point A to point B?  Or do most PW's prefer
to drive from point A to B and reserve their paddling time for going places
that you simply can't drive (crossings)?
 I agree with my fellow Southeasterner in Sitka that sometimes conditions
will dictate extremes, but extremes are just that - not the norm.
 And lest I be misquoted ('cause it appears I have been) - I wrote: "That
whitewater adage, "If you don't think you can swim it, don't paddle it" is
always there in the back of my mind."  When paddling WW I follow this rule
almost exclusively, but sea kayaking is a different story with different
dynamics and dangers (getting sucked into an undercut is pretty unlikely)
and typically our greatest safety in a bad situation is with the boat.  I
just _normally_ paddle within a swimmable distance from shore while
travelling.

getting down off my soapbox
Dave Seng
Juneau, Alaska
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************