Re: [Paddlewise] How far off shore?

From: "ssives_at_erols.com" <ssives_at_erols.com>
>
> Bob,
> 
>   You're right, I don't have any real knowledge of paddling on the
> "left" coast.  I paddle most of the time around Washington, D.C.  And I
> agree paddling farther out may be safer if these "boomers" are so
> dangerous.

<snip question on what is a boomer that was answered by another paddler>

>    I just recalled that I did paddle off the west coast one one
> occasion.  I was near "Cannary Row" where the seals hang out.  I was
> very close to the shoreline and didn't recall the water behaving any
> differently than the Atlantic (but admittedly that was just one day).


Hi Scott,

I believe Bob was talking about making general statements on paddling safety
when situations vary in all parts of the world.  Local knowledge and
experience counts for a lot more than general rules applied elsewhere.

"Near Cannary Row" is in Monterey Bay which is not really thought of as 
exposed coastline.  It can get rough in the bay, but often is quite easy,
protected paddling.  It also cannot be used as a general comparison of paddling
the west coast and a paddler would be mistaken to assume it is typical
of paddling the west coast.  As a visitor to any area, I would not assume
that one day or even months of paddling that area was typical of that
specific area, much less representative of a coastline covering thousands 
of miles.

>   So in summary I agree that Alaska may have a different type of coast
> with different dangers.  But one still shouldn't discount the danger of
> paddling far off shore alone on a regular basis.
> 
>   - Scott

Nor should one discount the possible dangers of paddling near shore.

Cheers,

Jackie (finally caught up on email?)
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