Chuck Holst wrote: > > >> > Same thing applys to kayaking maybe. More gear don't alway mean more > safe..?? > >> > > There is some truth in this statement, but I think the gear vs. skills > argument is a false dichotomy. My observation here in the Midwest is > that, generally speaking, the kayakers with the best skills are also > those who are most conscientious about safety and most likely to spend > money on Goretex dry suits. I became convinced of the importance of > skills when a brace that came out of nowhere saved me from a watery > death (well, a wet exit, anyway), and I have acciduously practiced my > kayaking skills ever since -- but I still wear a dry suit on cold water, > and I always wear my PFD. > I believe you... And I agree with you and the others 100% on the issue of they will add time to your survivial. What I question is gear being purchased and using it as a crutch to "maybe" get in over ones head, thats all. This list pours out an amazing amount of good information. How someone uses it can vary alot. Many things(spell that decisions)can only be called on from a learning curve(time). The right gear "might" shorten the learning curve of some people too sharply. I realize my writing skills "suck", but what I am trying to say(gently), is that going down to the local paddle shop and buying all the right "things" isn't necessarlly going to save your butt, infact it just might lead someone into making a left turn on a red light. I don't know,??, maybe you all paddle in conditions that I wouldn't think of even IF I were wearing a dry suit. Then again, maybe what I consider a normal winter paddle, you might not follow me, even in your dry suit?? I only know I paddled a lot of years before I joined this list and was kinda supprised that a carhart jacket wasn't normal equipment on the water!!<G> (I got one hanging out in the shed thats got water stains from one end of the Yukon to the other) None of us owned any fleese either. I still stand behind my statement that having gear is likely to be oversimplacating the danger/risk of being out there, sometimes. Sorry about the long over. James, needing about a week somewhere cool."and not humid" *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri Aug 06 1999 - 14:42:52 PDT
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