Re: [Paddlewise] 1997 boating accident statistics

----- Original Message -----
From: Robert Woodard <woodardr_at_tidalwave.net>
To: BaysideBob <vaughan_at_jps.net>; Paddlewise
<paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net>; CPAKayaker <cpakayaker_at_lists.shire.net>
Sent: Thursday, September 30, 1999 5:25 PM
Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] 1997 boating accident statistics


> > OK, I downloaded the document and intend to wade through it.

Wading through it.

Canoe/kayak are simply that.  Not broken down to rivers/open water.
I think that is a big deal.  Rec boats paddle newsgroup is replete with
references to river deaths.  Anecdotal, not statistical of course.

I suspect there is a much greater statistical risk in whitewater than sea
kayaking but the data from USCG doesn't break it down.  Given the long
threads
on signaling devices, etc. I believe the sea-kayaking community is a bit
more aware of their fragile mortality than other boaters.  I remember
neglecting to check the tide table and sitting on an island beach for hours
waiting for it to turn.  My conclusion was: "A human has only a limited
amount of control on this sea- thing".  But that's what's so attractive.
Placing
yourself in a boat you can lift over your head and entering a world of wind,
tide and
current that you can't control, you can only work with, not against.  It
doesn't matter how important you are in the rest of the world, how clever
you are
or how strong you are.  You're in a totally overpowering world of elements
and I glance to my left and see some two pound bird comfortably floating in
the water looking at me like "what's your problem?"  Sometimes the tide
flows out the Goden Gate at over five knots.  If you didn't check the table
before you put in, I hope you can reach your lunch from the cockpit.  In the
"real world" I'm a burned-out cop.  I suspect most sea-kayakers would be
pretty good beat-partners.  Not gregarious or even agreeable perhaps, but
certainly reliable.  Reliable partners is what keeps you alive in a world of
risk.




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