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From: Colin Calder <c.j.calder_at_abdn.ac.uk>
subject: [Paddlewise] Jetskis and missiles
Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1999 11:58:01 +0100
Jerry Hawkins wrote

>Here's a new topic - Jetskis.

Here is a very old topic .... I think .....;-)


Never had a problem with Jetskis, they are a very rare species in these parts,
tend to be limited to a kilometre of their associated BMW, and thus tend to occupy
a rather different habitat to my preferred paddling venues. When I have
encountered them, I've rather enjoyed surfing their wakes :-)

A bit horrified by the stories of harassment by thrown rocks etc. Again not really
an issue where I paddle ..... although I was once hit on the head by an egg while
helping out with so called 'canoe safety' for a local charity river raft race (NB
in these parts canoe = kayak, and also may = the rarer canadian variant). Came as
a complete surprise and luckily had on a helmet (forewarned is forearmed).
Amazingly pissed off nonetheless, both by the volume of the impact (eggy and
audible under the lid), and the clean up ..... tricky trying to explain the fact
that some of it was still in my hair a week later at the barbers :-). Almost makes
me feel sympathy for Bill Gates.

The boat clubs on the river in Aberdeeen occasionally have problems from kids
trying to lob rocks from bridges onto passing crews .... amazing how anyone would
be stupid enough to throw rocks at the fittest testosterone loaded 18 stone dudes
in town ... stops after the boaties throw one of the toe-rags over the bridge
after their rock.

There was a story, apocryphal or not I'm not sure, of some Cambridge students
replacing the large stone spheres on the parapet of one of the ancient bridges
over the Cam with painted polystyrene balls, then 'acting' the effort of pushing
them off into the path of a punt filled with Japanese tourists, armed to the
gunwales with nikons and camcorders (for the uninitiated, a punt is a flat water
river craft loosely resembling a low freeboard canoe or small gondola. It is
propelled, by a pole, along the Cam and the Thames by Pimms drinking students and
tourists)  ..... the story going that the happy oriental punters promptly
abandoned ship along with all photographic equipment.  Very funny I'm sure.

.... The only missiles that come my way while paddling are of avian origin, and
are a hazard I'm prepared to live with ...

Cheers

Colin Calder
57º19'N  2º10'W

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From: <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Jetskis and missiles
Date: Thu, 07 Oct 1999 08:46:52 -0700
Colin Calder wrote:
> 
> Jerry Hawkins wrote
> 
> >Here's a new topic - Jetskis.
> 

Other than their annoying noise and engine smell, I have never been
bothered by jet skis.  We don't make a decent enough wake to jump over.
And those jet skiers that I have met and talke with have tended to be
nice, albeit sometimes on the dumb side (or it could be that they are
partially deaf from the roar of their engines).  They all seem to
understand the need to wear proper clothing for the water temperature
and PFDs.  I have heard of them helping small boats at times, even
kayakers.

My only concern about them is that in their zeal to jump the wakes of
passing motorboats, they may land in your lap if you happen to be on the
other side where they may not see you.  Advise,  in the vicinity of jet
skiis, avoid being anywhere near large wakes made by passing vessels.

Around here, jet skis and kayakers sometimes are being lumped together
as annoyances.  I think I mentioned that sign outside the North Cove
Marina in Manhattan near the Twin Towers:  it says "No Jet Skis; No
Kayaks."  But that is only here and there.  By and large however, kayaks
are considered benign and supported by park and community groups whereas
jet skis are being written specifically into legislation and resolutions
as vessels non grata.

ralph diaz
-- 
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PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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From: Dave Williams <paddler_at_loxinfo.co.th>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Jetskis and missiles
Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 10:11:02 +0700
Ralph Diaz wrote:
<<Around here, jet skis and kayakers sometimes are being lumped together as
annoyances.  I think I mentioned that sign outside the North Cove Marina in
Manhattan near the Twin Towers:  it says "No Jet Skis; No
Kayaks.">>

Wow, I can't imagine us being lumped in with jet skis.  How on earth can
people be annoyed by kayaks Ralph?

Jet skis were banned last January here in Phuket.  However, they are still
around.  There is no law enforcement here and the jet ski boys simply don't
care what the "authorities" say.  There are dozens of accidents every year
and even some deaths thanks to jet skis.  Thankfully, the jet skis hang out
around the more popular beaches... places where I don't want to paddle
anyway.

Cheers,
Dave

Dave Williams
dave_at_paddleasia.com
http://paddleasia.com
Phuket, Thailand

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From: <Sandykayak_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Jetskis and missiles
Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1999 11:56:40 EDT
In a message dated 10/07/1999 7:42:42 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
c.j.calder_at_abdn.ac.uk writes:

<< a punt is a flat water river craft loosely .. propelled, by a pole, along 
the Cam and the Thames by Pimms drinking students .. >>

Good reading, Colin, but feel the need to translate...

Pimms is an alcohol-based beverage that is usually mixed with 7-Up (the Brits 
call that lemonade) and mixed with mint leaves and, if I remember correctly, 
even sliced cucumber.  

Boy does that bring back memories - I think I have a bottle of vintage Pimms 
No 1 in the liquor cabinet.  Now I'll be FORCED to drag it out.

Sandy Kramer
Miami
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From: Steve Cramer <cramer_at_coe.uga.edu>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Jetskis and missiles
Date: Thu, 07 Oct 1999 12:47:21 -0400
When I read the subject line, I thought this was what you were talking
about.

http://www.west.net/~lpm/hobie/archives/v1-i2/humor.shtml

Don't try this at sea, folks.

Steve
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