Re: [Paddlewise] How and when to speak up

Ralph-
Does your boathouse have a flier about cold weather safety or something that 
could be handed such groups? Maybe something that could reenforce what you 
are telling them? I am a really safety conscious person, I think, and am 
more likely to say something than not- I haven't really run into it while 
kayaking just because I haven't kayaked around other people all that much, 
but I run into it on hiking trails all the time where I meet people wearing 
inadequate clothing/water/etc etc. I try to do it in a friendly way- asking 
if they are cold and then telling them why that might be. If they aren't 
cold I tell them a scary story about hypothermia/dehydration etcetc or  a 
scary fact of some kind. Maybe its not a very "nice" approach, but hopefully 
they'll remember it for next time. I have a hard time talking to the people 
who aren't friendly at first though... I do feel like a spoilsport though, 
but at least I feel like i'm trying to help...

-A

Ralph Said-
"So some questions:

1.  Should one speak up always when confronted with such situations of
pretty off-the-mark paddling approaches?  I don't mean talking with
someone who is wearing a farmer john when you think the situation calls
for a full suit or not having spare paddles etc. i.e. incremental
differences rather than wholesale ones.  I mean something very basic
like seeing some one with jeans and windbreakers in Northeast paddling
in December.

2.  What is the best way of vocalizing the dichotomy between their
oblivious paddling approach and a more prudent approach that experienced
paddlers tend to adhere to?  I have sometimes thought about things to
say  in imaginary scenarios but when confronted with a real situation,
the words tend to come out wierd, i.e. doctrinaire sounding,
pontificating, scolding, etc.  Give it a try and you will see what I
mean."


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