RE: [Paddlewise] How and when to speak up

> -----Original Message-----
> From: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com [mailto:rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com]
> 
> I guess like others on this list, I have run into situations when you
> see someone doing something somewhat risky in sea kayaking 
> and you have
> to decide whether to speak up or not. 

snip of some classic examples of oblivious paddlers

> 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.

  I tend to leave folks alone if they seem marginally prepared, but am more
than willing to say something to an individual or a group if they are
obviously placing themselves in harm's way - maybe they'll take my words to
heart and maybe they won't, maybe they'll notice and pay attention to my
example (don't get me wrong, I'm not Super Paddler, just safety conscious)
and do something differently the next time they're out, or maybe, just
maybe, my effort might prevent someone's death or injury.  I can live with
the idea that I may have offended hundreds of people if it saves a single
life.

> 
> 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.
  
  I usually opt for the "teach by asking questions" approach.  It's not very
confrontational and people tend to remember lessons that they've
"discovered" on their own.  Sometimes just going for a swim in my drysuit at
the put-in is enough to start someone thinking. 
  On rare occasion I have found myself actually saying to someone, "Do you
really understand what you might be getting yourself into?...."  I know that
I came off sounding like a class-A A_at_#hole, but if that's the price - so be
it.  I can live with it and hopefully so will they.

  I don't usually paddle with a group and rarely have to deal with the
issues that can cause so much tension and difficulty in informal group
paddling.  (And I avoid formal group _anything_ like the plague!)

Dave Seng
Juneau, Alaska

 
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