[Paddlewise] Stand By Your Man (was Trip Report)

On Sat, 22 Jan 2000 16, Arthur Hebert wrote:

>>Whoa! Just arrived home from work and read my better half's post.  Doug,
Duane I don't believe Deb read our previous postings a while back, so she
doesn't relies the "no pun intended" use of the word macho.>> <snip> 

Sorry Arthur, I thought everyone would understand the "inside joke" that we
had about the macho thread a few months ago that exonerated you already.
However, it was pretty cool hearing your wife on PW come to your defense,
as well as a number of other posters. So, I'm really _not_ sorry people
mistook the post - it was worth seeing people come out of the woodwork. 

>>Ok back to the real subject, crossings.<snip> But on long crossings your
best "back up" is your strength both physical, MENTAL and your
experience.<snip> >> 

I posted something a while back about "determination and mind-over-matter".
Your comment about "MENTAL" was precisely what I was trying to partially
identify as an attribute necessary for more committed paddling (as a
co-commitant to intelligence, etc). Of course, it was not directed toward
novices or even intermediate paddlers. Unfortunately (or fortunately as the
case may be), unless you have gone out and really tested yourself, even got
in over your head, it is difficult to relate to this kind of talk. I know
both Dave, Andrew and I, after our failed crossing to the Storm Islands,
felt we had been inducted or initiated into some kind of secret order of
paddlers-who-screwed-up-big-time and/or were pushed to the limits a bit too
far. I know you have "been there" Arthur, as has Derek H on his North Sea
crossing and even Nigel F on his Northern Canada sojourn where he was
picked up by a freighter in the end (Nigel wrote up something for SK Mag
about it).

The physical is a must too, but I would caution against conveying too
strong a representation of the need for brute force type strength. You
probably mean't "good physical conditioning", etc. I know a couple of big
body-builders who wouldn't last very long on an arduous crossing. Guys like
Matt Broze aren't exactly "hunks", but man, can they paddle fast and far. 

Back-ups per say, are a debatable subject for sure. I take a lot of flak
over my promotion of "safety equipment". I'm sticking to my guns on it
though. I've worked with SK Magazine to try and promote both "requisit
skills" and "back-up gear" as a two-pronged answer the "being properly
prepared" idea. The more "tools" you have in your rescue bag, the more
options you have and have practiced, the better off you are. I know you
wern't flaming me hear, but others have. Chris and I at SK have chatted
over this thrust for some time, and it is mantra now.   

Anyway Arthur, and all of you out there in PW land, stay healthy - both
mentally and physically. We are all headed to the same place one day, 'tis
a grave situation and it comes up real fast, so get the most out of life
and enjoy your paddling, whatever your particular pursuit and level of
personal risk you are willing to expose yourself to. I'm not sure what's on
the other side for us all - if it will be a safe beach or a dangerous lee
shore, heaven or hell, God, Jesus, Alah, Budda, the Wizard of Oz, or if my
first conscious thought after dying is that there won't be any 'cause
that's it - worm food (at least I'll live forever in my children, and
accordingly teach them to love this planet and the ocean, as that is part
of me); or maybe, for me, I'll be reincarnated rich, and can afford new
kayaks - one vacuum bagged, one plastic, and one or two in carbon/kevlar -
stiff _and_ light. Probably my bad karma will have me come back as a Coast
Guard worker rescuing nerdy weekend-warrior kayakers from dangerous
crossings - who knows. Regardless, have a safe voyage wherever you are headed!

BC'in Ya
Doug Lloyd

    

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