Re: [Paddlewise] Philosophies on Risk

Shawn said:

<snip> >>Well, no.  I was simply stating that we need to be able to assess our
own risk based on our own skills and conditions we will likely
encounter.>>

Now I like that statement! Actually, the whole recent thread has been
illuminating new facets of this gem of a discussion -- and every time we
bring it up out of the jewelry box and shine a light at it from a different
angle.

>>Not assessing my risk (as a novice/intermediate paddler)
based on an expert like Doug's view of conditions.>>

I always get a little embarrassed on this list when I'm referred to as an
expert. I'm _not_ an expert; so if you ever meet me or paddle with me, and
wonder what all the fuss was about, it wasn't _me_ who termed me as an
expert, okay? I like to think of myself as an extreme enthusiast and one
with a lot of cold water experience who has tried or attempted a number of
things that many will never try or encounter. That doesn't make me an
expert. It has left me with an abused, cortisone injected, cartilage
screwed, tenon stretched body that still has difficulty resting at night.
Not something to aspire to, believe you me. When I share stuff on this
list, its to say' "Hey, you don't necessarily have to do this, like I have
done, to enjoy the sport, and if you do, these can be the type of
consequences".

I've been a bit quiet on this list lately, but it hasn't anything to do
with worrying about undue influence on novices or PW'ers leaning on me to
curb discussion. I usually assume a degree of intelligence and rationality
on the newbie's part, as that is usually the type of person drawn to sea
kayaking in the first place.

Having said that, I would still emphasis that it is the new paddlers
RESPONSIBILITY to ensure they pursue and get adequate training, proper
safety gear, outfit their boats accordingly, and gain experience gently.
Though books like Andy Knapps help, it will NEVER be the responsibility,
ultimately, of the retailer, tradesport, manufacturer, or
magazines/cyber-lists, etc. 

I also don't think most of you on this list know what it is really like out
there on the edge, when things go sideways. Yeah, sure, a lot of us get
caught in a bad blow, get a bit shaken up in a tide-against-wind situation
or some such thing. We get our asses a bit wet and our taste for adventure
satiated for a time with lots of great pub tales. It's an entirely
different matter when things go really wrong; when you wind up in the cold
water, when landfall is hours away and chest cramps compress and almost
suck the life out of your heart and soul, when you start physically crying
and praying to some unknown benevolent force in the heavens to spare you
and maybe let you see your loved ones again, or you do finally make
landfall and barf so badly that bits of puke lodge in your sinuses. I know
we are not all armchair kayakers on this list, but I do find it amusing
some days to read posts about risk by folks who I know haven't even come
close to any real thresholds (which is a good thing). I _can_ tell you what
it is like to hit those thresholds: When it gets really bad, you won't even
be there! That's right, there will be this giant thing called the "cruel"
ocean, there will be this little cockle-shell of a kayak bobbing about with
you either in it or out of it, and you will feel at times that you are
floating above it all, not really there. It will never seem real enough or
cold enough. Only, you are there, and it is really happening, it is really
cold, and you really are in deep trouble. You beat yourself up continually,
asking how you could let yourself get into such a predicament - perhaps
again as in my case -- usually. I don't want others on this list to find
out what it is like, really I don't. Most of the kayaking community in
Victoria and Vancouver seem to think I do.

But alas, no, an expert kayaker is one who keeps within their skill level,
respects the environment, and has the intellectual honesty to admit that
life is a grand adventure where no one person has all the answers but it
_is_ fun learning and wondering what this infinite universe is all about. 

Be safe, everyone, and I _am_ glad to be part of this list and learn and
share about our particular pursuit within this incredible universe.

BC'in Ya
Doug Lloyd (May the force be with you Jackie!)      

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************