Debbie, thank you for a very honest post. I have seen the same situation (though not to as large an extent). I would also like to be able to print up a flyer with basic safety information--especially when Costco sells sea kayaks sans PFD's. Other than the boat shop where I do part-time work, I see a lot of negligence, and I don't like that. I had the interesting experience of paddling with a newer paddler this weekend. He had been paddling all winter with the owner of the boat shop, who is an expert racer. They've been training on the river behind the shop. In the river, if anything goes wrong, you stand up and walk to shore. For our trip to the local (BIG) lake, The New Guy was clad in a drytop, polypro top, PFD, and cotton jeans!!! He was wearing the jeans when I picked him up, but I assumed he'd change (like I did) when we reached the lake. Well, not so. Since he is a friend, and could become a trusted paddling partner, I didn't lay into him too heavily, but I kept emphasizing throughout our trip the water's temperature (around 35*), the effects of hypothermia, and how quickly you can lose motor function and dexterity at those cold temperatures. I think I'll gradually get him into the swing of things, safety-wise. Oh yeah, and he also thought my hot spaghetti lunch midway was a Good Thing! There is gross negligence and good ol' ignorance everywhere. If we don't start doing something (beat safety into the dealers and mfg's heads with a 2x4) then I fear that legislation may be raising its ugly head just down the road. Good luck with your club's booth at the Paddlesport show--I wouldn't stress safety too heavily at the show (like the dealer said, people may not listen to you then), just get people involved. Once you get their dues (!) send them the newsletters with all of the safety information. After the initial "I got a new boat" euphoria wears off, they'll be looking for more information on their new sport, and they'll pick up the newsletter infused with good advice, and hopefully then take it to heart. Take them out in the winter time and have a few veteran club members volunteer to demonstrate cold water rescues sans cold-water clothing, and show how quickly a person loses function. Warm up the vets with warm tea and blankets and let them admonish the beginners through chattering teeth about the dangers of cold water. Shawn Shawn W. Baker 0 46°53'N © 2000 ____©/______ 114°06'W ~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^\ ,/ /~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^ baker_at_montana.com 0 http://www.missoulaconcrete.com/shawn/ *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Mar 06 2000 - 09:13:44 PST
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