Debbie Reeves wrote: > I wonder, should our club continue to participate in the show - with such enormous amounts of obvious negligence? Right now my answer is a tentative yes; perhaps attendees visiting our table will hear some safety info, perhaps they will decide to join the group and read the informative articles in the newsletter, perhaps they will have the opportunity to attend a group trip and receive paddling tips. Perhaps. Discouraged in Sandy Hook, NJ < Thanks for the posting - and hopefully writing it all down helped relieve some of the stress created by the incident. Don't give up on the safety/education issue. Yes, it is an uphill battle and no, you (we) will never be able to declare "success". People cannot be forced to _want_ to learn. Sometimes teaching by example is the best way - I'm sure that "TheWetOne" learned some lessons that he won't soon forget. We never know what the results of our even seemingly innocuous actions may be - have you ever thought about what the effect may be of watching an obviously competent kayaker, clad in impressive looking clothing and gear, taking the time to don a PFD or a helmet? Something that "simple" in our minds might someday make a life or death difference for the "newbie" who happened to be sitting at the boat launch watching the kayakers that day. So don't give up, keep on striving in the direction your heart tells you is right, and if you feel compelled to carry the battle to manufacturers or dealers choose your battles carefully and wisely. You may or may not be able to bring about change in that arena - but you as an individual, and as a club member, can have enormous impact on individuals who choose to participate in the world of paddling. Dave Seng Juneau, Alaska *************************************************************************** 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 - 10:46:27 PST
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