I would like to explain, that I hold no grudge to my beginning coworker - and like nothing more than to encourage those new to paddling. Throughout the letter, I tried to convey the point that as the "trip leader" I was responsible for his condition. I didn't take the time to ask what equipment he had. I didn't ask what he knew about cold water. I didn't ask if he knew any rescue techniques. I didn't ask if he could paddle in a straight line. In short, I didn't ask the questions necessary to make a sound judgement of what he was really capable of. Had I taken responsibility, I would have selected a smaller, more sheltered lake that is less susceptible to high winds/waves. Instead of focusing on a rigid plan - "let's go here, there and over there", I would have tried to give a few basic pointers first. I would have discovered that he was trying to turn the boat under the assumption that if you lean, it will turn - Except he was really leaning over the side of the boat - not a J-lean. This alone might have saved him from a dump or two. I made an hasty assumption, it was wrong, and I fully realize that I was fortunate to have things go as well as they did. I wish newbies the best, Phil Huck huck_at_mhd1.moorhead.msus.edu thekayaker_at_yahoo.com *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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