RE: [Paddlewise] State of mind (was: the "bombproof" roll)

Hi Doug and All,

<Much Snippage throughout>

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
> [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net]On Behalf Of Doug Lloyd
>
> Rob Cookson wrote:
>
> > Hi Doug and All,
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
> > > [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net]On Behalf Of Doug Lloyd
> >
> > Doug said a bunch of good stuff but I snipped all but one
> meager sentence.
> >
> > > Whatever you do, _don't_ be
> > > bound by fanatical favorites of just one person or geographical
> > > location. Learn and practice the best from "all" worlds.


Rob Said:
> >
> > Man do I love to hear this.  Don't get me wrong I'm stubborn
> and opinionated
> > (gee, who would have guessed?) but I try to impress this upon
> students. I
> > teach what I have found to be the methods that work the best
> for me and that
> > I have seen work for others in a variety of conditions.  I strongly
> > encourage students to learn all of the rescue methods they can
> and then pick
> > and choose from the great rescue technique buffet.
>
Doug Said:

> I hope you don't think I was being derogatory toward experts (and amateurs
> alike) who hold dearly to a particular rescue strategy belief or
> some other form
> of fundamentalism with respect to kayak technique or gear. I was
> simply saying
> these people are information saturated, and are a great resource
> to us all.

Nope, I meant "I love to hear this" quite literally.  I agree
wholeheartedly.  Or to be blunt: Dogma Sucks.  Learn as many techniques from
as many people as you can.  Be open minded.


> I do
> know in my heart  that adherence to any kind of fundamentalism, whether
> religious, scientific, or in the sports end of things, just
> doesn't make sense
> anymore. The world, and life, is so complex, complicated and
> eclectic, that it
> just doesn't seem mature and wise to hold stubbornly to a
> particular belief.
> Guess that _does_ sound derogatory to the fundamentalists :-)
> But the flip side
> is people who do, can challenge us as well as supply us with
> information to help
> us develop our own world views about things.

Radicals make the world go round.  From a practical side would you want to
take lessons from an instructor who thought his techniques might maybe
possibly kinda work sometimes?  Or how about buying a boat from a designer
that thought his boats were OK or average.  I can see Matt's new ad in Sea
Kayaker:  "Mariner simply mediocre, the choice of apathetic paddlers
everywhere". (can't wait to see that snipped and left to stand alone out of
context)

<MORE SNIPPAGE>


> The point is, as Rob says, keep trying, don't doubt.
> And don't panic.
> Mostly, don't become complacent. You can get to the point where
> you are just too
> tired, to cold, and too frustrated. Some people just plain give
> up too early.
> You may have been only just moments away from a solution.


Ok here's an example.  I was leading a tour in relatively sheltered
conditions and in good weather, light to gentle breeze, warm, sunny, wind
waves about 1'.  As we passed a small ledge the mild current was enough to
make the waves stand up ever so slightly (we're talking tiny here folks).
The clients are having fun as 1' waves are big excitement to many new
paddlers.  I notice one top heavy gentleman lifting his paddle over his head
every time a wave approaches him from behind.  I scoot over and suggest that
he simply keep paddling forward when this happens and he won't feel as
tippy.  Few minutes later, sploosh.  My assistant guide is close and moves
in for the rescue and I grab the rest of the group and tuck them behind a
ledge and then head out to assist.  He's been in 50 degree water for maybe 2
or 3 minutes.  I'm surprised that he isn't back in the boat yet.  I take
over the rescue and go for the standard guide rescue (swim onto the stern).
One feeble attempt, no he says, I can't do that, come on try again, nope I
can't, I can't do it.  OK, British style between the boats head back feet
into the cockpit (I'm not a huge fan of this one personally) feeble attempt,
Nope he says, can't do that.  OK, out with the sling, paddle under the boat,
step in and up.  One more feeble attempt, nope can't do that.  At this point
he's been in the water maybe a little under 10 min and I'm concerned.  I
said "I think you better try again only harder". He did and he got in.  I
put him in my dry clothes and took him to a beach and got him warmed back up
(hot chocolate etc.) he really wasn't that cold, mild shivers, minor loss of
dexterity, etc To his advantage he was toting around a good 50 pounds or
more of spare insulation (remember that next time someone tells you not to
eat that donut).

I'm familiar with the complacency that comes from hypothermia and this
wasn't it.  This guy just didn't have a "can do" attitude.  Now I don't know
just what he thought his options were, but I'll tell you if I'm in the cold
water and someone is trying to help me back into a boat I'm going to
approach the task with gusto and enthusiasm.  He didn't seem to feel any
responsibility for his safety at all.  Very strange.

Take an interest in your safety.  Be aggressive and if you feel yourself
getting cold, think fast, pick the best strategy you can, make it a mantra
and don't let go of that thought no matter what.  I once spent a very long
half hour chanting swim to the beach, swim to the beach, but that's another
story.

Cheers,

--
Rob Cookson
"I like a little rebellion now and then. It is like a storm in the
Atmosphere." Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Abigail Adams, February 22,
1787.




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