Re: [Paddlewise] The only thing we have to fear is fear itself

Kevin Kenney wrote:

>     As one who mostly lurks, not from fear but from lack of experience, I
> sincerely hope the list will continue to serve the great purpose it has so
> admirably done thus far: to help us all to Paddle Wisely.

That is unnecessarily selling oneself short, I mean the concern about
lack of experience.  Most of us have experience in other fields that
often can shed some light on a paddling subject and is totally
applicable.  If you feel you don't know one roll from another or whether
hard chines help or hinder rolling, so what.  Other discussions in
Paddlewise are not technical but rather touch on judgment and good
sense.  Risk assessment and group dynamics have universal aspects to
them whether on the water or in a clinic or board room.  Gear from other
fields often can be made to work in paddlesports.  I am always looking
for such.  That is how I came upon the use of a jetskier's cut off
switch lanyard as a lightweight, strong paddle leash.

The instances in which someone has been flamed in any way on PaddleWise
can be counted on half a hand and the flaming has been doused
immediately by the many who care for the listserve and the purposes it
serves.  Don't be afraid of lending an opinion.  A lot of we so-called
experts often are in a rut in our thinking and myopic.  A fresh set of
eyes and brain cells can help enrich a discussion.

BTW, did anyone see tonight's episode of Survivor?  I don't want to get
into a discussion of the merits of the show but there was a most telling
episode and I can't imagine many of us behaving the way two people
behaved.  The two tribes had been joined and each chose an ambassador to
paddle out a mile to an island to negotiate certain things.  The two, a
man and a woman, were greeted by the host with a table laden with
lobster and potatoes etc. and bottles of wine, four to be exact.  The
two drank themselves silly finishing off all four bottles throughout the
night and eating all the food.  I can't imagine myself doing that.  Sure
I would thank my good fortune for being chosen one of the ambassadors
and have a sizable slice of this Tom Jones feast.  But I could not in
good conscious devour all the bounty without bearing in mind the other
people back on the beach were not eating hardly anything.  I would have
downed most of a bottle between me and the other person and carried the
other three bottles back for the gang and, after getting a good helping
of the food, taken back whatever food would not spoil.

I have been on so many paddling trips where people have shared their own
skimpy lunch with someone who forgot theirs.  Or shared some item of
clothing or what water was left, etc.  What a difference in group
dynamics and humanity.

ralph diaz
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Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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