Re: [Paddlewise] Dictatorship of the Timid/Cayo Costa

All these gender and leadership comments are ringing lots of little bells.

We had a great time on the Cayo Costa (Florida) trip.  I was the trip leader 
and coordinator and agreed to take someone from the Paradise Paddlers group 
who signed up at the last minute because he obviously had "everything" 
together.  (He also had a pickup and offered to drive - I shared driving on 
the return trip).

A former corporate VP and "into" hiking, paddling, etc., I was delighted when 
on 3 occasions he congratulated me on how well the planning details, etc. had 
been done.  When it came to the paddle over to Cabbage Key, I deferred to his 
navigational skills":  "You lead, I sweep."

It so happened that I had invited a friend who I mistakenly thought had 
significant canoeing experience.  As one paddler (who says he just likes to 
mosey along) said, "She redefined the word "mosey."  

There is "mosey," then there is "slow-mosey," and now we have "no mosey."

I was almost back paddling - however, it was a beautiful day and the sun was 
shining - a great day to be on the water.  It was a relatively short (about 4 
miles) paddle but she claims to have been paddling as hard as she could.  And 
yes, we did explain torso rotation to her.

Just an example of all the cogs running smoothly.  :)

PS  I'll be writing a trip report for the Paradise Paddlers newsletter, and 
will include all the phone numbers for reservations.  Please write back 
channel if you'd like me to forward it to you.

Sandy Kramer
Miami
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