Re: [Paddlewise] Safety--my bad rescue practice experience.

From: Shawn W. Baker <baker_at_montana.com>
Date: Wed, 06 Sep 2000 14:52:57 -0600
Hi Tim,
Thanks for the reply.

NEWTOT_at_mail.modot.state.mo.us wrote:
> As a Squall owner with time on my hands, I'll respond:

<<Squall experience snipped>>

> I'd say that the high deck, small cockpit,  your long legs and lack of
> confidence in an unfamiliar boat contributed to your demise!

I might have to give it another shot.  It's probably not a boat I'll
ever own (I'm a confirmed wood boat addict) but I love trying different
designs.  I almost got to paddle the CD Slipstream, but I didn't fit
into it.  I would have tried the Gulfstream, but they sold it 2 days
before the demo.  :(

How does the Squall relate to the Solstice GTS?

> PS  Boat Demos typically cater to first time paddlers and I believe the
> sponsor's have a bit of responsibility for your safety, even if it is just
> telling you "Don't go beyond that buoy".

They were keeping a very close eye on the first-time paddlers.  I'm a
quasi-employee, though (I do all their boat repairs) so they are
familiar with my skills and knew I wasn't in danger.  Even if they
didn't know I was doing an unintentional rescue practice (they probably
thought I was flailing intentionally!) if I had summoned them, they
would have come right out.  My buddy was 35 feet away on the dock, too,
and he could have alerted them to assist me.  I did tell him not to
worry, and that I wasn't in immediate danger.

While the whole experience wasn't exactly fun, it was eye-opening, and
very valuable to have been through.

Shawn

-- 
Shawn W. Baker          0                                    46°53'N
© 2000            ____©/______                              114°06'W
~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^\  ,/      /~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^
baker_at_montana.com    0        http://www.geocities.com/shawnkayak/
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Received on Wed Sep 06 2000 - 13:55:11 PDT

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