Re: [Paddlewise] Safety, Ads, & PFDs

As it happens, I was one of the two individuals who received citations in this particular incident.  If I've ever seen harassment, this was it.  In this situation, we were floating in the lake approximately 40 ft. from short and about 200 ft down the lakeshore, in water as calm and smooth as glass, simply enjoying the setting sun.  Then from out of nowhere, the water patrol zooms up, first berates us for paddling after dark, and then proceeds to issue citations for operating without PFDs.  Had we been swimming at this exact location, we would probably have been sent back to the so-called "swimming area", but would not have been fined.

I deeply resent the fact that state government (and this officer in particular) apparently believes I am not fit to make judgements concerning my own welfare.  I am a fairly experienced whitewater and touring paddler, and am well aware of my own limits.  Sitting quietly on a still lake at sunset falls well within my abilities, I believe.  While I recognize that my experience was not known to this officer, it was also painfully apparent that we were in no danger.  Thus, the appropriate response (at least in my opinion) would have been to instruct us to get off the water immediately and not to put back on until we were able to comply with the law. 

At present, it is my intention to pay the fine, rig my boat for night paddling and buy a crappy little PFD that I can stick in one of my hatches.  Maybe.  It might just be my current frame of mind, but I agree with what Richard says below.  Especially the part about Charles Barkley...

--------------
Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2000 14:48:18 -0500
From: "Richard Kemmer" <rkemmer_at_home.com>
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Safety, Ads, & PFDs

> $75 and harrassment is another good reason to wear/carry a PFD!
>

Good reason?

IMHO, the enforcement of "victimless-crime laws" is patently harassment;
one's only moral obligation is to resist prudently so as not to get caught.
Moreover, whatever the merits of PFDs, forbidding pictures of people without
them goes MUCH too far.  I believe that magazines should depict things as
they are, not function as vehicles for puritans, moralizers, and
sanctimonious "role models."

People should wear a PFD when they think it protects them, not to be  role
models.  Wearing one should be a considered choice, not a Pavlovian response
to modeled behavior. . .or fear of police dogs.

Having thus expostulated, I almost always wear a PFD;  but, like Charles
Barkley, I sure as hell am no role model.

Rick


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