[Paddlewise] Dangerous Kayaking

Ed said:
<<By making kayaking appear to be dangerous,  demanding,  risky,
equipment-intensive, and needing extensive instruction from "trained" or

"certified" paddlers serves to inflate the macho image of the sport and
the egos of the participants.>>

I ranted thus:

<Oh you silly man, Mr. Ed. Don't you realize how dangerous kayaking
truly
is, whether on the sea, lakes, or in rivers -- even out of the water.
Have you not been reading your daily PW posts?> <snip>

Thanks in advance, Ed, for being a good sport about my rant. I actually
thought your original post had a point, and I've seen the occasional
instructor that fits your description. However, the vast majority of
those who try to assist others with learning various kayaking skills
(whether officially or otherwise) are dedicated individuals who deserve
much more credit than they are given. And as I'm sure you are aware, the
level of danger and risk is entirely dependent upon the relative
exposure one chooses to pursue, and the type of paddling one enjoys.
While a cell phone might be sufficient in New York harbor, an EPIRB
might be indicated for an Arctic trip, etc.

I also remember the early days when I was involved with an association
setting up sea kayaking standards. Some folks felt that the sport
shouldn't be promoted as heavily skill dependent. As always, it's a
balance (like everything in life), and the same with representing the
dangers out there. In the end, the most important thing new kayakers
need to hear is that good judgment is the best skill. But I do confess,
that looking around the shores of my own geographical area, giving
people adequate, basic skills along with promoting the importance of
essential gear, has gone a long way to making for a safer, more
enjoyable and fun experience. Fun and danger don't have to be mutually
exclusive with a good attitude and an informed mind.

BC'in Ya
Doug Lloyd

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