[Paddlewise] Choices and personal freedom

In a message dated 11/9/00 5:58:43 AM, Strosaker_at_aol.com writes:

Doug Lloyd writes:

<< Leaving to do long crossings in the afternoon wind, across shipping 
channels
 without navigational support and communication, is not the best in 
seamanship.  >>

Duane Strosaker writes:

<< We knew exactly what we were getting into.
(snip)
Some people may say we were reckless and lucky we made the trip, but Jim and 
I know otherwise.  (snip) I can understand how less skilled paddlers would 
think our trip was crazy.  A couple of years ago, I would have thought it was 
crazy too.  Sure we take some risks, but that is what any adventure is about. 
 Our lives have been enriched because of this trip, and we look forward to 
more. >>

Thoughts from Lurksville:

    This thread is starting to sound strangely familiar, strangely similar to 
discussions about solo adventurers and solo free climbers from the world of 
mountaineering and rock climbing. For all of our efforts to educate the 
masses relative to the safety issues for paddlers, we cannot and should not 
think that we can exert our vision of the safe pursuit of happiness on any 
other human being.
    I do not consider myself in the same class as Doug Lloyd or Duane 
Strosaker.  I love paddling, but I don't possess the depth of experience that 
allows them such freedom on the sea. I regularly paddle in conditions that 
other choose to avoid for many of the same reasons that both Doug and Duane 
choose to explore their style of freedom. But I don't model my life after 
theirs nor do I seek to compete with them on the extreme paddling scale.  I 
have no delusions of grandeur with regard to my paddling career yet I love 
the sport no less than they do.
    Let's not confuse safety for the general public with the personal choices 
of our fellow sportsman. This call for tolerance is an issue that I have been 
chastised for in the past. Some of the worlds best rock climbers climb free 
solo, without the safety of a rope and without any back-up or support.  Some 
of these people eventually die during their pursuits but all of them live 
their lives more fully than most of us will ever understand.
    Adventurers will always push the limits. Thank God that they do. Their 
willingness to explorer the limits help define our vision of safety and human 
capacity to survive. I will never try to repeat most of what Duane takes for 
granted these days. But I will read and learn from his experiences and 
reports.  And I will dream more vivid dreams because he takes the time to 
tell us about his adventures.

Jed

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