Re: [Paddlewise] are beginners allowed?

<< read your post re a trip with dwayne strosaker and the newbies.
 
 my overwhelming reaction to your post is, why paddle with the 
 "excruciatingly slow" newbies if you hate it (it being their low skill 
 level) so much?>>

   When Duane posted the invite to this trip he said,"this is a social paddle 
for sea kayakers with intermediate skills." I ask you, Kathleen, just what 
does that mean to you? To me, that means basic skills and an ability to keep 
up with the group. The slower paddlers have a responsibility to paddle a 
little harder. Likewise, the faster paddlers have a responsibility to paddle 
a little more slowly, or, do like I did, paddle in circles, or zig zag, or 
whatever, but stay with the group. 
 
 <>

   I don't believe I expressed contempt for the beginning paddlers. In fact, 
I thought I made it clear that I made of point of helping the group launch 
safely from the beach. I also tried very hard to help keep an eye on the 
group, as it being such a large one I figured Duane and Jim could use the 
help. When the people split off to explore the cove I went with them out of a 
sense of responsibility. Duane needed to stay with the main group, so I 
looked after the splinter group. 
   You need to understand that I am used to being in charge, and I really was 
trying very hard not to be on this trip. As Kevin pointed out, I was not the 
organizer, and I was not being paid to be there. I tried to help out as much 
as possible without seeming to be taking over. Even though I could have 
easily stepped up and help run things, Duane did not ask me to do so, and I 
did not want to appear to be presenting a "subtle but pervasive message of 
smug superiority" as Mr. Paxton so eloquently put it. Most of these people on 
this trip did not know me. I have found that more times then not, people 
resent having a stranger step up and try to help. I generally try to downplay 
the fact that I work as a kayaking instructor. I did not introduce myself as 
such, and I doubt that very many of these folks knew it. If they had, then 
they probably would've been more receptive to my help. But like I said, I 
wasn't there to be an instructor. I was just another paddler on the trip. 
 
 <<ps   if i found an instructor or someone else taking bets over whether or 
 not i'd be one of the ones to capsize (in surf or not) i'd get my money 
 back, and have some sever words for the "instructor"  if it were a paid 
 guided paddle.  sorry, i teach professionally, and  to me, that's  (don't 
 want to offend you here but i can't help it) bullshit.   i hate belittling 
 almost as much as you seem to hate newbies! >>

   I really don't see that I was "belittling" anybody. Yes, I enjoyed some 
sense of humor in watching some of these folks capsize while trying to land. 
I have two teenage daughters, and I learned a long time ago that you can't 
hold their hands forever. At least not if you ever expect them to grow up and 
learn. While it would have been a nice jester on my part to catch each boat 
as it landed, I probably would've received as much resentment as gratitude 
form the various paddlers. 

Scott
So.Cal.

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