Water is the one thing common in all kayaking. The other permutations of the "W" word are extremely subjective and have no real descriptive application in kayaking. Kayaking is an intensely personal sport, in which each paddler must know and follow his/her own limits in ability. This is the essence of kayak safety, whether you be on ocean, lake, or river. It doesn't matter if you want to do a 50 mile crossing in hurricane or whether you want to run a 30' waterfall, because you are doing it safely if you *know* this is within your limits of ability. Good paddlers can do these things. Not as good paddlers can do less, but they still have limits which they are required to know, or else be considered reckless (by me at least). However, it is the height of hubris and self-centeredness to suggest that your own personal limits ought to apply to any other person, or to assume that the other person is inadequate in any way for having less limits. People who would do this are not good paddling partners. <defuse>In no way do I mean the above statements to apply to anyone who might be associated with this list. The previous flamewar was obviously a case of minor mistakes aggravated by the imperfect communication medium of email, and in no way should be taken as a lasting personal judgement on kayaking skills, qualities, or general coolness.</defuse> Also, I finally went back and read Duane's account of their crossing, and I can see why it was rejected. There's not much that a kayaker can learn from reading it that would really apply to himself. It's really just an abbreviated diary of the trip. I think Duane and Jim should consider rewriting it with an emphasis on how another kayaker might learn how to train and do such a crossing *safely*. One possible achilles heel however might be the fact that their trip would have been impossible to complete in those conditions without a working GPS. I don't think many safety gurus would want to put so much reliance in a complex piece of transistors like that. One other comment I might make is that perhaps "W" might stand for Wacko, because Duane and Jim didn't take any time to explore the caves in what might be considered the most fantastical coastline in the world (santa cruz island near Painted Cave). The basalt formations there form ramparts and spires that would delight even the most wicked of dragons, and the caves could be home to any number of Scyllas, Charybdis', and Sirens. Of course, this is an entirely subjective comment, so don't take it personally :) Kevin Kevin Whilden Your Planet Earth http://www.yourplanetearth.org (206) 788-0281 (ph) (206) 788-0284 (f) *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 11/14/00 10:11:15 AM Pacific Standard Time, kevin_at_yourplanetearth.org writes: << However, it is the height of hubris and self-centeredness to suggest that your own personal limits ought to apply to any other person, or to assume that the other person is inadequate in any way for having less limits. >> Uh, am I mistaken, or haven't I seen any number of folks get collectively hammered by this list for having a different set of "limits" then the rest? Scott So.Cal. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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