Tim in the Ozarks made a staement about us, the paddler, not being 100% accountable for our on water performence because of the boat WE CHOOSE to paddle. Without getting into a fight on the matter I strongly object to such a concept. An individual paddler is always 100% responsible for their own actions. Excuses (my boat is too short or it's just a S-O-T and not fast enough) don't cut it. We, as the legal (and moral) master of a vessel, must accept all resonsibilty for that craft and crew (of one or two). Whether one considers the "Rules of the Road" or the time worn concept of not letting peer pressure talking you into running that rapid or doing that trip only that one individual called "I" can accept accountability. And off the superiority soapbox I go. Pete Gallagher *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Pete, You stated: An individual paddler is always 100% responsible for their own actions. Excuses (my boat is too short or it's just a S-O-T and not fast enough) don't cut it. We, as the legal (and moral) master of a vessel, must accept all responsibility for that craft and crew (of one or two). I don't mean that at all! Everyone gets used to their boat and develops the skills necessary to control it. The point Bill and I were trying to make was that the amount of effort and skill required to do this is different for each boat. A weather cocking boat is going to take a lot more of both to keep with a pack of hard tracking ones. The hard trackers are going to require more skill to turn in tight quarters. Yes, with developed techniques this becomes easier, but it is certainly more demanding. Many boats are ranked "beginner or expert" because of this. I accept the fact that I must be proficient paddler for my plastic boat to keep up with a fast fiberglass one. With the debate raging on skill levels, we MUST look at the individual's boat. Point: Don't classify a paddler's skill level or effort without looking at his vessel! There is a degree of difficulty involved. This forum is just another utility to help us master our vessels. Tim Boat'n in the Ozarks *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Out where I live because of the rocky beaches we deal with I believe there are only two fiberglass kayaks used locally. One of them is a double. Everbody basically paddles plastic boats. I think one of the many things a group has to discuss when it is laying out its travel route is the handling characteristics of each group members kayak. This of course is really only important when paddling in weather. This is just one of many issues that should be discussed in choosing a course. All of the group kayakers should be aware that each group members kayak will handle different weather conditions better or worse than others. Personally I have the physical conditioning and abilities to go in any direction I want. I have come to the conclusion I get to my destination quicker and in better physical condition if I do not spend hours forcing my kayak to go in a direction it does not want to. So I let my kayak be the boss (Necky Looksha IV) and go in the direction it, the kayak, wants to go. <Bill> Brought to you from beautiful Unalaska/Dutch Harbor, Alaska. N 53°51.140' W 166°30.228' ----- Original Message ----- From: <NEWTOT_at_mail.modot.state.mo.us> To: <paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net> Sent: Monday, December 04, 2000 5:13 AM Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Info on accountability. > Pete, > > You stated: > An individual paddler is always 100% > responsible for their own actions. Excuses (my boat is too short or it's > just a S-O-T and not fast enough) don't cut it. We, as the legal (and > moral) master of a vessel, must accept all responsibility for that craft > and crew (of one or two). > > I don't mean that at all! Everyone gets used to their boat and develops the > skills necessary to control it. The point Bill and I were trying to make was > that the amount of effort and skill required to do this is different for each > boat. A weather cocking boat is going to take a lot more of both to keep with a > pack of hard tracking ones. The hard trackers are going to require more skill > to turn in tight quarters. Yes, with developed techniques this becomes easier, > but it is certainly more demanding. Many boats are ranked "beginner or expert" > because of this. > > I accept the fact that I must be proficient paddler for my plastic boat to keep > up with a fast fiberglass one. With the debate raging on skill levels, we MUST > look at the individual's boat. > > Point: Don't classify a paddler's skill level or effort without looking at his > vessel! There is a degree of difficulty involved. This forum is just another > utility to help us master our vessels. *************************************************************************** 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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