[Paddlewise] 30-footers or cheeky at any height (was Tube Strength)

Peter said:

<snip tube talk)

PS:  Doug, surfing 30 foot high waves would qualify as something stupid
if
it was way beyond your skill and capacity to react to the conditions.
 IMHO, nature has a way of weeding these types out of the human gene
pool,
hopefully they would engage in such activities so it does not endanger
anyone else, or leave behind dependants that the rest of society has to
support.

-----------

Please excuse the following rant, I have not had one for a while
(tongue-in-cheek or otherwise):

Yes Peter, skill and capacity would be a determinative factor. There are
folks who do surf-yak these monsters, such as those Mako Surf Kayak
owners. As far as nature weeding out the gene pool, that would be a very
Paddlewise thing to say. You all mouth the same diatribe on this list
(okay Duane, I'm being hypocritical here, I know :-) ). And here I
thought you were an independent thinker, Peter :-)   Actually, this
whole "Darwin Award" thing I hear from PW'ers, especially those
down-under who love this expression, is highly theoretical. Stick with
me on this, Peter (et al). You see, modern biology asserts that life
evolved and evolves within a parameter defined by survival of the
fittest, the most adaptive, and often, the smartest (religious views and
creation science aside). Man is seen as the pinnacle of this perfecting.
Idiots and foolhardy individuals need not apply. Well, I think there is
a reality beyond this Darwin Theory thing. You see, biology also
demonstrates the preeminence of randomness, chance, and luck. It is
survival by serendipity, good fortune, and synchronicity - all on a
universal scale in its logical extension. If our planet doesn't get hit
and destroyed by an asteroid, ever, my theory will prove true.

In terms of paddling, yeah sure, stick to inland waterways (mindful of
lighting regulations, of course); stick to the safe and secure. And use
a good backband, especially if you are lacking any backbone. Open water
paddling should be avoided, as well as seeking out anything challenging
unless you have an entourage of BCU coaches along. But don't forget the
role of luck. I'll bet my pituitary gland that those who venture into
challenging conditions in a sea kayak, especially solo, know the role
luck has in nature and in their journeying, in a very real, visceral
way  -  even to those who are considered reasonably safe. I'm sure Chris
Duff would concur with me to some degree. Sometimes bad luck can do you
in; sometimes it is luck that gets you through. Sometimes you feel your
luck is running out, and indeed it is time to reevaluate levels of
exposure and risk. Often, one backs off or gives up expedition paddling
or even paddling altogether. One of the Storm Island incident paddlers
has done just that (for a variety of reasons, too). I often back off to
regroup, but I can't give up the pleasure of a few close calls once and
awhile. Danger makes one feel so alive - it is interactive.

As far as endangering other people, sorry, I'm terrible. I often take
large groups of new paddlers out into 30-foot surf, at night, without
strobe lights, in cold winter water, without drysuites, all the while
trying to run over board surfers (love the smell of burning rubber under
the keel) while dodging pieces of falling Russian space hardware. If
trouble ensues, I just summon the Coasties with flares and radios. Or
call on a Patron Saint or two -- after all, what good are they if you
can't call on them from time to time :-)  I'm also insured to the max.

DL (posting with friendliness, of course)

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