Re: [Paddlewise] Wet exits and spray deck removal

on 3/8/01 5:44 PM, KiAyker_at_aol.com at KiAyker_at_aol.com wrote:


> I think one of the things I enjoy the most about this list is this
> mentality of "total overkill." If a little is good, then a whole lot must be
> mucho better. It's always good for a chuckle. I'm sorry, but somebody needs
> to say it --- if your that inept, then you shouldn't be paddling with
> equipment that you can't handle, or in conditions that are beyond your
> abilities! I feel that Doug Loyd embodies the ultimate example of overkill.
> But at least I understand his reasons behind it. Doug likes to push the
> envelope in some fairly extreme conditions. What kills me is these weekend
> paddlers who insist on being expedition equipped for paddling across the bay
> to get a latte.
> I use neoprene skirts exclusively and have never had a problem getting
> them off of my boat. Except for that one instance I posted earlier where the
> girl was using the wrong skirt for her boat, I have never had anyone get
> trapped in their boat by their sprayskirt in ten years of teaching and twenty
> years of paddling. While there may be some instances where people did have
> problems removing their skirts, I'm pretty certain that these can all be
> chalked up to inexperience and perhaps just plain old stupidity. Perhaps
> someone can enlighten me, but I am not aware of any SEA KAYAKERS having been
> found dead while still seated in their boats with the sprayskirt in place.
> But hey, but don't mind me. I suppose this mentality of total overkill is
> at the very least a big boom to the retailers.
 

Scott,

Two or three years ago there was a woman in Bellingham, Washington, who
borrowed a new skirt from a friend and went out alone to practice rolling.
She was found dead in the kayak with the skirt tightly in place.

If I paddle across the bay for a latte I won't be outfitted for a expedition
but it won't bother me if some one in the group is.  Every one has there own
comfort level.

I think some people just like playing with gagets and equipment.  I don't
know Doug Loyd personally but I think he is one of those people.  He
definitely likes playing with fiberglass.  I'd paddle across the bay with
him as long as I don't have to help carry that 85 lb kayak to the water or
wait around for him while he loads all that equipment.

I don't see anything wrong with an extra strap on a spray skirt or a wiffle
ball or a little Velcro.  Do what you like to your boat, practice skills,
and go have fun.

We all start out a little "inept" or incompetent, and some of us have done
some stupid things.  Most of us live to tell the story.

Rex Roberton  

  

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