Re: [Paddlewise] No protection

Craig MacKinnon wrote:

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ron and Barb" <rbdunningtons1_at_home.com>

> > I'm still dumbfounded by the guy who says he paddles without a PFD, paddle
> > float, wet suit, etc., etc.  rather, relying on his expert skills and
> > knowledge to get him out of any possibly life threatening situation.
> > [snip]

> I don't know who this guy is; maybe he has an answer; maybe he's some type
> of adrenaline junky who feels he has a right to kill himself; I don't know.
> I worry about the rescuers and the message this guy sends to non-kayakers
> and kayakers alike if he every becomes the proverbial "bird falling off the
> limb".

"This guy" is Colin Calder, of the UK.  Colin does not need the rest of us to
defend his position.  Even so, I think I know where he is coming from.

In context, he asserted that there were times when he did not need all the gear
the consensus on this list feels is "required" (or, "prudent").  An element of
his argument is that the gear does not make you safe:  your skills and
judgement are much more important.  His position is being distorted somewhat.

Let me elaborate:  My son is a high-standard free-climber, though he never
solos without rope protection, unlike Ron's example (I snipped that part). 
Even so, sometimes he has to "violate" a high-angle rock-climber's guideline
for protection, in order to do a particularly aesthetic or interesting climb. 
As his father (and a retired climber, albeit of a standard well below his!), I
accept his behavior.  He generally uses good judgement, as I think Colin does. 
But, there are times when a casual observer would question it.  **For my son**
some of his high-jinks on rock are akin in risk to the risk **I** take when I
walk along a cracked sidewalk:  I might trip, fall, and suffer a
life-threatening head injury.  Even so, I do not wear a helmet when I walk a
cracked sidewalk.

I think it is OK for a paddler of Colin's (presumed) skill level to paddle as
he does.  Those who translate his style into an endorsement that "everyone --
i.e., me -- should paddle that way" are responsible for their own behavior.  If
we see a drunken driver, do we emulate that behavior?  Most of us do not.

Finally, the increased risk potential associated with his behavior for
**rescue** personnel is not significantly different from what already exists
from the societally-endorsed activities of pleasure boaters, commercial
fishers, and other commercial marine traffic.  I live next to a very dangerous
river bar (the Columbia River), which is transited by many thousands of vessels
every year, demanding a couple hundred rescue sorties by the Coast Guard, each
entailing some risk for their personnel.  In a typical year, the Coast Guard
responds to one or two or three incidents involving sea kayakers or similar
plesure-seekers.  We and our activities are imperceptible in promoting their
risk.  Granted, if there were throngs attempting to paddle their Keowees across
the bar, that would change.  I just don't see the occasional Colin Calder (or
Doug Lloyd) with high skills attempting a bar crossing, or something equally
risky, as a significant increase in risk to the Coast Guard.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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