Dave Kruger said: <big snip> 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. Dave, et al, I paddled for years without a dry suit, typically wearing a UK Javelin full-body fleece suit under gusseted rain gear by Henry-LLoyd (expensive yatchty stuff). I also tried a variety of other items, including various wool arrangements. I rented wet suits for some of the hairy stuff I used to do in the early eighties. I must admit that the real reason I eventually splurged on an all-out custom farmer-john, was more for comfort. Getting wet and clammy in other gear was such a pain. And talk about stink! Man alive, even the residents of Saltspring Island smelt better than me (inside joke). At times, out-and-out infections and other bacterial nasties would inhibit paddling trips. A wet suit is so easy to use, clean, maintain, and otherwise offer a good range of temp adjustments over the course of a year (and yes, they can stink too). No, not good for the dead of winter or the 90 degree days in August, but then I'm talking about the majority of times, not specific times. And putting on wet suites in the am, in the winter, on an overnighter or longer is torture for all but the Swedes. Having said all that, perhaps dry suits do have an advantage for women, as vaginal infections, etc., are a real problem on longer back-country trips, even if it isn't a pleasant subject to mention. I know some ladies who have had real problems, and in all but summer extremes, a dry suit can be an asset. As far as Colin is concerned, just remember mates, he is in good company in the UK with his clothing arrangement. And wet suits _are_ common over there enough, when extra challenging adventures are sought, for surfing, etc. -- from the feedback I get. Many UK paddlers would consider an average North American "challenging" situation as fairly routine over there. Its all kind of relative. But again, the argument from the other side of the pond is that the non-wetsuit wearer is more comfortable. I just want to say that I find that isn't true for _me_, and I've put a lot of hard-core nautical miles in over the years. Even shorts in the summer leave cool legs against the hull of the kayak in cold summer water -- at least here in the PNW. And, skills and attitudes to safety being equal, one is still safer in terms of back-up protection, wearing immersion apparel. Geeze Louise, how many more deaths do we have to have hear in the PNW to prove that point. Immersion apparel can buy you precious minutes of functionality, while you open and use some of the items out of your "tool box" of rescue tricks when you (and possible partner(s) ) have screwed up or got caught off guard. You _can_ get caught off-guard. Some of you who have not been paddling long better understand this reality, and have some usable, practiced back-ups or navigational egress plans. Dave also said: <snip> 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. Well Dave, I'll be headed down in May to see you and then head out to the CR bar. I was going to go next week (got a week off both months - plus the whole of August too!), but decided the bar might be a little bit nicer to me closer to mid spring. Of course, one never knows, April can be dead flat -- well, a small bump anyway. My point is, we all know what happened the last time I tried something dangerous in April (two years ago, April 10th), and as Joan pointed out on another post, we need to learn from our mistakes. You scope something out first, then go back again if you want to try it under more challenging conditions. I also wanted to add to the discussion before I cloister myself this weekend on a hot edict, that I don't see how people can pin a paddler down on this whole risk thing. The book "Target Risk" should be a must read for all paddlers. Having said that, driving at 80 miles per hour in the rain on the highway at night during rush hour thinking you are in control is a lot different than risk-taking on the water for all but the clueless -- or the testostorone charged individual seeking to have that part of the anatomy that produces said testosterone strangulated by mother nature. The pain from the pull on the paddle on one's arms, the biting sea breeze nipping at one's face, frigid fingers numb from salt spray by defacto immersion in waves, and the heart palpitations burbling to ones throat all give immediate feedback to mind and body --- firing off the synapses in the brain, causing one to halt, turn back, or accept the risk with the obvious connotation that you are proceeding with your eyes wide open. Typically, on a multi-day excursion on open water, remote wilderness, I put a high degree of effort into route planning, thinking through escape routes, keeping a close weather eye, etc., etc., and generally ensuring a reserve of physical and emotional energy (both being equally important). Yes, there are times when I will push the envelope at a certain juncture by heading into a dangerous rock garden, or choosing to navigate a headland during big hydraulics for a personal challenge or whatever. I minimize the risks by not engaging in that level of risk and intensity of commitment all the time on the water. Dave, I appreciate your analogy vis a vis your "rock" star son's descriptions. You are an asset to this list Dave, to our sport, and to dispelling the notion that Americans are too arrogant for their own good (common misconception up here). Do I get a free dinner down there, now, Dave? 8-) Doug Lloyd (who still thinks he's safer than the average paddler he sees out there, and not because of all his back-up gear, but because he can get out of almost anything with just boat, body, and paddle. Everything else is just precautionary back-up or pecuniary balast). *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Thu Apr 05 2001 - 00:36:02 PDT
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