In a message dated 4/28/01 7:06:32 AM, dkruger_at_pacifier.com writes: << I think, as an aggregate, your group of "leaders" is more likely to tackle risky stuff than would be the "average" person among you __if alone__. I've seen this sort of dynamic operating among ice climbers when "parallel soloing" a route. >> I don't dispute your assertion. I believe I have felt and continue to feel a greater sense of comfort being in the company of these similarly minded paddlers. Is there something wrong with that? I went WW paddling today, my 3rd time on the river. It was great not to have to worry about anyone but myself. It was great to have other people looking out for me, telling me where to go, what to avoid. But the best thing was that I was totally thrashed and never stressed the group because my sea skills had left me with a reliable roll that worked very well in the turbulent currents. I pushed myself way beyond my comfort level because the risks seemed manageable. Had I been alone, or with people I knew less well or trusted less, then I would not have taken the chances I did. << Jed, if you have not done so yet, take a look at the Target Risk stuff Winters (and others) have pointed us at. I think each of us adjusts his/her risk level to something she/he feels "comfortable with" and that the presence of others makes each of us feel a _leeetle_ more comfortable, on the average, and so we try trickier stuff when others are around. I know this is the way I operate. >> I'll love to look at it, but I missed the link. If someone would be so kind as to repost the link, I'll check it out right away. << Jed, I challenge you to "stand aside" now and then and assess the behavior of your group of leaders the next time you all do one of your "off season" paddles and look for this effect. I'll be interested in what you report back to the Paddlewise crowd. >> No need to wait, Dave. I believe I understand your point and I agree with it. But I never said we didn't take greater risks. It seems my comment about "each of us paddling as if we were alone" is the part to which you disagree. Allow me to change that to "we prepare ourselves as if we were paddling alone, bringing whatever safety gear we would bring as a leader. Having no need for someone else to lend us gloves or water or a spare paddle or any other piece of gear." The point of my post was personal responsibility. Not that we didn't need each other but rather that we planned not to need assistance. And this planning not to need assistance left us with little need for a leader per se. But someone is always the most seasoned and/or has the Alpha male mentality. I didn't see that as a problem Sure we take greater risks when we're together, exactly because we only have to worry about ourselves and not someone that does not know their limits. Or maybe it's just more testosterone poisoning. Do we think we are warrior gods? Hardly, but after a season of leading beginners on their first trips it's nice to be able to relax and paddle with people that won't ask anything of you. Yes, we take greater chances. That's the whole point. This is when we get to work on our paddling skills. I don't think it makes us better or worse than anyone else. But it is how we relax, it's how we improve and grow as paddlers. It's how we bond. Respectfully, Jed *************************************************************************** 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 Sat Apr 28 2001 - 13:57:19 PDT
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