PaddleWise by thread

From: Mel Lammers <mslammers_at_earthlink.net>
subject: [Paddlewise] Wes Boyd Incident
Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2001 16:25:21 -0400
Wes, if it would not upset the prosecution of the PWC driver, you might
consider contacting your local newspaper with the offer of an already
written feature article.  If you can provide a picture or two (maybe the
three of you standing to an upside down kayak, or kayak full of water in the
reeds) that might help.  Newspapers are more receptive to that approach than
you might think.

Fortunately, all of the PWC drivers I have been close to (in TX during the
past year & 1/2) have been courteous and slowed to avoid causing a wake if
they were in a channel with me or close.  I guess those Texans are pretty
good folks.

--Mel--
=^..^= 
Cell:  (937) 232-6472
Pager: (888) 704-4169
http://www.mellammers.net
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Foldableseayakers
foldableseayakers_at_yahoogroups.com
mellammers_at_mellammers.net
mslammers_at_earthlink.net



[demime 0.92b removed an attachment of type application/ms-tnef which had a name of winmail.dat]

***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************
From: ralph diaz <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] A thought about jetskis and kayaks
Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2001 18:58:22 -0400
> Wes, if it would not upset the prosecution of the PWC driver, you might
> consider contacting your local newspaper with the offer of an already
> written feature article.  If you can provide a picture or two (maybe the
> three of you standing to an upside down kayak, or kayak full of water in
the
> reeds) that might help.  Newspapers are more receptive to that approach
than
> you might think.

This is one of the many good ideas coming up in PaddleWise.  But I want to
get to another thought.  Isn't it amazing that a sport, jetskiing, that is
relatively new (I can't remember when the sport started taking off) and has
reached such huge numbers of advocates (the number of jetskis and jetskiers
greatly dwarfs the number of sea kayaks and sea kayakers) who have shelled
out mucho money and supported a large industry that has done extensive
advertising, created a whole bunch of magazines (several of them
individually have a circulation that is higher than all the paddling
publications combined), etc. is probably on the brink of being effectively
shut down or very seriously curtailed.  That total ban it faces in national
parks, the many state-level strictures in the form of licenses, mandatory
training, etc. all are narrowing where a jetskier can go and how he or she
can operate.

I am not feeling sorry for jetskiers, mind you.  But there are lessons here:

1.  If you put out a recreational machine that is a high polluter such as a
jet ski, eventually the world will come crushing down on you.  The industry
has only itself to blame for this current predicament it faces.  It has been
stalling for years in cleaning up the machines.  Only now, faced with that
national park ban and other curtailments, is the industry now saying it will
act to reduce noise and environmental pollution.

2.  If you foster an image of hi-jinx and reckless behavior (which the ads
for jetskis almost always do) in order to sell you product, you help create
a good number of reckless operators.  This leads to annoying others and also
to a large number of deaths on the water.  This then leads to the type of
bans that are hurting the industry.  Again, the industry only has itself to
blame.

I always thought that the jetski lobby was so strong that nothing would ever
come up to hinder where and how the machines operate.  So I am surprised how
many states and municipalities as well as the feds are tightening the noose
around the necks of the industry and its customers.

I think as kayakers we should take notice.  While our boats are not
polluters in themselves, we can have an impact on the environment in other
ways or have an annoying effects on others.  Issues like landing on private
property and not watching how we treat it or close encounters with marine
life which is covered by federal statutes in the US among other places, or
paddling without concern for the rules of the road causing problems for
commercial maritime users of the waters.  (It's a theme I get into some of
the Dispatches I do for Canoe & Kayak magazine; one has a photo of a sign at
a NYC luxury yacht marina that says "No Jetskis, No Kayakers" i.e. lumping
us together with the dreaded jetskier!)  By and large, our industry is more
aware of such things and fosters safe, responsible behavior (180 degrees
opposite of what the jet ski industry does, I feel) and we, in or clubs and
organizations and places like PaddleWise, also stress responsible safe
operation of our vessels (jetskiers don't really have this, certainly not as
universally as we do).  Still it doesn't take much irresponsible behavior
and lack of consideration for the rights of others to find ourselves also
curtailed some in how we operate.

We constantly need to watch ourselves to make certain we don't step over any
lines that could get us collectively in trouble.  I am really mindful of
this.  For example, when I am cartopping a kayak, I am extra courteous on
the road, letting other cars merge into heavy traffic from shopping centers,
etc.  It is something I tend to do anyway but with that boat on my roof
identifying my cult, I want to make certain that the general public gets a
good image of that cult.  Small things like that help give us a positive
image.  Think in these terms whenever you are out on the road, or on the
water or landing or launching.  Jet skiers clearly have not and they are
beginning to pay a price for their oversight.

ralph diaz--
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------



***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************
From: Wayne Smith <wsmith16_at_snet.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] A thought about jetskis and kayaks
Date: Sun, 15 Apr 2001 07:33:57 -0400
I think Ralph hit the nail right on the head on why some sports/activities
can become unpopular. Personally, the only problem I have had with jetskis
is the fact that they dump as many unburned hydrocarbons into the
environment in just a few hours as an automobile does in 100,000 miles of
driving. I've had more problems with traditional power and sail boats
being jerks, myself.

However, we as kayakers are not immune from scrutiny ourselves. I paddle
with several clubs here in New England, and I have noticed a general lack
of RESPECT and AWARENESS among the members of one or two groups of
paddlers that paddle with several of these clubs. Things like landing on
private property without so much as even asking permission, blocking
marked channels, and blocking boat ramps when launching/landing are
becoming commonplace. I will add that there are other groups I paddle with
that go out of their way to make sure nobody does these things, but as we
have all said in recent days, it's the bad ones that stand out.

I think the best thing we all can do for ourselves as paddlers is to take
the initiative to regulate our own, before someone else decides we need to
be regulated by government. We still have a positive image, I think, and
we should try to keep it that way.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
------

Wayne Smith
wsmith16_at_snet.net

Check out my sea kayaking & homebrewing page:
http://pages.cthome.net/wsmith16/home.html



>
> This is one of the many good ideas coming up in PaddleWise.  But I want
to
> get to another thought.  Isn't it amazing that a sport, jetskiing, that
is
> relatively new (I can't remember when the sport started taking off) and
has
> reached such huge numbers of advocates (the number of jetskis and
jetskiers
> greatly dwarfs the number of sea kayaks and sea kayakers) who have
shelled
> out mucho money and supported a large industry that has done extensive
> advertising, created a whole bunch of magazines (several of them
> individually have a circulation that is higher than all the paddling
> publications combined), etc. is probably on the brink of being
effectively
> shut down or very seriously curtailed.  That total ban it faces in
national
> parks, the many state-level strictures in the form of licenses,
mandatory
> training, etc. all are narrowing where a jetskier can go and how he or
she
> can operate.
>
> I am not feeling sorry for jetskiers, mind you.  But there are lessons
here:
>
> 1.  If you put out a recreational machine that is a high polluter such
as a
> jet ski, eventually the world will come crushing down on you.  The
industry
> has only itself to blame for this current predicament it faces.  It has
been
> stalling for years in cleaning up the machines.  Only now, faced with
that
> national park ban and other curtailments, is the industry now saying it
will
> act to reduce noise and environmental pollution.
>
> 2.  If you foster an image of hi-jinx and reckless behavior (which the
ads
> for jetskis almost always do) in order to sell you product, you help
create
> a good number of reckless operators.  This leads to annoying others and
also
> to a large number of deaths on the water.  This then leads to the type
of
> bans that are hurting the industry.  Again, the industry only has itself
to
> blame.
>
> I always thought that the jetski lobby was so strong that nothing would
ever
> come up to hinder where and how the machines operate.  So I am surprised
how
> many states and municipalities as well as the feds are tightening the
noose
> around the necks of the industry and its customers.
>
> I think as kayakers we should take notice.  While our boats are not
> polluters in themselves, we can have an impact on the environment in
other
> ways or have an annoying effects on others.  Issues like landing on
private
> property and not watching how we treat it or close encounters with
marine
> life which is covered by federal statutes in the US among other places,
or
> paddling without concern for the rules of the road causing problems for
> commercial maritime users of the waters.  (It's a theme I get into some
of
> the Dispatches I do for Canoe & Kayak magazine; one has a photo of a
sign at
> a NYC luxury yacht marina that says "No Jetskis, No Kayakers" i.e.
lumping
> us together with the dreaded jetskier!)  By and large, our industry is
more
> aware of such things and fosters safe, responsible behavior (180 degrees
> opposite of what the jet ski industry does, I feel) and we, in or clubs
and
> organizations and places like PaddleWise, also stress responsible safe
> operation of our vessels (jetskiers don't really have this, certainly
not as
> universally as we do).  Still it doesn't take much irresponsible
behavior
> and lack of consideration for the rights of others to find ourselves
also
> curtailed some in how we operate.
>
> We constantly need to watch ourselves to make certain we don't step over
any
> lines that could get us collectively in trouble.  I am really mindful of
> this.  For example, when I am cartopping a kayak, I am extra courteous
on
> the road, letting other cars merge into heavy traffic from shopping
centers,
> etc.  It is something I tend to do anyway but with that boat on my roof
> identifying my cult, I want to make certain that the general public gets
a
> good image of that cult.  Small things like that help give us a positive
> image.  Think in these terms whenever you are out on the road, or on the
> water or landing or launching.  Jet skiers clearly have not and they are
> beginning to pay a price for their oversight.
>



***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************
From: Wes Boyd <boydwe_at_dmci.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] A thought about jetskis and kayaks
Date: Sun, 15 Apr 2001 20:20:47
At 06:58 PM 4/14/01 -0400, ralph diaz wrote:
>Isn't it amazing that a sport, jetskiing, that is
>relatively new . . . and has
>reached such huge numbers of advocates . . . who have shelled
>out mucho money and supported a large industry that has done extensive
>advertising, created a whole bunch of magazines . . .
> is probably on the brink of being effectively
>shut down or very seriously curtailed.  That total ban it faces in national
>parks, the many state-level strictures in the form of licenses, mandatory
>training, etc. all are narrowing where a jetskier can go and how he or she
>can operate.

Thought-provoking post, Ralph.

A couple years ago, I was out doing an early Sunday morning paddle on one
of the lakes. I came around a point very close to shore, and saw a small,
low powered speedboat. A couple of people in it were working on teaching a
young, maybe nine or ten years old girl how to water ski. Good way to do
it, not a lot of power to intimidate the kid, and she was doing fine. I was
close to shore, and ducked in behind the swim bouys to stay out of the way.
On one of the docks was a woman about my age, watching intently. It was an
interesting sight that brought back memories -- that speedboat would have
been a big honker when I was a kid. I was ready for a breather, pulled up,
and soon discovered that the woman was the girl's grandmother, and was a
lifelong cottager. I've lived in the area most of my life, and we fell to
talking. "Remember when we were that age and people thought that
waterskiiers were the pains in the fanny?" I said.

Well, of course, she did. "I guess those people grew up, and had kids, and
their kids decided they had to have something even more irritating. Hence,
the jetski."

Well, she laughed and I laughed, and we remembered the old days for a few
minutes and I was soon on my way, but my wisecrack has stuck with me.

Over the years, I've seen a number of threats to peace and tranquility come
by.

Thirty years or so ago, when snowmobiles were first becoming popular, a lot
of people thought that they were the scourge of the winter woods. In fact,
there were a lot of reckless, thoughtless riders in those years. There are
still some today -- but the response of local government and the snowmobile
community brought a lot of that under control. Today, snowmobiles are
liscensed and regulated, mostly stay on designated trails and in locations
where they're supposed to be. Snowmobiles are a big economic factor in the
north woods these days, and while there are yahoos out there, they are
relatively rare.

But snowmobiles spun off into all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Like the
snowmobile, the ATV gives a tremendous amount of mobility in the woods.
This is good for the people that just don't have the physical stamina to
backpack or cross-country ski, but enjoy being in the woods. However, there
was an even greater explosion of yahoos ripping things up. It took a while
for law enforcement, lawmakers, the industry, and other cooler heads to
prevail, but now, at least in this state, ATVs are pretty well restricted
where they can operate.

Much of the next few paragraphs will probably reflect the fact that over
the last fifteen years I've put a lot of time into hiking trail
development. I've spent many more hours working on hiking trails in one way
or another than I have in the seat of a kayak, so I can't help but have a
skewed perspective.

A big part of the problem with ATVs, and later mountain bikes, was and is
the perception that if there's a trail in public land, many riders feel
they should have access to it. That sounds good in theory, but the actual
practice is that most hiking trails on public lands outside of parks are
developed and maintained by volunteers. It may be fun for the ATV rider or
mountain biker to go out and throw some dirt, but if you're the guy with
the fire rake that's concerned with treadway degradation, or if you're the
hiker that has to walk in a "linear sand dune", then you're going to think
that it's an outrage. If you're hiking down a hill, carrying a pack, and
some bozo on a mountain bike comes down the hill after you at thirty miles
an hour and yells "Get the #### out of my way!", well, you're not going to
have much use for mountain bikes. If you're concerned about trail being
eroded, you're not going to have a lot of use for the guy that wants to go
out and "shred some trail."

We were past the peak of ATV problems on hiking trails when I got into
working on hiking trails with the North Country Trail Association, on the
North Country National Scenic Trail, but mountain bikes were spooling up.
We spent a lot of time bitching and whining about mountain bikes. But, one
day I spoke up in a meeting, and basically said that the thing to do would
be to hang tough, and pretty soon it wouldn't be a problem any more. And,
you know what? At least in this state, the mountain bike organizations
started to realize that they were going to have to clean up their own acts,
and were going to have to start to contribute to trail devlopment and
maintenance, or get thrown off the trails. The process isn't complete yet,
but let's just say that mountain bikes on hiking trails aren't quite the
issue they were five years ago. Which is not to say that the yahoos aren't
still out there, but are beginning to learn that their behaviour isn't as
tolerated as it once was. 

The point that I'm reaching for, I guess, is that as each one of these
activites come along, the yahoos come with it, until the authorities and
the more responsible practioners and the industry crack down. Mountain
bikes are the only human powered activity that's drawn the yahoos, and
they're getting the heat for it. (I know those that look at rec.backcountry
are going to think "Mike Vandeman", but, as Jackie says, "Let's not go
there . . .")

To drag this back to somewhere near being on topic, I think I can see the
process taking place with jetskis. They have been a scourge in recent
years, but the yahoos are starting to draw a reaction from the authorities
and more responsible elements. The industry is going to have to take
notice, or they're going to have their market legislated out of existence.

Things change. The jetski market has forced some change. In fact, the
design of jetskis has mutated rapidly. Ten years ago, most jetskis were
powered surfboards with standing riders. That's how they got the name. In
fact, I haven't seen many of those types of jetskis in recent years -- the
things are changing, becoming larger, and less agile, turning more into
small runabouts. In fact, I'm seeing "jetskis" that are nearly the size and
power of a small runabout from back in the days when the proud grandmother
and I were kids, with side by side, in the boat seating. Deja vu.

Yesterday, one of the guys from the "jetski incident" and I were out
paddling down a narrow channel when we saw a pontoon** coming the other
way. Quite quietly. I turned to my partner and said, "Love those
four-strokes!"

"Why's that?" the guy on the pontoon asked from twenty yards away. 

"Quiet, no smell. Thanks," I replied. Sure enough, he had a big,
four-stroke Evinrude on the back of that thing. My van runs noisier than that.

A lot of the irritation we feel with jetskis comes from the noise and smell
and pollution of the two-stroke engine. I would not be surprised to see the
banning of two stroke marine engines in the foreseeable future. In fact, a
ban on the production of two-stroke outboards is in the works, if I recall
correctly.

So, I think that in the next few years things will improve. It will come
slowly. But, I am concerned that paddle sports may become restricted in
much the same way. It's still pretty wierd to see a kayak on some of these
cottage lakes, but that's changing. There were several people out doing
yard work around the lake that we paddled yesterday, and we stopped and
talked to several. It's really not much of a sample, but of a dozen people
that we talked to on one lake, six had recently purchased recreational
kayaks, or were thinking about it. In fact, the cottager where we landed to
recover from the incident said that he was thinking about getting a kayak,
and we promised to take him out when the water is warmer. How's a guy gonna
waterski when there's a hundred kayaks out on a small lake? More user
interface problems . . . most of us are interested in growth, if for no
more reason than to have like minded people around, but there can be too much.

Changing topics slightly, it struck me today that one of the problems that
we had last Sunday was not that there were too many jetskis, but too few of
them, and other lake users. Given some more powered lake users around, a
number of things might have happened. First, the incident might not have
occurred at all -- the punk waited until he knew there was no one to
interfere. Other jetskis, other lake users, could have interfered. Or have
been witnesses, with the capability of pursuing to get the kids number. Or,
assisted in a rescue. The punk wouldn't have done it if he'd thought he
wasn't going to get away with it.

--------------

** A post-script: Some distance above, I mentioned "a guy on a pontoon".
The things are common as dirt around here, but other Paddlewisers in other
areas may not know what I'm talking about. What we call a "pontoon" is a
raft supported by two (or sometimes more) pontoons, typically about two
feet across and twenty or so feet long.  There's lots and lots of deck
space for coolers, people, lawn chairs, barbeque grills, etc. They're very
popular among cottagers on inland lakes. When I was a kid, you built your
own, using 55-gallon drums, and powered them with a small outboard. These
days, they can have some honker engines on them, and I've seen them towing
water skiiers. The more things change, the more they stay the same. And the
more they change.

-- Wes


---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wes Boyd's Kayak Place               http://www2.dmci.net/wesboyd/kayak.htm
Kayaks for Big Guys (And Gals) | Trip Reports | Places To Go | Boats & Gear
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************
From: Nick Schade <schade_at_guillemot-kayaks.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] A thought about jetskis and kayaks
Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2001 09:07:35 -0400
  A year or so ago I saw one of the first generation jetskis again. I 
was amazed at how tiny the thing was. I submit that if the type had 
stayed as small we would not consider them the problem we do today. 
While they are bigger and less agile today, they are also much more 
powerful, capable and easy to use.

  But I agree that the "jetski problem" will fade away to some extent 
as regulations come into play. More importantly, they will go out of 
style. Around here windsurfing used be really big, now it is much 
less popular. It has nothing to do with the fact that some people 
thought them a scourge. They just aren't the in thing any more. The 
same will happen with jetskis, not to mention sea kayaks. People move 
on. I'm sure the Maine lobstermen are anxiously awaiting the waning 
of the sea kayak fad.

Nick

>
>Things change. The jetski market has forced some change. In fact, the
>design of jetskis has mutated rapidly. Ten years ago, most jetskis were
>powered surfboards with standing riders. That's how they got the name. In
>fact, I haven't seen many of those types of jetskis in recent years -- the
>things are changing, becoming larger, and less agile, turning more into
>small runabouts. In fact, I'm seeing "jetskis" that are nearly the size and
>power of a small runabout from back in the days when the proud grandmother
>and I were kids, with side by side, in the boat seating. Deja vu.
-- 
Nick Schade
Guillemot Kayaks
824 Thompson St
Glastonbury, CT 06033
(860) 659-8847

***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************
From: ralph diaz <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] A thought about jetskis and kayaks
Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2001 16:39:06 -0400
----- Original Message -----
From: "Nick Schade" <schade_at_guillemot-kayaks.com>

> thought them a scourge. They just aren't the in thing any more. The
> same will happen with jetskis, not to mention sea kayaks. People move
> on. I'm sure the Maine lobstermen are anxiously awaiting the waning
> of the sea kayak fad.

Add to that list the maritime commercial interests in NY Harbor, the
vacation home owners in the San Juans, the US Coast Guards in certain places
that shall remain nameless where sea kayakers seem to have more than the
normal share of mishaps that require assistance.  The only sharers of the
waters that will miss us are the jetskiers!!!

ralph diaz


***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************
From: <Gypsykayak_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] A thought about jetskis and kayaks
Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2001 13:45:28 EDT
In a message dated 01-04-14 20:45:00 EDT, rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com writes:

<< (It's a theme I get into some of the Dispatches I do for Canoe & Kayak 
magazine; one has a photo of a sign at a NYC luxury yacht marina that says 
"No Jetskis, No Kayakers" i.e. lumping us together with the dreaded 
jetskier!)  >>

When we paddle in areas such as off the Keys that have a lot of powerboats, 
some are very considerate and other's don't give a damn about the wake they 
leave.

The other side of the coin is a comment my ex made about those _at_###$$ 
kayakers who are all over the place and the power boats can't get through.  
(Refer to Ralph's comment about sharing the water space.)

I think it is important for groups to congregate as much as possible and 
attempt channel crossings en masse.

***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************
From: <Gypsykayak_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Wes Boyd Incident
Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2001 13:37:54 EDT
As usual, Ralph Diaz' insightfulness was right on target.  In particular, the 
bit about making some friendly overtures to jetskiers at the put-in. And the 
reminder of the cardiac patient who was whisked to help.

THEY know that WE want them off the water, so.........they show their 
animosity.

In addition to loud jetskis we (in Florida) are also subject to the 
INCREDIBLY LOUD NOISE emitted by airboats.  These things are lightweight 
contraptions that have engines mounted up high.  They skim over everything 
(and tear the hell out of the Everglades' River of Grass) and make such a 
racket that the drivers/passengers wear ear protectors like you see on the 
people working on runways.

There we were, camping on the banks of the Peace (hah!) River over the 
Hallowe'en weekend last year and this fellow kept going back and forth past 
us (there was no other route), each time with a different "chick."  

The disturbance of the Peace was really bad.  I do believe they should be 
banned from rivers.  At least on a lake there is more room for 
avoidance...unless they wanna act nasty.

I believe one of the members of our group made a rude "digital" gesture.  
After that the game was on!  Perhaps we should have smiled and waved......

Oh, the fellow lost his bandana and he ain't never gonna find it.

sandy kramer
miami

***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************
From: Reeves, Debbie (Debbie) <"Reeves,>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Wes Boyd Incident
Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2001 16:35:57 -0400
Sandy,

I truly sympathize with you and your encounters.  Fortunately these vessels
are uncommon and seem to gravitate to specific areas.  I live in an area of
extreme wealth (I live in the poor section!), located along the waters that
lead out to the bay, ocean and NYC.  The residents include celebraties and
money moguls where the name of the game is to have the most sensational,
*visible* "toy".  Last year, someone added an airboat to their personal
property collection and happened to put it on the water one evening when I
was out for a soothing sunset paddle.  The decibal seemed to be right up
there with cigarette boats, although the *noise* is much harder to ignore.
Faster in frequency, higher in pitch, imagine an *airborn* PWC except 10 or
15 times louder.  I actually had to stop and put in the ear plugs I carry
for extensive water work (rolling, sculling, etc.).  Then I really missed
hearing the birds and the sounds of the water and my interaction with it.

Perhaps it was only a FL resident up here visiting.  I can only hope. (My
apology)

Debbie Reeves
Sandy Hook, NJ
> ----------
> From: 	Gypsykayak_at_aol.com[SMTP:Gypsykayak_at_aol.com]
> Sent: 	Tuesday, April 17, 2001 1:37 PM
> To: 	PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net
> Subject: 	Re: [Paddlewise] Wes Boyd Incident
> 
> As usual, Ralph Diaz' insightfulness was right on target.  In particular,
> the 
> bit about making some friendly overtures to jetskiers at the put-in. And
> the 
> reminder of the cardiac patient who was whisked to help.
> 
> THEY know that WE want them off the water, so.........they show their 
> animosity.
> 
> In addition to loud jetskis we (in Florida) are also subject to the 
> INCREDIBLY LOUD NOISE emitted by airboats.  These things are lightweight 
> contraptions that have engines mounted up high.  They skim over everything
> 
> (and tear the hell out of the Everglades' River of Grass) and make such a 
> racket that the drivers/passengers wear ear protectors like you see on the
> 
> people working on runways.
> 
> There we were, camping on the banks of the Peace (hah!) River over the 
> Hallowe'en weekend last year and this fellow kept going back and forth
> past 
> us (there was no other route), each time with a different "chick."  
> 
> The disturbance of the Peace was really bad.  I do believe they should be 
> banned from rivers.  At least on a lake there is more room for 
> avoidance...unless they wanna act nasty.
> 
> I believe one of the members of our group made a rude "digital" gesture.  
> After that the game was on!  Perhaps we should have smiled and waved......
> 
> Oh, the fellow lost his bandana and he ain't never gonna find it.
> 
> sandy kramer
> miami
> 
> **************************************************************************
> *
> 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/
> **************************************************************************
> *
> 

***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:21 PDT