Mr X. would hate my Ear in the Water test. He would go away, or get hypothermic at the beach, and then go away. The Ear in the Water test is great for showing who isn't ready. Even the unready begin to realize that they aren't ready. I'm generally willing to help people who aren't ready to practice for the next trip. Trips with unprepared people are really stupid. I hate feeling that stupid, even if nothing bad actually happens. I simply refuse to participate, because I know that I will have to accept a measure of responsibility if I do. The leaderless trip concept is no defense. The responsibility is still there, but since there is no consensus as to what the ground rules are, it is more difficult to solve difficulties and practice safety. Paddling alone is so much easier sometimes! I do that a lot. Ken Rasmussen *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Ken, What exactly is the Ear in the Water test? Jack ----- Original Message ----- From: Kathea and Ken <kayakfit_at_fidalgo.net> <snip> > Mr X. would hate my Ear in the Water test. <snip> *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Anyone read the book? Any opinions on how this book might relate to kayaking? Anyone have any flow experiences while kayaking that they wish to share? Any Greenland style kayakers enter the zone while paddling? Any surf kayakers en fuego? Does this book explain in part the psyche of storm chasers or is "hormonal/testosterone poisoning" still the consensus answer? What motivates you to paddle? Inuits paddled primarily for survival-to provide sustenance for their community; what are we seeking-sustenance for the mind, the ultimate challenge, a good work-out, or simply escapism? Just zoning out, Craig *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Dear Jack: The Ear in the Water Test requires one to get an ear wet by means of a deep brace, a roll or a self rescue, and is required by me for participation in any trip I lead that I feel has any degree of exposure or risk. I always advertise the test with the trip so no one will get surprised by it. I also make myself available to some extent to help prepare people to pass the test. It keeps me from having to take responsibility for, or figure what to do about, people who aren't ready to capsize in cold water. I don't like to go out in kayaks with people who aren't prepared to capsize in cold water, so I don't. Ken Rasmussen ----- Original Message ----- From: Jack Fu <SeaDogJack_at_cablespeed.com> To: Kathea and Ken <kayakfit_at_fidalgo.net>; paddlewise <paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net> Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2001 2:42 PM Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] no fault get togethers > Ken, > What exactly is the Ear in the Water test? > Jack > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Kathea and Ken <kayakfit_at_fidalgo.net> > <snip> > > Mr X. would hate my Ear in the Water test. > <snip> > > *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Kathea and Ken writes: > Dear Jack: > The Ear in the Water Test requires one to get an ear wet by means of a > deep brace, a roll or a self rescue, and is required by me for participation > in any trip I lead that I feel has any degree of exposure or risk. I always > advertise the test with the trip so no one will get surprised by it. I also > make myself available to some extent to help prepare people to pass the > test. It keeps me from having to take responsibility for, or figure what to > do about, people who aren't ready to capsize in cold water. I don't like to > go out in kayaks with people who aren't prepared to capsize in cold water, > so I don't. > > Ken Rasmussen > In the Inland Sea Kayakers club, we require that each big water trip member demonstrate before the trip that he or she can do both a self rescue and an assisted rescue, the latter both as rescuer and rescuee. Not only does this give the trip leader some confidence in the paddler's abilities, but it encourages club members to practice their rescues. Also, if this can be done in front of the trip leader at our weekly evening paddle, it gives the trip leader an opportunity to evaluate the person's general paddling style and abilities. We also publish lists of required and recommended gear, which may include a wet suit or dry suit, depending on water temperature (Lake Superior surface water temperature was officially 38 degrees F. last Memorial Day!). Chuck Holst *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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