[Paddlewise] George's Wisdom

Wow... a common sense approach to kayaking.

I enjoy reading the list, and I know that a lot of you, most actually, are
way out there ahead of me in knowledge and skills.  I learn a lot from those
discussions, even if I am not yet able to achieve that level of performance.
I'm a savvy and careful kayaker not just because I'm so damned safety
conscious, but because I've learned so much about the  kayaking and the
risks involved while reading this list, reading magazine articles and books,
and getting out there and trying it (hoping no one calls the Marine Patrol
to tell them some damn fool can't stay in his boat when I'm practicing exits
and re-entry's).  It's my nature to study, prepare and practice.

But sometimes, I feel such a frightened feeling that I am almost afraid to
paddle.  Sometimes as I read it becomes so mystical and unknowable, that I
fear I cannot ever learn what I need to for me to get out there and just do
it, and do so safely.  I think that's a bad thing because it makes people
leave the sport.  Snow skiing, for example: only 20% of first time snow
skiers ever return, because they get overwhelmed by what they don't know,
not realizing that there are a few fundamental skills, the rest is fluff you
can learn later.  A lot of people I talk to are afraid of kayaking and won't
even get out in a pond on a rec boat: I don't downplay the risks, I just
tell them to learn them and work into them, but get out there and enjoy it
at your level.  Sometimes we create such a mysticism about kayaking that it
becomes elitist. It has risks, but as Doug always reminds us, they are
manageable, you just have to learn what they are, how to work them or avoid
them. It requires the attainment of fundamental skills, but that amounts to
getting in a boat, staying in a boat, paddling a boat, and getting out of a
boat, both when you want to and when you don't. Everything else is fluff
that makes for a better and safer ride as the risk increase. Everyone had to
start from scratch at some point in their lives.

One of the things I like most about this list is everyone is right: many
perceptions about paddle length for example(quite timely for I had a fear my
paddle at 240 cm was technically too long, but I liked it).  George's
statements via Kevin say to me basically, "yup, all of it matters to
someone, but none of it matters to anyone.  If it feels good and works for
you, then do it that way".  Reminds me of the guy with the funky golf swing.
So what, it works for him and his 2 handicap.  I'm 5'11", mostly body with
short legs, so my arms are higher out of the water than many others, and my
boat is 22 inches wide.  My blade dips in with maybe an inch of water above
it during my cruise stroke (deeper when I bring the paddle more vertical
when power stroking for speed).  I don't feather it because I like not
moving my wrists so much, and I like having as little confusion about what
my blade angle is when bracing, and in time when rolling.  I like it, it
feels good and I don't have any ouch points.  George, it seems, would say
fine, that's the right paddle for you.

I like that.  As I gain confidence and skills, I will really be able to do
more kayaking in more locales, and will undoubtedly change the way I paddle.
But right now, I am having a blast on flatwater lakes.  Soon I'll learn to
roll, and then work on surf, open ocean and cold water.

Thanks Kevin.  It makes me feel like I'm okay being a newbie.

To the top notch folks on the list: keep writing about your experiences! And
if I ever show up and can't qualify for one of your lead trips, please be
kind, maybe offer to help me learn later, so I can, but don't tell me to
kiss off...  I should have the sense to know I would not enjoy the trip if I
couldn't keep up and manage the risks. Remember that we newbies are lurking
out here, so throw us a pearl or two once in a while.

Otherwise I hope your glass boat leaks and your roll goes on vacation...

:-)

Ken Schroeter

Laconia, NH, USA
43°32'25"N
71°28'59"W

There is no moral precept that does not have
something inconvenient about it.

            -- Denis Diderot


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