Re: [Paddlewise] Jim--upset about placing his kids in danger

 Jolie wrote:
<SNIP>>>>>She puts a PFD over their t-shirts in the summer or over their
fleece in the
winter.  She dresses the same.  I don't believe they have the foggiest
notion
about the concept called "tide chart" and the waters in front of my house
can
be fierce.  I never know what to do.  I feel it's almost criminal, but am
not
sure it is my place to speak up.  Anybody else ever confront this
situation?<<<<<

I'd suggest approaching him in as non-judgmental a fashion as possible (he's
not a criminal just ignorant). Maybe say something like this: "I've started
kayaking and have been reading stories about kayaking accidents (on
Paddlewise or maybe in Deep Trouble) and I was surprised to learn how easy a
capsize can happen, how hard it is to recover from one and just how
debilitating cold water can be to someone who's in the water. In one story
the paddlers capsized a wide stable double kayak very near shore but the
currents (like around here) quickly took them out to sea along with another
double kayak that trying to help them. They were all just lucky someone on a
ferry boat spotted them. I know its probably not my place to say anything
but I don't think I could live with myself if you were to die or lose one of
your lovely children because I was just too reticent to be a thought of as a
busybody and not warn you of the dangers of kayaking in the waters near here
now that I'm aware of some of them."
Then maybe offer to loan him your copy of Deep Trouble (or suggest the
flotation article in the manuals section of our website) so he can read some
of the stories himself that have caused your concern. If he argues or
becomes defensive just drop the subject, you will have planted the seed and
he will probably give the issue a lot more thought later in private.

Matt Broze
http://www.marinerkayaks.com


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