Re: [Paddlewise] Deep Trouble with New Boat Purchases

From: "Shawn Baker" <shawnkayak_at_yahoo.com>

> This is
> the same retailer who also told me I was doing my students a disservice
> by teaching the roll.  He thought I'd instill a false sense of
> security.  It's not like I don't teach self- and assisted-rescue skills
> first. 

I just got this course description in the mail yesterday from the major 
local kayak specialty shop:

>> Rolling, Rolling, Rolling
>>
>> Nobody needs a roll to be a kayaker-period! But.....if you like doing
>> silly things, then there's nothing more fun than turning a kayak over
>> and bringing it back upright while your best friend is looking on. 

(Perhaps I should note that this outfitter supplies sponsons with every 
rental kayak and one of his senior employees is featured in the photos 
on Timmy's web site.)

This paints a kind of disparaging image of rolling.  It falls into the 
pattern of trying to downplay the importance of being prepared for 
paddling and more significantly, being prepared to look at kayaking as 
a sport where one should consider skills advancement as a given.
Some sports are sold as "eXtreme" risky thrill sports.  It looks like
many retailers want to sell sea kayaking as a recreation for the commoner.

In whitewater paddling, it seems to be that the elite are as likely to
die as the beginner, as the elite push themselves to the limit.  In sea
kayaking, it's the beginners that seem disproportionally represented in
disaster statistics.  Sigh...  Something tells me this will never change*.

Mike

*The same circumstances exist in comparing alpine and cross-country skiing.
The former is perceived as risky and folks tend to take lessons.  The 
latter is a commoner's sport and most folks never learn anything!  After
over a quarter century skiing, I've seen it getting worse, not better.
This experience makes me pessimistic about the kayaking situation.
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