RE: [Paddlewise] Deep Trouble with New Boat Purchases

--- John Fereira <jaf30_at_cornell.edu> wrote:
> OK, I'm going to play devils advocate here and naively ask "why is
> that so scary?"
 
>... So why should I buy something that I'll never use?

When I moved to NW Montana a year ago, I immediately sought out the
local club, especially to see if there were any folks around here who
like pushing their limits.

I found a couple, but I also found a lot of people who didn't know a
whole lot about safety.  There are tons of lakes around here (not
Minnesota tons-of-lakes, but a lot of lakes regardless).  Some lakes
are quite small and warm, but not that scenic.  Some lakes are huge
(like Flathead and the lakes in Glacier NP) and have amazing scenery,
but tricky weather conditions that can change quickly.  People don't go
for the "dumpy" lakes, they want scenery.  They figure "I'll just stay
close to shore".

I heard tales at my first meeting of people dumping 50 yards from shore
in their "sea kayaks" and having to swim! to shore.  Meanwhile, others
on shore watched, and didn't know what to do.

You're right with your devil's advocate hat on--some people never need
safety equipment, and many people never KNOW they need safety
equipment. 

But, like you said later: 

> while a beginner may start out in calm waters as they gain confidence
> they might take their "sea kayak" out into the open waters of a large

> lake where the lack of safety training and equipment could get them
in 
> real trouble.  

So, while you might ask a person what their goals are when they get
into kayaking, they might say fishing or photography, and buy a Kiwi. 
Later, they get hooked, and while their goals may change their gear may
not change as quickly.

I started some free weekly skills sessions for the club to teach basic
rescue techniques.  I'll never "change the world", and I probably won't
ever reach every person in my area, but I'm glad I've taught a few
people rescue skills, and I'm confident that I'll have saved one of my
students someday from hypothermia or worse.

If someone only ever wants to use their Kiwi for a pond hopper, they
can enjoy a lifetime of happiness.  If they want to adopt the attitude
that they're a sea kayaker and refer to that boat as a sea kayak, then
I don't feel any remorse in telling them they need skills or gear that
"sea kayakers" use in open water situations.  They can be just as
happy, but I'm not going to help anyone fool themself with their own
ignorance.

Off-thread: Heck, I went on an overnight camping trip with two club
members last weekend.  Water 33*F.  Air 23*F.  2.5 mi one-way.  They
both asked me if they should still wear their full wetsuits.  More than
once!  After I was adamant that nobody go on the trip without wetsuit
or drysuit.  

On the way home, another end of the lake was getting hard hit by 30kt
gusts of wind building 3.5' waves.  I asked if they'd mind stopping so
I could play.  They thought I was crazy.  I paddled about 20 minutes,
got some good surfs in, and then landed my boat and went out to swim in
the waves to demonstrate to them that you can easily be dressed for the
water.

There weren't any rec. boats out that day, and I needed more skills and
equipment than just a paddlefloat to be safe.  Maybe I'm just a gear
head, but I was safe, and I still encourage people to amass all the
skills and safety gear they can afford.  We fight an uphill battle, and
I'm never going to be apologetic if a rec-boater happens to buy a
paddlefloat that they never use.

Shawn

Great stuff seeking new owners in Yahoo! Auctions! 
http://auctions.yahoo.com
***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************