Re: [Paddlewise] Fw: safety police

From: "Jolie Smilowicz" <jolie_at_rockisland.com>

> Chuck Sutherland writes:
> > But there is also the issue of abuse heaped on those who make the
> > attempt to educate their fellow paddlers.
> >
> At the risk of sounding dumber than usual, just who is heaping on the abuse?
> Is it people that are new to paddling, just buying boats or people you
> paddle with?  Or retailers??

All of the above.  And a few others besides.  It seems that there are lots
of folks that just look down on anyone with a safety conscious approach
to sports.  

In the ski club I used to belong to, I was, among other things, the chairman
of the safety committee.  I got lots of abuse for suggesting that skiers
carry a whistle, just in case.

My kayak club is not nearly as bad, but the members you meet most of the 
time tend to be "serious" paddlers and either agree or keep their opinion
civil.  

I can't help but think that part of the problem is the "I'm going
to do what I please and to hell with everyone else" attitude that
seems to have swept over Canadian and US folks (possibly others)
over the last couple of decades.  Suggesting _anything_ seems to 
offend these people and safety gets in their way.

Mike

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