[Paddlewise] Who dies?

(Note: I should have given this a new title, as above)


Scott., Steve, et al.


I assume that neither of you would be out on winter water dressed
in street clothes with your PFD attached to the rear deck.

I don't really think any of our readers will be the ones that find
themselves in a disaster on the sea coast.

But we will have more victims this year. They will be novice
paddlers that haven't had a course, read a book, read sea kayaker,
ANorAK, or Atlantic Coastal Kayaker. They won't belong to a club or
associate with other paddlers that have any significant level of
skill. Their attitude is "What's to know? It's just water!" They
have never been in cold water in their street clothes, and they
learn from the press that cold water is fun in those annual Polar
Bear Swims. In short, these victims are TOTALLY  OUT  of the LOOP
as far as sea kayaking. And now they have those idiotic pond boats
(ABSOLUTELY STABLE) to explore the coast. But, they'll always stay
close to shore!

I am in general agreement with Scott's sentiments. As I implied in
my other remarks (list), I often don't take most of the
techno-stuff on most of my outings. I like navigation, and prefer
to do it in the clasical way with a chart  and compass on the deck. 
I carry a spare paddle and have needed it at times, same for the tow line. 
My own history on the water has a lot to dowith what I take with me.


Ain't it all just cosmic, as an old friend used to say!

Chuck Sutherland
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