Chuck Sutherland writes: > > We tell new paddlers about how to safely approach cold-water paddling > because it is the right thing to do. > > 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?? Jolie > *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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 *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Michael Daly writes: > 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. Well, if the shoe fits I think I'll put it on. I will proudly declare that "I'm going to do what I please and to hell with everyone else!". I will wear immersion gear when I paddle. I will wear my PFD I will bring pyrotechic toys along I will consider the tides, currents and weather before setting out. I will bring spare food and clothes. I will voice my opinion on safety issues to the ignorant masses I will refuse to feel bad when someone who made fun of my safety gear dies of exposure. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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