Re: [Paddlewise] Safety in Recreational Kayaks

In a message dated 4/23/2002 12:07:44 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
dougl_at_islandnet.com writes:


> Scott seems to take exception to folks who might restrict a
> non-PFD wearer from comming on a trip with them, yet he claims to keep
> personal choice in high regard. If he wishes to remain consistent, then
> he ought to concede to those who would not want to paddle with the
> non-PFD'er out of their personal choice.
> 

   Doug, I am somewhat disappointed to hear this from you. Considering the 
type of paddling you like to pursue I did not think you were the type to just 
roll over when the going gets tough. It's not necessarily a matter of 
personal choice we are talking about here --- it's a matter of freedom! (I 
probably should not have watched Braveheart  again the other day). So what 
your saying is that if the French regulations regarding kayaking in that 
country stink --- don't paddle in France! 
   I just finished helping my daughter on a big school project about the 
civil rights movement. There are several lessons to be learned from that era 
that I feel are applicable to this discussion. You folks might want to brush 
up on what that was all about. It is my right, according to the law, to not 
wear a pfd while paddling a sea kayak. For you to exclude me from your 
company based solely on the fact that I do not wish to wear one is not a 
matter of personal freedom any more then it is a matter of personal freedom 
to restrict black people to the back of the bus! Plain and simple, it's 
discrimination! If you really feel that it is so important for people to be 
wearing a pfd while kayaking, then change the law to reflect that. Good luck! 
But until you do, I am perfectly within my rights in every aspect to decline 
to wear my pfd on a noncommercial outing.

The good news is that I think I'm about done here. We don't need to beat this 
dead horse anymore :-)

Scott
So.Cal. 

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