Steve Scherrer" <flatpick_at_teleport.com> wrote: >> One of the problems is most SJ outfitters have gone for years and years guiding the relatively clam waters of the SJ's with out incident so why not guide without proper gear. It's the norm. >> Some have questioned the value/practicability of farmer john wet suit protection (and similar) in the San Juans, based on nearness to shore, ease of rescue, etc. All I can say is that the San Juan paddling environment is very deceptive. One moment you can be paddling in a serene bay and the next in a millrace. All you have to do (if a novice and unaware of the marine terrain) is round a corner and the currents there can put you in trouble quickly. As others describe, I have seen many paddlers in the San Juans, on sunny days, embark with what I thought was inadequate immersion protection. That there are very few fatalities is a testament to the quality of the equipment people use, I suspect, and perhaps to the quality of guiding. Deep Trouble has several incidents in which hypothermia has killed or nearly killed paddlers in the greater San Juan paddling corridor. I do agree folks who are experienced and know those waters can get away with T-shirt paddling -- because they know when to don the rubber and when to go ashore to do so. New paddlers may find the San Juans deceptive. That's what is important, I think. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Jul 22 2002 - 14:42:15 PDT
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