Re: [Paddlewise] Cold Water Clothing

Steve,

I agree with your comments.  I suppose it is a bit of a holier-than-thou 
attitude but I suppose the extension of this is to throw out the personal 
'rule' that I wouldn't paddle in conditions that were or would likely 
become difficult if they didn't feel the need to invest some time in 
recovery skills - either out of respect for themselves or for 
me.  Statements like the a group is only as strong as its weakest member 
apply to some regard.  Someone that ignores safety practice or equipment - 
even their own PERSONAL equipment or skills forces other members of the 
group to expose themselves to additional, unnecessary risks.  In an 
emergency situation, no one would simply paddle away and say "gee, I guess 
you should've practiced some recoveries" in a I told you so tone of 
voice...We would all do whatever we had to in order to get that person to 
safety - possibly at a harm to ourselves.  I'm a novice paddler - in all 
areas, but I'm working hard on my skills in part to save my own skin - but 
also in order to not be a liability to any of my friends.

Keith

At 04:39 PM 3/11/03 -0800, you wrote:
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Keith Wrage" <keith.wrage_at_charter.net>
>
> > I like Ralph's idea of having a group swim sometime - just to give
>everyone
> > a taste.  Although that does not solve the "I'll never capsize"
> > argument.  Quite frankly though, I'd be suspicious of someone that says
> > they'll NEVER capsize - seems to me an experienced, realistic paddler
>would
> > never say NEVER.  If they NEVER capsize, then what the heck - tell them to
> > leave their PFD at home too...although it would seem a shame to lose such
>a
> > perfect paddler from the gene pool!   I'm kidding, of course ;o)
> >
>
>The guys that I paddle with almost every weekend usually host a rescue and
>recovery practice once a month in an area where the water conditions go from
>totally flat and gradually increase to some good size surf. These practice
>sessions are open to all---both beginning SOT's and closed deck boats to the
>most advanced paddlers.
>
>However, the people who usually show up for any of these practice sessions
>are the ones who already have these skills (maybe they have them because we
>are always practicing them) and not the ones who need to learn or practice
>them. I guess you can't convince some people that it's not a question of if
>you go swimming, but when.
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