Paddling in the B.C. area and north has to be one of the finest places on earth to dip a paddle, but even I wear more than is comfortable when venturing out there. I don't like it but it's not my home water so I deal with it, unless I'm just fooling around. I've pulled off more necky, foolish things than I will admit but really try these days to not set myself up for disaster. Short of a full time Coast Guard Cutter on retainer, I guess only sea scene and a good roll can be called adequate. I've sort of been put off by the wet suit, dry suit argument lately since most of my time is spent in a 17' X 20 " SOF baidarka and I hate to lose the feel of the boat, not even mentioning the heat factor. I used to, when I was younger fit and had not a knee op, do a bit of free solo climbing in Yosemite and The Meadows. Yea well I'd cost the public more than a few bucks to wash off the red streaks of failure eh? Same story now-yes, I'm selfish and I do take chances after all the years of experience screaming at me not to. I do love it, the freedom, the role of big swells. The subtle sounds across miles of open water, fog, the utter aloneness of being out too far for you own good. . The experience is just better without all the insulation. So I guess we place our bets and take our chances hopefully based on experience. Just don't whine when it goes wrong. Neh. ... the mere musings of an old romantic who thought John Dow was the prophet. Yea, yea I have a 20 inch baidarka..............give me a some slack. Do not try this at home, or without adult supervision. Best wishes *************************************************************************** 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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