RE: [Paddlewise] health issues and procreation

From: Paul Montgomery

>   Kayakers, though a Native American species, are not indigenous to this area
> of the country, having originated in the northern part of the continent.
> Attempts to encourage their proliferation may be at the expense of  
> other local species!

Personally, I haven't noticed the population of sea kayakers
diminishing but I do have a theory as to why it may be happening.
This may turn out to be a very unpopular opinion but I have noticed
the vast majority of sea yakers are typically of the politically
liberal persuasion.  U.S. census data clearly states that the 
reproduction rate for this group is less than the current U.S. average
of 2.3 children, a number required to only maintain the current
population, not grow it.  Southern and Midwestern conservative families
have a higher birth rate but have limited access to sea kayaking although
I'm sure many are using plastic boats to hunt and fish with.  The 
minorities, whose populations are mostly located in urban environments,
typically, not as a rule, do not have the access or the means to
invest more than $5000 in an unpopular sport.

I truly hope no one takes anything I wrote as elitist, racist or political.
None of it was meant to be.  These are just facts or observations
I have read, heard or seen from multiple data sources.

For the sake of disclosure I am an environmentalist, a moderate Republican,
a sea kayaker, an I have just one child.  Wanna talk about a dying breed???

Don M
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