Re: [Paddlewise] freedom to fail, free of advice

skimmer wrote:

> I agree my comments are totally rediculous. I expect that most of 
> us learned, apart from basics, by going into demanding conditions 
> with friends and trained "to see what we could do". Now we are in 
> the mode of providing advice, which Scott doesn't seem to like very 
> much.
> 
> So what is the answer? Do we offer the advice, or not?

Yes, we do.  I think the point is to get folks into learning situations in 
which they are confronted with conditions that test their abilities, in 
which they must deal with the mismatch between what they think they can 
handle, and what they actually can paddle.

I agree 100% with Scott's claim that it is development and maintenance of 
skills which is the critical lacking ingredient, not a given piece of 
safety gear.  Most of the paddlers in my area fit that description.  I also 
agree that requiring a paddler carry a given item does not do very much to 
make the paddler safer.  In fact, many paddlers in my acquaintance feel 
just carrying a pump (but not practicing its use in demanding conditions), 
or a paddle float (same caveat), etc., enhances their safety.   That is a 
very dangerous state of mind.

I suspect we are on pretty much the same wavelength, Chuck; perhaps the 
problem is the face put on the message.  In any case, I suspect it is not 
the giving of advice that triggers some of us, but the mindset that a given 
piece of gear is the critical ingredient.  In other words, we should be 
hammering on skill development, not gear acquisition and carrying.  I think 
if skills are developed, the gear comes along as a matter of course... AND 
the paddler then knows what to do with it.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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