Re: [Paddlewise] training ("versus" gear)

skimmer wrote:
> Try this:
> 
> It often happens that the difference between training and a crisis is 
> proper gear!

Yeah, that can happen; ditto for gear and a crisis; let's see how gear and 
training work together:

Imagine stacking up a pile of gear next to a pile of training, on shore, 
with you ready and eager to go.

Now take away the pile of gear.  Are you ready to go?  No?  Okay.

Put the pile of gear back and take away the pile of training.  Ready to go? 
  No?

Oh, wait, the training is _always_ with you; you can't "forget" it, like 
you can a PFD, or a tow rope, or a paddlefloat, or a sprayskirt.  Oh, wait, 
yes, you _can_ forget the training, if you do not renew it often enough.

Here's one difference:  a pile of training is always rapidly draining away, 
much as gear is always deteriorating, and needs to be replaced/renewed.

Another difference:  the gear is a critical adjunct for using the training; 
but, it is easy to check because it is material.  The training is 
ephemeral, and internal.  I think paddlers often neglect the training but 
not the gear because it is a lot easier to make sure they have the gear.

Finally, having the gear provides assurance (one reason why we gear sluts 
love it!) ... but a false assurance if it is not complemented by training 
in how to use it.

BTW, on cold water, I'm a PFD/dry suit (or, wet suit) guy also, Chuck.  We 
can high five on that.

-- 
Dave Kruger (on a 12-step program to deprogram his gearsluttiness)
Astoria, OR
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