Re: [Paddlewise] Skills

" If you take a risk and get away with it, you're a hero. If you fail 
and die, you were a reckless fool. "
Dave wrote: "The hero/reckless fool categorization is a media creation, 
and is not based on much knowledge or competent information. "
The hero/fool divide is seen in journalist's choices in how they spin a 
story, sure. So far, the Australian and New Zealand media have been 
restrained about Andrew, in what I've read. No condemnation, anyway. 
Media interest has now passed.
But there is a real division. Anyone taking great risk like Andrew, with 
whatever skill and preparation, is still going to need a good dose of 
luck. If "stuff happens", did the adventurer understand the magnitude of 
the impending disaster before taking on the risk? Does anyone really 
have an idea of what they are doing when playing with their own life? 
Modern affluent societies insulate people against death. It more often 
occurs out of sight in a hospital wards, rather than side-by-side 
hand-to-hand combat.
Is a life-threatening risk an essential part of high-end adventure?
I feel it is likely that someone else will eventually try a trans Tasman 
Sea kayak crossing, under the 40th parallel, and succeed. That person 
will need to make a life and death decision whether to launch, before 
committing to the crossing. What nerve will be required! Will it be 
worth it?
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