All, As an about 99% of the time lurker here, I always count on Paddlewise for its springtime, and timely, focus on skills and safety gear. I do appreciate, especially, the diversity of views. While firmly in Scott's camp, if I have to choose, I know full well that Chuck speaks to important concerns for those that seem to get into this activity without being mindful. I whole-heartedly and fervently agree with the desire to ban 'stupidity' but to a large degree, trial and error is the biggest tool in the human bag. Operating a kayak or any other boat or vehicle, while drunk, at the root of many failures of judgment, is an obvious no-no that many folks just go right by. I do hold a deep cynicism for political/legislative solutions to these issues. This stuff is supposed to be fun, but that doesn't mean you leave your grey cells behind. I would only add that I think what gets lost in our gear-centric world and in the skill/gear debate sometimes is often what 'skills', what 'gear'. The first course I attended was attending to the book 'Deep Trouble' and its 'deep' lessons. I, and others, owe much to Matt Broze and George Gronseth. I urge all new paddlers to buy it. Yesterday. Then read and be mindful. Don't be impatient with you. Build your skill and your knowledge base slowly. There are lots of different levels to this game and there is no one set of gear that covers them all. Assess what those levels and employ what fits your skill level. Always look to learn more. My particular response to this harrowing book was to learn how to roll and brace like a demon. On shallow and flat then flat water. For a long time. People would ask, 'why don't you go paddling?'. My response was 'I'm not ready yet'. Back. Forward. With paddle. Stick. Hand. Elbow. Whatever. Second nature, deep muscle memory, another orientation. Swim with your kayak on. Petrussan manuever, paddle upside down. I am now quite comfortable in all the 'conditions' I can typically reach. And I match my 'gear' to my methodology. I am staying in my real PFD, thank you very much, my kayak. I stay within the limits of my perception of risk. This real PFD never has a long and open cockpit. Getting in and out of my kayak easily is NOT my highest design criteria. I paddle challenging stuff, to me. I don't encourage others to do the same thing, if they aren't I take the tools/skills that I require for that perceived risk. hard- wired. I may not take the tools that are required by the powers that be, on any given day. Then again I may. I have some combo of wetsuit, drysuit, tuilik on, almost all the time, and If am out in a gale force, I'll have a PFD on, as failure backup, and perhaps other gear than I would for a typical day paddle. Same with multi-day trips. I do carry a VHF radio, often. Unless it doesn't fit the context. I didn't carry paddling in the wilds of Greenland for instance. Just useless weight in that environment. I do wish that present day kayaking 'ideologies' would spend much more time emphasizing rolling and bracing skills (Or should I say gear? Let me cross over and assert my rolling skills are my first line safety gear!) and far less time on wet-exiting 'skills'. I don't look at capsizing as 'failure'. I do it with abandon. OTOH, wet- exiting IS a failure of 'skill' or a complication of bad gear, or both, outside of the context of actually learning/practicing the techniques. I will continue to assert my right and obligation to think for myself, thank you!, until such time as my brain stops. That doesn't mean I'm being careless with my life or the future of my family. Just the opposite. This is too long already. Gotta go. I've still got a little time ;-) Be careful out there! Turner Wilson www.kayakways.net On Mar 24, 2007, at 12:47 AM, Doug Lloyd wrote: > The first course I ever attended... > <SNIP> ...First impressions can stick with you for a lifetime. > Peter T said: > >> "And the one piece of equipment that many people really don't spend >> enough time learning to use is the kayak paddle! And the body that >> operates it." >> So do you think any training course for kayakers should start by >> emphasising paddling fitness and paddle skills? *************************************************************************** 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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