Re: [Paddlewise] Backers of kayak bill may be paddling upstream - Framingham,...

From: Nick Schade <nick_at_guillemot-kayaks.com>
Date: Fri, 8 Jun 2007 09:06:36 -0400
I think the prospect of swimming in less than 55 degree water would  
dissuade most people from signing up for the trip even if they were  
promised instant teleportation to a sauna. Many of these people don't  
even want to get their feet wet while getting into their boats - full  
submersion is out of the question. This is not to say that it  
wouldn't be beneficial and improve safety, but it is pretty tough as  
a business model: We will bring you out to see beautiful things, but  
we first want to attempt to drown you and bring you to the verge of  
hypothermia. The people who are willing to sign up despite the  
requirement of a dunking are probably at the lowest risk of panic in  
a capsize, and in least need of the actual dunking.

I suspect that businesses would instantly lose a significant  
percentage of their customers and as a result go out of business.

So, the question becomes: is the opportunity to experience beautiful  
places worth the risk of a very small number of people dying in the  
attempt? I think that is up to a fully informed customer to decide.
Nick



On Jun 8, 2007, at 1:11 AM, Dave Kruger wrote:

> Goffma_at_aol.com wrote:
>> Does the wet-exit demonstration requirement apply to guided  
>> groups?   It would be a real burden here in Maine if you had to  
>> have the entire group  wet-exit into the frigid waters before you  
>> could guide them around the  lovely scenery.   Nobody wants to  
>> start the day out cold and  wet.  [big snip]
>
> I agree it is not customer friendly to start them out wet.  OTOH,  
> they should understand and appreciate the nature of the boat/system  
> they are about to use for transport.

Nick Schade

Guillemot Kayaks
824 Thompson St
Glastonbury, CT 06033
USA
Ph/Fx: (860) 659-8847
http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/
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Received on Tue Jun 12 2007 - 06:14:45 PDT

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