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From: Doug Lloyd <douglloyd_at_shaw.ca>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Backers of kayak bill may be paddling upstream - Framingham,...
Date: Thu, 14 Jun 2007 22:30:03 -0700
I went to look at a carbon fiber surf ski the other day. My wife saw the 
price and had a "gasp" reaction and made a "quick" exit out the store.:-)

As for wet exits, disorientation, and other associated problems with sudden, 
unexpected wet exits, even experienced paddlers get caught off guard 
occasionally.

There is no perfect answers for the beginner, rental companies, and 
guide-tour operators or class instructors. Personally, I like preliminary 
pool session, often free through clubs and certain establishments, and would 
tend to point newbies in that direction.

Doug Lloyd

> I agree fully! To make it less of a scare, submit watertight head-gear,
> as immersing your head can provoke the gasp reaction - been there,
> done that - and getting cold water into your ears can be dangerous,
> the experts tell me.
>
> When the wife and I accidentally rolled we both wore very water-repellent
> thick fleece caps from Musto (seem to be out of production - a pity!), and
> neither had any gasp reaction - thank God, as we were surrounded by
> a very cold sea - 38 F (3 C)!
>
> Tord
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From: Tord Eriksson <tord_at_tord.nu>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Backers of kayak bill may be paddling upstream - Framingham,...
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2007 14:21:31 +0200
On Friday 15 June 2007 07:30, you wrote:
> I went to look at a carbon fiber surf ski the other day. My wife saw the
> price and had a "gasp" reaction and made a "quick" exit out the
> store.:-)

As my wife just said: Not all toys are 'toys for us'!

> As for wet exits, disorientation, and other associated problems with
> sudden, unexpected wet exits, even experienced paddlers get caught off
> guard occasionally.

Only natural, we aren't all of us perfect!

> There is no perfect answers for the beginner, rental companies, and
> guide-tour operators or class instructors. Personally, I like
> preliminary pool session, often free through clubs and certain
> establishments, and would tend to point newbies in that direction.
>
> Doug Lloyd
>
> > I agree fully! To make it less of a scare, submit watertight
> > head-gear, as immersing your head can provoke the gasp reaction - been
> > there, done that - and getting cold water into your ears can be
> > dangerous, the experts tell me.
> >
> > When the wife and I accidentally rolled we both wore very
> > water-repellent thick fleece caps from Musto (seem to be out of
> > production - a pity!), and neither had any gasp reaction - thank God,
> > as we were surrounded by a very cold sea - 38 F (3 C)!
> >
> > Tord
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From: Bradford R. Crain <crainb_at_pdx.edu>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Backers of kayak bill may be paddling upstream - Framingham,...
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2007 08:32:19 -0700
Quoting Doug Lloyd <douglloyd_at_shaw.ca>:

> I went to look at a carbon fiber surf ski the other day. My wife saw
> the price and had a "gasp" reaction and made a "quick" exit out the
> store.:-)
>
> As for wet exits, disorientation, and other associated problems with
> sudden, unexpected wet exits, even experienced paddlers get caught off
> guard occasionally.


   I'm finding it curious that debate is occurring about whether commercial
kayaking outfits should require clients to demonstrate ability to do a
wet exit before setting out. There is however no mention of requiring that
clients demonstrate the ability to swim, or even to tread water, or speak
English, or be in good health.
   My buddy (who shall remain nameless) and I were out crabbing one fine
day in a 12 foot boat. As we approached the mouth of the inlet, and the
waves loomed larger, he dropped the bomb: "I think I should tell you I
can't swim".

BRC
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From: Dave Kruger <kdruger_at_pacifier.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Backers of kayak bill may be paddling upstream - Framingham,...
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2007 09:15:06 -0700
Bradford R. Crain wrote:

> I'm finding it curious that debate is occurring about whether commercial
> kayaking outfits should require clients to demonstrate ability to do a
> wet exit before setting out. There is however no mention of requiring that
> clients demonstrate the ability to swim, or even to tread water, or speak
> English, or be in good health.

Yes, isn't that an illustration of the extent to which discussion (and 
action) on safety matters is driven by litigation, real or potential?

Some of our debate is focused purposefully on what an outfitter can do to 
protect her clients or his own company, from the real hazards.  But a good 
bit is directed at what is "legally defensible," or "insurable," maybe not 
in so many words, but those concerns certainly underlie much of the 
thinking I have been reading.

Maybe the cure here is to move all paddling instruction to a country where 
litigation in the event of a fatality is not so likely.  Ba-dump!  Hit the 
triangle Charley, and move on to the bridge, we're outta here after the chorus!

Somebody has to be the heretic, here.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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From: Tord Eriksson <tord_at_tord.nu>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Backers of kayak bill may be paddling upstream - Framingham,...
Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2007 01:05:22 +0200
On Saturday 16 June 2007 17:32, you wrote:
> Quoting Doug Lloyd <douglloyd_at_shaw.ca>:
> > I went to look at a carbon fiber surf ski the other day. My wife saw
> > the price and had a "gasp" reaction and made a "quick" exit out the
> > store.:-)
> >
> > As for wet exits, disorientation, and other associated problems with
> > sudden, unexpected wet exits, even experienced paddlers get caught off
> > guard occasionally.
>
>    I'm finding it curious that debate is occurring about whether
> commercial kayaking outfits should require clients to demonstrate
> ability to do a wet exit before setting out. There is however no mention
> of requiring that clients demonstrate the ability to swim, or even to
> tread water, or speak English, or be in good health.

Indeed! Where is the sane limit? Maybe they should bprove to be able to
communicate with the Coast Guard using a VHF?!

>    My buddy (who shall remain nameless) and I were out crabbing one fine
> day in a 12 foot boat. As we approached the mouth of the inlet, and the
> waves loomed larger, he dropped the bomb: "I think I should tell you I
> can't swim".

Hope you were wearing good PDFs, and VHFs!

Tord

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