Re: [Paddlewise] Corrections/details on capsized Corpus kayaker

On 10/8/07, Mark Arnold <mjamja_at_earthlink.net> wrote:
>
> I live in the same apartment complex as the capsized kayaker discussed in
> the link in "Another use for a water bottle."  In fact I took her out for
> her first trip in a kayak.


<snip>

My failure to take a strong stand on safe paddling almost killed this
> kayaker.  Please do not make the same mistake I made.


Mark... I don't think you should blame yourself. I think the "Theme Park
Mentality" struck again. People are no longer able to recognize danger;
we've simply lost that ability through a combination of television drama and
the all-pervasive cocoon of "safety" we (especially those of us who live in
big cities) think we are in.

If a person is unable to recognize that maneuvering a kayak with two dogs on
it might be more difficult than doing it alone; and that same person had
some difficulty while alone, then it certainly isn't your fault.

But it does bring up (again) the question of just how much haranguing should
we do? I paddled on Willapa Bay (just north of Astoria, Oregon) and met an
obvious novice paddler in a Wal-Mart special kayak wearing a kapok "life
preserver" who told me that she regularly paddled from Nahcotta to Long
Island. When I told her that I thought this was foolish she scoffed at me.
When I suggested she get some paddling instructions she laughed. She had
done just fine on several trips (2.5 nm one way on a bay notorious for tide
currents and sudden winds) so she was sure she'd do fine in the future. She
was so miffed that even when we both landed at the launch ramp at the same
time she wouldn't talk to me.

I don't think any "firm stand on safety" would have done any good in my
case. Perhaps it might have with your young female paddler but we can't be
responsible for everyone.


Craig Jungers
Royal City, WA
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