Bradford R. Crain wrote: > I enjoyed all the discussion of skills versus gear. We certainly have a > variety of mind sets. I'm going to claim that the most important factor > in kayak safety is the ability to read the water and the weather and > anticipate events. I would much prefer to paddle with someone like Dave > or Doug, who have spent lifetimes on the water and internalized amazing > instincts, than with someone who is a champion kayak racer and has the > latest immersion gear and electronics. I'm not in Doug's class at all, so I am flattered to even be in the same sentence with him in a comparison like this. Among the folks I paddle with, which may say more about the companions I choose than anything else, I _do_ tend to be the guy most outspoken about sea states, conditions, and how they might evolve as the day progresses. Most of that is simply a result of a lot of time on the water. Another bit comes from a lifetime of professional training in observing things closely (and having my ass bit off when I don't do so). [When you work with dangerous chemicals a lot, it focuses your attention.] The down side to my almost total left-brainedness is that I often do not pay enough attention to the feelings of other paddlers in my group, with the result that I now and then venture out in conditions that are OK for me, but not OK for some of them, given their head set, even if their boats and skills are up to the task _objectively_. One infamous afternoon, two of my companions were in tears of fear from rounding some slightly rough water outside a point in the Deers ... one my fiancee, and the other, my son's. [effing big red face] My point is that there is more to staying safe than the objective stuff; you have to listen carefully to that subtle inner voice in yourself (and draw it out of others), for it will sometimes tell you to back off when the "science" of piloting and navigation says everything is OK. Off the soapbox. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sat Nov 10 2007 - 09:41:45 PST
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