On Fri, Dec 21, 2007 at 11:24:56AM -0500, Steve Cramer wrote: > We always try to get our students surfing on their first river run. I tell > them there are two reasons for surfing: (1) it's fun and (B) someday you'll > end up in a hole and if you know how to surf, you might get out upright. I've tried that approach, too, and sometimes still use it. But mostly I go for the swim-through-it approach 'cause (a) it means I only need to chase them, not them + boat + paddle (b) I usually swim it first just so they know I'm not messing with them and (c) I worry that someone will try to brace upstream, chock a paddle blade against the rock forming the hole, try to brace on it, and dislocate a shoulder. So I figure if I take away their hoat and paddle, they've got fewer ways to get themselves in trouble. ;-) <chuckle> Of course (b) went wrong for me once when I "demonstrated" how to be recirculated due to my misjudgement of a normally-benign hole on a day when the water was just a few inches higher than previously. Serves me right. ;-) But it wasn't a dangerous situation, just an embarrassing one. > Good to hear from you, Rich. Likewise, Steve. Hope the drought lets up soon down there (we've been shy of rain as well, but not THAT badly). Now as to my own moments of blunt stupidity -- hmmm, so many to pick from. ;-) How about "traversing a very steep ice/snow-covered slope at 12,000 feet in the Rockies without crampons, ice axe, or clue"? ---Rsk *************************************************************************** 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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