Re: [Paddlewise] Swimming Under the Golden Gate Bridge

So sorry to hear about your bad experience at the symposium, Mark. From 
your description of the events that took place there I could offer up 
considerable criticisms on so many levels, but I am reluctant to do 
since, as Dave already pointed out, we are only getting one side of the 
story here. I would love to hear Duane's take on the days events. All 
that aside, I would like to toss out for your consideration that this 
was a commercial trip, and such trips do require special considerations 
that are perhaps not as prevalent in your club trips. Once money is 
involved the liability issues surface front and center and the leaders 
tend to err on the side of caution. Certainly waivers were signed, but 
nobody really wants to have to put them to the test. You said that the 
trip was listed as being a possible twenty miler, but you later learned 
it would be only half of that. Could it be that it was listed as a 
possible twenty miler precisely to weed out less experienced and/or 
weaker paddlers? After all, what was your first reaction when you heard 
it might be a twenty mile paddle? Please understand that I am not trying 
to pick on you here, Mark, but since I have only your side of the events 
to consider I really cannot comment on what was going on with the trip 
leader.

A criteria that I have frequently relied on is, "how will this look 
written up in an article in Sea Kayaker Magazine." You know, as a paid 
leader with considerable experience, I will be the one to whom all the 
fingers will be pointing if things go bad. This can be a tremendous 
burden, but one I have to bear. The next time your out paddling with a 
group try to imagine that you are in charge and your own reputation as 
well as the reputation of the company you are working for is on the line 
with this trip. Then see if that doesn't temp you to do thing a little 
differently.

Hang in there Mark :-)

Scott
So.Cal.     
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