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From: Steve Holtzman <sh_at_actglobal.net>
subject: [Paddlewise] SK Magazine Article on The Rules
Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2009 10:38:15 -0800
Craig,

 

You wrote a great article on The Rules. One of my biggest pet peeves is how
many kayakers don't have a clue as to how they are supposed to behave on the
water. It wasn't too long ago that I was paddling on a club trip that was
being hosted by another club member who has been paddling for over 20 years.
I almost went ballistic when I heard her tell the group that "kayakers have
the right of way over power boats because we are human paddlers". She then
went on to say that rowboats had the right of way over kayaks and kayaks had
the right of way over sailboats.

 

When I corrected her incorrect info to the group (tactfully), she mentioned
that she had never heard of The Rules and was just parroting what she had
been taught when she started paddling.

 

I sent her a copy of the International Rules.

 

Steve Holtzman

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From: Craig Jungers <crjungers_at_gmail.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SK Magazine Article on The Rules
Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2009 11:25:41 -0800
Thanks for the compliment, Steve. That was the major reason for writing the
aticle. However it was changed considerably in the editing process. One of
these days I'll post my original here and let you all decide which version
you think is best. :)

Craig

On Mon, Jan 5, 2009 at 10:38 AM, Steve Holtzman <sh_at_actglobal.net> wrote:

>   Craig,
>
>
>
> You wrote a great article on The Rules. One of my biggest pet peeves is how
> many kayakers don't have a clue as to how they are supposed to behave on the
> water. It wasn't too long ago that I was paddling on a club trip that was
> being hosted by another club member who has been paddling for over 20 years.
> I almost went ballistic when I heard her tell the group that "kayakers have
> the right of way over power boats because we are human paddlers". She then
> went on to say that rowboats had the right of way over kayaks and kayaks had
> the right of way over sailboats.
>
>
>
> When I corrected her incorrect info to the group (tactfully), she mentioned
> that she had never heard of The Rules and was just parroting what she had
> been taught when she started paddling.
>
>
>
> I sent her a copy of the International Rules.
>
>
>
> Steve Holtzman
>
>
> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature
> database 3739 (20090105) __________
>
> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
>
> http://www.eset.com

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From: John H <seajohnkayak_at_yahoo.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SK Magazine Article on The Rules - Gross
Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2009 13:54:25 -0800 (PST)
 
Perhaps one time in the it was on PaddleWise that i read ... "gross tonnage
trump's right of way..." or some such wise phrase.
 
john in petaluma, ca, who gives way to most all others since his  gross vessel
weight is less that 250 lb.
Safe paddling to you all.
j


>
>
> You wrote a great article on The Rules. One of my biggest pet peeves is
how
> many kayakers don't have a clue as to how they are supposed to behave
on the
> water. It wasn't too long ago that I was paddling on a club trip that
was
> being hosted by another club member who has been paddling for over 20
years.
> I almost went ballistic when I heard her tell the group that
"kayakers have
> the right of way over power boats because we are human paddlers". She
then
> went on to say that rowboats had the right of way over kayaks and kayaks
had
> the right of way over sailboats.
>
>
>
> When I corrected her incorrect info to the group (tactfully), she
mentioned
> that she had never heard of The Rules and was just parroting what she had
> been taught when she started paddling.
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
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From: Craig Jungers <crjungers_at_gmail.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SK Magazine Article on The Rules - Gross
Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2009 14:12:24 -0800
On Mon, Jan 5, 2009 at 1:54 PM, John H <seajohnkayak_at_yahoo.com> wrote:

>
> Perhaps one time in the it was on PaddleWise that i read ... "gross tonnage
> trump's right of way..." or some such wise phrase.
>

In general I agree with this philosophy. It's easier for a paddler to go aft
of a crossing vessel even if you have the legal "right of way". But
sometimes it's not that good an idea.

If you are in a very narrow channel where the only safe passage for you is
also the only safe passage for power boats (not ships) or other pleasure
vessels. There might be current or shoals or standing waves or something
that makes it important for you to take your "half" right in the middle for
safety. In that case you should hold your ground. Overtaking vessels are
required by the Rules to keep clear until they are well past you and no
amount of minor course corrections will change that. Of course, once you are
clear of the danger area it's best to move to the edge of the navigable
channel. That, too, is in the Rules.

If your safety is an issue, then don't give away your right of way. Unless,
of course, there is an imminent risk of collision. No one wants to be "dead
right".


Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
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From: Steve Holtzman <sh_at_actglobal.net>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] SK Magazine Article on The Rules - Gross
Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2009 14:29:24 -0800
Craig said:
> If you are in a very narrow channel where the only safe passage for you is
> also the only safe passage for power boats (not ships) or other pleasure
> vessels. There might be current or shoals or standing waves or something
> that makes it important for you to take your "half" right in the middle
for
> safety. In that case you should hold your ground. Overtaking vessels are
> required by the Rules to keep clear until they are well past you and no
> amount of minor course corrections will change that. Of course, once you
> are
> clear of the danger area it's best to move to the edge of the navigable
> channel. That, too, is in the Rules.
> 
> If your safety is an issue, then don't give away your right of way.
Unless,
> of course, there is an imminent risk of collision. No one wants to be
"dead
> right".

Great advice, but also remember to keep your head on swivels. Far too many
power-boaters have the same level of knowledge of the regs as kayakers do.

Steve Holtzman
 
 

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database 3740 (20090105) __________

The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.

http://www.eset.com
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