Re: [Paddlewise] waves in california

On Mon, Sep 5, 2011 at 10:18 PM, Paul Hayward <pdh_at_mmcl.co.nz> wrote:

>
> Not taking sides here, but this seems a to be a fundamental question of
> ethics. Have we an ethical right to have fun, or engage in risky activity,
> in the presence of others - where we might damage those others if our risk
> gets out of control.
>

This reminds me of skiers versus snowboarders, mountain bikers versus hikers
and equestrians, snowmobilers versus cross-country skiers and others.

I'm not sure I'd describe it as an ethics question since there is plenty of
risk all around. I think it's more a balance of rights. Who has the most
"right" to any given activity at any given location? The perception of
increased danger was enough to deny snowboarding at many ski resorts 20
years ago using the theory that snowboarders tended to go too fast and
endanger other skiers. This question has been resolved simply because there
are now so many snowboarders that a ski area denying them entrance would
probably go bankrupt quickly.

Shore breaks, like mountains, attract several different activities that are
not mutually exclusive but typically made to be so by the attitudes of those
taking part in the more classical use. Mountain bikes don't tear up trails
any more than horses do but yet, to this day, horses and hikers are allowed
on trails in the National Parks but - at least in general - bicycles are
not. And places like Issaquash are still battling it out between hiking and
biking.

The state of Washington has had to separate trails for snow machines and
cross country skiers even though many years ago (before grooming) we used to
welcome them because then no one had to break trail. But the snow machines
couldn't go 70mph back then either.

I wouldn't take a kayak into the Wedge... but then I'm not a member of the
U.S. Kayak and Canoe team either (but I do have a wing paddle that says *it*
is). But the risk on that wave seems to be pretty much equal regardless of
the vehicle. Just bodies tumbling around are dangerous enough.

Personally, I'd rather have a 30-pound surfski hit me than a 180-pound
surfer with a surrfboard attached to his ankle.

Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, wA
www.nwkayaking.net and www.bigboxbikes.com
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