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Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board
Re: Uneducated!
Posted By: mike M In Response To: Re: Uneducated! (Ian Johnston)
Date: Sunday, 19 November 2000, at 12:43 p.m.
: I think that this is the main problem. People are now looking at these types
: of adventure sports as recreational pursuits and it is an image that many
: businesses foster in order to sell a larger volume of equipment.: Before, the people who did these sports saw the dangers and addressed them.
: They were not mainstream sports so most people looked at the participants
: as crazy or suicidal and the sport as being very hard. What they did not
: realize is that these sports are no harder than any other sport but they
: have a very high risk factor. If these risks are not properly addressed,
: you die.: This person I know who refuses to learn self rescues has often said that if
: she knew how easy kayaking was, she would have started years ago. I have
: tried to explain to her that kayaking IS easy but it is not SAFE unless
: all the risks are addressed. If all we have to do is paddle a kayak across
: a pond in the middle of summer on a calm day with a partner, there isn't
: much of a problem. It is when we go out on big water, be it a lake or
: ocean, where conditions can deteriorate then there is a big problem.: She says she will cross that bridge when she gets to it. I say she has gotten
: to it long ago and is living on borrowed time. She paddles big lakes known
: for their storms and has done short ocean trips.: The head in the sand analogy is all I can think of!
: Ian
OK guys, let me tell you how it is. I have been following this forum for a while, just for fun. Am a semi-retired,fairly large 55 year old guy, with an 18 ft Kevlar sea kayak. I live in S. Florida, kayak twice weekly, everywhere!
I realized a long time ago that I would never learn to roll,and even if I could roll I could never depend upon it so I have never even thought of practicing this technique.
So, what do I do? (Note: I usually go out solo). Although I normally stay away from rough seas, and try to stay no more than two miles from land, I always bring sponsons with me, lashed to the deck, and a dual chamber paddle float. This will get me back in the boat. I also carry a strobe light, cell phone, spare paddle, a very loud whistle, etc.
Yes, I know that hypothermia is not an issue in S. FLA, but I still need to feel safe and secure
Mike

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