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Sea Kayak Trips Bulletin Board
WL Chamberlain, My Sea lion is a tripple
Posted By: Mark Brodesser In Response To: Re: Kids and Kayaking (W. Lee Chamberlain III)
Date: Wednesday, 1 March 2000, at 4:28 p.m.
Hi Mr. Chamberlain I just had to respond to your msg about kayaking , kids, estuary research etc. I also have an old battered Sea Lion and kids. A 5 year old son and 3 year old Daughter. Last summer when they were a tad smaller I would put Sara in the forward hatch and Ryan in the back and we would mess about in a few of the local estuaries. They absolutley loved it. We also have a big fat flat transom scanoe which is stable enough for the kids to lean over the side and peer into the water, they prefer the scanoe but it is alot of boat to muscle around, so it's only good for downstream or "ride the tide". Life vests are mandatory in my world. you get em used to it when they are real small and now they feel naked without one. I gather you work for the EPA, I have an Environmental Engineering degree in water quality, with most of the advanced course work in marsh systems, so I'm a firm believer in using kayaks for research. Down by Monterey bay, CA. there is a place called Elkhorn Slough. The only power craft allowed are Dept. of fish and Game, sherrifs, NMFS, EPA etc. Unfortunately there are still occurances of motorboat injuries to otters and sea lions in the slough. Clearly the researches also need to get out and paddle, and abandon the all to common attitude of "greener than thou". I work in upland forest restoration and when there is a choice between ATV or Hike, I'll hike anyday. On a differnt vain, I have been out on the water and had to deal with the boy scouts and their lack of sea sense. I do not intend to knock scouting, but geez, both times the adult leaders were clueless as to changing conditions and inherent dangers. I would urge everyone out there to go with your children on these events and never assume that because someone is in a position of authority, that they are competent. Anyway, the last thing that struck me was what Shawn from Montana said about his dad and fishing. I spent countless hours out with my dad and brother feeding bait to various fish in the Sacramento delta. I never did develop a passion for fishing, but for me just being on the boat was more than enough. Even today I have friends with offshore launches, Boston Whalers mostly, they are reluctant to take me out unless I promise to fish, so it's worth pretending. I'm not against fishing, its just I hate to think that something has to die so I can have fun. Plus I'm one of the guys who helps direct millions of dollars at fishery restoration efforts, it seems silly to go out and hammer em after spending a summer trying to stop the decline of this resource. However, Last month my little guy Ryan asked to go fishing, oh well. I don't believe in catch and release, seems like harassment, so we will probably wait for my dad to visit and they can go get some hatchery trout from the local stocked lagoon. I'll just drive the boat. markB
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