Question:
Why can’t kayakers find a play hole not in the path where rafts need to run? <<<<<<<<snip It continues to amaze me that California is full of beautiful rivers that almost nobody runs,<<<<<<snipwhen dozens of other good rivers are running. Do whitewater boaters have a need to crowd together like sardines in a can (shuttle vehicle)?
Same seems to be the case here in Norway; the team/safety aspect seems to be a factor. A few paddlers in this country have the spirit to explore new rivers, but it’s hard to get someone to come along on such trips to provide safety and company. The majority stick to the scheduled trips announced in the club bulletins. Trying something new implies the risk of surprise and a "wasted" trip to a river which doesn’t live up to expectations, but we’re not getting anywhere if we all crowd together in a hotspot. One local example: Oslo is the capital of Norway, and has a couple of small local rivers (creeks?) that dry up in summer. The closest all-season playspot is about an hours drive away, is a nice picnic ground and you can park a car 100 yards from the water. This place was discovered "by accident" by one of our "expedition freaks" less than 10 years ago. We now have a place for practicing ww skills that can be accessed during a workday evening. But it’s seldom crowded: most paddlers are more attracted to major social events involving a complete weekend and several hours drive, camping, cold glacier water and frozen wetsuits in the morning. Of course it also involves campfires, late nights, beer and being with your buddies…… — Peik Borud Norway
Response:
To Dr. K. Streletzk, Doctor of Boating Psychology, RBP University I honestly don’t know where the bee in that guys bonnet came from. I can’t believe how many boaters died this week. It saddens and sobers all of us. It seems many of the recent deaths involved boating alone on big water, and most could probably have been prevented – that seems the saddest part of all. Sincerely yours, Dr. J Lester, Doctor of Microbrew Morality, RBP Univ.
Dr. Streletzk, In my professional opinion the afore mentioned poster has had a severe case of post traumatic hemorrhoid syndrome. Please excuse all irrational comments. Thanks, Scott Bristow, pdlr
Response:
righteous indignation as a result of having been victimized — bullied — and it is the American way to hope to see the bully get his ("her", in this case) comeuppance. One way to live together in peace and harmony is to beat the living s*** out of all the bullies, so that they learn to act like civilized folks. Contrary to New Age or PC "thought", retaliatory violence *really* does *not* place the retaliator on the same plane as the original hoodlum. Gee Richard, I thought that that the concept of peace was "old age" (i.e. Christian and Buddist at least) not New Age or PC. If you beat the s**** out of bullies in rafts they can then get revenge by beating a kayaker, who can then beat another rafter, who can then beat another kayaker, etc. Hopefully keeping us peaceful ex-hippie open boaters out of it. Rick Bloom
Response:
"….but we’re not getting anywhere if we all crowd together in a hotspot." I agree and I was appalled that a recent post of mine when unanswered. I asked about the tip-tip-tip-top Tellico, which the water level would have to be way up to paddle and I got no response from anyone that had done that section. I did get one reply which implies that if the Tellico is up go to another river which will be also crowded. Quote "My understanding is that folks have paddled all of that. Problem is that when it gets good (around 1000 cfs) all sorts of other stuff is cooking too. Like the Citico and another little run that comes in on the north side nearer the NC border." I did the Tellico above the Ledges section with 3 other boaters and we saw only two other boats on this section the whole day. It was a great creekin’ run, maybe only a Class 2+ with some Class III wave trains but it was a beautiful run. I was glad to have experienced this section and avoid the crowds on other sections or other rivers running in the area. Cathee
Response:
What is a Mothra? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wow! I’m really sorry if I’m pissing you off. Didn’t mean to – honestly. I was just truly saddened at the picture I drew in my own mind from the reported stories of this most recent death. And personally, I’d prefer to believe that the raft guide was nervous and not viscious. As for Ladd, why don’t you ask So it was a "midlife crisis" that lead the New River kayaker to temptdeath. And of course, it was stress that caused a raft guide to run over a kayaker. Again so obvious once you point it out. Brilliant analysis Dr. Streletzk. And regarding that footnoted reference. Where can I get that original paper by that Dr. Ladd Williams? – Mothra (aka Kathy Streletzky) "No man can enter the same river twice, for the second time, it is not the same river he is not the same man. – Anonymous"
Response:
What is a Mothra?
Just a little nickname, dude. Don’t forget that she (a giant moth) was the nemesis of Godzilla and the saviour of humanity in those old Japanese horror flicks. – Mothra (aka Kathy Streletzky) "No man can enter the same river twice, for the second time, it is not the same river he is not the same man. – Anonymous"
Response:
Getting along with others is easier when you realize that one day you will need their help. Until a river has humbled you into knowing that you too will someday need help, or without the knowledge that you will need the help, then only your past experience can guide you. I too have become distressed over the smug and sometimes hostile attitude of boaters. Lets all remember where we came from and try to get along. Back here in Tennesse we are limited by the number of rivers that we run, but for the most part we all feel like a community.
Response:
What is a Mothra? Just a little nickname, dude. Don’t forget that she (a giant moth) was the nemesis of Godzilla and the saviour of humanity in those old Japanese horror flicks.
Hoi Mothra! Who then saved the savior from humanity!? Enjoy! Mickie "I like the shift of perspective, days looking over the edge into the world where the ghosts have stepped, and returning with a fuller view of living" - Joe Simpson, "Game of Ghosts" To email me, change the yyy to net
Response:
Wow! I’m really sorry if I’m pissing you off. Didn’t mean to – honestly. I was just truly saddened at the picture I drew in my own mind from the reported stories of this most recent death. And personally, I’d prefer to believe that the raft guide was nervous and not viscious. As for Ladd, why don’t you ask So it was a "midlife crisis" that lead the New River kayaker to temptdeath. And of course, it was stress that caused a raft guide to run over a kayaker. Again so obvious once you point it out. Brilliant analysis Dr. Streletzk. And regarding that footnoted reference. Where can I get that original paper by that Dr. Ladd Williams?
- Mothra (aka Kathy Streletzky) "No man can enter the same river twice, for the second time, it is not the same river he is not the same man. – Anonymous"
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