Mary Malmros wrote:


It all comes down to the question of judgment. If your judgment is
sound, you ought to be safe, whatever your skill level is -- if only
because your judgment will keep you sitting on shore on days when a
more skilled person could safely go on the water. But no one's
judgment is 100% perfect, all the time. As Brian pointed out,
conditions can change suddenly. His example of the summer
thunderstorm is an excellent one. What's the answer: to refrain
from ever boating on hot summer days? To never venture more than a
hundred feet from shore, so that you won't "have to roll"?
Reentries don't always work either. They're a tool, just like a
roll, and the more tools you have, the better the chance that at
least one of 'em will work.


I'll still disagree with you and Brian on this...

A prudent boater will be aware of their surroundings, limitations and
abilities and act accordingly. I will never need to roll. Period. I
know my boat and it's limitations and capabilities. Ever try to roll a
Necky Gannet II? You aren't going to do it. I also know me and my
capabilities and limitations. The creek and lake where my boating is
done is no more than a mile wide. Having been out on boats for 40 of my
45 years, I can look up and see a storm coming. If you can't, you have
no business being out on a boat. I know I can get to shore. If the
storm is too close, I'm not going out. PERIOD.

It has nothing to do with more or less skilled boaters.

It boils down to what an individual wants out of the experience. If you
are interested in rolling, and fast water, and all of that... it is
what you should persue. I don't see the fascination... I never have.
I may, but I don't think I ever will. Kayaking is a leisure activity
for me. I get plenty of exercise in other aspects of my life. When the
kids are a little bigger, I'll make sure they know it is available and
if they are interested, I'll get them the appropriate training. For now
we all wear life jackets, we all know how to get in and out of the boat
and that is what we need. For anyone to assume the needs (or wants) of
another is ludicrous.

Besides, I use sponsons.

Ed