Editorial: The 'Down-side' of Paddling

April-May 2005

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
To download a pdf copy of the magazine click here: > DOWNLOAD

by Alan Wilson

This issue is something of a departure for us. We usually emphasize the up-side of paddling and leave the down-side to magazines with a penchant for tragedy. Our focus is usually on the adventures to be had, the amazing creatures of the ocean, and the transformative effect of being out on the water.

Due to the high level of safety consciousness which veteran paddlers bring to instruction, and the impressive professionalism of the paddling industry, tragedies are few and far between. But there are risks in going out on the water and as the popularity of paddling grows, so does the potential for problems, especially among those with no prior boating experience.

So departure number one in this issue is a focus on capsize and recovery—we spend a lot of time in the water! Departure number two is related to gender—this issue has a strong element of the male experience. We lead off with a number of stories of men undertaking solo paddling expeditions and experiencing some close calls.

This gender imbalance wasn’t intended. When we put out the call for material about ‘what can go wrong’, it was mostly men who answered. Is this the product of a devil- may-care male attitude of pushing the boundaries? Are women just smarter?

We also have several articles showing men working with others in training scenarios, practicing how to coordinate their efforts for safe paddling. Men, it would seem, can actually work together in an organized way—believe it or not, ladies!

Paddling is really a genderless activity, as can be seen by the many superb women paddlers with great skills and a yen for adventure. Take Hayley Shephard who wrote of her Antarctic paddling experiences in our last issue. She, like Rob Zacharias in this one, paddled solo around Vancouver Island, and Hayley has since circumnavigated the Queen Charlotte Islands—the isolated, misty isles of Haida Gwaii!

I don’t know too many people of either gender who would contemplate, much less attempt, such a challenge, requiring much preparation and great skills. Hopefully this issue offers suggestions on the skills end. We strongly recommend you attend one of the various paddlefest's and symposia this year to take advantage of the instructional opportunities they offer. We can all learn to be better—and safer—paddlers.