tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156598067401609879.post5716680843193449832..comments2012-01-02T08:52:18.827-08:00Comments on Mountain State of Mind: Whitewater Philosophy - The Things I've NoticedRadleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12279633313934224459noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156598067401609879.post-70633080168895310272011-06-01T15:41:45.198-07:002011-06-01T15:41:45.198-07:00Nicely said Radley. I made the transition from the...Nicely said Radley. I made the transition from the NE/Mid-atlantic over this last year and see things very similarly to you. I haven't gotten the same number of days on the water like you have, but the same crew of boaters helped me push harder and swim a few more times than I had in a while--I'm thankful for both. This summer I'm going to get some swiftwater training so I can start pulling my weight a bit more (since I quit the bakery and can't get cookies any more). Safe paddling--look me up if you in the Maineland this summah.Bretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13191547275175929673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156598067401609879.post-30510976193064478712011-06-01T10:14:01.405-07:002011-06-01T10:14:01.405-07:00Nik you definitely said it with that. Some people...Nik you definitely said it with that. Some people view swimming as the worst thing in the world and others see it as something that happens. The majority of the whitewater that gets paddled isn't too dangerous on the swimmer. Mostly it is more embarrassing and inconvenient if anything. Sometimes a swim is a good thing, as it keeps the paddler aware and prepares them for something bigger if shit should really hit the fan. Some people haven't swam in years, I've swam 6 times this year, and I am sure there are more to come. Does that make a bad or reckless paddler? I wouldn't say so, I feel that I'm a solid class IV boater who just like everyone else has a bad day every once in a while.<br /><br />Lines are something else I've noticed, many people get too caught up in knowing the line that they are tunnel visioned. When guiding new people down the run, it isn't important to give them beta on every hazard or place not to go. This is just too much information to absorb, they tend to get too caught up in staying on their line that they could end up blowing it do to lack of realization of the big picture.<br /><br />My thoughts on leading are: I'll tell you when you have to make a move in a certain spot, where there is a hazard you may not pick up on, and the rest of the river, your skills should be able to get you down it simply by watching others or reading the water. I wouldn't take someone down something if I thought they needed their hand held in the boogie water.Radleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12279633313934224459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156598067401609879.post-25488651316861555872011-06-01T09:54:18.341-07:002011-06-01T09:54:18.341-07:00All I hear is blah blah blah I'm a dirty tramp...All I hear is blah blah blah I'm a dirty tramp!!!Jesse Mestrovichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08604019139801251582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156598067401609879.post-54280680870727373582011-06-01T07:02:26.828-07:002011-06-01T07:02:26.828-07:00As a guide we used to call this the difference bet...As a guide we used to call this the difference between private boaters and guides. I have since realized that a lot of really good WV boaters certainly fit into the "guide" group but it is an easy way to describe the difference. <br /><br />The easiest way to tell the difference between the two groups in my opinion is will they take you out somewhere where you will swim. Private boaters wont take anyone to class III without a very solid pool roll. "Guides" understand that swimming is not the worst thing that can happen to you and that the only way you get good at swimming and recovering quickly is by doing it often.Nikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18069957151551427439noreply@blogger.com