Kevin B (RPS Coach) Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 Well, they say three times is a charm, so perhaps on my third attempt to cirvumnavigate the Cape I'll be successful. The 10am butts in boat time came and went, and two boats paddled by Ross and Leon, left the shore. I did not. On the way to the put in, I was hit with a headache, dizzyness, exhaustion, etc. Since I arrived early (9am), I popped a couple of Advil in the hopes that I'd recover enough such that I could paddle. Well, it was a partial recovery and a mixed blessing. Now, with both Ross and Leon getting ready, I was faced with the painful go / no go decision. If I paddled, and I got worse, what would happen? My train of thought went something like this: illness, drysuit, 80 degree weather, hot, need to cool off, roll, dizziness, nausea, seasickness, victim. I think that last word really sums up the potential of an irresponsible decision. It seems clear now, some time after I made the choice; however, the tortuous process that I went through to arrive at the decision made me realize how hard it can be to make the right choice. In the end, I'm happy with my decision. Gilly will be the first to tell you I'm one of the most stubborn people around. Today I checked my stubburnness and thought of the group as well as myself. I'm far happier knowing that at least two out of the three of us had a good time paddling (hopefully Ross or Leon will post a report). Had I gotten worse on the water, it might have been a bad day for all concerned. So, the moral of the story? Even on a SNG, you have to think about how your decisions might impact the group (alot of us think we do, but many of us don't always), even if everyone is responsible for themselves, and making a responsible decision really isn't that much fun. Until the next paddle.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gcosloy Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 Congrats Kevin. You will live to paddle another day. Good example of using the cheapest and most difficult to perform well, gear in the paddler's arsenal, good judgement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillian Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 I can definitely atest to the stubborness and got to listen to the mumbles and grumbles over the phone on his drive away from the put in . . . however, I will listen to all the grumbling in the world so long as someone is safe and made the best decision for himself and the group . . . also now I don't have to worry about you all day And no, I didn't spike your coffee with "insta headache" this morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopefloats Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 Aw... Kevin - she must like you a lot to listen to the mumbling and grumbling... She's a keeper! Glad you saved yourself for future adventures that you can really enjoy (sans headache)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonsprag1 Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 Smart move not to go paddling when you don't feel well or if the weather is beyond your comfort zone---its a move lots of guys don't make---we like to feel macho and to brag about our exploits on the ocean---funny most women don't have any trouble at not paddling if they don't feel well physically or if the conditions seem too much for them--could they be smarter then us? or maybe just haven't overdosed on testosterone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillian Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 oh we're definitely smarter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerPollock Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 An experience from which I gained better judgment . . . had the day off around this time of year, had a bad cold, but was determined to paddle, so loaded up on antihistamines, cavalierly disregarding the “may make you drowsy, so don’t drive or operate heavy equipment” warning and launched alone from Pebble Beach. The stuff kicked in somewhere on the seaward side of Milk Island, and I was just about nodding off to the smooth tune of the foghorn when I made it to the seaward side of Thatcher’s. I lounged woozily on the boat ramp and shared my sandwich w/the seagulls. I drowsed there for like an hour until I was awake enough to make a run for shore. Was a tipsy, dipsy deal . . . NOT SMART, Roger. Mrs. Pollock would not have been pleased. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonsprag1 Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 Right---just ask my wife Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djlewis Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 >Smart move not to go paddling when you don't feel well >or if the weather is beyond your comfort zone Yep! But bear in mind that either of those can develop after you are on the water and far from the mainland. In a way, Kevin, you were exceeding lucky that the s**t hit before you got on the water. So, that's one reason we carry all that gear, and do all that training, and paddle in numbers larger than one or two ;-))) (don't we?) --David. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin B (RPS Coach) Posted May 10, 2007 Author Share Posted May 10, 2007 >>Smart move not to go paddling when you don't feel well >>or if the weather is beyond your comfort zone > >Yep! But bear in mind that either of those can develop >after you are on the water and far from the mainland. >In a way, Kevin, you were exceeding lucky that the s**t hit >before you got on the water. No one is forgetting that potential and I've been in paddling groups many times where that has happened to others. This case was different in that I had to fight through the bravado to get to the responsible decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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