I understand. I’ve boated with Charlie as well. He frequents the same rivers I do these days. He, at least last I saw him, is still smoothly navigating the Lower Big Sandy, albeit getting out at every rapid to stretch! FWIW the Upper Yough race is today! Sadly my wife and I are not racing because she has falling ill and is in the hospital. Getting better though! We’ll hopefully be back boating together before Gauley season ends.
It’s not my intention of underplaying it, but changing the language. When I tell people I white water kayak, and assuming they don’t immediately think I’m in a grumman canoe or raft, they often think of it as an extreme sport. That is a part of it, but a small part. You’re correct, user days on class “fun” are large and result in greater loss of life, but one can handily paddle up to class 4 light class 5 and not necessarily risk life and limb at every rapid. When someone says they rock climb it’s, in my mind, perceived by many, as, well, not crazy. Surely people know there is crazy climbing out there, but kids do it at the gym, at the park, it comes very naturally to people as a tool or entertainment. To most lay-people it’s not immediately perceived as a nutty sport. Not the same with kayaking. That’s all I’m saying.
I’ll make sure to check the film out if I can find it! Thanks!
