This whole waterfall thread got me thinking... whitewater in itself to the masses must be perceived as "dangerous" let alone paddling in it. To the non-whitewater paddler running classIII probably seems like something outlandish. When the said masses see paddlers running waterfalls or big class IV or V in media or advertising is has to seem unfathomable to them. But to us... even those of us that are as happy in classII waters as those of us that live for classV mayhem it seems like a perfectly normal thing to do.
So as a whitewater paddler... what seems more crazy to you then?
I've compiled a short list of "extreme" sports at their "craziest" along with links to videos. Which of these extreme sports do you perceive as the LEAST "crazy".
you hit the nail on the head with 'perceived' risk or danger.
to most ww rafting/canoeing/kayaking has a very high perceived risk. is there potential risk? yes, could even be very high. but the real risk is very low when compared to driving.
it is just what people think as 'normal' everyday activity. everyone drives to work, school, shopping, to see family, to go on vacation, etc... driving is a need these days. driving has a very high potential and very high real risk. but a very low perceived risk when put beside ww boating or extreme biking etc...
people view driving as a normal everyday occurrence while ww boating is not viewed as such, and so the general public will say, 'hey, that ww rafting is dangerous and you can get really hurt."
when i was at the Outdoor Adventure program at Algonquin College (Pembroke) we had a really indepth class of risk management and covered topics such as this. it was one of my fav classes. i am trying to find some the articles from it. i will post if i do.
Well Craig....I have watched all of those clips and I have to say some superb footage....Respect to all those daring to live a lot!!.
Things like "because its there" sping to mind.....some mind expanding experiences.....and there is a common thread with Canoeing, iif you want to go that far
I think the most impressive of the videos was the Helicopter jump.
Being a paddler and skier my vote goes for those two sports. I may have to say paddling may be scarier than skiing, only because the water is always moving and snow only moves at the wrong time. This clip I find to be pretty impressive though. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd8AJdcnw4A
Though its on a board
B
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