: Even reading
: the book “Babloona in the Yellow Kayak” I was shocked that until she was a
: ways into her kayaking journey in the artic circle she didn’t have a life
: jacket. What was she thinking?

Although Victoria (Kabloona in the Yellow Kayak) wasn't wearing a life jacket, she was very respectful of conditions and listened to warnings offered by local Inuit, who live along the Northwest Passage 24/7. If I recall, she was caught on the water during rough consitions only once. Due to her relative inexperience at the time she was paddling the passage, rough conditions for her were probably far less disagreeable that anything that kills experienced paddlers who take risks.

There seems to be more experienced paddlers dying this year. I'd say complacency is getting in the way of good sense. That keen sense of immortality that we all experience when we become the best at what we do seems to invite that nasty surprising killer state of mentality. It's just about time for my annual Safe Paddling post: I hope more folks read it and take it to heart. I feel awful every time I read that another brother os sister has fallen. I also take to heart each lesson that they teach. I have a long journey during May/June, roughly 1000 kms of river paddling - I will be sure to remember all the deaths that we have read about this year and make certain that I return with a great story to write about.

Robert N Pruden