I agree with Brian's points below...I feel that the less the Government does the best....less taxes....less restrictions....less trouble...more freedom. I guarantee that if the authorities thought you might do some damage to others by using a kayak as a vehical of terrorism, they'd jump on it with two feet...infact I read an article in "Canoe and Kayak Magazine" that boundaries around national monumements and military instalations were being strictly enforced. One thing I pick up from this thread is that it is a given that the two paddlers in question didn't know what they were going out in. I'm sorry they didn't make it, and I hope their families are recovering from their loss. I guess my point is, when your time's up, it's up....no amount of planning or safety education or government intervention is going to prevent Death from claiming you if he's got you on his list. Besides, paddling is an extreme sport...some of us do it because it helps us push the envelope of our own existance....breaks us away from the mundane. The Noals people teach that stuff, risk assessment...the risk is part of the appeal...so is the respect we get from taking these risks...in the Marianas Islands, they say "respeto na tasi", which translates to "respect the ocean." It is clear to me that the people reading this have this respect...the people who need to acquire this probably don't build their own boats....
Bill Cruz

: While I agree with your goal, but from a practical standpoint, it's
: impossible. Kayaks can be launched from almost anywhere and are probably
: launched from other than "official" boat ramps more often than
: not. Are you going to try to restrict kayak access to only
: "official" launch points where you can post information? Are you
: going to tell the Coast Guard (or whoever) that they have to patrol every
: inch of shoreline in order to make sure that no one launches a kayak
: without checking the weather report?

: Clubs are certainly one way to get the message out, but they have limited
: contact with the paddling public and essentially none with people before
: they buy a boat. Our club produces a couple of safety brochures that we
: provide to dealers, but we have limited finances to pay for them and have
: to rely on members to deliver them. It's a step in the right direction,
: but it could be much more effective with some backing.

: IMO, the kayak industry needs to do a better job of promoting safety. Right
: now, they do virtually nothing beyond occasional warning stickers and/or
: tossing a Coast Guard water safety brochure in with their owner's manuals.
: It's time that the manufacturers ponied-up for a national safety campaign.
: Posters and leaflets at dealers containing basic safety info and
: encouraging kayakers to seek instruction would inexpensively get the
: message out while providing additional revenue for dealers offering
: instruction. If the program is standardized, national and underwritten by
: the Trade Association for Paddle Sports (or other industry organization)
: and perhaps the ACA, it could have a significant impact at a very low cost
: to the supporting companies. This is hardly a new idea, but no one in the
: industry seems to be willing to pick up the ball and run with it.