Kayaks in Meredith Bay

[jbg]

Originally Posted by Bryant239Dad

Hi Everyone,

Not sure if anyone else saw them, but there were three or four young kids paddling Kayaks across the heart of Meredith bay yesterday around noon time. It was a fairly choppy day with plenty of white caps and they were hardly noticeable. Of course, it our responsibility as boaters to be aware of our surroundings, but that has too be one of the busiest spots on the lake and with yesterday's conditions, I can't fathom letting my children go paddling across that bay. Just another reminder to stay alert!

I think they were actually picked up MP. Using binoculars, we could see MP pluck a few kayaks from the water at about this time.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by jbg

I think they were actually picked up MP. Using binoculars, we could see MP pluck a few kayaks from the water at about this time.

I hope they were not forced to leave the area. They had every right to be out there.

[jmen24]

I agree, everyone should have the opportunity to be "Dead Right" about where they should be able to paddle their kayaks.

Nobody should be prevented from realizing the potential of a stupid idea!

[BroadHopper]

Memory is a little foggy on this, so correct me if I am wrong. During the SL debates someone did introduced a bill to add safety flags on paddle vessels or vessels of a certain length and some idiot tacked on a requirement that swimmers must wear a fluorescent cap. NHRBA/SBONH, I can't remember which supported the safety flag but not the swimmer's cap. The bill went ITL. The other camp supported the bill. The swimmer's cap was a hot debate!

[RailroadJoe]

How about a head cap with blinking lights run on batteries. Or make the smimmers dive when they see a boat. Boy, you people can be nasty at times.

[HellRaZoR004]

Originally Posted by RailroadJoe

How about a head cap with blinking lights run on batteries. Or make the smimmers dive when they see a boat. Boy, you people can be nasty at times.

You'll need a dive flag for that!

I sure hope the MP didn't make them move....

[Billy Bob]

Why is it every time someone does something stupid on the lake we have a outpouring of ideas for new rules and regulations .
Lights and flags , give me a break , next thing we will want people wearing helmets on motor cycles .
If the MP gave them a hand that's great that's what they should be doing rather then breaking up rafters or some other pointless endeavor .

Danger builds character , just don't put your eye out

[jbg]

Originally Posted by HellRaZoR004

You'll need a dive flag for that!

I sure hope the MP didn't make them move....

I don't know the details of the situation but MP definitely loaded up at least a couple of kayaks and it looked like they were taking them back to the town docks.

[Descant]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

Memory is a little foggy on this, so correct me if I am wrong. During the SL debates someone did introduced a bill to add safety flags on paddle vessels or vessels of a certain length and some idiot tacked on a requirement that swimmers must wear a fluorescent cap. NHRBA/SBONH, I can't remember which supported the safety flag but not the swimmer's cap. The bill went ITL. The other camp supported the bill. The swimmer's cap was a hot debate!

Different bills, different years. In the first SL round where there were hearings all around the lake, the House committee, which split on the SL, took all of the other problems that were cited by the public and drafted bills to get them all into their own hearing. (Biggest and most successful was new noise limits.) Some ideas, like lights on shore that look like nav lights passed. Others like flags, did not. The summer camps directors didn't like whistles because they said "If you give a kid a whistle, he'll blow it." Others said "You're supposed to be teaching safe boating." In the background, it was speculated that the SL folks (WinnFABS) didn't want other safety bills because it would detract from their focus on speed limits.

Swimming rules, kayaks, etc were discussed but there was no legislative enthusiasm.

After the SL passed, a separate bill went to the Transportation committee (HB224 of 2009) about pink swim caps 150 feet from shore. It passed the committee something like 15-0. Not the committee that usually deals with these issues. One speaker, a Water Safety Instructor, removed the bill from the consent calendar and spoke against it (Priscilla Lockwood). A committee member, as required, spoke in defense of the committee report. The bill failed in the range of 97 Yea to 201 Nay. Even the committee realized what a gaff they had made. No lengthy debate. Three minutes each side. BUT it did make some big headlines. Not much else for the papers to talk about that day, I guess.

This is one of the amusing stories that just sticks in your mind.

[jrc]

I can't imagine the MP forcing people to stop kayaking, unless they were drunk, or children and their parents were concerned.

I've kayaked in some pretty rough water and some heavy boat traffic right in front of MP headquarters. They boat right past me without a concern. Sunday there was some serious wave action between Varney and Locke's Island. At other times it's been wall to wall boats. Dozen of MP boats have passed me.

I do think kayaking is a little too easy to learn, which gets people in trouble. In five minutes, you feel like you've mastered moving the boat around. Then you go too far from shore, swamp the boat and can't get back in. Since you didn't have a PFD on, now you are clinging to the kayak and waving for help.

[Bryant239Dad]

They were no where near the no wake zone......these guys were smack dead in the middle of the main thoroughfare....I agree, more laws isn't the answer, but common sense should prevail. It's like taking talking a stroller across 495 and under the guise that pedestrians have the right away

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by Bryant239Dad

They were no where near the no wake zone......these guys were smack dead in the middle of the main thoroughfare....I agree, more laws isn't the answer, but common sense should prevail. It's like taking talking a stroller across 495 and under the guise that pedestrians have the right away

I agree. Maybe kayak rental companies, concerned parents, etc. should start voluntarily equipping their kayaks with flags. No new laws needed for common sense. If it seems logical it will catch on. Sort of like helmets on the ski slopes. There are no laws mandating helmets but most skiers wear them.