Why solo?
Why solo? Am I antisocial? Definitely not. I paddle with friends plenty and enjoy it. But I've always enjoyed solitude. In high school, friends thought I was odd because I'd go to movies alone. I treasure solitude, silence, time to think without being concerned with someone else's thoughts, needs, words.

Is Solo Paddling Safe?

I'd been pushing the solo envelope since buying the boat. At first, my only solo paddling was on Lake Megunticook, a place where I felt safe, warm and capable of swimming to safety. Even on the lake, I pushed the envelope, practicing rolling till I failed, then doing a self-rescue and practicing rolling again. Gradually, I worked up to cold salt water, taking short harbor trips and gradually venturing out into ever more challenging conditions.

Years ago, I was considering doing some hitchhiking and asked an experienced friend for advice.

"I could write a book about hitchhiking," he said, "and the whole first chapter would be: don't hitchhike, do anything else but don't hitchhike. The second chapter would be: if you absolutely positively have to hitchhike, here's how to do it without dieing."

That's basically how experienced paddlers -- myself included -- approach the idea of solo paddling: try not to go alone but if you can't help it, make sure that you are capable of rescuing yourself in whatever conditions you go out in. "Conditions" is an all-encompassing term: wind, waves, tides, currents, water and air temperatures, paddler's fitness. There's a lot to consider and neglecting any element can mean trouble.

I thought I'd considered it all.


Index || Solo || MITA || Gear || Spiritual
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This web site is by Jim Dugan.