Surfski Knowledge Base

Morris Arthur <marthur@…>
07/27/06 #1607

I was paddling parallel to shore in front of the park inside the no-wake buoys. A jet-ski was coming into the beach making zig-zags; the operator staring down at the water in front of him.

I dragged my paddle in the water, slowed down, and yelled at him before he slammed into my bow, knocking me into the water. The outer skin was cracked, but the overall structure of the boat seems ok. Sterling is working on it now.

Morris

Re: Wed. incident
Dale McKinnon
07/27/06 #1608

Morris, who is paying for the repair work?

Morris Arthur <marthur@…>
07/27/06 #1609

The operator “Eddie” will hopefully compensate me. He was contrite at the time… and the owner of the PWC assured me he'd pay (when he saw me jotting down the registration info.)

It was a bunch of kids partying… and the operator's first time using the craft. <sigh>

Re: Wed. incident
Dale McKinnon
07/27/06 #1610

You are demonstrating great restraint. I commend you. If the operator and owner, however, recant on their promises I trust you will squeeze parts of their anatomy for them to comply.

Re: Wed. incident
CHARLES SNYDER
07/27/06 #1612

Sorry to hear about the incedent Morris. I bet when he got a look at you he was quite contrite.

Chuck S.

Wed. incident
Reivers Dustin
07/27/06 #1600

As a young man I studied confrontation and violence. Perhaps there is no cure because I still lose it once in a while in little ways. But I'm getting better at looking more carefully at situations now. The guys who hit the surfski with their jetski were drinking, young, and perhaps had other limitations in their reasoning and maturity. (I'm attempting to avoid prejudicing any claims by this message.)

From the student of violence I would say: Whatever outrage might be warranted, this is a case of force. If one of us is on open water with no witnesses there no supervision or remedy. Your idea of civilized society might not be aplicable always. It's foolish to polarize these type of people. It's much better to use available leverage discretely.

From the older part of me I would say: Nature has certain ways of saying don't touch. You see a guy wearing a shoe on his head, you don't muck around with him. (You try to get somebody else to do it.)

Anyway, it seems to me, we all should smile and nod to the folks with big machines and horsepower. There's no value to logical discussions. Your loved ones will be sharing the water with them. Meanwhile, make a note of boat numbers, and any violations, and complain to the right people.

rd