Cha know what I’m sick of? LOL! That bit in people where they think that everyone always has ulterior motives. PuLeeeeeeeze! Sometimes people are just well. . . nice. Funny too that it still bothers me. I’ve had some intense exposure to ulterior motives in the last year. Still though I know those self interested behaviors are not “the norm”. Just a few very strange, very self interested individuals.

In a non-related but somewhat related story. . . I regularly get submissions from other websites that would like to be linked on Quix. Shops, learning, etc., I look at each and every one too. Sometimes I add them. As a business person myself I certainly understand wanting exposure. But there are lines. I got one site submission recently that was presented as a website for beginners. Thing was, it was really about selling a book and sending everyone to an Amazon affiliate store. Well, I know people need an income. . and I’m not against talking about good products. . But sending someone off to an Amazon affiliate to buy a rec boat is akin to shopping at “Dicks”. Just sending someone with no idea what they are getting into out on the water. As an instructor and with a bit of experience behind me, I will not do that. . .

Which brings me to another recent submission. A website with “experts” talking about various sports, answering questions and such. Well, the kayak expert in an article about getting into the sport made a suggestion that if you are just planning on going out on lakes or rivers you don’t really need instruction. Yikes! Ok, well we all know what stupid things we did when we started. I know lots of us started out by just jumping in. Yet, on the other hand telling people that suggests there is no risk. Well, there is risk. Besides who’s defining what a “river or lake” is exactly? Well, the reader. They may think that river with the hefty current in their back yard is what you are talking about. What size lake are we talking about? Lake Ontario? Thing is, I know what the author meant, but you have to be a bit less cavalier when talking to new folks. Last thing you want to to is belittle the risk and have their life on your hands. Listen, we don’t want to scare anyone, or over react to the risk. Yet, it’s a good idea to talk a bit about it and let those folks coming into the sport that it’s a good idea to learn a bit before they go out. They may not listen (like I did’nt!), but at least you are not part of the problem.

Ok, now that I have that off my chest. . tomorrow let’s talk about New Zealand. . . .