My Personal Reflection
Paddling along the north shore of Cape Broyle Harbour was absolutely breathtaking. We passed several old stages, an eagle's nest now being occupied by new owners, learned about different seaweed and the class even had an opportunity to try uni, which I must add tasted good like any other seafood. There was a beautiful waterfall which was an awesome photo opportunity after a photo shoot we continued along our journey. The classed passed a hydro plant which was really neat because of a water current it created that pushed the kayaks out into the open water.
After passing Sheep's Head which was an area for livestock we reached the inner harbor and crossed over the narrows. On the south shore we attempted to wash away our sins by paddling around "rock of redemption" without hitting the sides. If one is successful their sins becomes washed away with the next tide. Continuing on our journey lead us to an area know as the Devil's Nostrils. The Devil's Nostrils consist of two caves which are not very wide causing you to use your hands to draw yourself in then are pushed out with a swell.
Going around rock of redemption and into the devil's nostrils really had my heart pumping because you need to time the water's movement just right. With the help of the guides telling you which was to turn the propeller and when/how to paddle made the task a little more comforting. However I kept thinking about insurance policies and coverage, recalling how even before the class arrived at sea kayaking we had our waivers singed.
This past September I took a the Legal Aspects of Leisure and Recreation Services course offered at MUN which really highlighted you can get participants to sign waivers and consent forms but when the duty of care is not met despite signing theses documents they will not hold up in a court. After thinking about the legal course I started to think about Last Child in the Woods and the Bogeyman Syndrome. Children playing outside has changed because of the bogeyman syndrome, their parents being afraid of what is outside. The researchers found in 1990 the freedom of a nine-and-hald-year-old was the same as that as a sever-year-old in 1971.
Now a days parent's are fearful and quick to sue, people and their eagerness to sue is something taught in the legal class, which is why many organizations now have liability insurance. This lead me to think about when Last Child in the Woods mentioned about scouting organizations and their outrageous cost of liability insurance. Scouting/Guiding in my opinion are fabulous organizations because of the skills/knowledge they teach to future generations. Yet with the growing cost of liability it is becoming harder for many organizations to be able to afford a program, as a result some organization or activities have to be cancelled.
This made me think of the liability insurance the sea kayaking but be expending each year. As I mentioned previously there was a few situations that made me feel uneasy. However instead of fear setting in and taking over me I payed attention to my guides, parents should change their language to pay attention instead of be careful. There was nothing for me to truly be fearful of because the guides were in close proximity telling me and my partner how to maneuver these situations. Plus if there was real danger the guides would not had made me do the task at hand.