Thanks, Jasper, but there is no need to apologize to me. As I clearly stated in my first post in this thread, I see no problem with increased regulation in wilderness areas when the amount of human visitation reaches the point where the natural environment is being significantly impacted. I’m a whitewater kayaker in addition to being a sea kayaker, and multi-day river trips on popular runs have been heavily regulated for many, many decades. For example, the rules and regulations for a private party to run the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon are currently 35 pages long. I have run the Canyon three times on private trips, twice as trip leader, and I know these regs inside and out. You either accept that “this is how it is” or you don’t go. It’s as simple as that.
The reason I jumped into this thread is because I thought your initial response to Newbflat was snotty, disrespectful, and made an assertion so preposterous I practically leapt out of my chair when I read it. Go back and read the original post. What is asked for is concrete information about current rules and regulations for Espiritu Santo. Yes, he/she expresses their dismay that privately-led trips are no longer allowed, but that’s totally understandable coming from someone who hasn’t been there in decades. To make the leap, as you did, that this person should feel responsible for the current need for strict regulations is absurd. And, yes, I agree with Newbflat’s statement that he is not interested in going on a guided trip in Baja. That doesn’t mean I am unable to understand or appreciate the value of a good guide, it simply means that in all but the most dangerous, inhospitable, logistically-challenging, or foreign (to me) sea kayaking destinations, I probably wouldn’t need one.
But the true victim here is your friend, Ginny. You can’t hold her up with one hand while using the other to backhand someone else. Guides and instructors strive to build positive relationships; that’s how they attract new clients. Please be mindful that when you mention a guide or instructor’s name on a forum, it’s almost as if you are speaking on their behalf. As such, it is imperative to choose your words with the utmost care.