Future Paddling?

[Doug_Lloyd]

After selling off my sea kayaks and gear due to health, I added a sit down hobby to my interests, namely diorama modelling. I saw this on one of my group pages. There’s lots of dystopian themes. This one caught my eye amd made me think of all the dedication and hard work some of you do to protect our water trails. So a big shout out to you.

 

[cougarmeat]

Thank you for sharing. It reminds me not to take for granted the quality of sites we have in the San Juans and around Vancouver Island.
Though sometimes, in the San Juans (looking at you Pelican Beach and the south side of Jones), if you replace those trash bags with groups from guided tours, it can look a little the same.

 

[Doug_Lloyd]

Thank you for sharing. It reminds me not to take for granted the quality of sites we have in the San Juans and around Vancouver Island.
Though sometimes, in the San Juans (looking at you Pelican Beach and the south side of Jones), if you replace those trash bags with groups from guided tours, it can look a little the same.

It’s a bit axiomatic that more paddlers out there means more individuals that may advocate for wilderness stewardship. My issue when I actively paddled was there seemed to be a direct correlation to the size of the groups with the amount of garbage left behind. That used to infuriate me. Probably not a major impact (though large groups as well as smaller groups, even individuals) leaving behind wrappers and yogurt containers conveyed to me the entitlement and disrespect typically seen from the off road crowd, et al. That doesn’t bode well for the future in my book.

 

[eggabeewa]

Garbage and general disrespect of nature bugs me too. I don't think it's just large groups though. Part or it is the sense of entitlement as well as the proliferation of outdoor equipment sales an internet promotion of outdoor activities to the masses. It not just kayaking either. I noticed it starting with the proliferation of suv in the 90s and quads, seadoos, kayaks etc. The fringe outdoor users not enthusiasts. Like the frat parties or stag parties of that rent equipment but have otherwise never been out of the city. I remember one time I camped at Widgeon creek with one of my daughters. There was a stag group there with food, watermelons, clothes, alcohol bottles, etc scattered around and playing music late. I was surprised but grateful that a ranger showed up in the morning and after doing his rounds and, when I made the point of talking to him, he wrote them all, I hope, big tickets.