NYCkayaker NY Times: The Lure of Seeing a Hushed City at Water Level

[ralph diaz]

Re: NYCkayaker NY Times: The Lure of Seeing a Hushed City at Water LevelThe problem remains that power boaters are greater in influence than kayakers based on the strength of their numbers and powerful industries that thrive on them from boat manufacturers through marinas, fuel suppliers and after market products and services such as repair.  So they can lobby against regulation better than can rowers and paddlers.

The Harbor Association of Rowers and Paddlers (HARP) as proposed by Eric among others is a good idea that should be launched soon.  Eric is familiar with an earlier successful group, HPBG (Human Powered Boating Group) that was initiated by Jim Wetteroth of the Downtown Boathouse and which I headed with a lot of help from DTBH, the two kayaking companies and people like Bonnie, Michael Glass, etc..  HPBG had some 25 paddling and rowing groups as well as outfitters supporting it.  We headed off possible night time restriction on human powered boats, created a modus operandi with the cross river ferries and focused enforcement authorities to crack down on harassment of rowers and paddlers by renegade jet skiers, which was becoming more numerous and dangerous.  Obviously more things are at stake now especially preserving and improving access.  A HARP group would be just as beneficial as was its predecessor the HPBG.  All it takes is a bit of organization and other harbor users will pay attention as will public officials.

ralph diaz 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: David Gottlieb 

  That being said, I believe potential regulation of kayakers appears to be completely arbitrary, considering the amount of irresponsible power boaters out there, many under the influence of all sorts of substances, who are not regulated any more than we kayakers are. 
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