Paddlers Have Rights, Too!

Florida boaters are pretty darned lucky. Many would say that we have the best of both worlds right outside our back doors. On the one hand, we have got the rivers and inter-coastal waterways for recreational boating. Then, on either side of the peninsula, we have open access to either the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico. This means that just about any sort of recreational watercraft can be enjoyed in our waters. Unfortunately, sometimes we boaters can get so busy enjoying our waterways that we forget we are not the only boats afloat. I recently had a chance to do a bit of kayaking through some of the marshes and down the Inter-coastal. Though I usually prefer my larger boat, I was intrigued with the idea and agreed to go along on the excursion. I figured I might learn something. I did. I learned that other boaters need a wake up call when it comes to boating safety. My fellow paddlers and I were appalled at the lack of courtesy other boaters extended to those of us who were moving along in small craft without motors. We weren’t in their way. In fact, we spent a lot of our time trying to keep out of their wash and just stay afloat.

First, let me say that not all of the larger, motor powered boats were rude to us. Many passed by slowly, offering a friendly wave. They didn’t find it necessary to start churning up huge wakes, one of which would cost me a good pair of sunglasses when my fiberglass water banana did a flip-over. However, several other less careful boaters did so and very few of them seemed to derive some enjoyment out of the situation—worse than even the large cruisers and other powerboats were the jet skis. I have been hearing for years that they ought to be outlawed. Still, as a fairly tolerant boater, I never saw the need to go to that extreme. “After all, they have rights, too”, I would always say. Then, I saw how recklessly they behaved, endangering not only those of us in our paddle-powered craft, but also risking their own safety by showing off and coming close enough to spray and splash us around. I wish I could say it was just a bunch of kids pulling these stunts, but a few of those “kids” were on the plus side of forty.

Boating in Florida is a privilege and not a right. Just because you own a boat and have a license doesn’t mean you can disregard the rights of other boaters and derive your pleasure out of ruining their day on the water. If you are reading about yourself in this article, shame on you. Experienced boaters know the rules of the water and how to share space with kayaks, canoes and smaller boats. Do your part to show you deserve to pilot your craft on our waters by being courteous to all your fellow boaters, whatever sort of craft they are piloting. Slow down and lessen you wake when you approach paddlers. Exercising common sense boating and water safety will make everyone’s day on the water a lot more fun.