My buddy showed me a clip of a politician last week where the guy's right eye just froze for a full second during a normal sentence. It didn't blink, it didn't move, it was just stuck there staring while his mouth kept talking. He swore it was real until we found the original and the eye movement was totally normal.

Ruby_wright nailed it, comfort isn't a crime.

Yeah, I felt that. My first paddle broke in like six months and I was so mad. I was sure it was a bad piece of wood or something. Took me forever to realize I was basically leaning my whole weight into it like an idiot. You're totally right about gear not fixing the real problem. What finally helped you ease up on the pressure?

That gut feeling you and @david_reed22's friend had is probably the best guide. These tools are just recycling what they've seen, so the final check has to be a human one. If it feels too close, it's better to start over.

That Oregon story with the 200 rescues was wild. People just don't get how fast weather changes up there. It's a good reminder to check the forecast twice.