"No wonder it's so much easier to just buy a computer game and stay indoors all day"

'No U-turn syndrome' taking joy out of leisure
Straits Times Forum 24 Dec 09;

I REFER to Monday's report, 'Left high and dry by waterway rules' and last Thursday's letter, 'Family's kayaking dreams drifting in red tape', by Mr Jason Toh.

My husband, an avid kayaker since his junior college days, bought a foldable kayak a few years ago after reading reports about a more 'vibrant and active' culture on our waterways.

He had hoped to use it often, but each time we tried to research about where kayaking could be done safely, we hit a brick wall.

It takes a lot of effort trying to find out what can or cannot be done. There are no real conclusive answers anywhere, and the only way is to 'pay money and rent a boat' from some organisation, otherwise you are not free to paddle. Yet, like Mr Toh says, ultimately you're still on your own.

This reminds me of Creative founder Sim Wong Hoo and his reference to the 'no U-turn syndrome' many years ago. We are still so hung up over restrictions that even something that is considered a leisurely activity is so limiting. No wonder it's so much easier to just buy a computer game and stay indoors all day.

Frances Tan (Ms)