I would've said the exact same thing at 21. I'm only 26 now. A lot of things change. It's really wierd how much ones perspective and priorites change. I used to be fearless. Completely. Motocross, snowmobiling, snowboarding, roadracing. You get sick of the pain when you make a mistake. Stitches, consussions, one gunshot wound, broken bones, torn ligiments, dis-located joints. Been down that road, don't want to do it again.

Anyone can weight in with their opinion. It's confirmed by the person who croaks while demonstrating bad genes and/or stupidity.

"Hey y'all watch this!"

"Hold on. I saw this done in a cartoon."

"Chicks dig it."

Newbiesailor:
Don't get too offended, everyone means well around here. Some just have a variety of experiences. All of us have had some type of close call, some closer than others. And the stories of others' severely dangerous experiences send chills to many of us because we can imagine some of our own past situations could have gone a lot worst than they actually did. Just keep safety in mind while sailing and learn from your mistakes, instead of repeating mistakes. Repeating mistakes does mark the "truely stupid". I don't think that describes you.

hobie1616, thankfully, i have never done anything "stupid" for those reasons... i had a friend who said the most famous last words were "hey guys... watch this!!!" when i do certain "unsafe" activities, i always do them for myself and my own reasons. because when you do them for anything/anyone else, thats when you are most likely to get hurt or even killed.
jeff, i appreciate your comments, and honestly, i have been trying to not be too offended, and once again, i apologize for the explosion i had. taking things like this offensively has been something i have REALLY been trying to work on over the years. but it was ingrained in me by all the "freehanders" and "supersized" tourists of the outdoors (those names come from a rather funny, but true, climbing article... sorry). basically these are just people who want to sit and ridicule you for being "insane" and so on... so when i sometimes feel mocked and ridiculed for my activities, or "boldness" as it was referred to earlier, i tend to get a little defensive. i am once again sorry for getting so... pissy, if you will. i know you all mean well, and i will heed your warnings and concerns. thankyou.