BBC News reported Tuesday that extreme kayakers have been threatened with legal prosecution for canoeing down Llyn Brianne, a steep-sided, 272-foot-deep reservoir in western Wales that holds more than 13 billion gallons of water. The location has been attracting risk-loving kayakers for years.

Welsh Water, the company that owns the site, told the BBC it forbids such water sport activities at the reservoir and that it would take action against anyone found to be in violation of this restriction.

“This is yet another attack on individual freedom by rigid administrators,” Rael commented in a statement released earlier today. “Every individual has a fundamental right to endanger his or her own life, whether by climbing mountains, sailing across oceans, racing cars or participating in any other exciting, risk-prone sport.”

He said the drawbacks of risk avoidance more than outweigh the benefits of a safe but stultifying existence.

“The worst risk in life is not to take any risks at all,” Rael declared. “The sanitized and sterilized nature of our present civilization makes people look like overprotected consumer zombies who behave like robots. For example, the water company said its restriction is to keep the kayakers ‘from endangering the lives of others.’ Well, who are these others they speak of? Nobody else is even out there on the water. Instead of condemning this activity, the company should sponsor the kayakers. That would set a wonderful example for the younger generation.”

He said he encourages young people to take risks such as those taken by the kayakers publicized in the BBC report, including those involved in climbing buildings, engaging in free fall or participating in any other extreme sport.

“Such pursuits develop much stronger personalities and can motivate young people to take on new challenges,” Rael said.