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From: Mark Zen <canoeist_at_netbox.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Paddling Clubs
Date: Mon, 9 Feb 1998 10:52:31 -0700 (MST)
On Mon, 9 Feb 1998, Niels Henriksen wrote:

>>
>>Please remember that you can always be sued for negligence.

true.

>>A Waiver can not remove this right.

depends on the state, and the country. i guess this is a good opportunity
to remind people that this is an international mailing list, and what
works in one place may not in another...

>>If you are taking members on outings its the 
>>clubs' or leader's responsibility to know the skills of the group
>>and to NOT take anyone into a situation that they are not skilled for.

in colorado, and our clubs in particular, this is adamantly NOT TRUE. it
is the participant's responsibility to know _their_ abilities, and to ask
the trip coordinator questions about the trip.

>>By having every member take a skill test and rating your paddling
>>adventures you can help mitigate the risk of suing. This is because you
>>have taken steps to reduce the risk.
>>
>>Niels Henriksen
>>Ottawa, Canada
>>

who is going to administer the tests?? when, etc, etc. this has too many
problems, at least for a club our size [~250 families].

>>>>>
>>>>>Use a waiver and go have fun but use common sense.  This concern has been 
>>>>>mentioned many times but I haven't heard of and don't know anyone that is 
>>>>>aware of a paddling club being sued.  It may have happened, but I haven't
>>>>>heard or read of it.  I'd be sure everyone understands that I am a trip
>>>>>coordinator and not a guide or expert and everyone is responsible for their
>>>>>own safety.  Check liability laws in your state.  It might be beneficial
>>>>>to incorporate your club to protect the club and its members from being
>>>>>sued for the negligent acts of a club member acting as a club representative.  
>>>>>I don't know if this is significant if you are not collecting dues. 
>>>>>
>>>
>>>by all means, use a good waiver. and then have LOTS of fun!! sadly, the
>>>RMCC club pres, relayed a short story to us, at our winter meeting. he now
>>>lives on the other side of the state, and says there is a club there...
>>>but they never run trips, because someone told them a story about being
>>>sued. now they are looking at adopting our waiver. we have people sign
>>>them to become a member, and then again at the start of each trip. we've
>>>not had any problems at all. we do have a couple lawyers in the club, and
>>>they've reviewed it, and it should stand up in court. we also pray we
>>>never need to find out.
>>

great item for discussion!! what do other clubs do to work with this
issue??

mark


#------canoeist[at]netbox[dot]com--------------------------------------
mark zen                      o,    o__              o_/|   o_.
po box 474                   </     [\/              [\_|   [\_\
ft. lupton, co 80621-0474 (`-/-------/----')      (`----|-------\-')
#~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~_at_~~~~~~~_at_~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~_at_~~~~~~~~_at_~~~~~
http://www.diac.com/~zen/cpr   [Colorado Paddlers' Resource]  
http://www.diac.com/~zen/rmskc [Rocky Mtn Sea Kayak Club]  
http://www.diac.com/~zen/rmcc  [Rocky Mtn Canoe Club Trip Page] 
http://www.diac.com/~zen/mark  [personal]
--
Fortune:
Everything is controlled by a small evil group to which, unfortunately,
no one we know belongs.

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From: <dldecker_at_mediaone.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Paddling Clubs
Date: Mon, 09 Feb 1998 13:28:06 -0500
This is what we use in Fla.
Dana    




                          FLORIDA SEA KAYAKING ASSOCIATION
                               RELEASE AND ASSUMPTION
                                      OF RISK
    
    I , am participating in an excursion or clinic of the Florida Sea
Kayaking Association 
(FSKA) of my own free will and at my own request. I understand and
appreciate that kayaking 
and all other forms of boating are dangerous and that by attending or
participating in this 
kayak excursion or clinic I incur the risk of serious injury to myself. In
consideration
of being allowed by the FSKA to participate in this excursion or clinic, I
voluntarily assume
the risk of any injury to myself or my property and release and hold harm
less FSKA and its 
members, officers, and agents from any and all liability or causes of
action of any nature 
for any injury to myself or my property which may occur in connection with
my participation
in an FSKA excursion or clinic today or at any time in the future I also
understand and 
acknowledge that it is sole my responsibility that I have adequate
equipment and training 
to participate in this kayak excursion or clinic, and that FSKA is not
responsible for the
provision of any safety equipment or supervision. I understand that my
safety is my own 
responsibility. I agree to follow the directions of the designated trip or
clinic leader,
and I understand that failure to do so will result in my being unable to
participate in any 
further activities of the Florida Sea Kayaking Association.
    
    Print Name
    Signature                                       Date
    Witness                                         Date
    Signature of Parent or other legal Guardian if under 18 years of age:
                                                    Date
    

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