Re: [Paddlewise] Club Safety

>What I have always feared about a club passing judgement on a person's
>ability is that it implies that the club knows something about the topic
>(we have heard this stated elsewhere) and, more importantly, are willing to
>take responsibility. Unfortunately the one skill that is most important -
>good judgement - is not easily measured or evaluated. I would guess that
>most of us have encountered so called experts that were too stupid to pour
>piss out of a boot with directions on the heel. Their certificates actually
>make them more dangerous because people tend grant them more credibility
>than they deserve.
>
>Cheers,
>John Winters



Ok John
 I was not going to mention this buuuuutttt. 
Saturday leading a canoe and Kayak trip for a club I belonged to.  One lady
calls that does not paddle often and wants to go on the trip with her son.
They will have to rent canoe to go.  Another member called and had just
bought a Kayak on Thursday, and had not paddled except for a hour.

This trip is only 10 miles round-trip, the first-half mile is across an
Inlet that can get rough at times.  The currents are swift and possible  2
to 4 ft. chop.  Other days it can be smooth as a lake.  I will not know the
conditions till we'd get there.  Out of the 8 to 10 people going 3 have
good rescue skills.  The others so so.  I explained the possible conditions
to the people and then let them decide whether to go or not.  All decided
they would go.  I do have a backup trip launching from the same place if
the weather doesn't go our way.  What I am worried about it is the return
trip once we are committed, we're paddling to   an island.  Everyone will
wear their PFD's on  the trip.  The sticking point is do I decide that they
are not qualified to go, and take the responsibility of deciding when they
are qualified or do I let them go and take the responsibility for letting
them go.
I know I can rescue them if only one has a problem but if two or three do I
am in a pickle.  I will not take them out if the conditions are bad to
start with.  I have never refused anyone from traveling with me.  I have
told some, including these two that I did not know if their skills were
adequate.
I do teach kayaking and a little canoeing at clinics for the two clubs I
belonged to.  I will go through the standard rescue skills at the start of
the paddle, I will stick close to these new Paddlers during the trip.
So what do you think?  Stupid, dumb, helpful, brave, or willing.
Or all the above, none of the above.
In all my years of canoeing and kayaking I have not lost any one yet, and
have coached people through some dangerous situations.  I am open to
opinions or flames but hopfully mostly opinions.
Well let's hear it.
PS. I have nothing to lose( materially ) except my Kayak and nobody is
getting that, and by the time I read your responses the trip will probably
be over.


Dana


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