Re: [Paddlewise] another approach at sea kayaking

Julio;
I doubt that this will be anything new to you but, you know me, I can't
keep quiet too long.
Unfortunately, when you are leading trips (at least those trips where
you are not really familiar with the skill levels of the participants)
it is usually necessary to cut way back on the required skill level
needed.  This is not the time to be leading that trip that you've always
wanted to do, but those trips that you are very familiar with.  Limit
the difficulty to SK II or SK III and cut back on the size of the group.
Also, make certain that you have sufficient help and that you have
several spots where you can cut the trip short and the group can bail
out if need be.
These things are particularly true if there are going to be any issues
of liability (you know how complicated this can be).
The gadgetry is good of course, but it is better to not ever need it.
When I lead trips I do it for the love of the sport, to enjoy sharing
kayaking with others and because I enjoy teaching.  When I want to have
serious fun I get with my serious kayaking buddies (guys/gals I know and
trust) and go for it. 
Count yourself fortunate for having an experience like this (especially
since it turned out OK).  You will learn things that you might never
have learned any other way.  Suddenly you're thinking about equipment,
group dynamics, trip classification and design etc in ways you might
never have otherwise.  It's all part of the learning curve as your
skills and experience grow.  
Been there.  I keep trying not to be there again too.
John Winskill 
 
Julio MacWilliams wrote:
>
>  After a close call that our group had three weeks ago, and now volunteering
>  to lead trips for my club, I am taking another approach at sea kayaking.
> 
>  In our last outing, even though the leader said very specifically and
>  strongly that the trip was for people who had solid rescue and bracing
>  skills, and previous open coast experience, a few people showed up with
>  none of the above. The group was big, and the sea and wind were challenging
>  even for the advanced paddlers.
> 
>  To make the story short, I ended up towing a kayaker out of the rocks
>  against the current while someone else towed his boat away. That person
>  had a farmer John wetsuit, but only a capilene T shirt under it.
>  I was towing him and trying to make him talk at the same time. His laps
>  of silence were getting longer and longer -hypothermia. I was losing him.
>  [snip] Now that I am participating
>  in large group paddles and am going to start leading trips myself, things
>  are quite different. Now I am going to start using gadgets.
> 
>  I recently acquired a radio, an inflatable sea-seat, flares, a tow rope,
>  and a first aid kit. With such a collection of gadgets I hope to make
>  almost sure that everyone gets back alive when paddling in large groups.
> [big snip]
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