Oddly enough, the worst problems I've had with groups falling apart in bad conditions were due to incorrigible intermediate paddlers, not novice or beginner paddlers. In tough situations, the beginners seem to follow instructions, as long as they're not asked to do anything beyond their capabilities. I have not found a fix for this problem, other than to avoid paddling with people who have consistently refused to stay in a group. I do think that novice paddlers do tend to abdicate responsibility when it comes to making decisions like whether or not to paddle or whether plans should be altered due to bad weather. I think this is partially the fault of the more experienced paddlers in the group who tend to assume a particular course of action is the obvious choice, or to simply make decisions for the group because it's easier. I find this problem easier to work with, by doing things like making someone the lead paddler for the day, navigator for the day, etc. Especially helpful is the breakfast forecast check, which everyone can listen to and then discuss the plan for the day. I ask people to come up with different options like changing to a more sheltered course, waiting out the bad weather, and polling people as to what they want to do. If I have to, I ask leading questions like "hey bob what do you think about doing that 17 mile crossing in 25 knot winds?" Obviously when I do this I'm still taking more responsibility than others in the group but at least it increases input from other paddlers. It seems one thing that just does not work is asking the group directly "is everyone ok paddling in these conditions?" The folks who are NOT comfortable never seem to speak up, which is understandable I suppose. I'd certainly be interested in hearing about how others deal with these problems. Sarah Ohmann >When the fight or flight instinct kicks in, I imagine it is very very >difficult to overcome the flight tendency. Especially if you have no >personal ties to your group, or your confidence in your own skills under >pressure is in doubt. >The extreme danger here is really to the novice in these conditions. The >novice, under the notion that the group will keep him/her out of trouble, is >more likely to attempt a paddle beyond their skills. They probably would >never try such a paddle alone. So when the group breaks down under stress, >the novice is suddenly way in over their head (no pun intended). *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Mar 31 1999 - 09:19:52 PST
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