[Paddlewise] group paddling

I see I stirred a hornet's nest for suggesting that perhaps people who
have not paddled in groups might not be qualified to speak out about the
phenomenon.  Some of the followup comments seem quite useful.

1.  As always, Dave Kruger hit the point better than I did regarding one
of the distinguishing aspects of group paddling that makes it different
than other group endeavors...the sea scatter effect.  This makes it
difficult for groups to stay together especially when conditions are
changing.  We were having a discussion on another thread about how
beginners generally do have trouble keeping a boat going straight and
this contributes to scatter.  Scatter is something unique to the group
dynamics seen in paddling.  If you want to tax your abilities as a group
trip leader, try crossing the nearly mile wide Hudson in NY Harbor with
the currents running fast up or down the river and the winds blowing at
just 10 to 15 knots.  Do it with group of 10 people, half fairly recent
paddlers.  Figure out what it takes to keep the group together so that
the paddlers don't scatter or get strung out to form shooting gallery
ducks for ferries, sailboats intent on tacking and motorboats with their
distracted skippers and passengers admiring the city skyline.  Group
dynamics from other pursuits and theory are limited in dealing with this
phenomenon.

2.  I think that Joan Spinner also added a valuable contribution...i.e.
the feedback that a beginner participant can give regarding how a group
looks from his/her perspective.  That is very important.  Every group
should seek such a viewpoint prior to the trip, during the trip and
after the trip.  What might seem easy to an experienced paddler may not
be for a less experienced paddler.  Such feedback helps keep a group
trip safer and more fun.  One problem I see in some trips is that there
isn't that feedback.  People with less stamina are pushed too
hard...they feel it ain't macho to voice their fatigue...and then things
can go wrong.

3.  Peter Osman in his post brought up an important point too...the
tendency of group leaders or organizations to be too set in their ways
and mandate dogmatic requirements that may not apply to all boats and
all paddlers.  Flexibility is important in a group.

4.  As for the rest of the comments, sure, people with inexperience who
say they have not paddled in groups but want to opine about it...fine. 
But why not first try paddling with a group or two, observe how things
go, apply what you know from other group situations and then let this
group know.  That would be extremely valuable and I for one would love
to hear what you have to say.

best,

ralph diaz  

  


-- 
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Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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