Re: [Paddlewise] Group Paddling - Experienced

> <<  Why paddle with anyone who disregards their and
>  thus your safety?     
>      We shouldn't even be discussing this. You have a
>  moral obligation to help them out.  >>
> 
> Tom, I agree with much of what you say, but I don't think it is trivial, nor 
> do I believe group problems are always due to moral failures.  Many people 
> who paddle off and shred a group do so without any ill intent and often 
> without even realizing what they are doing.  They often simply zone out.

I am going to take a crack at this one, as somebody who has little group
experience (sorry Ralph), but with a fair amount of management
experience.
Before the paddle, a explicit communication by the group leader to the
group is important as to goals(destinations, bird/animal watching,etc.)
and methods (directions, conditions, etc.)with the potential dangers of
separation emphasised.  Try to ascertain the skill level of those on the
trip.  It is better to ask open ended questions like- what was the most
hairy situation you've been in a kayak and how did you deal with it?
What was the most dangerous behaivior you've seen by a kayaker?  What do
you expect the dangers or 'worst case scenario' would be on this trip? 
I am sure you with more experience could come up with better questions,
but I think that you can get a pretty good idea by the answers.  This
will tend to get the group communicationg as well.
Split the group into pairs , optimaly most with least experience with
the express intention that one will inform the other if they 'zone
out'.  The better paddler would be an asset to the less skilled in
developing a cadence and perhaps verbal instruction and encouragement. 
The weaker paddler is expected to be slower and therefore have less of
an 'ego' problem in asking to slow down(especially to one individual). 
The better paddler will probably have less of a problem in communicating
this to the group leader because it is not their ego on the line as
well, they are just being considerate.  This could constantly shift
around during the paddle, but everyone should be quite clear as to their
current partner.
As group leader, you should pair yourself with a very well prepared
experienced paddler (if there is one).  You two will have more latitude
in moving around between the couples monitering the 'big picture' so to
speak.
The key, I would think, is delegation.

One premise or assumption I am making is from my personal experience- I
have found that most(come to think of it, all) of the experienced
paddlers I have met both on and off the net are very considerate and
helpful people.  It is not that there isn't a lot of these types in
other disciplines, but I have found this level unique to sea kayaking.

disclaimer- The weather has been warm the past couple of days and may
have resulted in some synapse misfirings 
-- 
gabriel l romeu
http://studiofurniture.com     furniture, designed and constructed
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http://members.xoom.com/gabrielR  a daily photo journal

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