On Mon, 28 Feb 2000 19:54:22 -0800, you wrote: >Excellent point ! The "group dynamic" should be focused on the least >capable. No army marches faster than it's slowest soldier. ... Here is one of the challenges for a guide/outfitter... how to match group members. I find that going with the slowest, whether in sea kayak, canoe, or x-c skiing, can be problematic when the slowest has been mixed in with others much more skilled. What to do if you are an accomplished paddler who has no input into the group's composition? It seems to be fairly difficult to keep certain efficiencies of stroke and direction while having to paddle/ski slowly with frequent stops while the novice paddles back & forth using extra energy trying to maintain a course. It isn't enough to simply match the best with the worst, as that isn't what either bargained for... what both probably wanted is a group of more-or-less peers. What about using a "reference" requirement on an application form where the participant has to have another paddler indicate the person's skill level, perhaps with specifics about experience, trips, duration, skills, etc.. If the group is home-grown, then you get what you choose. However, if you join a commercial trip, then what are your reasonable expectations? If you are a good paddler paying full fare, then is it fair that you should become a caretaker to a novice paddler with the leader's expectation that this will slow you down while providing the novice with some extra assistance without involving the group leader with this responsibility? How do folks handle this kind of situation... --- cheers, Stephen stephen.bird_at_superaje.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue Feb 29 2000 - 05:14:46 PST
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