Re: [Paddlewise] Group dynamics (was Gender Defender (was KP))

ralph diaz wrote:

> Quite a few paddlers treat a group paddle as a group put-in.  Everyone
> starts off at about the same time but then some race off.  Obviously
> some spreading out is okay if off on the side of a bay or river and
> conditions are calm.  But if spread out an effort must be made to at
> least stay in some pods in which experienced/skilled paddlers are with
> less experienced ones for emergencies.
>
> However when it comes to crossings of traffic lanes or paddling into
> windier areas beyond headlands, or other situations where worse
> conditions are anticipated, then the group needs to pull together.

Very true. I paddle with one group that is very anti-everything to do with
authority, and one particular year, they were well known to the Coast Guard for
needing to be fished out of the water. No leader of note, no plan, no group
cohesiveness. They started to get the reputation for being paddling cowboys.
Fortunately, this is changing.

I recall one particular paddle where we were crossing a major shipping lane, and
several members of the group (A woman, for the record, was leading this small band)
broke away, and headed straight into traffic, and nearly got run down by a ferry,
because nobody thought to look.

Conversely, on the same paddle, another paddler lagged at least a mile and a half
behind the group, and got angry if anyone waited for her (And she's a strong
paddler, but she does this all the time). The majority of the paddlers, who stayed
together, could have had their day spoiled by these antics.

Gender, in my view is irrelevant, based on this and similar experiences. What is
paramount is group cohesiveness. I thoroughly agree that a group should base it's
decisions on the weakest link in the chain (And I practice this philosophy as
well), but when you run across someone who exhibits the passive-agressive tendency
to call attention to themselves by deliberately lollygagging, the group has to draw
the line, the same as they should if someone bolts ahead --- they're no longer with
the group; they're paddling solo. I announce this before launching whenever I lead
a paddle -- if you don't stay with the group, you're no longer a part of it. (Of
course, if I lead a novice paddle, that requires a whole different apporach)

If you want to paddle at a snail's pace, or at warp speed, why paddle with a group
at all? I'm a relatively fast paddler, and when I want to just burn, or conversely
to poke around, I go solo, or only with paddlers of a similar mindset. It's simple
courtesy (I know, I know, this makes me "weird").

The group in the La Nina expedition would not have faced this in any event -- they
were a small, hand-picked group. Not a club paddle open to just anyone who decides
to show. Huge difference. Most small exploratory or expedition style paddles I've
been on were like this, and they always run smoothly, because the plan is pre-set,
and we've all agreed to abide by it, or change it democratically. And we've always
picked paddlers who could not only do the paddle as planned, but would agree with
the approach, and had personalities that complemented, not hindered, the group
dymanic. You don't need a leader so much as you need a plan that everyone sticks
to, and people of good character paddling with you.

Enough of my rambling for now.......


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