[Paddlewise] Subject: Re: Trip Report: One day, three states/ Group

An interesting and fun-to-read trip report! Thanks!

I do have a question for you and other Paddlewisers... in a "group paddle"
how do you deal with the "dawdlers', especially if it affects the safety of
the group as a whole? Obviously in a wilderness situation you do not
"abandon" the stragglers, but Wayne was  describing  a one-day trip. (So..
what do you do about those who straggle by their own choice, especially if
they straggle on land shopping,sightseeing, or pubbing?). With the
approaching bad weather  described in Wayne's report, it sounded  as if
waiting for them (the dawdlers) might have endangered the group as a whole.
And in a group as large as mentioned, it is unlikely that everyone knows
each other well enough to  feel constrained by  bonds of  friendship and
loyalty to friends to wait for "strangers" . (that's awkwardly phrased, but
I hope you know what I mean).

One of MY biggest "reluctances" in going paddling with groups is my distrust
of "group leadership" (if the leader is not a trusted friend).And my feeling
of irritated  inertia  wait ing on other people, to get going, as conditions
change. This is  in all probability   due to a lack of social skills on my
part, and  an excess of egotism thrown in  as well.  BUT..in groups of 12-18
people as described in this trip report, what is your "comfy " level in
waiting for others? I think the use of radio communication between the trip
leaders really helped in making decisions for such a large group. But, if
canoeing on a large river, separated physically and visually from others ,
what is your responsibility to the group as a whole?

(----- Original Message -----
From: "Wayne Smith" <wsmith16_at_snet.net>
To: "Paddlewise" <paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net>
Sent: Thursday, September 21, 2000 8:18 PM
Subject: [Paddlewise] Trip Report: One day, three states


A group of paddlers from the Rhode Island Canoe & Kayak Association and
the Connecticut Sea Kayakers set out on Saturday, Sept 9th to paddle
from Connecticut to New York to Rhode Island and back to Connecticut.
<HUGE SNIP>

I got about halfway across when Ray called me on the radio, and told me
he couldn't account for two of our group. But, he knew who they were,
and they had been advised of the situation. The two in question are
notorious dawdlers, and he told them to either get going or be left behind.
They
eventually caught up with Ray just as I had finished making sure
everyone else was on shore. We all made it in safe, and the rain hit
just as we were finishing loading up to go home. No lightning, just
rain. Whew!

The total mileage was 10.6 nautical miles, through three states
beginning and ending in Stonington, CT. A good day of paddling.






***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************