Generally, if you plan a trip for paddlers of x skill level and a number show up possessing x minus y skill level, it is best to revamp the trip's level to their level. This is barring some very definite goal or destination in mind that is the purpose of the trip. For example, if the purpose of the trip is to paddle to some specific destination and that is the advertised/announced purpose of the trip and you need x skill or endurance to reach it, then you may want to tell the x minus y paddlers that this isn't a trip for them. Maybe some one might want to set up an impromptu trip for them of a shorter distance or that is less demanding. But if the purpose is just to go have some fun paddling here or there, the whole group could just scale down the parameters of the loosely structured trip. Of course, that isn't always apparent. Paddlers can show up who you don't know and they may be up to the trip or not up to the trip. It is something you will find out soon enough within the first half mile or so. I think that, generally, it is wise to be ready to re-assess the trip at about that time, i.e. at the half-mile level or so. As for the thought of having lesser skilled/stamina paddlers strive to keep up, that shouldn't be something to press at the beginning of a trip. If you do, you will tire them out or put them in over their heads. I find that the time to press people is on the way back if you need to beat a turn of currents or darkness, etc. But if you don't tax their stamina and skills on the way out, they usually will have something in them to reach for to get them back. BTW, this is all something I keep learning about. I think I basically made a mistake on a recent trip that did tax the stamina of some of the paddlers albeit everyone was up to the skill level required. I probably should have rethought it through earlier. Just because I know better doesn't mean I always listen to that voice in me. ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Nov 29 2000 - 11:26:00 PST
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