[Paddlewise] Group Dynamics - Feedback....

I had a situation the other day on a club trip organized by several members.

On Good Friday a group of paddlers decided to head out to the Sooke Basin, west of Victoria,B.C.

I got their late due to traffic and found that that group of what I thought would be five or six was a dozen.   Many were already in the water when I arrived and ready to go, so I hurried and got my boat off and mentioned to several paddlers that I would catch up.    In hindsight that was my first mistake.     As I was getting into my boat it looked as if the group was splitting into two groups but then they formed up again at a point on the other side of the basin.   So I paddled hard to get across the bay to catch up to them, ten minutes later I did.    For a while I paddled with people at the back of the group, the whole group was spread over a half a mile.       As I was catching my breath and getting a drink the group I was with kept going, it was then I started noticing problems with my foot peg(still working out the kinks in my new boat).   By this time the last of the group was getting too far ahead to hear me that I was going to land and fix my boat.   I landed and adjusted the foot peg, when I finished there wasn't anyone in sight.   Yup!, they kept on paddling.....   Getting to the put-in late I didn't even know who the trip leader was or if there even was one.   So this started me thinking what was going on, I decided to wait and see if anyone would come back and see if I needed any help....they didn't.    By that time 15-20 minutes had passed by, I then decided not to try and catch up with the group.   I learned later that they felt I was competent enough to look after myself so they kept going.     I guess they didn't realize that accidents can happen to any one!

As it turned out, they did notice me gone but thought I was playing in current, and that I was capable of looking after myself so they kept on.  

Being in the mood I was in then, I decided to head off on my own which ended up being much safer than continuing and had a great paddle.   The weather that day was a mixture of everything and gave me an opportunity to try out various situations in my new boat.   

Did I mention that I had just bought a new kayak?    

I ended up practicing in the current off Billings Spit for a time before gradually heading back to the put-in on my own and exploring the lower end of the Sooke River.    All in all for me, the day was a success, I was able to really put my new kayak through its paces through current, wind and waves.    I had fun!

Once I got back to the put-in several members of the group arrived back at the same time via car.   Apparently they had hitch hiked from Coopers Cove at the other end of the basin because the wind was too strong for them to paddle back.    I had found out from them, the group kept exploring the shoreline for awhile before changing their direction cross the widest part of the Sooke Basin.   At this time the wind was starting to blow over 30 knots and the topography of the basin makes it very open to the wind.   Many didn't really have a clue of what was going on, there was no trip leader.    To add insult to injury, I had asked them if there was anyone really leading the group, their reply, "No!".    Their consensus was, "Usually it is the one who shouts the loudest leads!"

I asked them why didn't they backtrack closer to Billings Spit where the wind was not as strong and had more protection from the full force of the wind before cutting across? 

They replied that my idea would have been smarter, but neither of them new any better or had even paddled in the Sooke Basin.   

Once I got home I questioned the club instructor, he mentioned that there shouldn't be groups that large and trip leaders are not essential for situations like that.

My question to everyone is.    Should I have continued and caught up to the group?    Or was I right in heading off in my own direction?

I would also like to mention that I had a cell phone and VHF with me and I did call home with my change of plans.


Bye for now.

Kirby Stevens


***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************