"...but actually is as secure as a PFD made of concrete." Beautiful phrase Niels. After different club paddle experiences here, I think that smaller groups of 4 to 6 paddlers are best. Anything larger is very hard to keep track of. Larger groups are maybe best split into smaller units. As conditions worsen, the group then buddies-up, two paddlers keeping an eye on each other. Groups have lead and sweep paddlers. Four paddlers gives a few options in rescue situations. I was recently in a group of four paddlers, with one seriously seasick, on a long unlandable shoreline. With four, one rafted up with the sick paddler to keep him upright, and the other two towed. With three, only one would be towing. With two, a contact tow would be necessary. Group management is one of the hardest things in sea kayaking. Sea kayakers tend to be self-sufficient types, hard to organize and discipline into safe units. No wonder navies have strict command hierarchies. PT, Melbourne, OZ. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Kirby wrote: - >My question to everyone is. Should I have continued >and caught up to the group? G'Day, In a properly organised and functioning group you would have a serious responsibility to tell the group leader, or sweep that you were leaving. But the group left you behind and trying to overcome the groups failure to function properly could have jeopardised you! So, as others observed your action seems very sensible. I learn't the hard way to always tell the group leader if I had to leave. On that occasion Dennis Maina, who has just joined the list, got me out of serious strife - thanks again Dennis! Other lessons I learn't on that occasion were: always do a thorough trip plan yourself the night before, no matter how competent the group is and even if you are not leading the trip. And quietly assess your partners. I've never felt embarassed about occasionally backing out of a trip at the last minute, usually because I was not up to it on the day, but sometimes because the trip looked inappropriately organised. All the best, PeterO. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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