----- Original Message ----- From: "Doug Lloyd" <dougl_at_islandnet.com> And even more snips..... As someone who is very active in one of our local clubs and who organizes a fair number of both club hosted and non-club hosted paddles, I think your facilitator needs to learn to be more rude. We have told paddlers that their skill levels were not up to the trip they wanted to take and that they weren't welcome on it. We don't ever do an "everyman or woman for themselves thing" BUT tow lines have been known to come out and get clipped onto a boat that is holding up the entire group. We usually tell the errent paddler that we are giving them a "boost" and that they should not come out to this type trip until their skills are better. > I kind of side with Scott in that no one should be told that they have to wear > certain gear, but it can be difficult getting larger folks back into their kayak > after a capsize, and that is why I mentioned the weight factor - not to be rude. I agree with Scott that he has the right not to wear a PFD. But Scott also knows that when he is paddling with our group that we require a PFD to be worn and he respects that. On a non-hosted trip--no problem especially when you know the skill level of all of the others. On club trips where there is a lot more legal liability, save me from having to deal with the bottom feeders in a law suit and at least wear the PFD. I am also midrift challenged and have about 30 lb too much around my middle. That does not interfere with my being able to do a self rescue or an assisted rescue. Maybe the gentlemen in question should be encouraged (tie his hands and feet and bring him kicking and screaming) to attend some "wet session" pratice days. After having a beginner on a SOT go into a complete panic when he capsized (he seemed competent enough at first), we have been talking about having paddlers demonstrate a self rescue and/or assisted rescue if the club host hasn't seen them paddle before. > > I believe this situation was exasperated by past behavior. On past trips > > Fat Boy has dropped so far behind that he's caused the sweep (myself) to > > paddle in endless circles just to keep him in front of me. I've seen him > > paddle a crossing in such a way that caused a BC ferry to alter it's > > course to avoid running him down. I've seen him drop out of group paddles > > to take pictures without letting anyone know what he was doing. The one > > piece of equipment he can always be counted on to wear is his radio. Not > > VHF but AM so he can listen to the CBC. After one trip like this, I would spell out the"rules" to him--after the 2nd, I'd refund his club membership and tell him he wasn't welcome to paddle on this level of a trip with us until his skills improved. > > Did Fat Boy try to call out for help? Did he use a whistle or bang on his > > hull? I don't know, but I'd be surprised if he had the fore thought to do > > so. These Sunday paddles always include some sort of rescue practice > > either rolls, Eskimo rescues off a bow, bracing practices or sometimes > > towing. Fat Boy never participated in these exercises but has told me he > > could roll and do a self rescue. I know of one person who calls it a roll when he starts off with his head above water and then "rolls" 180 degrees so that his head is under water. I call that a capsize. ;-) > I take > nothing at face value anymore, nor do I expect other paddlers to not question me > about skills, previous to a trip, and perhaps want to go on a test paddle. > Great attitude > > And finally to answer Scott's question. Yes. In these waters if you have > > the safety equipment take it with you, wear it and know how to use it. Scott does too--Sometimes he likes to stir the pot a bit. > *************************************************************************** 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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