RE: [Paddlewise] Group Paddle or Solo?

> I'm in a WS Pungo and I currently paddle up and down the various rivers in
> Maryland.  I tend to go paddling for around 3 hours or so and alternate
> between agressive more exercise oriented paddles and consistant distance
> (form) paddles during each trip.  
>

The fact that you are doing at least 3 hours and are doing exercise
paddling is a good sign that you will be able to keep up.  I would suggest
that you get a good estimate of your paddling speed.  Get a detailed map of
one of the rivers you paddle regularly.  The detail is necessary so you can
measure actual river miles paddled. Try to make a trip without a lot of
sightseeing stops and record your paddling time.  I don't count lunch break
time.  Be sure you record time upstream/upwind and downstream/downwind so
you get a accurate indication of your speed.  Once you know your speed and
about how long you can maintain it, you can talk with a trip leader and
make sure that you fit in with the group for that trip.
Remember this is not a test of how fast you can paddle, it is a measure of
your speed when paddling comfortably.

I think knowing you paddling speed in various conditions is a very
important safety skill.  I check my time on most of my paddles and make
mental notes of my speed and the conations for that trip.  Every so often I
do a paddle almost exclusively dedicated to measuring my speed in higher
wind and waves just to see if I really make the time I think I can.  With a
good knowledge of your speed and a little planning you can avoid landing
problems due to tide changes, rough water due to currents, trying to find
your takeout after dark, and the tongue lashing from the significant other
for not getting home on time (or the embarrassment of explaining to the
Coast Guard that you were a lot slower than your float plan called for).

The two main benefits of group paddling are the chance to meet those 2 or 3
other people who will make your perfect paddling partners and the
opportunity to go places (or have things pointed out to you) that you might
not have found on your own. I paddled with a large group in Houston.  It
was amazing how many people would disappear from the large group, but you
would find out they had formed their own small group of 3 or 4.  Since I
tried to paddle every weekend I was actually in a couple of those smaller
groups.  Some groups only paddled fresh water, some only short trips, some
were into kayak sailing, and some wanted max speed and distance(not one of
my groups).  I love to explore different places.  I often would find water
on the map and make a special drive just looking for access points and
checking out potential trips. Because of that I took lots of people to
places they had no idea even existed and probably would not have found on
their own. (even though most were within a couple hours drive). 

The main downsides of groups are your loss of freedom and the loss of
"wilderness" experience. Most group trips have a destination and a plan and
you have to stick to it.  If you normally think of paddling "to somewhere"
then you probably fit in with the groups more easily.  If you normally
think of paddling "for a couple of hours" and/or you stop a lot for
birding, photography, or detailed nature observation you probably will not
be as comfortable in a group unless it is oriented to one of those special
activities.  Most groups have lots more noise (conversation, laughter,
general communication) than a solo trip.  The conversation can make the
trip seem more like a cocktail party than a wilderness trip, particularly
if most of the people don't know each other. The smaller groups of people
who paddle together regularly usually are more like solo paddles.  I do not
go to any parties and I paddle solo lots during the week so I kind enjoy
this kind of weekend cocktail paddle but your taste may be different.   
 
--- Mark Arnold
--- mjamja_at_earthlink.net
--- EarthLink: The #1 provider of the Real Internet.





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