RE: [Paddlewise] Group Crossing Procedures

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	Duane,

	 	Thanks for the post. I find the psychology  of group
paddling fascinating; perhaps this is because of the inherent conflict
in adapting a highly individualistic pastime, seakayaking, to the group
necessity of individuals' co-operating in the interests of safety of the
group as a whole.

	I guess we could say that the Inuit perfected 'group crossing'
principles a long time ago on their hunting expeditions;  [ but I am not
an Inuit, nor a psychologist!].

	In our modern context I guess my comment on your procedures
would be fulsome agreement on your very first point; maintaining group
disciplines is difficult; and this can be as much a problem with a group
of experienced kayakers as with novices.  Over the years I have found
that even in club paddles where the OBJECT of a paddle was to practise
group skills, the whole thing basically falls apart on the water.  

	Why? My opinion for what its worth,  is that 'group think' is
alien to the thought processes of individuals who are attracted to
seakayaking in the first place. Western societies reward individualism,
and this is reflected in on-water behaviour, with people 'doing their
own thing'.  It takes a hard, conscious, fulltime effort on the part of
all participants to adapt to a group strategy, especially in a civilian
environment. 

	As a reflection of my status and background as 'grumpy ol' man'
my solution is naturally to adopt the proven old saw that there is no
such thing as democracy at sea.  The captain is the captain is the
captain.  Again, and this especially occurs with kayakers of similar
experience, this can require individuals to submerge their egos, [excuse
the pun!] in the interests of a single group leader.  

	My other comment would be on your last point: Is a 'group' worth
the effort? Do you launch off a beach as a 'group' and decide later to
'relax'  into a buddy system?  What is a group?  Do we launch as a bunch
of buddies, with the proviso discussed beforehand on the beach, that if
things get interesting at sea we can fall back on an already agreed upon
group hierarchy? That can be hard to achieve with kayaks scattered out
to the horizon...

	You won't get many in my club to admit it, but the last scenario
is the one that happens most times; and with varying adventurous results
over the years.  But we haven't lost anyone yet...yet.....

	Regards,  Peter Rattenbury, Wollongong, Australia

	

-- original message 

From:  Duane Strosaker

Paddlewisers,
 
In the paddling tips section of my website, I added group crossing
procedures at http://www.rollordrown.com/tips/cross.html
 
These group crossing procedures are also provided below.
 
Feedback is welcome.
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