RE: [Paddlewise] Club Insurance, Liability

Nick Schade said:

> 
> Unfortunately, what tends to happen is a small groups of 
> compatible paddlers form around the periphery of the club. 
> These groups tend to be exclusive and fairly closed. While 
> they would like more members, outsiders don't know about them 
> and don't have the opportunity to learn the skills desired by 
> the existing members.
> 
> If the original larger club can be maintained with enough 
> diversity it can serve as a training ground for new members 
> to work their way into the sub-groups.

This is pretty much the way our club works, but fortunately, we don't have
the exclusivity that Nick mentions, and parts of one subgroup will
periodically paddle with another one.

Our groups have formed in two areas. Some are geographic and others are
types of paddling. For example, there is one group that prefers rock
gardening and surfing in small boats.

Then there is another group of the club that comprises the better paddlers
in the southern part of the club. Duane Strosaker, who paddles with them has
given them the nickname of OCBA or Orange County Bad As**s.

The group I usually paddle with has named themselves the "Old Farts". Most
are over 50, but we do allow younger people to paddle with us, if they have
the skills required. Occasionally, we also host easier trips and practice
sessions to help newer paddlers develop and practice the skills required for
open ocean paddling, crossings, surf, etc.

Since we all live in California, the land of litigation, we are all too
familiar with the possible legal ramifications. That is why, on the advice
of a prominent local attorney and club member, we use hosts and not leaders.
We spell out explicitly, that the individual is responsible for assessing
his/her skills and equipment for the suitability of a particular paddle.

It only takes one time where they are towed or explicitly told that their
skills are not up the group's level before they start attending practice
sessions and not the regular weekly paddles. Most people usually ask us
after a few practice sessions, if we agree with them about their skill
level.

Steve Holtzman
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