Re: [Paddlewise] Trips - hosts and leaders

At 01:56 PM 7/12/2005, Shawn Baker wrote:


>I would lead club trips if it weren't for litigious people or personal
>injury lawyers.

You're not the first experienced, skilled paddler that has written here 
that they won't lead club trips.

If local clubs or individuals won't lead trips where does the inexperienced 
paddler go to paddle on a guided trip?  One alternative is that they just 
go out on their own or an equally inexperienced buddy.  We read about what 
can happen on these trips all the time. For example, this story was posted 
a couple of months ago: http://www.nps.gov/chis/press053105.htm

The other alternative is that inexperienced (or experienced) paddlers will 
sign up with an outfitter for an advertised guided tour.  While there are 
quite a few reputable shops that offer guided tours I know that there are 
also many that have "guides" whose primary qualifications are that they 
live in the area, have spent *some* time in a kayak, and are willing to 
work at near minimum wage.  I went on a guided tour a few years ago with a 
half dozen friends, none of which had ever been in a kayak before, and one 
of the "guides" was paddling a 12' rec boat without a spray skirt (which 
allowed him to put his feet on the foredeck).  One of my friends capsized, 
and even though both of the guides were closer to him than I neither headed 
toward him right away.  I ended up do an assisted rescue, and he was fine 
(though he lost his prescription glasses and couldn't drive without them).

In any case, as far as I can tell, the liabilities that a paddling shop has 
that offers guided tours aren't any different from what an organized club 
might have, and they have more to lose (their business and livelihood).  I 
would imagine that the waiver one might sign to go on guided tour offered 
from a paddling shop is worth about the same as one signed for a club 
sponsored trip.


If clubs and individuals refuse to lead trips or provide training we are 
essentially asking paddling shops to shoulder the liability burden.  I know 
that at least in the case of a friend of mine, he's not getting rich 
running a paddling shop that offers guided tours, lessons, rentals, boats, 
and gear. It would probably take one lawsuit to put him out of 
business.  If club and individuals are afraid of litigious people and 
personal injury lawyers, small shop owners are too, and many just might 
decide that all the potential trouble just isn't worth it, especially when 
competition in the form for big box chain stores are coming in to the area 
and selling boats and gear, and close up shop.
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