Re: [Paddlewise] Swimming Under the Golden Gate Bridge

Scott Hilliard wrote:

> A criteria that I have frequently relied on is, "how will this look 
> written up in an article in Sea Kayaker Magazine." You know, as a paid 
> leader with considerable experience, I will be the one to whom all the 
> fingers will be pointing if things go bad. This can be a tremendous 
> burden, but one I have to bear. The next time your out paddling with a 
> group try to imagine that you are in charge and your own reputation as 
> well as the reputation of the company you are working for is on the line
> with this trip. Then see if that doesn't temp you to do thing a little
> differently.

Scott,

I've been in your shoes, guiding in the mountains, many decades of 
liability litigation ago.  I think I understand where you are coming from: 
  a for-hire guide has to make sure he/she lays out the risks plainly in 
full-on CYA fashion, not just to make sure that participants are fully 
warned, but so that the groundwork is laid to protect everyone from legal 
repercussions.  I'm for cutting some slack for folks who lead trips.

That, however, does not answer several questions raised by Mark's description:

1. Were there definite guidelines for immersion protection wear?  If not, 
why not?

2. If the trip leader felt a participant was not up to the task, once on 
the water, why did he not surgically remove the participant by placing 
him/her on the chase boat and proceed?

3. Why was so much time onshore wasted before launching ... given that a 
group of uncertain composition needed to pass some defined barriers to 
reach their safe takeout beach(es)?

4. Was there a clear statement of skills needed by each participant as a 
floor for participation?  If not, why not?

Finally, to return to "... how will this look if written up ... in Sea 
kayaker Magazine?"  Stuff happens on the water.  Most of us judge how well 
a situation is handled, not whether or not trouble was encountered.

Contrast Mark's account with Rob Gibbert's detailed, eloquent tale (SK, 
August 2008; see below) of a trip gone bad in the San Juans.  Rob 
enumerates a completely different culture and practice of sea kayaking 
trip-leading behavior, in which it is dog-plain the group was tightly 
organized; had prepared for cold water rescues; was able to execute 
alternate strategies; and, had a pre-planned, agreed-on bailout agreement 
for group separation.  All were important in overcoming an error in 
judgment made by the trip leader (allowing an under-prepared participant to 
continue).

How did it look?  Beautiful.  Rob's group was prepared and ready for 
contingencies.  They laid the groundwork for success.  Everyone went home 
intact.

[Rob's article: http://www.seakayakermag.com/2008/October/capesize.htm ]

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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