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The Independent Kayaker? (Your Responsibility to the Group)
It's a good feeling to get out on the ocean with a group of kayakers for a nice day
of paddling and socializing. To some, it's a day of adventure, and for others, a day of relaxation. When
a group gets together for a planned kayak trip, the people involved usually have been paddling together
for a while or at least have been out with each other a few times. Everybody knows each other's limits
and they try to stay within them.
But what happens when you are new to a group? How do you know if your abilities are compatible with the
rest of the group? The answer is simple - you don't. But there is one thing you do know, and that's your
own ability. With a sport like sea kayaking becoming as popular as it is, you'll find that there will be
more people buying kayaks and setting out on their own, in many cases only to find trouble and maybe a
harsh initiation into the kayaking world.
As a sea kayaker, it is your own responsibility to find out what you are getting
into. Sea kayaking is a great sport to be involved in for all its reasons such as beauty, nature and
peace of mind, but it also has the potential for being dangerous and even life threatening. I can
remember someone once saying that kayaking was a "soft adventuresport", and this is true at
times, but a beautiful calm day can also turn into the paddle of a lifetime with little or no advance
warning.
So with this in mind, those of you who are new to the sport (and even some of you veterans) might
benefit from aquick review of some of the basic precautions and preventive measures you need to take
before venturing off on along group paddle. First of all, you need to be sure that all your equipment
fits and is in good working condition: Does your PFD fit properly even in the water, or does it ride up
off your shoulders and over your head when you're floating (when you really need it)? Will your kayak
stay afloat if you capsize? Do you have dry, spare clothing? Then, you have to honestly and
realistically assess your own ability in your boat - ask yourself questions like, can I get out of my
boat if I capsize? Can I get back into my boat, either by myself or with assistance, if I capsize? Can I
help someone else get back into their boat if I had to? What are my limits in terms of sea conditions?
A good way to build confidence in your own skills is to take a course with a qualified instructor, and
then to practice the techniques you've learned in a controlled setting, where you don't have to worry
about the potential dangers associated with an emergency situation. Many sea kayaking groups schedule
open time at local pools, where you can practice paddle strokes, rolls, and rescues in a nice warm
heated pool during the dead of winter. New paddlers especially should take advantage of these
opportunities whenever they can.
The point I'm trying to make is that you shouldn't rely on other people to guarantee your safety - this
has to be your own responsibility. The situation would be somewhat different if you were paying an
outfitter or tour company to take you out on a trip, where you have the judgment and experience of
seasoned guides to rely on. But with the increasing popularity of the sport, membership and
participation in local sea kayaking clubs is growing fast, and with that come more and more trips with
the objective of just getting people together to go paddling and have fun. The group leaders for these
trips do this on their own free time - they don't get paid and are not necessarily experienced guides.
They do it because they love the sport and want to get more people involved in it. They aren't, and
shouldn't be, held responsible for your safety.
You need to rely on your own skills and judgment to ensure your safety. This is
particularly true in today's society, where trivial and unjustified lawsuits have become common place.
It's up to you to make sure you have the equipment and skills to join in on these paddles and be a
welcome paddler instead of a possible lawsuit.
(c) Mike Falconeri
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