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In 2006 guidebook author Janice L. Green joined with kayak clubs in California to find a paddling companion for several lakes thought too remote to paddle alone. Once she realized they were mainly into sea kayaking, hosting paddling trips herself to these lakes became a goal. Janice has perfected the art of solo paddling, enjoying as many as 50 lakes a year; consequently, the role of leader to a fleet of kayakers and the pitfalls often encountered with participants, opened up another unexplored territory in her paddling experience. She shares with us here her valuable findings. All Lake photos are by the author. More can be enjoyed along with her trip reports & e-guidebooks at kayakandcanoeguidebooks.com

What Are The Risks?

Determining the safety of a situation is the logical conclusion in everything we do in life. At least I hope it is. You need to access whether the situation you are placing yourself in is safe, or too risky to your well being. Hopefully you wouldn't ride in a vehicle when the driver is intoxicated, because it is too risky.

The same would apply to participating in a paddle that is too risky for you. If you have doubts about your physical capabilities, or doubts about the weather conditions, etc. it is placing all of the other participants in the group at risk, so please make an honest assessment of your capabilities and convey them to the group before departing.

After giving it some thought, I kept coming back to: Whose responsibility is it for my safety while participating in a paddle? The answer I arrived at was: It is mine. I should not expect anyone to know what my paddling capabilities are; how far I am comfortable paddling; whether I am able to swim, paddle in gusty wind, or to roll. Nor should I assume that the Host (or Leader), has good judgment in making vital decisions, just because they are hosting or leading a paddle.

If I have any doubts about the length or conditions of the paddle, it is my responsibility to make inquires so I can access whether or not I feel confident in participating in the group paddle. I would have to make the same determination if I paddle alone. Therefore, when you are in doubt about the paddle someone is hosting, it is up to you to inquire, to avoid placing yourself (and/or the group) in harms way, or in a situation you are physically unable to do. If you have any doubts about whether you can handle the speed and distance of the paddle, it is best that you decline, or be confident you can paddle back alone if you feel yourself tiring.

A Few Rules

Here are a few rules of thumb I take when paddling on a lake whether I paddle with a group or alone.

1) Always take a map of a lake with you, (unless you have paddled the lake frequently and know it well) so you know where the narrow areas are on the lake to cut across encase you begin to tire, encounter gusty wind conditions or it begins to rain etc.

2) Knowing the number of shoreline miles around a lake is crucial information for a paddler's safety. A bad scenario is to underestimate the size of a lake only to discover halfway around just how big the lake is and how tired you are. Knowing the number of shoreline miles will also help you determine how long it will take you to paddle a lake.

3) Surface acres are the number of acres the lake covers when it is full. Always call prior to paddling a lake to find out the present number of surface acres of water. By comparing the number of surface acres when the lake is full to the level the lake is presently, you will know how high or low the water level is on the lake, and if there is a reduction in the miles of shoreline.

4) Before you leave to go on a trip or begin paddling, always check the current weather conditions with the local weather station, a park official, or with the weather web site www.weather.com. There is nothing worse than driving a long distance to a lake only to discover bad weather, or a forest fire. Unless, of course, you get caught halfway around a lake in a thunderstorm!

5) On the majority of the lakes, during the late spring and summer, the wind is normally calm in the morning and tends to pick up around 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. unless there are strong winds or storm conditions, when the wind can often be gusty throughout the entire day.

6) Some lakes have a tendency towards consistent strong wind conditions, which are hazardous to paddlers. During high winds conditions, a number of lakes and reservoirs have wind warning lights. A yellow warning light indicates the wind is blowing between 15 to 29 m.p.h. A red warning light means that the lake is closed because the wind conditions are too unsafe to paddle.

7) If you are out on a lake when it begins to rain or when a lightning storm begins, get off the water immediately.

8) Hug the shoreline when there are fast-moving powerboats on the lake. Kayakers don't realize how difficult it is to see a kayak low to the water surface, especially when there is glare from the sun.

9) Stay in sight of the group at all times and within 100 feet of the shoreline, unless crossing over. When crossing over a main body of water, stay grouped together to help boaters see you more easily.

Safety Precautions

Your safety is your responsibility. It is up to you to determine what your limitations are, and to take the appropriate action.

Whether you choose to paddle alone or with a companion you can increase your chances of having a pleasurable and safe trip by taking a few safety precautions.

• Always paddle close to the shore,
• Wear a PFD
• Let someone know where you will be paddling and when to expect you back.
• Always give a responsible friend a copy of your trip plans with the names and telephone numbers of the lakes and dates you will be paddling.
• Include the names and telephone numbers of the campgrounds where you will be staying, along with your arrival and departure dates.
• As an extra precaution when paddling on remote lakes, inform the park rangers where you will be paddling and when you will be returning. That way, if you don't show up, they will know where to begin looking for you.

The moral of the story is to be as prepared as possible at all times, because your chances of survival increase immensely when you are prepared, and to remember at all times your safety is entirely up to you and the decisions (or lack of them) you make. This applies to anything you do in life and the decisions you make.

Resources & Related Articles:

About the Author: Kayaking California's Wilderness Flat-Water With Janice L. Green

Read trip reports and glimpses of beautiful Flat-Water California at the author's site:
KayakandCanoeGuidebooks.com

More on group kayaking at TopKayaker.Net:

• The Ten Responsibilities of the Individual Paddler By Bob Walls - a simple list to help you remember key facts when setting out.
  
  
• Group Kayak Expeditions: Planning & Procedures by Tom Holtey - details of organizing a group paddle, from choosing Lead and Sweep Paddlers to coordinating a "Float Plan."
  
  
• Group Kayak Expeditions : Formations & Communications by Tom Holtey - basic group management skills.
  
  
• Audrey Sutherland on: "Preparation: The Key For Going It Alone...Or In A Group."
  Audrey Sutherland is fondly thought of as the founder of kayaking in Hawaii, but now enjoys regular trips to Alaska. We purified this interview, leaving just her comments for you to feast on.
  

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