Napatree level 5? When I read the level descriptions I rated myself as level 4. So if I read that Napatree is level 5 I would decide it's too difficult for me. Maybe on a really stormy day... When the trips are rated they should be realistic for average conditions, not Carl's and Nick's kind of conditions. I like the rating system otherwise and find it pretty clear. And maybe the distance should be mentioned separately in the trip descriptions.

: The overall information here seems wise.

: I always liked the simplicity of our original rating system with
: beginner, intermediate and advanced. For example: A Barn Island
: paddle may take you heading right out of the launch, back
: through that little cut, around sandy point out to Napatree,
: cruise the beach and land for lunch. Then back around Napatree,
: into the harbor, a scenic cruise through the marsh back to the
: launch. 17 miles by GPS. A level 5. We've done this with
: beginners on a sunny, flat summer day.

: Our job as a club is not to frighten people away but allow people
: to have fun paddling with a group within safety standards. I
: think levels 1 - 5 is a bit like running a course where certain
: criteria is demanded at each level and thats not really the case
: with our paddles.

: I also think that it could be mentioned that a trip may be altered
: due to conditions. Many times on a fairly gentle day, we may
: encounter 3 ft waves going around a point or a following sea
: with white caps for miles or even surf landings.

: So, with no trip leaders, how do we know where to go? Maybe we can
: add in that prior to starting we gather to discuss the route and
: any concerns.