: At the November meeting there was a suggestion to update our
: paddling guidelines and rating system for the coming year.

: The draft copied below incorporates elements from ConnYak's
: traditional system, RIC/KA's approach, recent discussions at
: club meetings, and some work by Brian, Erik and me. It is hoped
: the guidelines will lead us to provide better information about
: paddles and help participants make reasoned judgments. They are
: in no way meant to create some legalistic set of rules that are
: going to require the club to create a paramilitary unit for
: enforcement!

: The proposal will be subject to further discussion and editing at
: the December meeting.

Thanks for all you do Oliver.
How about adding an acronym so folks can easily remember to assess their abilities in current conditions on the day of the paddle? Something like "Remember your STUFF" - Stop. Think. Understand conditions. Form a bail out plan in case of an emergency. Fun.

: Paddling with ConnYak

: Connecticut Sea Kayakers (ConnYak) is an association of
: people who enjoy sea kayaking. Our members coordinate paddles
: for their own enjoyment and that of the rest of the paddling
: community. Many of our paddles are open water paddles that are
: not suitable for beginners. Club activities such as practice
: sessions, rescue clinics, and pool sessions as well as shorter
: paddles on protected waters allow beginners the opportunity to
: grow and develop the skills and judgment necessary to
: participate on longer, more exposed paddles. You must develop
: and use your judgment to determine which activities are
: appropriate for you.

: ConnYak does not provide instruction. Many members are
: experienced kayakers, some are certified ACA or BCU instructors,
: and most possess knowledge and the willingness to assist you in
: self-learning. Nevertheless, we highly recommend that you begin
: by taking a basic kayaking course, and that you continue to
: advance your skills with professional instruction.

: ConnYak does not use leaders for its paddles. Everyone who
: attends a paddle should be prepared to participate by having the
: proper kayak, gear, clothing and skills to safely complete the
: paddle. Each person is responsible for his or her own safety.
: This of course does not mean that others will not try to help
: you if a problem occurs.

: Remember: you choose to join ConnYak trips at your own
: risk and accept all responsibility for your own safety.

: Scheduled and “Pick-up” Paddles

: ConnYak paddles are posted on our web site’s Events
: Calendar. As a minimum, the time and launch site are listed.
: Directions to the launch can be found either in the event
: listing or on the web site. The time shown is when you should be
: on the water and ready to paddle away. Do not expect others to
: wait for you.

: In addition to the scheduled ConnYak paddles listed on the
: Events Calendar, many members and occasionally non-members will
: post “pick up” paddles on our Bulletin Board. Often these
: posts fill in gaps in the club schedule; on occasion they
: provide an alternative for those seeking a different level or
: location. We encourage anyone posting such a paddle to follow
: the guidelines and rating system that applies to club paddles.
: It is helpful when posting to include sufficient detail to
: enable others to make an informed judgment about whether to
: participate. As with club paddles, members must use their own
: judgement when deciding to join a pick-up paddle, and accept all
: risks and responsibility associated with the decision to do so.

: Requirements for Paddling with ConnYak

: ConnYak has the following minimum requirements and the
: expectation that everyone will follow them:
: 1. Always wear a life jacket (PFD) or other flotation device
: appropriate to your boat
: 2. For open water paddles, always wear a spray skirt
: (exception: surf skis and sit on tops) and have a kayak that is
: capable of self-rescue (i.e. that has flotation – bulkhead or
: float bags – fitted at both ends)
: 3. Always carry a Coast Guard approved signaling device (e.g.
: a whistle)
: 4. Have as a minimum the skills and experience suggested in
: the trip rating (when listed)
: 5. Show a sense of awareness and cohesion as far as staying
: with the group, and notify others in the group should you plan
: to depart from it for any reason.

: Other Considerations

: We strongly recommend that you bring the following on
: paddles: drinking water, food, sunscreen, a change of dry
: clothes, a bilge pump, a compass, a float bag. Special
: considerations exist for paddling in cold water, rock gardens or
: surf, or darkness; you should always prepare for the conditions,
: wear appropriate clothing and bring necessary safety equipment.

: ConnYak Trip Ratings

: ConnYak assigns ratings to trips to provide a guide for
: paddlers deciding whether to participate. Bear in mind, it is
: the nature of our sport that actual conditions can change
: dramatically with little or no warning. Any rating system is
: thus an approximation at best. Each paddler must use his or her
: own judgment in the decision to join a paddle and launch.

: Your decision should be based on some of the following
: considerations:
: • the difficulty level (1-5) of the trip
: • forecast weather conditions
: • your skill and experience level
: • your comfort level with the other participants

: Level 0 No previous kayak experience is required.

: Level 1 Participants should be able to:
: • Paddle 6 miles in a day.
: • Maintain a heading as part of a group paddling at a
: relaxed pace.
: • Perform a wet exit (i.e. release a sprayskirt and return
: to the surface after a capsize while maintaining contact with
: the kayak and paddle).

: Level 2 Participants should be able to:
: • Perform skills listed under Level 1.
: • Paddle 9 miles in a day.
: • Control a kayak in 1 foot waves.
: • Control a kayak in winds of 10 knots.
: • Participate in an assisted deep-water recovery (i.e.
: re-entry after a capsize).
: • Maintain a heading for short distances without the use of
: a rudder.
: • Turn a kayak using forward and reverse sweep strokes.

: Level 3 Participants should be able to:
: • Perform skills listed under Level 2.
: • Paddle 13 miles in a day.
: • Control a kayak in 15 knot winds.
: • Feel comfortable in 2 to 3 foot waves.
: • Perform a deep-water self or assisted recovery.
: • Handle surf and beach landings.

: Level 4 Participants should be able to:
: • Perform the skills listed under Level 3.
: • Paddle 15 miles in a day.
: • Control a kayak in 20 knot winds.
: • Handle large ocean swells.

: Level 5 Participants should be able to:
: • Perform the skills listed under Level 4.
: • Paddle 20+ miles in a day.
: • Control a kayak in 25 knot winds.
: