: The level one section now ends with the statement, "If you
: don't have much experience with a sprayskirt, other paddlers
: will be happy to help you learn how to use it," but there
: 's no mention of the wet exit.
: Since the club does not offer instruction, I don't think we should
: say in the guidelines we're going to help people learn how to do
: anything, especially something as critical and potentially
: dangerous for new paddlers as use of the spray skirt.

I don't disagree, however, what I was striving for in including that kind of language was to create a mood of welcoming and helpfulness. It is trying to say: "don't worry if you don't know something, if you are willing to learn, you are welcome anyway." There may be something else we could say instead or we could add: "If you don't have much experience with a sprayskirt, just ask, other paddlers will usually be happy to help you learn how to use it"

BTW, swimming is highly recommended, but since we aren't about to test anyone, it is not required.

BTBTW, I didn't include language referring to the lower level skills being necessary because there are no requirements and the level progression implies it without the need of a legalistic statement.