I too was going to avoid chiming in due to my occasional "foot in mouth" disease. Then I figured, why not? I disagree with April and Dave G. To me it comes down to common sense, honesty about one's ability, safety and responsibility. April said that if more than one paddler was slow, and if they chose to stay together, no problem. Then she stated that two or more slower paddlers fell behind and one left to keep the faster paddlers in sight. Why would you ever do that? You're most likely not going to catch the faster paddlers and now (if there were two of you) you have two slower paddlers paddling by themselves. There is no need to keep up with the faster group. Paddling at your own pace (and with a partner) always makes for a more enjoyable paddle. Talk with people at the launch to assess skills and ask if you could paddle with someone of similar skills and desires. Dave mentioned that the group got strung out. So what? Are you saying that you were too fast or others were too slow. Who's at fault? What did you do to rectify the situation? I don't necessarily think that slower paddlers are at any more risk than the faster paddlers, as long as they have the skills to be paddling where they are headed to in the first place. Why can't several "strung out" pods (not to be confused with wasted type strung out) have a successful paddle? As long as everybody is accounted for.

I think these and other points being discussed will be a huge asset for everyone involved and that they will come together in the guidelines and Trip Levels where paddlers will understand what is expected of themselves and each other. My skills put me right in the middle of it all. I know I'm not fast enough to keep up with some and I don't have the same skill set as some, but I do what I can while realizing my responsibility for my own safety. Sometimes I'll hang back and chat with folks and go wherever it takes me. Other times it means paddling alone for a bit (maybe I knew the faster paddlers plan and could catch them at their destination - I use my own judgment based on conditions). I also think I have as good a time as most of the better paddlers, no matter what I end up doing.

: The first organized paddle I want on many years ago was with MASK
: (Metropolitan Assoc of Sea Kayakers). They had a paddle
: scheduled for the Thimbles. Perfect, I had a chance to try this
: out and I had my beginner roll. (A requirement - not just
: verbally either) About 25 paddlers. I was rounding Outer Island
: and part of the group was down near the entrance into the Trolly
: Lane Cove. Nobody was racing, just people were casually having
: conversations, looking at things and got spread out and that's
: how all the paddles were. Nice fun group with safety always in
: mind.
: It's an old, old, vintage, logical situation for paddling clubs vs.
: a guided tour group.

: Crossing a busy channel or river, yes, common sense would dictate
: to gather and cross as a group. But people out in front might
: lack that. You can set up ideals for ideal situations but people
: are people and there are no official guides for ConnYak. That's
: why they have courses to become a guide - because some people
: need courses or would never figure it out. But as I said before,
: discussing these things can often bring around more awareness to
: everyone.

: We decided many years ago that we would not be running guided tour
: groups but more paddling gatherings. I don't think the club has
: ever put safety and learning on the back burner but sometimes
: the group can just get spread out because we don't discriminate
: on who can come along.