Dave may not have meant that. Even a highly skilled paddler, fast paddler could be last (late arrival?) and need some assistance. Point taken!

The point of the Trip Level re-write is to help the potential paddler conclude whether they should even consider paddling at the specified location based on what should be expected for the particular level it has been assigned. The beach discussion prior to launching is to assess the present conditions and make a last minute decision about going out or not. Yes, it will help if it happens. Can't say that it does happen too often though. And if a paddler doesn't understand what the information noted in the Trip Level category means and he or she proceeds to show up, they can see for themselves from the launch site and discuss what it will take to stay safe, keep up and if they should launch at all. I would say that helps a great deal.

: I would say that's NOT entirely fair to the faster paddlers. Though
: many of the fastest paddlers here insist they don't mind. So I
: don't know since I'm not a fast paddler myself.

: I didn't see that in Dave's post.

: I thought that why so many put in the effort to re-write the trip
: level? The discussion is will that help and how much help?