Procedures for Trip Planning

PROCEDURES FOR TRIP PLANNING

Contingency Planning - Alternate Destination or Cancellation

Check the weather forecast one or two days before the scheduled event. If conditions are unfavorable either plan an alternative paddling trip or arrange to cancel the event. Provide the Communications Manager with details about the change. He/she will inform the membership by posting a notice of the change on the list serve no later than the night before or early on the morning of the scheduled paddling date.

On the Beach Prior to Launching

The Event Leader will briefly:

·         Describe the paddling route, and if useful show a chart of the area.

·         Describe relevant tides and currents, and the weather forecast for the day.

·         Describe the plan for the outing: the route, estimated distance, proposed stop(s), and estimated time of return.

·         Explain to members of the group that you have the required safety gear for your craft and advise them of any additional safety gear you have with you beyond what is required by regulation.

·         Each member is responsible for his or her own safety and safety equipment; the event leader is NOT required to check participants' equipment.

·         Inquire if any participants feel comfortable doing assisted rescues.

·         Inform the group about who will be paddling in the lead position and who will be acting as a sweep.

·         Ask people to stay with the group, and to buddy up with another craft if they intend to leave the group.

·         Explain that if a participant intends to leave the group they must inform the Event Leader directly.

·         Establish signals before getting on the water: for example

·         One loud whistle blast or a paddle held vertically means STOP and look

·         A series of loud blasts or waving a paddle means Come to me, or come together

·         Pointing a paddle left or right signals 'paddle in that direction'

Explain that if an assisted rescue is necessary:

·         The person(s) being rescued MUST follow the directions of the people doing the rescue.

·         Those not actively involved in the rescue MUST raft up and stay together, and if necessary, find a sheltered area and await completion of the rescue,

On the Water During the Paddle

The Event Leader is responsible for keeping the group together and ensuring paddlers to stay between the lead craft and the sweep. The slowest paddlers in the group determine the speed of travel of the group. It may be necessary to appoint a second leader if forming a separate group is necessary. The Event Leader is responsible for deciding on any changes to the route or destinations while on the water.

Water safety: Water safety is paramount. Transport Canada requires paddlers to carry certain safety items depending on the type and length of your craft and where and when you are paddling. For the safety of individual participants and all members of a paddling group, all participants are requested to have this mandatory equipment in their craft, and to carry a change of seasonally appropriate clothes in a dry bag. Stay with your paddling group and heed directions from the designated Event Leader. Individuals are responsible for their own safety, for learning kayaking or canoeing skills appropriate for the waters being paddled, and for learning first aid and how to handle emergencies. Some types of paddle craft are not suitable for open water paddling and for keeping up with the group. For example the hulls of some short or inflatable canoes and kayaks are not designed for long distance paddling on still water.

PROCEDURES FOR TRIP PLANNING

Depending on your craft, you may need any or all of the following items:

• approved PFD;
• sound signalling device;
• heaving line;
• bailer or pump;
• flashlight;
• flares; compass;
• spare paddle,
• knife,
• first aid kit;
• float bags;
• radar reflector;

·         emergency food and

• drinking water.

For more information go to these websites:

·         Operating a human-powered craft: (Transport Canada) Transport Canada Guide for Kayaks and Canoes

·         Human Powered Pleasure Craft – shows the Transport Canada approved equipment for Kayaks and Canoes

Slo-Mo Paddlers membership: Participants must be a current registered member of P.G.O.S.A. The Activity Managers will provide you with a list of the PGOSA members attending the event.

Resources for Event Leaders

Tides

www.waterlevels.gc.ca   

The tide tables for all of Canada. Scroll down to Volume 5 and find the area for your paddle.  

Weather

www.weather.gc.ca   The main weather page for forecasts, synopsis, weather conditions,

Click on MARINE, then click on PACIFIC-GEORGIA BASIN then click on STRAIT OF GEORGIA – SOUTH OR NORTH OF NANAIMO (depending upon the location of the trip).  

www.windy.com.  This website will show wind, temperature, sea currents, pressure, clouds, rain, etc.  for any place in the world.