Spring has sprung and summer is fast approaching. It must be time to review the kayaking courtesy we have developed over the years. These are the things that make kayaking safer, easier and more enjoyable for a group. Part of the responsibility of being in a group is acting in a manner that is group-oriented; check your individuality at the door. One of the very few rules in WIN is that you must wear a PFD (Personal Floatation Device) in the approved manner when kayaking with the group. This is not to save your life! This is to save the friend who tries to save you during an emergency. No one can say "Don’t try to save me" to his/her friends. We don’t know how we will react in an emergency… react is the word. We do not think, at such times; we react and everyone reacts differently.

There are 2 types of kayak excursions: I like to call them "puddle paddling" and "river running". They each have their attractions and etiquette.

"Puddle paddling" is my favorite. We put in and take out at the same spot so there is no car shuttling involved. This is the type of excursion where each person can decide how long to paddle and exactly where to go. My guy, Dick, has a torn rotator cup and can’t paddle for hours. And I prefer to experience marshes and bird-watch and animal-spy; quiet-time, introspection, savoring nature in a water venue; lots of opportunities for individual action. Although no one should wander off alone, pairs are fine. I like slow moving rivers that you can paddle upstream then coast back downstream. The only adrenaline rushes come from spying on a river otter family or seeing a mink on the bank. I remember coming within 4 feet of a great blue heron standing on the bank of a stream in Montana (in the fog).

"River running" is more of a group activity. Cars are shuttled and current and wind play important roles. Ripples or rapids may invoke adrenaline rushes. Miles of river to traverse means lots of time and sun and paddling. Everyone launches together and lands together. This is one of those times when we leave a bit of our individuality behind for group fun. We have a leader who reads the river and selects the best path to follow. He/she uses the experience acquired running many rivers and the (inborn?) talent for reading the water flow to keep the troops out of trouble with rapids and sandbars. The sweep-paddler lags behind the group to rescue, where necessary, and assure that the group stays together. No one should ever get behind the sweep-paddler. Both of these positions are filled with the most experienced kayakers. Both may have assistants but there is only one leader and only one sweep and they are the Bosses. The group between these two has responsibilities, too. We stay together for safety. No one should ever venture up some side stream alone. It may look inviting, but what endangers one endangers the group. Deliberately falling behind the group, to watch for wildlife or birds or just to meander, slows the entire group or spreads the group out over an area too large to safely coordinate. Darting ahead is equally inconsiderate. Fast paddlers can move up and down the "pack" to expend the required energy and still stay with the group.

The WINers who set up these excursions should be mindful of rapids too great for the experience of the paddlers. Class 1 or 2 rapids may be acceptable but higher degrees of difficulty are not suited to our type of kayaks and, I don’t know about you, but I’m not 20 anymore (thankfully). If you want to risk your life and limb, please do it alone! Tides, wind, and water levels are other reasons only experienced kayakers familiar with the area/river should plan trips. Both types of kayaking require paddlers to give fishermen on the water common courtesy. Never get too close and stay away from their lines.