Avoiding incidents is far better than reacting to them

Think about how serious accidents take place. Lack of planning is a very common cause. This is why we check the weather, leave plenty of time for the run, dress suitably, etc. Some incidents take place because paddlers particpate on trips well above their skill level. Just remember, beat downs in class IV rapids are far more dangerous than class II+. Is your gear up to snuff? I have personally seen many wrenched necks and concussions from helmets with no give or poorly fitted. Are your paddling buddies safety concious? I make it a rule to no longer invite aquaintances that take off and leave our paddling group stranded. Take time to paddle a wide variety of rivers before stepping it up. This forces you to actually read rivers rather than memorizing specific lines. If in doubt, always scout! Work on your skills. Practice your rolls during each trip and during the Winter in pool sessions. Feel free to join me at any of my Little Falls Workouts. a mix of boating skills, scouting, and various rescue exercises. The most important takeaway is have fun with this great sport and do so in a safe manner.

Continue to practice skills – this is just the beginning!

Rescue skills are perishable, you need to practice them to maintain your edge. This is especially true with throw rope skills. I have been on a number of trips where seasoned boaters that needed to toss a throw rope were unable to hit their targets since they don't regularly practice those skills. In a serious incident, this can mean the difference between a swift rescue versus a nasty beat down or worse. Boating skills fall into the same category. I highly recommend joining one of our local boating clubs. For $20/Year per family, clubs are quite a bargain. Local clubs post lots of trips for all levels throughout the year. Many clubs also schedule various boating classes as well for very nominal fees.

Course evaluation

It is now your turn to evaluate this course. This provides valuable feedback to our instructors so we can fine tune the class. I provided text boxes rather than subjective 1 - 5 scores. This enables you to provide more descriptive feedback.

Did you find the course well worth your time?

 

 

Did the instructors know the subject material?

 


How was the pace of this class, too fast, too slow, just about right?

 


Do you feel confident using the skills taught in this class?

 


Did the instructors show proper concern for your safety?

 


Would you recommend this class to other paddlers?

 


Is the website valuable to you?

 


Did you enjoy the class exam?

 


What was your favorite part of the class?

 


How can we improve this class?

 

Handouts / Reference materials

I used to email a large zip file with this material. The collection of material has become too large for me to email. Fortunately, the Canoe Cruisers Association has allowed me to host this collection of training material on their website. Other instructors may provide you handouts, checklists, etc. There is a great deal of material in this collection and it continues to grow. I hope you find it enjoyable and useful.

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