comox valley paddlers trip coordinators orientation

COMOX VALLEY PADDLERSTRIP COORDINATORS

ORIENTATION

What you need to know

• Safety• Types of Trips• Trip Areas• Trip Planning• Recording and communication

What a coordinator is not

• Guide• Leader• Outfitter• First Aid attendant

What a coordinator is

• Organizer

• Contact person

• Connects with trip coordination committee as needed

• Makes decisions about weather, size of group, organizes a sweep person,

• Aware of safety

Safety

All participants are responsible for their own safety and that of the group

Make it clear if you see an issue you are not comfortable with example: people should wear life jackets and have required safety equipment with them

If you are uncomfortable, speak up, get help from someone with experience

What Can Go Wrong

Weather Injury Gear issues Conflict about decisions Skill level not appropriate to trip Group too large to manage

Oops!

Risk and Liability

WE HAVE INSURANCE FOR:

Personal injury for members, guests and coordinators (all guests must pay a $10 fee)

Liability in case of lawsuits brought against the club, executive, trip coordinators or members and guests

Trip coordinators approve trips and info is sent to Canoe and Kayak BC to add to our list

Relax

• Remember, there are always people that can help you on any trip

• People are competent and helpful

• There are very few incidents on any of these trips

• Make sure you have fun too

Types of Trips

Wednesday evening paddles Day paddles Fixed base multiday Moving base multiday

Trip Planning

Comox Valley Paddlers Website -Trip Planning tab has instructions and forms (hard copy by request)

Pick a trip type and location that is of interest to you. For some types of trip, you may want to specify numbers of participants.

It is a good idea for you to have gone to the area before the trip takes place

Trip Planning cont

• If you don't know the location well get another member to join you that knows the campsites, activities and paddles in the area

• Research other activities in the area – hiking, biking, etc

• Once you have decided on the trip you want to coordinate, apply a rating to the trip (see website) and submit the details to trip coordination committee for approval by the club

Trip Planning cont

• Feel free to contact us to bounce around ideas or get suggestions

• If you’d rather work in a team, co-coordination is a great option. We can help find someone suitable. Especially helpful on multi-day trips.

To Do For All Trips

Choose location Determine meeting place, launch site, time

to start Ensure waivers are signed by all

participants. Guests need to pay $10 for insurance coverage

To Do cont

Pre launch discussion and check list Ensure you have charts for the area you

are going to VHF radios are recommended Have fun!!!!!!!!

Wednesday Night Paddles

Short (2-3 hours long) simple, easy access and launch. Rating of 1.

List of suggested places are on website Pick a day, let us know and then pick your site

and launch location and time for meeting You could add fun activities if you wish –

barbecue, pub afterwards, etc Consider when it gets dark at that time of year

Wed night paddles cont

• Green box on website homepage announces the Wed paddle location and time

• If you need to cancel the Wed paddle due to weather, contact comoxpaddlers@gmail.com (on website) and Ellie will update the website

• Trip list will be on the website by early April

Home sweet home

Day Paddles

Start time, launch site and ensure all know if you are going to stop for a lunch

Better to have people sign up ahead so you know number of people and can contact them if needed

You can put a limit on number of people or have it for a certain interest (women,men etc) –it’s up to you

Know your location and the best places to stop for breaks, lunch, a swim etc

Day Paddles cont

Remind people about what to bring -water, sunscreen, raingear, dry clothes, food etc

Might want an alternate plan in case weather changes

Contact participants directly in case of cancellation due to weather or change in plan

Day Paddles

Fixed Base Camp Overnight

Make arrangements with campground and find out local attractions – restaurants for dinners, hiking, biking, etc

Announce trip early to ensure people make camping reservations in advance

Determine paddle locations for each day Determine group activities for after paddling Each day, ensure you know what each person

is doing for the day

Wilderness Camping Trips

You need to be confident as a wilderness camper and know the area you are going into

If you haven't been to the area before, ensure you either have someone with you who has or take a separate trip on you own to the area to explore and know what you want to do

Decide on an appropriate number and skill level for participants

Participants must sign up in advance.

How could it get any better?

Wilderness Camping cont

Take time to ask about the skill level of your participants. If someone doesn't meet your conditions then you must advise them that they can't come. Safety first, then the fun.

Organize a trip meeting in advance of the trip to discuss safety, how the group will paddle, decision making on the water, charts and time tables, gear and food, preparations and routes.

Wilderness Camping cont

Provide a checklist outlining gear, food, and other items to bring (sample on website)

There are other aspects of these trips that are more important than for day trips. For example least one radio per group with a licensed operator, bring a spare paddle, repair kit etc.

Refer questions or problems to the trip coordinators.

Pre Launch Discussion

If necessary, determine if the group will divide or stay as one.

Provide information regarding route, timetable, tides, sea conditions, terrain, weather etc

Discuss formations for crossings

Pre Launch cont

Assign lead and sweep paddlers Identify buddies Check gear –must wear PFD Determine any personal medical issues Agree on decisions based on “weakest”

link

Wed Night Paddles Suggestions

• Airpark

• Goose Spit

• Point Holmes

• Kye Bay

• Kin Beach

• Kitty Coleman Boat Ramp

• Wolf Lake

Wed Paddles con’t

• Comox Lake Boat Ramp

• Comox Dam (on Lake)

• Comox Dam Recreation Area (Puntledge River)

• Argyle Road (Royston Area)

• Union Bay boat launch

List with details is on the website

Suggested Day Paddle Areas

• Tree Island

• Chrome Island

• Spider Lake

• Horne Lake

• Coal Hills shoreline

• Comox Lake

• Deep Bay

Suggested Day Paddle Areas

• Nanaimo Harbour

• Point Holmes Shoreline

• Morton Lake

• Quadra Island (Heriot Bay)

• Campbell River Estuary

List on website

Fixed Base Multi Day Trip Ideas

• Tree Island

• Hornby Island

• Quadra (camp or cabins Heriot Bay or Discovery Lodge)

• Gabriola or Galiano

• Horne Lake

• Morton Lake

• Winchelsea Islands –Nanoose Area

Fixed Base Multi Day Trip Ideas

• Newcastle Island

• Alder Bay

• Broken Group -Sechart lodge

• Lund

• Victoria Gorge

• Bere Point Malcolm Island

List on website

Wilderness Camp Ideas

• Blackberry Point

• Pirates Cove

• Wallace Island

• Broken Group

• Deer Group

• Cortez Island

• Desolation Sound

Wilderness Camp Ideas cont

• Kaikash Creek (Johnston Strait)

• Broughton Archipelago

• Victoria area –Darcy Island, Petter Bay

• Southern Gulf Islands –Saturna, Pender, Saltspring etc

List on website

So many places to go

Getting Started

• Connect with the Trip Coordination Committee

• Bring your ideas to the committee or executive

• Ask if you want to co-coordinate with someone

• Ask for assistance in planning

You can do it!