Swish
Published April 20, 2006 | 
I see what’s goin’ onI’ve known it all along
I’ve seen what’s goin’ on
I’m lookin’ out for number one, yeah
I’m lookin’ out for number one - cheap trick
Over at SeaLevel there is a bit of a discussion about group management, and taking charge. You know, this is a good topic as summer approaches. We should all know by now that groups or “pods” if you’re feeling that way, should stay together when we’re out paddling. Especially during crossings and in areas with heavy traffic. But inevitably you always get some guy (it’s always a guy) who’s 10 miles ahead. Often it will be a couple of guys or a group of guys. . Even more amazing is when they are the group “leaders”! I can’t count how many times now I’ve been out with a group and watched the speed demons get so far ahead of everyone that you barley see them in the distance, and usually only intermittedly on cresting waves.
One thing I know about that person is, he doesn’t care if I lived or died. Sort of mean sounding, eh? Thing is, if your group is all strung out who’s keeping an eye on the general welfare of the group? What if the person bringing up the rear has a problem. Would anyone notice? Odds are good those guys up front won’t. This is a real issue out there.
In my silly opinion I buy into the idea that we should always, (yeah, always) be close enough to hear anyone else in the group shout. I don’t want to depend on a whistle and I certainly don’t want to use one as an excuse to spread out some more. Just for fun try this: take your whistle out on a windy day. You and a friend start together at some point out in the water, then start separating. Just paddle away from each other. Every so often blow a small blast on the whistle. How far apart can you get before you can’t hear it. Try it from different angles to the wind. How does that work? What about wave heights? How close do you need to be on this particular day for the whistle to be effective? What about traffic or surf noise? It’s surprisingly easy to get too far apart to hear or help. Wind and waves just make it easier to slip further apart.
I’d rather be within a few strokes of assisting if possible. Imagine how much time would it take you to spin your boat around and head back 50 yards to a capsized paddler? 75 yards? Would you even notice? One thing is sure, if I had to paddle full speed back any distance I’m going to be having my own issues by the time I reach the person in trouble.
Ok, so let’s say you’re the conscientious type. Are you going to speak up among a group of peers and suggest that the group get gathered up? Would you take charge and send someone forward to slow down the rocket boys up front? Would you fall back to keep the person struggling company? Should anyone care? It’s safety verses social politics isn’t it!? Often social politics wins out. I used to hear instructors say taking students out paddling was like herding cats. They were all over the place. Well, sometimes. But often it’s easier to keep a group of students together than a group of more experienced paddlers. Experienced paddlers often feel like they can take care of themselves, and may overlook caring about others. You know, I’ve even heard guys say, “well, if they’re going to be out here(others in the group), then they should be able to take care of them selves!”. Well, first I’d never willingly paddle with this guy. . but I understand the point. Still, that logic does not seem to me to absolve you of responsibility either. By that I mean “human” responsibility, legality is a whole other post. No one said Mr. Loner HAD to paddle with the group either. Paddling as a group seems to imply “group” behavior. Such as looking out for each other. But then, I’m often a bit out of touch about such things.
I hope this summer everyone can think just a bit more about group safely. If everyone in the group is looking out for everyone else, chances are we’re going to have a lot of fun, safe trips. Thing is, it usually takes a “near death” experience to teach these kinds of lessons and that’s too bad. Especially if it’s YOUR near death experience!
oh, and don’t let the picture fool you. . . I could’nt hit a basket to save my life!! – d
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16 Responses to Swish
You’re such a nerd! I love the lightsaber roll though.
Nice looking hand roll as well.
As far as group management goes, for me it depends on the conditions. If we’re paddling around Elkhart lake (basically a pond), I have no problem turning up the speed and getting a good workout in ahead of the pack. On the other hand if we are paddling one of the big lakes (Michigan or Superior) and I am unsure of the skill levels of the group, I’d obviously be keeping one if not both eyes on those paddlers at all times. Seriously though if it was you, me, Bill, Chad and Dave Schutte all out paddling together, it would not occur to me for a second to keep track of the group or look out for each other. Of course I would be working hard to keep up so no risk in anyone slipping away either.
Nerd!!!?? Well, I’m certainly not talking to YOU any more!
No, your right that condtions and who you’re with make a big difference. But then I was out at LC the other day and totally blew a Euro roll! I don’t know where my head was at. But it happens. So on any given day anyone can need the help.
I glanced at the SeaLevel post and it’s funny that kayaking group management has the same issues as supply chain production planning and it proscribes to the queueing theory. (I’m a supply chain nerd.) Basically queueing theory states that the system velocity cannot exceed the speed of it’s bottleneck process speed and therefore the only way to increase system speed is to increase the speed of the bottleneck or remove the bottleneck from the system. In kayaking terms, the best way to keep a group together is to place the slowest paddler up front as the lead paddler since the group will never be traveling faster than the slowest paddler anyways. The slowest paddler is the “bottlenck” and therefore to increase group speed, you need to either work to increase the speed of the slowest paddler (lighten his load, tow the paddler, encourage them, etc.), remove the paddler from the system (if a dangerous crossing requires strong paddling with a certain time window based on tides/currents, a weaker paddler may place an entire group in danger and should therefore not make the crossing), or accept the speed the slowest paddler is establishing and enjoy the scenery.
I’m not sure that putting the slowest paddler up front works either. First they are often not the most knowledgeable which as you mention may be a safety issue in of itself. Also I’d like to encourage them “keep up” so I may think of putting them with another paddler in the middle and assigning someone to the sweep position that can keep the slower person up front of them. And like you said too, sometimes they may not want to be along on the trip.
One place I see this as an issue is often in symposiums where we have group day trips. Although the symposium paperwork says “intermediate” people who really are not up to the trip sign up and there you are. You have to work it out on the water.
This is an interesting and needed discussion. We almost NEVER worry much about group cohesion. I think the only time we’ve ever done that was during a symposium.
Seems to me that a trip leader needs to be designated at the put in or before, and ground rules need to be discussed, assignments given to buddy up, sweep assigned etc.
What do you do when it is not just a point to point cruise, but a play session in surf or at a “feature”?
I’d definitely like to learn more about this and try to help us implement good group strategies down here.
On a surf playing trip over the holiday, we had a group of skilled paddlers and two relatively inexperienced in breaking waves. Three rescues took place (maybe 4) there was a collision resulting in a holed kayak, a highly skilled person missed a roll and needed assistance, and one person left early, un-escorted to the put in because it was too much I assume. We dealt with all situations OK, and had a great time, but I have a feeling things could easily have gone otherwise. We got pretty spread out also. We can do better than that, without causing friction, I believe. But how? Simple communication?
Thomas
Hey Thomas,
That’s right. Surf sessions can be a bear too. One rescue I was involved in was distinctly because part of the group went off to paddle, another part stayed to play so it was easy to lose track of those “in the middle” since no one was sure who went where. Remembering that good paddlers can get in trouble too. (some would say they are MORE apt to get in trouble) is also important. . And escorting paddlers back if they leave the group. . yeah, there’s lots of situations like that.
I think you are right that IF you’re in some kind of defined group you should gather at the beach and lay down some basic rules. This is a good time for a gear check as well. (pfds, pumps, spares, radios, etc.,). A group gear check is not a bad thing. I think often the problem is that in informal groups no one knows who should take the lead roll or that no one feels comfortable enough to get the discussion going. First one to stand up is usually the first to get whacked down! You know what I do sometimes. . I’ll go up to the person with the most experience or the one I percieve as the defacto leader and ask them privately what they think about having a group meeting. That way I don’t step on toes and usually they will get the ball rolling. If they don’t see the need they’ll just think I’m dumb and we’re no worse for the wear!
You’re lucky you’ve got Mr. Uber Kayaker right there too!! Let him take the heat!!
gee, somehow I became Annonymous!! Cool!
From my perspective ‘students’ aren’t often a problem – a clear statement of ‘the ground rules’ on the beach should sort out any potential poo traps. On the water – there’s no text book answer – sometimes you HAVE to be at the front, often the best place is a 3/4 flank position, sometimes you are a sweep accompanying tail-end charlie. A good wingman (or woman) is invaluable. However, peer groups – nightmare! Everyone is likely at an even paddling ability, but temperament varies widely. As I get older, I know that getting worked and trashed (and bounced and broken!) hurts – but the young guns (both sexes) live for that. Perhaps the secret is agreeing the point at which the group becomes pods – and then each pod has to look after its own. If in a led group I get a runner (despite the beach brief), I’m not blowing a fuse to go get them – the greatest good for the greatest number dictates that I look after those that most need it. I might well however have a personality driven tete-a-tete on the beach afterwards!! Perhaps its been too deeply ingrained, but I now can’t truly relax on most paddling trips – I find myself automatically counting heads and tracking bodies! As a result, solo paddling or going out with just one other partner is definitely more fun and less stressful!! As an aside, its always amusing/frustrating to deal with the person who is ‘intermediate’ because ‘I did the basic class yesterday’! Aargh! As our PM said ‘education, education, education’ – and if that fails there’s always yoga! (or Glenfiddich!!!)
Rowland
To quote Mr. Spock, “The needs of the Many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one”. Yeah let’em swing!! That’s one of our local ITs favorite assessment tricks is to have someone in the water while another paddler just takes off. What a fun way to screw with a new instructor’s head!
I can sure relate to what you’re saying about watching groups. It does get so in grained with coaching instruction and teaching classes etc., You’re always watching heads and it’s hard not to when you’re out on a leisure paddle. You can’t just “shut off”. So you either paddle solo, with just a couple friends or with people you could care less about!!!
What’s worse than the one class intermediate is the expert in the $300 Pelican! Now there’s a 12 year old scotch moment. . . (Remember, Drink Responsibly. . . .A LOT!)
Great post, Derrick — and the comment thread is really valuable. Your observation about the person way out in front who ‘doesn’t care if I lived or died’ brought back painful memories of times when I’ve felt like that in the same situation.
Hey! Thanks,
Yeah it’s great to have so many talented people around to share their thoughts.
Derrick said, “You can’t just “shut off”. So you either paddle solo, with just a couple friends or with people you could care less about!!!” So, when we paddle together, (which we should do more of, depending on your answer) which of these categories do I fit into?
Curious minds (well at least mine) want to know.
Cheers Mate!!! (I think)
Dick and I haven’t let you drown yet!
How’s that for non-committal?
True, but you haven’t had to rescue my sorry ass either! So, can I count on you if I need you, or are you going to pop my day hatch and make off with my flask os single malt 12 year old scotch, looking back and yelling “Cheers Mate!” as yous two paddle off into the sunset?
Well, you might as well put your fingers in your back pockets now. Since you trained both of us, your A## is in your hands.
Glad I did a good job!!!!!