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Team River Runner Trip Leader

Team River Runner Trip Leader. OuttaSight Guide Leadership Program. What is a Trip Leader?. A better term is a Trip Coordinator Plan and post the event Interview participants Plan transportation logistics Keep things moving Everyone is responsible for themselves

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Team River Runner Trip Leader

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  1. Team River RunnerTrip Leader OuttaSight Guide Leadership Program

  2. What is a Trip Leader? • A better term is a Trip Coordinator • Plan and post the event • Interview participants • Plan transportation logistics • Keep things moving • Everyone is responsible for themselves • Remember, this is supposed to be FUN for you too!

  3. Traits of a good trip leader • Trip leaders are great organizers • Great Trip Leaders recruit great assistants – TRR has plenty of these • Trip Leaders try not to tackle every task • Organizing • Scouting • Safety • ETC!

  4. Traits of a good trip leader • Trip Leaders aren’t afraid to ask for help • They learn from other seasoned trip leaders • They aren’t afraid to experiment • Children and family trips • Cool destinations often have great paddling • Hiking in the middle of the trip on islands, trails, and so forth

  5. Trip Selection Guidelines • Consider the time of the year • Spring & Fall are generally the wettest months with most comfortable temperatures • In the summer you may need to head to larger rivers, lakes, etc., but it’ll be HOT! • Winter trips require cold weather precautions and specialized gear

  6. Trip Selection Guidelines • Initially, pick something familiar • If you’re running rivers, know the Whitewater Safety Code and Rapid Classification system • Class 1: Easy/Novice • Class 2: Beginner • Class 3: Intermediate • Class 4: Advanced • Class 5: Expert • Class 6: Extreme • Lead trips that are one class BELOW your own comfort level!

  7. Transportation • Determine put-in and take-out locations • Leave and arrive on time! • Make sure everyone in the convoy has communications (traffic jams and accidents) • DO NOT text and drive – let your copilot do that.

  8. Transportation • Consider intermediate take-outs • Consider carpooling, saves gas and is safer • Hand Radios and/or cell phones for long trips • GPS, Google Maps, or similar apps are very useful • Determine if everyone will meet at the Put-in or at Take-out

  9. The Shuttle • Try to maintain your schedule • Everyone needs to do a gear check BEFORE the shuttle leaves! • Don’t forget snacks and water for AFTER the run…make sure these end up in the cars at the takeout. • Dry clothes and shoes need to be at the takeout. • Consider a shuttle service if available

  10. Trip/Group Gear • On every trip, someone should carry a basic first aid kit • An extra break-down paddle is often a great idea • Cell phone in a waterproof case • Waterproof watch • Basic repair kit (duct tape, multi-driver tool, 20-30 feet of 550 cord, etc.) • Keep it simple

  11. Time Management • Establish a rough schedule • On rivers, a rough rule of thumb is 2 MPH and an hour for lunch • On flat water, set your schedule based on your slowest paddler • Monitor your progress using landmarks and your waterproof watch • Your Lead Boater sets the pace – your Sweep Boater enforces this pace

  12. Time Management • Keep slower paddlers near the front, don’t let them fall behind • Pair experienced paddlers with the newer ones • Take advantage of scouting from the boat in easier whitewater – it will speed your trip up • Be mindful of when the sun sets • Paddlers with low vision will have decreased visual acuity in low light or when paddling into the sun

  13. Plan B • Sometimes you will have too much rain • Sometimes not enough • Monitor river levels and forecasts • Calling off a trip • Whenever you feel it is no longer safe • Insufficient safety boaters (minimum of three)

  14. Flat Water Trips • Consider water currents and wind direction – resistance leg first • Tide planning can be crucial • Trip leaders should be familiar with deep water rescue techniques – Practice!

  15. Flat Water Safety • Special Gear: • Boats that track well • Hand pumps • Sound devices • Paddle Floats & Slings • Longer tow line

  16. Flat Water Safety • Boat Traffic, Busy Channels • Use a diamond formation to increase visibility • Don’t dillydally when crossing a busy channel • Stay outside normal shipping lanes • Discuss visual & sound signals at the put in

  17. Novice Trips – Special Considerations • Do an equipment safety check • Helmet fit, use the finger rock test • Decent PFD that fits • Flotation • Proper clothing • Check their Drain Plug throughout the trip • Novices should never wear a sprayskirt unless they’ve demonstrated a wet exit while wearing one!

  18. Novice Trips – Special Considerations • Wait for warmer weather • Ensure adequate experienced boater support • Leaders on water before participants • On whitewater trips, set Safety Boaters below rapids • Consider shorter runs • Intermediate takeouts are very helpful

  19. Wrap-up • Trip Leaders are highly valued by TRR • Trip leading builds leadership and boating skills • Trip leading is the best way to meet other paddlers and long time friends • ANYONE can be a trip leader • Soft copies of this PPT are available on our website: Trip Leader Presentation

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