CLUB PADDLES – What you need to know before you go!
• A Club Paddle is an event that is sanctioned and organized by members of the Comox Valley Paddler’s Club. It is open to both kayakers and canoeists (no paddle boarders). Information about these paddles is always shared on the club’s website,comoxvalleypaddlers.ca , and Facebook page.
• The Trip coordinator is not an instructor, or a guide and does not assume responsibility for the skill levels of trip participants.
• Club Paddles do not usually, but may include multiday trips.
• Club Paddles will always have a club member(s) acting as Trip Coordinator(s). They plan the route and choose the date and time of the paddle. The Trip Coordinator(s) will have the final say on whether a paddle will be held. Their instructions must be followed.
• Each Club Paddle will be rated (on a scale of 1-5). It is up each participant to decide if the trip is right for them.
• You do not have to pre-register to participate in a Club Paddle.
• Each Club Paddle participant is expected to arrive at the launch site early enough to allow time to put kayaks/canoes (yours and possibly help with others) in the water, get gear on and be ready to depart at the stated “paddles in the water” time.
• Prior to departure, there will be an on-shore briefing outlining the trip details, such as distance and estimated times. The Trip Coordinator may also ask for assistance from other participating paddlers. For example, another paddler may be asked to act as the sweep (paddler at the very back of the group to make sure no one is left behind).
• Best practice, although not a requirement, is that both the paddler who will lead (most often the Trip Coordinator), and the sweep (who has volunteered), use marine radios for communication.
• Club Paddles with a large number of participants may choose to split into two groups, each with a designated leader. This is at the sole discretion of the Trip Coordinator(s). This is to insure a manageable number of paddlers in each group. If there are two Trip Coordinators, each will lead a group. If there is only one Trip Coordinator, they will ask another paddler to act as lead for the second group. A sweep would be assigned within each group.
• Each Club Paddle participant must sign a release form (available at the start of the paddle).
• Club Paddle participants WILL BE COVERED by the Club’s Insurance.
• Guests are welcome, but must sign the Non-Member-Release Form and pay $10 each to cover their insurance for the paddle. Pets are not allowed on Club Paddles.
• Club Paddle participants are expected to bring a kayak or canoe and all required equipment to outfit themselves including paddles, a PFD, bailer, and throw rope.
• The Trip Coordinator(s) reserve the right to refuse participation in a Club Paddle to any person (member or non-member) they feel has come unprepared or who is unwilling to follow the guidelines outlined for the paddle.
• If a Club Paddle participant wants to leave early, or otherwise deviate from the agreed upon route, they MUST get permission from the Trip Coordinator.
• Club Paddles may be cancelled on, or before, the day of launch due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. The Trip Coordinators will do their utmost to insure everyone is informed, however it is up to each member to check both the Facebook Page and the Club Paddles/Trip List at comoxvalleypaddlers.ca prior to departing for the launch site.
• In the event that a Trip Co-ordinator cancels a Club Paddle at any time prior to launch, and any number of paddlers choose to continue with the paddle, the paddle is now a Peer Paddle. Peer Paddles ARE NOT COVERED by the Club’s Insurance whether or not
a waiver has previously been signed.
• A post-trip report for Club Paddles will be filed by the Trip Coordinator(s).
Please Note:
For further information on Club Paddles please see Annexes A – G in our Policies and Procedures Manual which can be accessed via a clickable link on the Membership Page.
PEER PADDLES – What you need to know before you go!
• Peer Paddles are chances for club members to explore other paddling opportunities.
• Peer Paddles ARE NOT COVERED by the Comox Valley Paddlers Club insurance.
• Members are welcomed to post information about upcoming Peer Paddles on the ComoxValley Paddlers Club Facebook page.
Please Note:
For Further information on Peer Paddles please see 4.1.4 Peer Paddles in our Policies and Procedures Manual which can be accessed via a clickable link on the Membership Page.