Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

Just in case you need another productivity killer as we approach what hopefully will be a very wet winter with lots of chances to get out and hit the creeks:

What would be on your list of 10 Commandments for Paddling? I'll throw out a couple, and give credit where due:

1. Thou shalt bring all the sh#@ you've got (credit to my mentors at ARG)
2. When in doubt, thou shalt scout.

Ye shall carry a throw rope for thine friends unless thine friends forgettith theirs, then ye shall give said friends ye rope so they can save thine buttocks.

Ye shall paddle with others who have a similar definition of "on time".

This is from Eric Soares, one of the original Tsunami Ranger. Eric passed away a few years ago. Great guy.

The group that has supplanted the Tsunami Rangers is the Neptune Rangers. Some good safety and instructional videos on youtube.

http://tsunamirangers.com/2012/01/17/te ... -kayaking/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The four general ideas I've always paid attention to in sea kayaking.

Never Paddle Alone
Stay with your equipment
Know your conditions
Know your limitations

Mark

DON'T FORGET THE BEER!!!-M-

Thou shall keep thine paddle Active

magicmike wrote:DON'T FORGET THE BEER!!!-M-

Or the open boater that is going to carry the beer.

kru

Right on brother! -M-

"But seriously folks". I'd say one of them has to be. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! - M-

Thou shalt catch every eddy, surf every wave, and boof every boofable rock.

or

Thou shalt never judge a man or woman's facial expression directly after a roll.

Thou shalt not load thy boats before checking gauges in the morning lest ye jinx thy fellow paddlers

Do not leave the shuttle vehicle keys at the put in!

Do not take anything on the trip that you can't live without! (Wallet, Purse, Camera, Jewelry)

Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return!

Never boat alone, always have three people. If someone gets hurt there will be someone to stay with them and someone to go for help.

Make sure you have your 5 pieces of gear (boat, paddle, pfd, skirt, helmet) with you at all times, especially before you leave the house but also anytime you change vehicles!

Paddles go inside the truck.

Always look out for your fellow paddlers to make sure they have rip cords outside skirts, pfds on and buckled, helmets, etc.

Know your limits

When in doubt, scout

"Pick up some litter" (St Cowper) Especially at the put in and take out and especially on private property. Always nice when the land owner drives up and you just happen to be picking up litter.

.
If Cap'n Downstream says, "It's a step up," RUN, do not walk, away as fast as you can.

NEVER follow Cowper's line.

If you're at Moore Bridge getting ready to put in and "canoe" tells you you're crazy then leaves to go paddle Hurricane, he's right.

If you're in a paddle boat with Marcell and you can't hear his voice, he either fell out or he's dead (in the latter case ARG has first dibs on his stuff).

They don't call 'em Team Stupid for nuthin.'

If you want beer, bring beer!!

davidbob wrote:.
If Cap'n Downstream says, "It's a step up," RUN, do not walk, away as fast as you can.

.'

Thanks, I'd not thought of that, but VERY true. Also the start to some great stories.