How to be prepared for a Paddle Event
- Look forward to having a great day on the water.
- Dress for the activity:
- Your feet will most likely get wet. Water shoes, Teva’s, Crocs, etc. are good choices. If you don’t have anything of this type you should wear footwear that you don’t mind getting wet. o Wear as little cotton clothing as possible. It is very hard to dry cotton clothing when it gets wet. It also provides no warmth once it is wet (think hypothermia, even in mid-summer). Cotton clothing also gets heavy when wet and makes re-entering your boat from deep water difficult. Fleece and other synthetics will dry more quickly and provides some warmth even after they have become wet. Don’t go out and buy a new wardrobe but wear as little cotton as you can.
- Bring a dry change of clothes. We seldom have people get wet but it is definitely nice to have dry clothes if you should get wet. A dry bag is the best way to keep these extra clothes dry during the trip but a tightly closed plastic bag, with no holes, will work fine.
- If you have a Personal Floatation Device (life jacket) that fits you snuggly, you should bring it with you. The club requires that anyone going on a FFOFC paddling trip must wear a PFD. While the FFOFC owns a few PFDs, the selection is limited and it is sometimes difficult to get a proper fit. If you plan to use a FFOFC PFD you should let the trip leader know that you will need to use a club PFD. It is very important that the PFD be worn tightly. In the unlikely chance of ending up in the water, a loose fitting PDF will not support you properly and it will make recovery (getting back in the boat or getting back to shore) more difficult.
- Your feet will most likely get wet. Water shoes, Teva’s, Crocs, etc. are good choices. If you don’t have anything of this type you should wear footwear that you don’t mind getting wet. o Wear as little cotton clothing as possible. It is very hard to dry cotton clothing when it gets wet. It also provides no warmth once it is wet (think hypothermia, even in mid-summer). Cotton clothing also gets heavy when wet and makes re-entering your boat from deep water difficult. Fleece and other synthetics will dry more quickly and provides some warmth even after they have become wet. Don’t go out and buy a new wardrobe but wear as little cotton as you can.
- Some of the FFOFC trips involve up to three hours of paddling before there is an on-shore break. There is not much room in a kayak or canoe to get up and stretch your legs so you should select trips that are within your ability to sit and paddle for the full time between breaks. It is always possible to explore the possibility of a shorter version of the trip with the trip leader.
- Most problems occur when we are getting into and getting out of the kayaks or canoes. These are times when you should be especially careful and be sure to ask the trip leader if you need help.
- If you have little or no kayaking or canoeing experience let the trip leader know that you need a little extra help. Kayaking and canoeing with FFOF does not require many skills but the trip leader can help you with basic skills that will allow you to have enjoyable trip.
- Sun screen should be used because the direct sun and its reflection off the water can cook you like a chicken on a spit. Biting insects can sometimes be a problem on shore but they tend to be less of a problem once we are on the water. If you are unsure about the need for insect repellant, talk to the trip leader. Effective August 14, 2013
- Bring something to drink. Bottled water fastens nicely under the bungee cords on the decks of the kayaks. Some folks also enjoy bringing a snack to enjoy along the way. Longer trips often involve a lunch break on shore. Food should be sealed in a waterproof bag or container (soggy sandwiches are the pits). Small (≈ 12”x 8”x 5” or smaller) soft side coolers can also be nice on warm days. Always plan to pack out what you pack in.
- Helping with unloading and loading boats and equipment at the paddle site will help you understand the equipment better and will allow all of us to spend more time on the water and less time preparing for and finishing a paddle.
- Go at a pace that is comfortable for you. If you find the trip is more taxing than you expected, let the leader know and in most cases the leader will find a way to shorten the trip for you. We want these trips to be fun, not an ordeal.
- All trips are subject to last minute changes due to weather conditions. In most cases the trip will be rescheduled for another day but there have been some cases in the past when the trip was cancelled rather than rescheduled.
- If weather or water conditions deteriorate during the paddle, the trip will be cancelled if possible. The club’s objective is for all of us to have a fun and safe paddling experience.
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