Hosting A Trip Guidelines

Trip hosts are just that, hosts - you are merely making opportunities available people to participate in the sport of kayaking - they are not leaders, or professional, trained guides.

• If you have never hosted a trip, volunteer to co-host a trip with a more experienced host.

• Make sure your skills are adequate for the type of trip/paddle you are planning.

• Plan a trip that you are familiar with and have paddled several times.

• Start small with day trips on the lakes and bays then build up to more difficult paddles, multi-day trips or week-long trips.

• Determine the following information before announcing the trip:

• Date, location and time to meet

• Expected time on the water - paddling distances

• Shuttling needs        

• Trip rating - rate the trip on a "worst case" scenario. See Trip Rating Guidelines 

• Trip paddling speed (slow, moderate, fast)

• Maximum number of participants

• Any costs associated with the trip, ie. camp site fees, launch or parking fees, etc.

• If a multi-day trip, distance to put-in and overnight sleeping arrangements

• Advertising The Trip

• Post the information, well in advance of the trip.

• When paddlers call, use the Trip Participant Screening Questions below to determine if the paddler is suited for the trip. Interview everyone attending.

  • What is your name?

  • What is your phone number?

  • What type of boat do you paddle?

  • Do you have bow and stern floatation?

  • Do you have a spray skirt?

  • Do you have a paddle float?

  • Do you have a bilge pump?

  • Do you have a personal floatation device (PFD)?

  • Do you have cold water gear?

  • How long have you been paddling?

  • Do you know how to wet exit?

  • Do you know how to self rescue?

  • What is your usual paddling distance?

  • What range of conditions have you paddled in?

  • Do you have any medical conditions?

  • What is your swimming ability?

  • Fill out Paddling Trip Planning Sheet 

• For multi-day trips, prepare an itinerary packet that includes all pertinent information about the trip.

• Supply and request that all participants fill out and have the wavier signed and ready on the day of the paddle.

  • Make sure that they carefully read and understand the contents of the waiver before they sign.

• Check weather and ocean conditions.

  • If conditions are doubtful, make a contingency plan and let paddlers know of the change when they call.

  • If conditions are expected to be severe, contact your paddlers and notify them of a cancellation.

Prepare a float plan. Give the float plan to a responsible person or family member. If you do not return on time, the family member or responsible person should contact the Coast Guard or Park Service. See "Float Plan" form .

• There must be a minimum of three people on a paddling trip.

• Arrive at the put-in early. That way, paddlers can bring you their waivers as they arrive.

• Assign a co-host to collect all waivers, including your own.

  • After the paddle file the waivers and hold on to them for one year.

• Review the paddle plan with participants prior to the paddle.

• Review any signals that may be used and let the paddlers know where rest and lunch stops may be along the way.

• Announce to the group who the lead and sweep paddlers/boats are.

  • For long distance or strenuous paddles or at the host's discretion, appoint lead and sweep boats. If possible, do this before the paddle.

  • For difficult or surf launches, determine, with the lead boat/paddler where everyone will rendezvous once they get through the surf zone.

• Let the group know to paddle to the lead person/boat.

  • Launch the lead person first and help less experienced paddlers launch.

  • Make sure the lead person waits for all paddlers to meet at the rendezvous point and when everyone is ready and rested, begin the paddle.

• If the group is larger than ten, consider dividing into two smaller groups.

  • One group for the faster paddlers, one for the more leisurely paddlers.

• Have the group stay within "hearing" distance of each other and if possible have them stay within small groups of two - three.

• The distance between paddlers may vary.

  • Farther apart if conditions are benign, closer together if conditions worsen.

• Check the seaworthiness of all craft.

  • If any participant lacks the appropriate safety equipment or does not have a seaworthy craft, ask them to remain behind.

• You should modify the plan if ocean or weather conditions change.

• Assist trip guests in any appropriate manner.