Connecticut Water Trails Association

 

Table Of Contents

Connecticut Water Trails

Basic Concepts

Paddling Resources

Canoeing

Canoe Camping

Kayaking Basics

Planning A Paddling Trip
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Connecticut Water Trails Program

Paddling Basics

Planning A Paddling Trip

 

General Planning: Choosing A Specific Route

 

The most important step in planning any paddling trip is choosing an appropriate route to follow.

The route you choose will define (to a large degree) the challenges you face, the obstacles you encounter and the wilderness experiences you enjoy along the way

 

Start With A Good Trip Distance

 

Once you've decided on a paddling group and established everyone's skill level, the next step in planning a trip is to decide how long you want your paddling route to be.

  • Start by figuring out how much actual paddle time you'll have,

  • Based on the number of days you have available for the trip

    • Is it a one day paddling trip ?

    • Is it a paddling overnight trip ?

  • How far from home you want to travel to get to your put-in point.

 

A General Estimate

 

Estimating how far your group will want to paddle each day can be tricky.

There are a number of factors that can affect how fast a paddling group can travel, including:

  • The type of water being paddled (fast river vs. flat water, for example)

  • The experience levels of the paddlers

  • Wind, water, and weather conditions

  • The types of boats being paddled

  • The overall length of the trip

 

One of the most common mistakes made by novice paddlers is trying to cover too much distance.

Overly-aggressive plans typically result in long paddle days, sore muscles, bad moods and missed opportunities along the way.

As a rough estimate, plan on traveling no more than

  • Two or three miles per day in good conditions on flat water for beginners;

    • Slightly more when following a current or a wind

    • Considerably less in adverse conditions.

  • Be sure to keep track of your progress during your first several trips, so you can adjust your distance estimates based on actual experience.

 

Don't Forget The Fun Stuff!

 

Remember that there's more to paddling than simply paddling all day.

Make sure your daily distance estimates include plenty of time off for resting, exploring, sightseeing and other non-paddling activities.

Also consider factors that might slow your group down like bad weather, equipment breakdowns, injuries or illnesses.

Finally, keep in mind as you plan your trip route that your group is only as fast as its slowest member.

To improve your cruising speed:

  • Team inexperienced paddlers with more seasoned group members

  • Team stronger paddlers with weaker ones

  • Switch up boat teams every now and then for fresh conversation and a change of pace

  • Remember to rest - going full out day after day will be slower in the long run than taking occasional breaks to rest and recuperate

 

What To Look For When Researching Your Trip

 

When the time comes to start researching possible paddling routes, keep your eyes open for the following route features:

 

Natural Hazards

 

  • These include obstacles like river rapids, long stretches of exposed water and potentially dangerous land formations (bottleneck canyons, steep-walled valleys).

  • Avoid natural route hazards as much as possible, and make sure everyone in your group can handle the ones that are part of your route.

 

Man-Made Obstacles

 

  • Man-made obstacles include things like dams, low bridges and off-limits areas (wildlife refuges, private property).

  • Evaluate these obstacles carefully as you plan, and make sure your group can get around (or though) them safely.

  • Accessible landing and launching areas

  • Plan routes with easily accessible landing and launching zones.

  • These zones should be easy to reach from both the land and the water, and they should be well spaced throughout the route (in case wind/weather/water conditions force you to seek shelter).

  • Do you need to get any land owner permission

 

Nearby Attractions And Side Trips

 

  • Exciting non-paddling activities can be a major part of memorable paddling adventures.

  • Keep your eyes open for route-side attractions like hiking trails, hidden beaches, beautiful views and more.

 

If It Is An Overnight Trip - Established Campsites

 

  • Established campsites make camping easier and help you keep your impact to a minimum.

  • Plan your routes to take advantage of them when you can (in some popular paddling areas, paddlers are required to use established sites).

  • When planning a route through an area without established campsites, make sure there are safe, accessible locations throughout the route for setting up camp.

  • Contact the group running the camping facility to find out about permits and fees.

 

Established Portage Routes

 

  • Portage routes are pathways that allow paddlers to bypass difficult stretches of water and/or travel from one body of water to another.

  • They're usually found on river or lake routes, but they can be found along the coast as well. Long portage routes can be difficult, especially if the terrain is tough or your boats and gear are heavy.

  • If you're paddling with beginners, try to avoid portages as much as possible.

  • If you have to use them, check to make sure they are well-marked and well maintained.

  • NOTE: If you are leading a group of experienced paddlers you may want to include a few tough portages in your routes on purpose, so you can enjoy less crowded waters.

 

Distance To "Civilization"

 

  • The further away your route is from civilization, the more skilled and self-sufficient you and your paddling partners will have to be. If you're just starting out, stick close to home or other civilization, just in case.

 

 

Planning Out A Paddling Trip Math

 

Next You Need To Develop The Float Plan ………

 

 

 


Please Send Feedback To Connecticut Water Trails Association

© 2010 Connecticut Water Trails Association