Paddling, Launching, And Landing  Etiquette

"Leave only paddle strokes"

No trace recreation involves identifying the traces of presence that you may leave behind and eliminating them through creative solutions. Keep in mind the potential impact of the following traces and be sure to minimize them.

Paddling Etiquette

Most of these rules address paddling along the coast or on a tidal river.

Most water trails are used by all types of watercraft, from canoe and kayak to pleasure cruiser to ocean freighter.

Several rules guide river and coastal travel. Primary is the paddle-sail-power right of way hierarchy that gives priority to self-propelled craft, then sail-powered, and finally motorized craft. While this rule is in the paddler’s favor, it is often forgotten. Be cautious when approaching other craft.

Note: This rule does not apply to freighters! (Most tonnage rules) Steer clear of these vessels, and exercise extreme caution.

Stay close to shore. To minimize the hazards associated with other watercraft, stay close to shore and away from the recreational boating and shipping channels

Cross cautiously and quickly. When the need arises to cross a recreational or shipping channel, do so with caution by checking in all directions for approaching vessels. If the crossing is clear, gather the group to cross the channel in a pod so as to minimize the time necessary for the first and last paddler in the group to make the crossing, keeping a brisk paddling pace.

Stay to starboard. If you alter your route in response to an approaching vessel, steer to your right. This is a standard convention that you should assume other vessels will assume in their approach. If both vessels steer to starboard, hazardous collisions will be reduced!

Assist in distress. If you happen to be in the vicinity of another in distress, be quick to respond. Ensure that the scene is safe for you to assist. Use your communication equipment to contact the professional response facilities onshore.

Be mindful of other people you encounter on the water.

If paddling near an island some are private property, please respect their privacy.

Also, remember to respect the privacy of other boaters who may be anchored for the evening in a sheltered bay. Give a wide berth as you paddle the channels.

Launching Etiquette

Due to the increased amount of paddle sports using launch facilities, please double up cars (one in front of the other) in areas where cars and trailers park whenever possible.  This reduces your parking usage to 50%.

In other areas park tight so other launch site users have a spot.  Share the launch sites with others who need much more space than you do.

Park efficiently and launch to the side of launch ramps that are in use whenever possible.

Shove off and fasten your spray skirt on the water if possible to make way for others during group launches and to not hold up any waiting trailer boats.

Please stay out of channels and be aware of boating traffic especially around launch areas.

Paddleboats do not have right of way - it’s your responsibility to stay clear of larger craft.

Please watch wildlife from a distance - do your best to avoid chasing down wildlife - driving animals off their resting sites.

Launching Etiquette Taken From ConnYak Website

Landing  Etiquette

One of the simple pleasures of paddling is the chance to land your vessel and stretch your legs. Paddlers are encouraged to use the "ramp-dock-rock-sand" method for selecting a landing site.

Some water trails do have docks for launching and landing. When space is available, dock landings provide sheltered, predictable egress points where landing poses no impact to a water trail shoreline.

Please do not drag boats on the fragile shorelines.

If it is not feasible to use docks for landing, please be mindful of the impact when landing on shorelines.

Rock (cobble or bedrock) beaches are common and offer landing sites that are more resilient than sand beaches.

Pay close attention to beach flora if you land on sand beaches. Some of the most rare species that inhabit the region grow in beach habitats, and may easily be trampled.

Please ensure that you select an appropriate landing site that is free of vegetation.

Finally, enjoy exploring the wetlands of the river from your vessel, but do not land in marsh shoreline habitats, as these areas are extremely fragile.

Paddling Leave No Trace