Difference between revisions of "Planning trips"

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Assorted information and links that may be of use when [[planning trips]].
 
Assorted information and links that may be of use when [[planning trips]].
  
Your main resource when planning a trip is fellow club members.
+
Remember that your main resource when planning a trip is fellow club members.
Check the previous [[club trips]] and contact whoever went on something similar.
+
;Check the previous [[club trips]] and contact people who went on something similar.
 +
;Sorry if much of the following seems rather obvious. Trips still have problems because the obvious is not actually done.
  
 
+
The main steps are generally:
{{stub}}
+
* Decide that there '''will''' be a trip
 +
** Do not underestimate the importance of this step. Many trips never progress beyond the ''good idea'' stage.
 +
* Decide what level of experience the trip should need.
 +
** Is the trip is for [[BCU Four Star|4 star]] paddlers or for [[BCU One Star|1 star]] paddlers who will use it to qualify for a [[BCU Two Star|2 star]]?
 +
* Agree who is the Trip Coordinator
 +
** The Trip Coordinator is not the Leader. The Leader leads the paddling. The Coordinator makes lists and does not even have to go on the trip.
 +
** This is the point at which many trips fail. There can only be '''one''' Trip Coordinator. They can, of course delegate a lot of the actual tasks and expect a lot of help from the other trip members, but in the end they must be the single point where all the information is collected and checked.
 +
** The Trip Coordinator needs to be very explicit when delegating tasks.
 +
* Decide when you are going and who is going
 +
** The classic chicken and egg issue. Accept in advance that there will always be somebody who cannot manage the chosen date. Allocate a solid cut-off date for making this decision.
 +
** This is another point where trips can fail. It is generally wise to agree a date that is in the future. Also, far enough in the future for things to be organised in time!
 +
* Ensure that you have a suitable Leader. For example
 +
** If the trip is for [[BCU Four Star|4 star]] paddlers, it is reasonable to assume that they will not need a more qualified Leader. They may, however, hire an external coach to teach as part of the trip. Note that for trips like this, most people probably have their own boats and kit.
 +
** If the trip is for [[BCU One Star|1 star]] paddlers who will use it to qualify for a [[BCU Two Star|2 star]], then the trip needs a suitably qualified Leader to lead and oversee the paddling itself. For trips like this, people generally want to borrow club boats and most kit.
 +
** When seeking a Leader - be very explicit. Ask them if they would lead the trip. Do not ask them if they would like to go on the trip.
 +
* Decide where you are going
 +
** This will depend on why the trip is happening and who is going.
 +
** This will also depend on the many transport issues.
 +
* Decide what you are paddling
 +
** A river trip may include a mixture of kayaks and open boats.
 +
** A sea trip generally needs sea kayaks.
 +
* Decide what other kit you will need
 +
** Break this down into paddling kit, personal kit and group kit.
 +
** Paddling kit could include boats, paddles, buoyancy aids, helmets, individual safety kit etc
 +
** Personal kit could include base layers, thermals, cags, shoes, extra "bank" or "street" clothing, extra paddling clothes, food, drink, money, tents, camping gear etc.
 +
** Group kit could include licenses, access permissions, maps, first aid kits, repair kits, spare paddles, group shelters, shared safety kit, barbecue etc.
 +
** Check early that you can borrow enough club kit.
 +
** Remember that some of the "club kit" actually belongs to [[SBOAC]] and SBOAC may have other plans for the kit on your chosen date.
 +
* Decide how to get it there
 +
** Does the group have enough cars with roof racks?
 +
** Remember that you are transporting boats, people and kit. They need not all travel in the same way, via the same route or at the same time.
 +
** Remember that kit is bulky.
 +
* Buy or print maps of the water, access points and parking.
 +
* Start back at the top of this list and check everything.
 +
** Has anybody changed their minds?
 +
** Is everybody still healthy?
 +
** Can everybody still manage the chosen date?
 +
** Is all the kit you need still available?
 +
** Is all the kit you need still healthy?
 +
** Have the weather conditions changed?
 +
** Have conditions at your chosen venue changed?
 +
** Repeat as needed.
  
 
==More==
 
==More==

Revision as of 15:18, 2 November 2009

Assorted information and links that may be of use when planning trips.

Remember that your main resource when planning a trip is fellow club members.

Check the previous club trips and contact people who went on something similar.
Sorry if much of the following seems rather obvious. Trips still have problems because the obvious is not actually done.

The main steps are generally:

  • Decide that there will be a trip
    • Do not underestimate the importance of this step. Many trips never progress beyond the good idea stage.
  • Decide what level of experience the trip should need.
    • Is the trip is for 4 star paddlers or for 1 star paddlers who will use it to qualify for a 2 star?
  • Agree who is the Trip Coordinator
    • The Trip Coordinator is not the Leader. The Leader leads the paddling. The Coordinator makes lists and does not even have to go on the trip.
    • This is the point at which many trips fail. There can only be one Trip Coordinator. They can, of course delegate a lot of the actual tasks and expect a lot of help from the other trip members, but in the end they must be the single point where all the information is collected and checked.
    • The Trip Coordinator needs to be very explicit when delegating tasks.
  • Decide when you are going and who is going
    • The classic chicken and egg issue. Accept in advance that there will always be somebody who cannot manage the chosen date. Allocate a solid cut-off date for making this decision.
    • This is another point where trips can fail. It is generally wise to agree a date that is in the future. Also, far enough in the future for things to be organised in time!
  • Ensure that you have a suitable Leader. For example
    • If the trip is for 4 star paddlers, it is reasonable to assume that they will not need a more qualified Leader. They may, however, hire an external coach to teach as part of the trip. Note that for trips like this, most people probably have their own boats and kit.
    • If the trip is for 1 star paddlers who will use it to qualify for a 2 star, then the trip needs a suitably qualified Leader to lead and oversee the paddling itself. For trips like this, people generally want to borrow club boats and most kit.
    • When seeking a Leader - be very explicit. Ask them if they would lead the trip. Do not ask them if they would like to go on the trip.
  • Decide where you are going
    • This will depend on why the trip is happening and who is going.
    • This will also depend on the many transport issues.
  • Decide what you are paddling
    • A river trip may include a mixture of kayaks and open boats.
    • A sea trip generally needs sea kayaks.
  • Decide what other kit you will need
    • Break this down into paddling kit, personal kit and group kit.
    • Paddling kit could include boats, paddles, buoyancy aids, helmets, individual safety kit etc
    • Personal kit could include base layers, thermals, cags, shoes, extra "bank" or "street" clothing, extra paddling clothes, food, drink, money, tents, camping gear etc.
    • Group kit could include licenses, access permissions, maps, first aid kits, repair kits, spare paddles, group shelters, shared safety kit, barbecue etc.
    • Check early that you can borrow enough club kit.
    • Remember that some of the "club kit" actually belongs to SBOAC and SBOAC may have other plans for the kit on your chosen date.
  • Decide how to get it there
    • Does the group have enough cars with roof racks?
    • Remember that you are transporting boats, people and kit. They need not all travel in the same way, via the same route or at the same time.
    • Remember that kit is bulky.
  • Buy or print maps of the water, access points and parking.
  • Start back at the top of this list and check everything.
    • Has anybody changed their minds?
    • Is everybody still healthy?
    • Can everybody still manage the chosen date?
    • Is all the kit you need still available?
    • Is all the kit you need still healthy?
    • Have the weather conditions changed?
    • Have conditions at your chosen venue changed?
    • Repeat as needed.

More