Planning trips

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 steps may not proceed in the order stated below.
  • The answer to a question in one step may force the re-evaluation of a previous step.

Steps

• 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 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.
  • There can only be one Trip Coordinator. Believe this.
  • The Trip Coordinator needs to be very explicit when delegating tasks.
  • The Trip Coordinator will probably need a working knowledge of Excel and a sense of humour.
• 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
  • 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.
  • Ask the Leader if they would need any Helpers, if so how many and what is the maximum size of the group.
• Decide where you are going
  • This will depend on why the trip is happening, who is going and the views of the Leader.
  • 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 Shadwell Basin and they may have other plans for the kit on your chosen date.
  • Be sure to book the club kit as early as possible. Other groups may be planning trips too.
  • Be sure to review your personal kit as early as possible. Buying kit on-line is cheaper, but may take longer than a last-minute visit to a shop.
• Decide how to transport everything there
  • Does the group have enough cars with roof racks?
  • Does anybody have a car with a tow bar?
  • Can anybody hire a van?
  • 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. A car with 4 seats may only be big enough for 3 people with all their kit.
• 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? It is wise to check your boats before you go to collect them.
  • Have the weather conditions changed?
  • Have conditions at your chosen venue changed?
  • Repeat as needed.

More

• Suggested Trip Locations
• Club equipment
• How big is a kayak
• How big is a van
• Policy for the cost of transport on Club trips