These are guidelines and each paddler has to take responsibility for his or her own accessment of conditions and potental conditions when deciding whether to start on a paddle. As a club we are required to have certain guidelines (like wearing your PFD) by the ACA and their insurance company, but we feel strongly that we must promote safety and training as much as possible. Too many paddlers are simply not aware of the dangers involved, particularly for open water paddling.

Remember that a high percentage of people who have gotten in serious trouble paddling started in conditions they were comfortable with and did not pay attention to changing conditions until it was too late to avoid trouble.

Trip Ratings & Skill Levels

Level 1

No previous paddling experience necessary.

These trips are generally limited to club sponsored rescue and skill sessions, trips on very sheltered waters with access to shore, or trips on gentle rivers with few hazards. In all cases, both air and water temperatures should be over fifty degrees.

Level 1 trips and classes are designed to help new paddlers learn to control their boats and develop the skills necessary to participate in more advanced trips. All paddle craft and skill levels are welcome.

Level 2

Participants are expected to be able to control their boats, have a working knowledge of basic paddle strokes and braces, and be able to perform a wet exit. Participants are expected to wear clothing appropriate for the weather and water temperatures. They are also expected to carry a change of clothing in a waterproof bag (or hatch) if the air temperature is below sixty degrees. Note: If the air and water temperatures are both below fifty degrees, the trip cannot be considered a beginner trip.

Open Water Trips

(A trip where participants are likely to be more than 200 feet from shore) Paddlers should be able to perform a self rescue and an assisted rescue. They must be able to control their boat in 10 knot winds, in 1 - 2 ft. waves, and be able to paddle for one or two hours without leaving their boat for a rest. Trip participants must be able to judge whether they are capable of maintaining a 2, 3, or 4 mph pace, and only sign up for trips that are within their capabilities.

River Trips

Beginner river trips are held on rivers with a low to moderate current (3 mph or less) with few hazards. (These would include most stretches of the Manistee and Boardman Rivers.) However, even a moderate current can present difficulties and participants must understand the effects of current on their boat. They should be able to paddle back upstream for a short distance, from both a forward or backward orientation. All equipment (with the exception of the paddle) must be secured to the boat and all boats must have a rope of 5 -15 ft. tied to the bow.

Level 3

All level 3 participants should have all level 2 skills plus have developed stroke and bracing skills that allow them to control their boats in difficult conditions. They must be able to judge weather and water conditions and know what dangers they present.

Open Water Trips

Participants must be proficient with both paddle float and assisted rescues in windy and wavy conditions. They should be comfortable paddling 10 - 15 miles in 10 -15 knot winds with 2 - 3 foot waves.

River trips

These include rivers with swift current (3 - 6 mph) with obstacles like downed trees that can present significant danger to paddlers. Paddlers must be able to stop the forward progress of their boat while in a swift current, be able to back up and slide right or left to find a safe resting place. (This is commonly referred to as a back ferry). Paddlers should know how to avoid obstacles by using a combination of draw and pry strokes. They are expected to participate in rescues including using a throw bag to retrieve swimmers, and maneuver in current to retrieve equipment.

Level 4

All level 4 participants must have all level 3 skills plus very strong paddling, bracing, and rescue skills.

Open Water

Participants must be comfortable paddling in waves over three feet and winds up to 30 knots. They should have practiced group and self rescue techniques in rough conditions and developed a reliable roll. They should have a good working knowledge of local weather and water conditions, and should be capable navigators.

River Trips

Although there is no real whitewater near the Traverse City area, paddling a stream like the Sturgeon or Pine in high water with cold weather requires advanced whitewater skills. Paddlers must have practiced ferries, eddy turns, swimming, and rescues in swift water (6 - 10 mph). Everyone must be dressed for immersion in cold water, carry throw bags, and work as a team as the group moves down the river.

General Recommendations, Regardless Of Venue

Participants

• Boat that you can control, with paddle
• Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) with Coast Guard approved whistle (PFD must be worn at all times while on the water)
• Proper clothing for air and water temperatures
  • Layers of non-cotton clothing suitable for immersion and appropriate to the conditions. (If the water temperature is below 50 degrees or combined air/water temperature is below 120 degrees, then each participant should be wearing a wet suit or dry suit. On the other hand, if both the air and water temperatures are over 70, anything is okay.)
  • Secure water-friendly footwear, without straps that might cause entrapment if tangled with foot pegs
  • Wind/Spray/Rain jacket (not necessarily worn, but available)
  • Hat (either for sun protection, or for additional warmth)
• Full change of paddling clothes (non-cotton) in a dry bag (not applicable if wearing dry suit, or if it's "swimming weather")
• Food /snacks and drinking water
• Sunglasses and sunscreen