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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.
(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.
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.