River Rescue Paddle
Mark Orzel
of Paddling Dynamics has been running Paddle Canada Moving Water Safety and
Rescue Clinics over the last few seasons. The curriculum is flexible and
provides great foundation for canoe trippers and river runners. For groups such
as Venturers, he will try to bring the role of the trip leader and trip
planning into play.
There will be a maximum of 12
on this course. If there are between 4
and 6 participants, there will be one instructor. if there are between
7 and 12 participants, there will be two instructors. Having two instructors definitely improves
the flow of the clinic and allows for more interesting scenarios as well as
more control of the group in such a dynamic environment. The clinic will take place at Palmer Rapids
and camping will be at Paddler Co-op.
All rescue gear required on
course will be provided (ropes, throwbags, hardware). Participants should bring their own PFD's and helmets, although he does have a supply for those
who do not have their own. June 3/4
could be warm and balmy or cool and miserable. Regardless this is a 'wet'course with lots of wading swimming and working in and
around the river, rain or shine, so thermal protection (wet suit or dry suit)
is definitely something participants should bring.
This course involves some work
in boats so there would need to be a tandem boat for every two participants.
These should be set up for WW paddling definitely with flotation and preferably
with thigh straps. Participants could bring their own boats or rent them
through him. The rental rates for this
year are $50 per canoe for the two days. Note, one
can't rent half a canoe, so make a deal with another participant to share the
rental cost.
The instruction cost of this
clinic is set at $125 per person. Please
note that the cost is dependant on the number of participants, so an adjustment
might be required if there are only 4.
The clinic will not run for fewer than 4.
WHAT TO BRING
All camping
gear and food.
Drinking
water. There is running water on
site at Paddler Co-op.
An approved PFD, whistle,
paddle, and seat in a canoe for each person - these may be rented from Paddlling Dynamics by prior arrangement, if desired.
One helmet
per person. Wearing of these will
be mandatory, and bike helmets are not permitted.
Bug juice. Bug jackets are an environmentally-friendly
alternative. Black files and mosquitoes can be quite bad at this time of year.
Sunscreen
and sunglasses.
Glasses strap.
A water
bottle and gorp (snacks). Keep these small items in a day pack tied to a
thwart.
A wet suit or dry suit is
necessary for this clinic. Contact Paddler Co-op or
any outfitter in town to rent.
Old sneakers or aqua socks
are great for wading in the river; wet feet are a given. Open-toed footwear is
not allowed.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The main thing is that you
will get WET. You will be in the water a
lot.