On any OSSCC canoe trip, ultimate responsibility for safety lies with the individual. The Trip Organizer may discourage a member or guest from going on a trip (i.e. a person who has not taken the intermediate training should not go on advanced trips) if they do not have the skills, training or stamina required. However, participants are solely responsible for their own health and safety as per signed waiver.
On each outing there should be two trip organizers sharing the responsibility for organizing the trip.
Trip Organizers’ Responsibilities |
Information to Assist Trip Organizers |
| Before the trip: | Before the trip: |
| 1. Arrange to have tower(s) for the trailer(s) – | 1. Arrange for the tower(s) well in advance of the trip. An up-to-date list of towers is provided on the last page of the schedule or can be found here. Check to see if anyone has already volunteered for your trip first. Check out the Trip Schedule on the Blog. |
| 2. Assure the towers bring their keys for the shed and trailers. | 2. All towers on the towing list should have keys to the shed and trailers. If the towers for your trip don’t have keys, contact the Equipment Chair. |
| 3. Check the flow, level, and temperature of the river ahead of and the day of the outing. Also check the distance and time to the put-in and take-out as well as the shuttle distance and time.
-combined air and water temperature must be above 40 degrees |
3. Flow rate guidelines are posted on the wall near the shelf in the canoe shed. As well, copies are available in the blue binder. For up-to-date flow rates and river temperatures for the Grand, Conestogo, Nith, Speed and Eramosa Rivers go to the Grand River Conservation Authority site at www.grandriver.ca . Go to River Data, choose river – then flow summary to get the level in (m) and the flow in (m³/s) You may also choose your river and then tap at right side at end of lines on chart to get an exact reading for your put-in.
To find the water temperature scroll down left side of page and tap on water quality data. Find water temperature on left hand side. Again, tap on right side at end of chart to get an exact reading. For the Saugeen River conditions, you may call Thorncrest Outfitters at 888-345-2925. Another good website to check water flow on all rivers is: wateroffice.ec.gc.ca. Go to Real-time hydrometric data – map search – Ontario. On the map zoom into the area you want and then tap on the Station Marker and then view report. |
| 4. Send an e-mail by Sunday to: info@oldsaltsclub.com with trip information.
(See Appendix A at the end of this document for posting format. Please ensure all pertinent information is included) |
4. Include pertinent information about the trip. See Appendix A for required information. |
| 5. Trip pre-registration | 5. Members are asked to pre-register for trips. As members contact you to register, fill in the names of members on the Trip Sheet. This will give you an idea how many people to expect on a given trip and will give you an idea if both trailers will be used or if canoes will need to be car-topped and allow you to make arrangements accordingly. It will also allow you to determine if paddlers have the skill level for our more challenging trips. Contact Training Co-ordinator if you want to know if paddlers have the intermediate training required for the more challenging Tuesday trips.
Send confirmation email to people who register to confirm their spot on the trip. Should you need to cancel a trip for any reason, email those who pre-registered directly to let them know or contact the Membership Co-ordinator to post the cancellation on the Blog asap….whichever works best for you to get the info out asap. |
| 6. Get a copy of the river map if available. | 6. Ensure that route is still doable and put-in and take-out are still accessible. You may have to do some scouting. Ensure adequate parking for trailers and cars. |
| 7. Get a copy the road map and/or write up directions to the put-in and take-out, including the shuttle, for the drivers (Can be found here) | 7. Make a few copies to bring to the shed on trip day, email copies to participants before the trip, or direct people to the blog to get their own copies to print. |
| At the shed: | At the shed: |
| 8. Members will register in advance for the trip. Collect trip money. (no change will be given).
Ask if anyone has First Aid training. |
8. Put the money along with the trip sheet in the brown envelope. Ensure that the money collected matches the members on the trip list and verify by signing at the bottom of the sheet. Take the trip sheet/money with you so that you can keep track of the participants and lock in your vehicle to keep secure. Give money and trip sheet to the treasurer or a board member when the trip is completed. Money is NOT to be left in the shed! |
| 9. Ensure everyone has their “Emergency Contact Card” with them/in their dry bag. | 9. Emergency Contact cards can be found in the blue binder for people who don’t have one. |
| 10. Get a waiver form signed by guests. Guests must be experienced and it will be up to the leader’s discretion whether or not a guest will be allowed. | 10. Waiver forms are in the blue binder in the shed. |
| 11. Decide the number of canoes needed, if one or two trailers are required, and arrange for car topping of extras. Any driver who is car-topping will get their trip fee refunded. Trip Organizer will make a notation on the trip sheet as an explanation for the treasurer for accounting purposes. | 11. The solo kayak is available on the “A” trailer for use if there is an odd number of paddlers. If there are less than 6 people signed up, the trip can either be cancelled at the discretion of the leader, or canoes must be cartopped. If less than 18 people sign up, 2 cars will be needed to cartop canoes. If 18 or more people sign up, the “B” trailer will be required. If car-topping, ensure there are extra paddles, bailers and throw ropes. Take from “B” trailer. Make sure you put them back in the “B” trailer after the trip. See Appendix B |
| 12. Ensure the first aid kit and at least one extra PFD is in the trailer.
Exchange cell phone numbers. |
12. These should already be in or near “A” trailer.
In case of emergency, have at least one cell phone on river. |
| 13. Call for a short briefing. Make sure everyone has a canoe partner and ride. Make sure that new members feel welcome and are partnered with a strong partner. Distribute road maps if required.
-review safety signals (paddle or whistle) -remind people leave room between canoes (especially when there is a need to maneuver moving water) |
13. Remind passengers to help pay for gas money. Trailer driver should be paid as well. When determining number of cars, ensure enough cars are left at the take-out to get everyone back to the put-in. An extra car is also needed to take the drivers back to the put-in initially after the shuttle run. Encourage and facilitate carpooling. All vehicles should take same route to put-in to provide help if needed on route and to ensure all arrive safely and at the same time. This will ensure we get on the water in a timely fashion! |
| 14. Check tie-downs on canoes.
LOCK SHEDS! |
14. Ensuring the canoes are tied on properly is ultimately the responsibility of the tower and cartopper. |
| At the site: | At the site: |
| 15. Ensure all cars have arrived and initiate the unloading. | 15. Everyone who can help, should help in some way as they are able. Keep safety in mind when unloading and carrying canoes. |
| 16. Organize the shuttle. | 16. The trailer(s) and most vehicles go to the take-out. Drivers, only, do the shuttle while other paddlers remain at put-in to prepare for trip. Only the vehicles necessary to return the drivers to the put-in make the return trip. Study the take-out at the river to ensure it is not missed at the end of the trip. |
| 17. Arrange for a lead and sweep canoe. | 17. No canoe should pass the lead canoe or get behind the sweep canoe. First aid kit is carried by sweep canoe. |
| On the river: | On the river: |
| 18. Stop and do regular canoe counts. Also stop for regular water/snack breaks. | 18. Try to keep all canoes in sight. Do not get too spread apart. Although all canoeists are encouraged to do their own water reading,all canoes should take the same route for safety reasons. Ensure that the end canoes get adequate break times. |
| 19. Ensure all paddlers are off the river at the take-out. | |
| After the trip: | After the trip: |
| 20. Supervise loading of equipment and check tie downs. Ensure all canoeists whose cars are at the starting point, get transportation back. | 20. Ensure all equipment (paddles, ropes, bailers, throw bags) marked A or B get returned to the appropriate trailer. |
| 21. Return to the shed to ensure all equipment has been returned. | 21. Make sure towers have enough help to get trailer(s) back into the shed. |
| 22. Lock up. | 22. Make sure shed is locked with bar and chain. |
| 23 Remind Tower to fill out “Towing/Mileage Expense Form“. Hard copy can be found in blue binder in the shed. |
Appendix A
Blog Post Format & Required Information
Blog Title: RIVER – Route {Date} e.g. GRAND RIVER – Glen Morris to Birley Gates {July 16th}
Blog Body: Please include the following information:
-
- Where (destination)
- When (date)
- Time (meeting time at the shed)
- Trip Organizer
- Tower
- Trip details
- Skill level required
- Trip fee
- Contact information for Trip Organizer (email & telephone)
Please send this information to: info@oldsaltsclub.com so it can be posted on the blog. An email will automatically go out the the membership.
The post will go out several days before the trip. The Tuesday and Thursday trips have their own logos for differentiation. Mark your calendars so you won’t miss it. Don’t forget to check the Trip Schedule to plan which trips you want to go on or to check for any changes.
