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Trip Leader Responsibilities
1. Prior to the trip, the trip leader should obtain permission from private landowners in the
put in or take out access will be on/near/across private property. This is a very important
responsibility and may affect river access for all other paddlers. It should be considered
common courtesy to ask for permission before trespassing on any private property. This includes
vehicle parking, as well as actually, getting our boats to the water.
2. Prior to the trip, take phone calls from paddlers who intend to go or who wish to ask
questions about the trip. For trips involving whitewater, advise beginning paddlers that their
first ventures should be on flat-water trips.
3. Cancel the trip, postpone it, or move it to another river or stream if conditions appear to
warrant doing so (ie - dangerously high water, extremely low water, electrical storm, lack of
interest).
4. Arrive at the put in well in advance of the announced shuttle time.
5. All members and guests who go on a trip sign a waiver on every trip.
A guardian or adult
must sign for a minor. The trip leader should keep the signed waivers and send the signed waivers if requested.
6. Organize the shuttle, select return vehicle(s), etc. The trip leader's vehicle is not
necessarily the shuttle vehicle.
7. Designate experienced paddlers to serve as the first boat "point" an the last boat "sweep"
on the trip. Each should have a throw rope.
8. Emphasize to the group that everyone should keep other members of the party in sight at
all times. If the group is very large, consider breaking it into two smaller groups and plan a
meeting place for lunch.
9. Stress safety, including warnings about potential dangers.
10. Select a place for the shore lunch.
11. After the trip, complete a trip report and post it on the MCC forum board.
11. HAVE FUN!!!!
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All Trip Participants Responsibilities
1. No later than a day or two prior to the trip, call the trip leader on the telephone or contact
the trip leader via email. Trips may be cancelled, postponed, moved to another river or put in,
the shuttle time may be changed, or any number of other details may change. If you do not contact
your trip leader you will not know of these changes.
2. Use good judgment, and take responsibility for your own safety. It's better to portage
a rapid or decline to paddle at all, than to endanger yourself and those who paddle with you.
3. Arrive at the put in point in advance of the announced shuttle time.
4. Be willing to shuttle other paddlers and their boats. If you cannot transport more than
one boat at a time with your vehicle, be prepared to volunteer as the shuttle return vehicle.
5. Observe the point and sweep boats for the trip, and stay between them. If you do know
which is the point or sweep boat, ask your trip leader.
6. Try to keep the boat ahead of you and the boat behind you in sight at all times.
7. Think safety. Be responsible for your own safety, and be willing to help other paddlers
who may need assistance.
8. Be cooperative. Club trips are a group activity and require everyone's cooperation to
make the day enjoyable.
9. After the trip, thank your trip leader for a great trip. Help your fellow paddlers
load their boats, and make sure that whoever served as shuttle return has a ride back to the put
in where their vehicle is parked.
10. HAVE FUN!!!!
Please try to remember that these are guidelines, not absolute rules. Everyone needs to have
a cooperative, helpful, and safe attitude. The trip leader is responsible for organizing the
trip. The trip leader is not an enforcer and cannot be held responsible for the actions of
others. Each trip participant is responsible for their own safety and must use their own good
judgment in every situation.
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Paddle Illinois with the Illinois Paddling Council
Join us in making Illinois a Paddler Friendly State!
The Illinois Paddling Council is the voice for paddlers throughout the state of Illinois. Check out
their website for more information at www.illinoispaddling.org.
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