This Is Your Club! - Get Involved!
The Dogwood Canoe Club, or any club for that matter, is only as good as it's members make it. So get involved and volunteer to be a trip leader or contact person.

First hand knowledge of the trip is a plus, but not always required. It is helpful to have good organizational skills. The trip leader or other designated contact person must be available to receive phone calls a few days prior to the trip.

RCA & DCC Trip Safety Standards
(Will be modified for Kayaks following RCA publication of guidelines including Kayaks)

1. Canoe trips will be of at least 3 canoes
2. Canoe club will appoint a suitably experienced paddler as a Trip Leader for all club trips.

Trip Leader Responsibilities

1. Ascertain appropriate club safety equipment is present and determine who shall carry what (e.g. first aid kits, throw ropes, flare kits etc.)
2. Ascertain the canoeing experience of those present, and when necessary assign paddling positions.
3. Before embarking, check the safety equipment of each canoe.
   Each canoe must be equipped with:
   • a bailer
   • a spare paddle
   • secured bow and stern lines which will float - painters
   • extra flotation if required
   • a spare set of emergency clothing in a waterproof container. They may wear a wet or dry suit in lieu of.
   • Personal Flotation Device per person
   Where indicated as "Proper river equipment required" and on grade 2 rivers and higher, the following will be mandatory:
   • wet suit or dry suite
   • extra floatation
     A helmet is also strongly recommended
   Suggested optional equipment - throw bag and other rescue gear.
4. If gear and equipment is tied in, ensure it is done properly so that when the canoe is upside down nothing hangs below the gunwales (otherwise it prevents canoe over canoe rescue)
5. All guests are to sign a waiver of liability.
6. When necessary (e.g. rivers) hold a pre-trip meeting for the purpose of discussing:
   • objectives of the trip
   • selection of lead and sweep boats
   • type and any known hazards of the trip (e.g. weather, sweepers etc.)
   • accident prevention, signals, emergency and rescue procedures
   • etiquette and ethics
   • the breakup into smaller groups if one group is to large

If the trip leader feels an individual does not meet the requirements necessary for the trip, the leader then has the right to refuse to take that individual.

Additional Considerations

1. First hand knowledge of the trip is a plus, but not always required.
2. It is helpful to have good organizational skills.
3. The trip leader or other designated contact person must be available to receive phone calls a few days prior to the trip.
4. Leaders are to set the course to the best of their ability, at a pace within the limits of the less experienced.
5. If conditions warrant doing so, move the trip, postpone the trip, or cancel it altogether.
6. Arrive at the meeting spot early.
7. Organize the shuttle vehicles.
8. Designate a person to write a trip report.

Etiquette And Ethics

1. Respect the rights of others boats - be sensitive and courteous.
2. The upstream boat has the right-of-way.
3. In large eddies, make room for other boaters to enter by either backing off or eddying-out.
4. A boat already riding on a wave has the right-of-way but must yield to a boat coming downstream.
5. Respect the rights of fishermen.
6. The best camper is not seen or heard, and leaves no trace.