At Least One Trip

Here we are on the 3rd of March, and I’ve already got 8 people signed up for my annual novice trip  mid-April!

Were you on a past novice trip? Boating thanks to people coordinating trips when you started out? Was it hard for you to kayak at the drop of a hat (before you gave your life over to kayaking of course)? Just imagine how many trips there could be if each member coordinated At Least One Trip?  So I’m launching my At Least One Trip (ALOT) Initiative.

Last year we almost filled the CCC calendar from March 15 to June 15 with announced, pre-planned trips each weekend.  So here’s my request. Offer to coordinate At Least One Trip this year.  Look at your calendar, find a river you feel comfortable coordinating a trip on, and post it to the CCC calendar.  Imagine how many trips that could be!

Planned trips, esp. those to the traditional WOR rivers, also help to make WOR a better event. More people become familiar with those rivers without the chaos of the WOR morning meeting–people can say, “I’ve run this before”. Especially if you live near the WOR rivers (or just paddle them often), offer a trip this spring.

The CCC already offers a Trip Incentive to  encourage folks to break out of their own core group and publish their trips. The CCC relies on our members who coordinate trips, so this year (budget approval notwithstanding) I plan to also extend the membership to next year whenever someone coordinates their first trip of the year (under the same parameters of the Incentives program).

On the flip side, are you interested in joining someone offering a trip? Make sure you reach out to the coordinator with an honest assessment of your experience and skills, and be open to a coordinator’s feedback. If you say you’re going to show up, show up. Support those willing to coordinate trips.

We all know what water levels change, and kayaking can be hard to predict. It’s also valid to post a planned trip to parts TBD. The CCC offers a number of resources for those finding their way as a trip coordinator, but feel free to reach out to me with questions if  I can assist. I can offer additional trip features like pre-registration, limiting trips to members, etc. if you find that useful.

Thanks everyone!

Rick
Cruise Chair, Carolina Canoe Club