River Courtesy
River courtesy extends beyond aid to a fellow paddler. We ask all Carolina Canoe Club members to consider the following and to promote river courtesy by example:
- The rivers are shared by fishermen, rafters, picnickers, and wildlife. Intruding on each as little as possible encourages and improves enjoyment of the rivers for all.
- While boats leave no tracks in the water, the banks, put-in and take-out points show evidence of our presence. We suggest that each put-in and take-out be treated as the delicate ecological specialty that it is.
- Litter, from whatever source, detracts from the beauty of the river. Make each river a cleaner place for our having been there. Carry and fill a trash bag on each river trip.
- Overnight camping and lunch-stops should be located on shore away from the fragile river beaches and banks. Blackened fire rings do nothing for aesthetics and attract more fires and trash.
- River clean-up, done little by little by each member of the CCC, will do much to retain the very special character of our southern rivers. Courtesy is a very real means of preserving the rivers for now and the future.
- Remember the landowners. They live there and we are but guests. Strive to be a polite guest. Always ask permission, and leave things better than you found them.