Events, Trip Policies

A Word About Trips and Ratings

CPA Trips are organized by members of the club for members of the club. When you participate in them, please remember a few things: Trip leaders are “hosts”, not professional guides. They are not necessarily trained in first aid nor CPR, and do not always carry first aid equipment nor safety devices for your use.

You, and you alone, are responsible for your personal safety.

Trip leaders will pre-screen all participants for skills, equipment, and willingness to abide by club rules and policies. If you wish to join a trip, please contact the leader in advance. While on the water, all paddlers must wear PFDs, spray skirts, and clothes appropriate to the water temperature. Boats must have watertight bulkheads or flotation to prevent the kayak from swamping when capsized. All paddlers must have, and know how to use, a pump and paddle float. On the day of the trip, leaders may refuse to admit participants for non-compliance with any of these, so if you are not sure, discuss it with the leader in advance!

All paddlers must sign a CPA waiver of liability. For the safety of the group as a whole, trip participants must agree to abide by club policies and rules and to follow instructions of the trip leader.

Trip Ratings

First Timers: for those who have never paddled before.

Beginners: for those who have paddled some, taken classes, or been on short (up to 4-mile) trips and are able to do a wet exit and paddle float re-entry.

Advanced Beginners: for those who have been on longer trips (up to 10 miles, full day outings), have some experience with varying conditions such as winds, and waves, and have good rescue and group-paddling skills.

Intermediate Paddlers: for those who are comfortable on longer trips (more than 10 miles), can maintain a steady pace for extended periods, are comfortable with open water crossings of 2+ miles, can handle a variety of water conditions, and have strong self– and group-rescue skills.

Minimum Required Safety Equipment for CPA Trips

The minimum safety gear for participating in a club trip are (beyond a kayak and paddle) as follows:

1. personal flotation device (PFD)
2. paddle float
3. bilge pump
4. spray skirt
5. water tight bulkheads or flotation bags (to prevent kayak from sinking when capsized)

Trip Participant Screening and Sign Up

• What is your name?
• What is your phone number?
• What type of boat do you paddle?
• Do you have bow and stern floatation?
• Do you have a spray skirt?
• Do you have a paddle float?
• Do you have a bilge pump?
• Do you have a personal floatation device (PFD)?
• Do you have cold water gear?
• How long have you been paddling?
• Do you know how to wet exit?
• Do you know how to self rescue?
• What is your usual paddling distance?
• What range of conditions have you paddled in?
• Do you have any medical conditions?
• What is your swimming ability?

CPA Policy Re Trip Waivers

It is CPA’s policy to require that all participants in CPA sponsored trips and events sign legal release forms before setting out on the water. Trip leaders and “event organizers” are responsible for obtaining blank release forms from the Coordinator, for securing signatures from participants, and for returning the signed forms to the Coordinator for safekeeping. A fresh signature must be obtained for each separate trip or event, except that only one release per season is required for regularly-scheduled events such as the weekly activities of the “pirates” at Pier 7 and other venues. The legal release absolves all participating CPA members from legal liability for the injury or death of a fellow participant, and allows us to continue to organize and participate in group activities without undue fear of incurring personal legal liability.

Start paddling sooner! Print out and sign this Waiver of Liability form and bring it with you to the launch location. The form is available as an Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) file. Download the PDF Reader here: