Participation

Waiver

Annually, every participant, whether a member or a guest, must have signed the Release of Liability Waiver.

Guests

Guests may paddle 3 times with JSSKA before they must become a member. Guests must sign the Release of Liability Waiver.

SARS-CoV-2 virus and Covid-19 disease 

1. Participants have the responsibility to refrain from participating if they have
   1. been diagnosed with the SARS-CoV-2 virus
   2. been exposed to sick people or the virus within the last 14 days
   3. feel ill or have a temperature, regardless if they have not been tested or diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 virus or COVID-19 disease
   4. have underlying health conditions (pulmonary, cardiac or immune-compromised health issues) that would render them especially susceptible to COVID-19/ SARS-CoV-2
2. Participants have the responsibility to
   1. adhere to federal, state, and local public health guidelines, rules, and regulations including group limits and social distancing
   2. wear face coverings at the launches, landings and when rafting up, except when eating and then should practice social distancing
   3. not touch others boats, equipment or person unless invited by that owner/person to do so
3. Participants must realize that others may choose not to
   1. help others with their boats, equipment or person
   2. lend others equipment
   3. share food and water

Paddles

Anyone wishing to paddle with JSSKA should consider these issues before launching on any paddle trip. These guidelines should be used along with sound judgment.

1. JSSKA is not a school and paddle tips are not classes. Acknowledge that people organizing trips are not instructors or guides. The organizer is a fellow paddler who suggests a particular trip and paddlers may accompany him or her. The organizer has not necessarily been assessed as a leader or able to paddle in that environment, or trained in rescues or in First Aid and/or CPR. The organizer may not be prepared with navigation and communication devices, skills and experience, rescue equipment or first aid supplies. It is up to you to assess the organizer and decide if you wish to go on a trip with him/her.
2. Assess yourself. You are responsible for your own comfort, ability, endurance, safety and navigation on the trip. Determine if your level of health, experience, skills and equipment are appropriate for the trip. Do not overestimate your abilities/preparedness or overstate them/it to others.
3. Assess the trip. Consider whether the trip is appropriate for your boat type, your skill level and your endurance level. How long of a trip is it? What type and length of kayak is needed? Is the trip right for your physical condition and your skill level? Are self-rescue skills needed? Are there any special equipment or skills that you need to have? Do you need to wear a dry suit or a wet suit to address the water temperature and threat of hypothermia? What potential conditions or obstacles might you encounter? Are there challenges present such as strong current, wind, or breaking waves that require special training to address? Do you need to bring food or a snack?
4. Trip organizers may recommend that a paddler not participate if he/she believes the paddler does not have the proper equipment, skills or conditioning to make a safe trip. The trip organizer has the right to refuse participation of anyone for whom participation would be considered unsafe.
5. Be over 18. Paddlers must be 18 years of age or older to participate in any JSSKA paddling trip, camping trip or other event.
6. Know where you are. Realize that you are responsible for your own navigation on the trip. Paddlers should familiarize themselves with the area they are paddling. This includes the type of water, currents, level of boat traffic and any other potential obstacles to safety along the route. Paddlers should also be aware of the intended route and distance of the trip they plan to attend and should have their own maps and navigational aids. In summary, paddlers should be able to navigate their own way to the takeout or back to the launch site in the event of separation from the group.
7. RSVP. Contact the trip organizer and inform them of your intention to attend the trip. Be sure to ask any trip related questions to help you decide if the trip is right for you, your kayak, your skill level and your endurance level.
8. Arrive on time. Note whether the time listed for the trip is the launch time or arrival time.
9. Wear your PFD. The USCG requires a that you wear a USCG-approved PFD and have a whistle.
10. Come equipped. The Club requires a kayak with sealed compartments or flotation bags, adequate paddle, and any other equipment required by the USCG for the particular trip (check with the trip organizer for specific requirements). Recommended equipment includes a spray skirt, spare paddle, navigational maps and/or device (compass, GPS), communication device (radio or cell phone), water, snack, and sunscreen.
11. Communicate. Alert the group and trip organizer if you are having difficulties with things like fatigue, sickness, or equipment problems. Alert the group and trip organizer if you are having trouble handling the paddling conditions, are anxious or are having difficulty keeping up with the group. The trip leader should document any problems.
12. Don’t drink alcohol. JSSKA does not recommend consuming alcoholic beverages before or during paddling. JSSKA is not responsible for the safety of anyone who choses to consume alcohol at any JSSKA related activity, paddling trip, camping trip or event.
13. Stay with the group. If you need to separate from the group for any reason, notify the trip organizer or another paddler in the group. Paddlers should be able to navigate their own way to the takeout or back to the launch site if they wish to separate from the group.
14. Cooperate and be flexible. Be aware that the trip organizer may need to alter the plan due to the weather, the needs of one paddler or the needs of the group as a whole.

Facebook

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