WichitaPaddler.com - Become a Trip Coordinator

Become a Trip Coordinator

A Trip Coordinator is simply a KCKA member who schedules trips and invites other members to join the trip.

Here are some reasons to become a trip leader:

Paddle more often
Pick locations you favor
Pick dates that fit your schedule
Easier to find one or more paddlers to join you

The club will benefit as follows:

More trips on our calendar = more choices for members
More trips on our calendar = new membership is more attractive
More new members = easier to find participants
More trip coordinators = easier to find a substitute

Note: It is recommended that you participate in a few trips before scheduling one yourself. Observe, ask questions and learn what the participants will like or expect. Most trip coordinators will be very happy that you are interested in becoming a trip coordinator and will help you with information and advice. You should also have a pretty good idea about the paddle skills required for the location you select. Most trips will have from two to five participants. Ten boats would be an unusually large event.

Here are some suggestions to help you get started as a new Trip Coordinator:

Contact TJ for a special document prepared to help trip coordinators conduct a safe trips. TJ can also answer your questions and will give great advice.

Pick a location you have paddled before.

Design a trip that will last about 3 hours with 2 or 3 stretch breaks and a lunch/snack break. 3 – 4 hours will usually equate to about 8-12 rivers miles.

Avoid selecting a location greater than Class I for your first few trips.

Select a location you know for sure won’t involve trespassing on private property.

Invite another trip leader to help you select a location and/or participate in your float.

Make sure the put-in and take-out will work well for the expected conditions. Have a back up plan if anything should go wrong.

Prepare a document that will contain detailed directions to your selected meeting place and will answer all questions about your trip. When members contact you, this document can be emailed.

As members contact you, maintain a roster of those members who might participate in case plans need to be changed due to weather water level etc. High water and extra swift current present additional risk and should be avoided.

Prepare a short announcement for your trip and contact TJ and/or Chris to get it published and announced as appropriate.

Insist that participants be KCKA members. Most importantly, the General Waiver & Liability Release they sign helps protect KCKA, Trip Coordinators, Board of Directors and Members. That means it helps protect YOU! Remember, if they can afford a boat, lunch and the gasoline to make the trip, they CAN afford a $15 annual membership to help support OUR club and sport.

Please give a little back to the club. Become a Trip Coordinator today and try to schedule at least 3 trips per year.

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