Paddle Sports:

An Introduction for Coast Guard Auxiliarists Don Goff, BC-BLC March 2014

Agenda

• Some questions • Some facts • Some issues • What’s SUP?

• Some answers for PE’s • Some answers for VE’s • Some answers for PV’s • Some answers for PA’s • Some more information Prepared by Don Goff, D5S Paddlecraft Coordinator 2

A quiz!

How many people participate in paddle sports (canoe, kayak, raft) annually? A) 15 - 25 million B) 25 - 50 million C) 50+ million Prepared by Don Goff, D5S Paddlecraft Coordinator 3

Quiz

How many people participate in paddle sports annually?

C) 50+ million

Prepared by Don Goff, D5S Paddlecraft Coordinator 4

Another Question

Which paddle sport activity has the highest level of participation?

A) Rafting B) Canoeing C) Kayaking Prepared by Don Goff, D5S Paddlecraft Coordinator 5

Another answer

Which paddle sport activity has the highest level of participation?

B) Canoeing

(23 million)

Prepared by Don Goff, D5S Paddlecraft Coordinator 6

A Third Question

Which paddle sport activity has the highest level of

growth

over the past decade?

A) Rafting B) Canoeing C) Kayaking Prepared by Don Goff, D5S Paddlecraft Coordinator 7

A Third Answer

Which paddle sport activity has the highest level of growth over the past decade?

C) Kayaking

Grew from 2 million to 14.7 million participants in a 10 year period .

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Paddle Sport Participation

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Registered Vessels and Deaths

16 000 000 14 000 000 12 000 000 10 000 000 8 000 000 6 000 000 4 000 000 2 000 000 0 Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971 enacted.

Registered Vessels Linear Est Deaths Annual Deaths Estimate more than 47,000 lives saved since FBSA of 1971 enacted.

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 Prepared by Don Goff, D5S Paddlecraft Coordinator 10

Paddle Sports Deaths

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What’s SUP?

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Boats in Aisle Five

Many boats are sold by retailers who are not paddlers Most boats sold without any instruction Prepared by Don Goff, D5S Paddlecraft Coordinator 13

All Fun, but….

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How to Address the Problems

• Challenge: Connect with Paddlers • Solution: Join the Community!

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Us —as often seen by Paddlers

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Addressing the Problem--PEs

Paddlesports America Course*

A seminar course: – 4 Hours long – Classroom only – No exam – Downloadable form AKA “Paddle Smart America” Prepared by Don Goff, D5S Paddlecraft Coordinator 17

•

Paddlesports America

Paddlesports America

is a safety course designed to attract the novice paddle enthusiasts. This is a four-hour course. •

Topics:

–

Know Your Paddlecraft

- parts of a canoe and kayak; understanding paddlecraft characteristics, e.g., basic types, hull shapes hull materials, lengths and widths and weights; selecting your paddle for both canoe and kayak. –

Before You Get Underway

transporting paddlecraft; conducting a pre-departure check; dressing for a safe trip; loading gear in a canoe or kayak; storing paddle craft; the responsibilities when paddling with others. - knowing capacity and how to file a float plan; –

Operating Your Boat Safely

- how to enter and exit a canoe or kayak safely; securing the paddlecraft and sharing the waterways with others; the U. S. Aids to Navigation System (ATONS); learning about local hazards on waterways. –

The Legal Requirements of Boating

at the end of this chapter.) -vessel registration, hull identification numbers and who may operate a paddlecraft; unlawful operation; Homeland Security restrictions; policies on alcohol and drugs. Life jackets; navigation lights; sound-producing devices and visual distress signals; protection of environment and what to do if in a boating accident. (State specific information may be added –

Boating emergencies

falling overboard; emergency techniques; how to deal with cold water immersion and hypothermia; understanding heat related illness; dehydration; handling weather emergencies.

Minimizing the risk of drowning, capsizing, swamping or Prepared by Don Goff, D5S Paddlecraft Coordinator 18

2013 PE-Sector Baltimore

Mission Hours as values ABS BS&S GPS NAVIGATION OTHER Paddlesports America SAILING STATE YOUTH Public Education Div 21

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

170.23

0.00

170.23

Div 22

0.00

Div 23

18.50

19.50

124.50 114.50

0.00

9.00

8.00

0.00

0.00

11.80

28.00

Div 24 Div 25

43.00 516.55

71.50 130.00

8.45

0.00

12.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

29.00

0.00

0.00

12.00

3.00

0.00

560.40 378.50 202.65 115.35

4.00

0.00

37.00

56.00

724.40 564.30 377.60 846.90

Sector Baltimore 597.55

440.50

8.45

9.00

60.80

28.00

15.00

1,427.13

97.00

2,683.43

Prepared by Don Goff, D5S Paddlecraft Coordinator 19

Addressing the Problem--VEs

7012A - Paddle Craft Vessel Safety Check: Not much required, but lots to talk about!

Prepared by Don Goff, D5S Paddlecraft Coordinator 20

Carriage Requirements

• Life Jacket • Sound-producing device • All around white light (during periods of reduced visibility)

Prepared by Don Goff, D5S Paddlecraft Coordinator 21

Optional, But Important

• Floatation • Visibility • Communications

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Flotation

• Your boat’s: –Native buoyancy –Added floatation bags • Yours: –Your life jacket—wear it –Stay with the boat—it floats (a 16’ life jacket!) Prepared by Don Goff, D5S Paddlecraft Coordinator 23

Paddle Visibility Prepared by Don Goff, D5S Paddlecraft Coordinator 24

Response Times

Response times at ¼ mile:

@60 mph —15 seconds @45 mph —20 seconds @30 mph —30 seconds

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Communications

• Distress signals – Sound – Visual • Electronics – Cell phones vs. marine radios – DSC!

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Manage Risks

• Float Plan with a friend or relative • Alcohol and the Rule of 3s • Know your limits • Know your equipment’s limits • Know how to use your safety gear— practice (at least annually)!

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Put your name and your home telephone number on your boat!

John Doe Home phone Another phone-spouse cell If you had your cell phone in the kayak, it won’t work wet!

Prepared by Don Goff, D5S Paddlecraft Coordinator 28

Orange Stickers

• Order from Boating Orders: http://www.boatingorders.com/pacriffost.ht

ml (100 per person for free) • ACA at: http://aca.site ym.com/store/ViewProduct.aspx?ID=1917 813 ($4.00 per 10 pack) Prepared by Don Goff, D5S Paddlecraft Coordinator 29

Addressing the Problem--PVs

New set of “customers”: • Outfitters and vendors e.g., REI, LL Bean, Hudson Trail, Gander Mountain, etc.

• Commercial Tour Guides e.g., Adventure Crafters School of Coastal Kayaking; Outward Bound; Chesapeake Experience, Inc., Potomac Paddlesports / Chesapeake Kayak School, Canoe Kayak and Paddle Company, etc.

Prepared by Don Goff, D5S Paddlecraft Coordinator 30

Addressing the Problem--PAs

• New materials at ANSC – Brochures running out – CDs and DVDs are still available – Limited supply – Posters at ACA web site.

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Clubs and Groups

MARYLAND: • Chesapeake Paddlers Association, Inc.

• Greater Baltimore Canoe Club • Monocacy Canoe Club • Potomac River Paddlers • Delmarva Paddlers • Boy and Girl Scouts • Camps Prepared by Don Goff, D5S Paddlecraft Coordinator 32

The American Canoe Association (ACA) and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary have signed a Memorandum of Agreement to promote safety among those who use kayaks, canoes and other paddle craft. Prepared by Don Goff, D5S Paddlecraft Coordinator 33

Paddle Craft Operator

Now authorized in D5S —coming soon to a Sector near you!

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Questions?

• Contact me at: [email protected]

• More information about Paddle Sport safety: http://auxbdeptwiki.cgaux.org/index.php?title

=Paddlesports Prepared by Don Goff, D5S Paddlecraft Coordinator 35

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