As I've gone through my notes from the course, I'm amazed at how much we packed into 5 days.
The emphasis on leadership started from the beginning as we discussed the higher standard of care and responsibility entailed by the 4 star award. The focus of the course was learning and practicing being an effective leader. Which not only includes bringing everyone back (hopefully in one piece), but also creating a positive experience such that everyone wants to come and do it again.
CLAP was the core of what we practiced. Communication (if you can't converse, you're not in communication), Line of sight (if you can't see someone, assume something horrible has happened), Avoidance over cure, Position of maximum usefulness (either keep them away from the danger, or be where you can pick up the pieces.)
All of those things take paying attention. And they take a group. Another focus of discussion was what a competent member of a group is. A 3 star paddler is supposed to be just that -- a competent member of the group. The "simple" act of being part of a group also requires paying attention. Staying in close so you can hear. Making it easy for the leader to see you. Supporting the leader. Making it easier for other mariners to see us and know what we we're doing. Practicing paddling as a tight group in no conditions so we can do it in conditions.
There were 5 students in the class, and each of us would lead one of the days. The leader was given the day's destination and some basic parameters (e.g., get us to point A at high tide, taking maximum advantage of the current). We had to figure out when we needed to start in the morning and how to get the group there as efficiently and safely as possible, based on tides, current and weather.
Levi was our leader on the first day. We started by doing a risk assessment as a group, which we did every day. Great tool. Not only does it ensure that the risk assessment is performed, but it ensures that the entire group participates and understands. If a decision has to be made to change the day's plans, everyone is in from the beginning. If there's a concern about something like worsening weather, or a headland that has to be rounded, the entire group understands the risks and concerns.
It was my turn to lead the second day, with Levi as my co-leader. We took the group down between Lopez and San Juan Islands to Cattle Point. When we got down to Cattle Point, we stopped for lunch, then paddled on and around a couple of points. The first one we rounded as a group. The second was closer to an eddy line and opposing current, and before we rounded, Leon asked "what would happen if you had multiple capsizes here?" Hmmm. That wouldn't be so good. So Levi rounded first and we sent the group around one at a time while I stayed down current to pick up anyone if needed.
When it came time to return, I foolishly let myself drift across the eddy line while I was maneuvering around another paddler. I got caught in the current and pulled away from the group. I knew right away that Leon or Shawna would seize the opportunity and sure enough – as soon as I looked back I saw Leon telling Dick to capsize. There was a sea lion hanging about, and he barked at us as soon as Dick went into the water.
I was getting my boat turned around, but the current was rapidly carrying me away from my swimmer. Fortunately, Levi was there and got Dick back into his boat. Unfortunately, he decided that Dick could paddle with a boat full of water (which he could), and chose not to empty the boat until back across the eddy line. Not the answer Leon was looking for. "If you can't get the water out and the swimmer back in their boat, you're probably out of your remit." Poor Dick was asked to capsize again. By then I was back from my little side trip and was able to get his boat emptied and Dick back into it. Good lesson on keeping self and group safely tucked in out of the way of wind, waves, and current.
We spent a while working on the eddy line, doing rescues, towing, rolling, contact tows, tossing our paddles away and pulling out our spares. (The sea lion continued to provide intermittent commentary when people were in the water or making too much noise.) We crossed over to Lopez while the current was flooding north between San Juan Island and Lopez Island, doing a mass breakout across the eddy line so we stayed close together, picking a course that allowed for the current, and trying to stay together through the boils and turbulent water. We crossed back again to find our campsite on San Juan Island.
By the end of Day 2 we had settled into a routine. We debriefed in the evenings. Mornings we covered weather, navigation, towing, and other topics. Subject areas I'd been introduced to before (or even taught before) became clearer.
Each day had different challenges for the leader. On Day 3, Dick had the biggest weather challenge, and wisely came up with a plan A (the assignment he'd been given) as well as a plan B (a safer plan). I was Dick's assistant leader, bringing up the rear. At one point I heard Shawna ask another student to capsize if Dick lost sight of him, but Dick never let that happen.
On Day 4 we did a planned exercise of parking behind a buoy with a knot or two of current flowing by. It got a lot more exciting than planned when a ferry that we weren't expecting appeared and we didn't know what its course would be.
Night 4 was on Jones Island. Fabulous campsite looking out over the water. The island has a bumper crop of raccoons, though. After dinner, we put our food in our boats and secured the hatches. As we were sitting around and talking after dark, we heard something and went and checked the boats. One of the little bandits had found a forgotten bag of food and was running off with it. We shined a light up into a tree and saw at least a dozen pairs of glowing raccoon eyes staring down at us.
As we headed for home on Day 5 we did a towing exercise that involved 4 towers, capsizes, and rescues. And Leon helpfully adding stress, just in case it was needed. If there was any remaining doubt, it brought home the fact that towing and loose ropes are dangerous.
Looking forward to the 3 day version of this class!
Photos are here (mine and Steve's).
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