Colorado Paddlers Beginner Trips
From Colorado Paddlers Wiki
These are the general Beginners rules and guidelines followed by the Canoe Colorado and Colorado Paddlers groups. Please contact your individual trip leader to learn what if any of these apply to your specific trip.
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Beginner Trips
Beginner trips are those suitable for paddlers who are able to control their boat on flat water. These trips may not be suitable for someone who has never been in a canoe or kayak before, but they are excellent first trips for someone who has honed their skills on a lake.
We do not charge to come on trips
Colorado Paddlers is not an outfitter or guide service. We do not charge to come on our trips, and we don't provide anything except a group to paddle with. You are responsible for your own equipment, food, and expenses.
Shared expenses are shared among each group. If the trip requires a permit, then the permit cost will be distributed among each trip participant. Individuals who wish to carpool to the put-in will make arrangements among themselves as to sharing their expenses.
Participants are expected to be self-sufficient
Unless stated by a trip leader, there is no community gear on our trips. Each participant will need to have their own equipment, their own food, and for BLM trips even their own washable/ reusable toilet. By having everyone bring their own equipment, it does not place any burden on the trip leader or other participants. Remember, we don't provide anything other than a group to paddle with.
Boat control and speed
Paddlers must be able to control their boat on flatwater. Solo paddlers must be able to control their entire boat. Tandem paddlers must be able to control their end of the boat. Necessary skills include but are not limited to: Going forward, going backwards, turning, moving sideways and bracing.
People and pets
Only two people per tandem, one person per solo boat. With our floatbag requirement (see below) there is no room in the middle of a canoe for a third passenger. Children are discouraged from our trips, they find them too long and tiresome. Many children are unable to control their end of the boat. Pets are not allowed on any trips.
Equipment Checklist
This is the general checklist of necessary equipment/ rigging. Trip leaders may add additional requirements based on their specific trip.
All boats must have supplemental floatation
Canoes must have adequate floatbags. Kayaks must either have waterproof bulkheads or floatbags installed. While all canoes & kayaks have minimum floatation to keep them from sinking on a lake, it is woefully inadequate for river use. Proper floatation reduces a boats risk of damage, and makes recovery easier in the event of a capsize.
PFD's must be worn while on the water
PFD's, Personal Floatation Devices, also called Lifejackets must be US Coast Guard Approved for canoeing, kayaking or paddlesports. Water skiing jackets, horse collars, and similar jackets may not be approved. A label inside the jacket will state it's intended use. PFD's must be worn properly, zipped and or buckled.
All boats must carry a spare paddle
Expect that you may break and or lose your main paddle. The spare paddle must be a full sized spare adequate to control the boat. Mini paddles used by powerboaters are not acceptable.
All boats must have end lines
A 10' - 15' end line must be fixed to each end of the boat. We just use our 12' tie down straps (makes sure we also have them at the end of the trip). End lines are used to tie boats to shore. They also aid in recovery by providing something to grab while trying to pull a boat to safety.
Other Odds and Ends
Early to bed, early to rise
The group often wakes up by 6am and is on the water between 7:00 and 7:30am. If you want to sleep in, coordinate with us the night before and we'll just leave without you.
No Fires
We practice minimal impact camping. Leaving the site looking better than when we arrived.
No Drugs
Assume that the people you are paddling with are police, federal agents, or those who are about to take a random drug test at work. If you need drugs to enjoy the wilderness, please find another group to paddle with.
Rules are subject to change without notice
These rules may not be complete. There might be rules we've forgotten to add, or changes which have been made that are not reflected on this site. The rules are decided on by the core paddling group, and are subject to change.
Paddlesports are Dangerous
We do not make any claims as to the safety of the river, water, or conditions of our trips. You could get killed. You could be hurt. You could drown, you could get trampled by a buffalo, you could have a bolt of lightning zap you or a tree branch crash through your tent at night. We make no claims about safety. You're on your own. It's a dangerous world. Bad things can happen.
