KAYAK POLICY OF THE RENSSELAER OUTING CLUB
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                       by Aaron Dulgar 9/24/01

GENERAL:
 
There must be three (3) boats on any Kayak trip.  All participants must wear appropriate gear. (i.e., life jackets, 
helmets, and protective foot wear as a minimum.)  All participants must have spent at least one (1) hour participating
at a minimum of one (1) pool session and have shown their ability to paddle efficiently and to wet exit a boat.  
All participants must be competent swimmers.  The leader has the right to designate who can or cannot participate in a 
trip based upon the person's ability.

Note:  Class VI is not allowed on club trips or with club equipment.  Anyone wishing to kill themselves must do so on 
his or her own time with his or her own equipment.  Class A leadership is contained here for continuity.  Few, if ANY,
people should be given Class A leadership as these difficult waters pose serious dangers to life and limb.  Individuals 
may paddle such water routinely, but these trips should not be associated with the club.

             Note:  Any overnight trip must have an appropriate Winter Mountaineering Leader.  All
             leaders must meet the club first aid requirements as listed under the First Aid Policy 
             in the Bylaws. 
 
CLASSIFICATION OF TRIPS: 

Class C:
	1. BEGINNER-INTERMEDIATE trip on flat water through Class III whitewater.
	2. Paddlers may be instructed in the basics of river running, strokes, turns, ferrying, rolling and river reading.
	3. For every one or two first time paddlers it is suggested that there is at least one experienced paddler.
	4. Ability to roll is useful for class III trips.

Example rivers:  Sacandaga River (NY) Class II-III, Fifebrook section of the Deerfield River (MA) Class II with one 
Class III rapid, Lower West River (VT) Class II, Upper West River (VT) Class III)


Class B:
	1. ADVANCED trip on water up to and including Class IV.
	2. River safety emphasized.
	3. More advanced instruction may be offered.  Participants must be able to catch eddies and ferry across the current.
	4. Participants must be able to roll consistently in whitewater.
	5. Participants must be able to read the river (ability to be judged by the leader).

Example rivers: Dryway section of the Deerfield River (MA), Hudson Gorge (NY), Dead River (ME), Kennebec River (ME)


Class A:
     	1. EXPERT trip on class V whitewater.
     	2. All paddlers must be able to roll consistently in Class IV whitewater.
     	3. Extensive knowledge of river reading required.
     	4. Participants must be able to read the river well. (Ability to be judged by the leader)
     	5. Must be well versed in river safety (see AWA safety code).
     	6. It is recommended that all participants be class B leaders also.

Example Rivers: Boreas River (NY), Bottom Moose River (NY)


CLASSIFICATION OF LEADERS:

Class C:
	1. Must be able to teach basic strokes: sweep, high brace, draw, reverse, forward stroke, eddy turns, ferrying, etc.  
	   Must also be able to teach safe paddling and swimming techniques: keep hands below shoulders and in front of body for 
	   all strokes, tuck when flipped, don?t stand up in the river, etc.
	2. Must be able to roll consistently in class III whitewater.
	3. Must be able to read the river and help teach this ability.
	4. Must know river safety and be familiar with the AWA Safety Code.  The leader shall have participated in at least two 
	   (2) safety sessions, either in the pool or on the river, held by a kayaking leader.  These sessions shall include but 
	   not be limited to: swimming rapids, vertical pinning, throw bag use, unconscious paddler recovery (in and out of boat), 
	   hole escape techniques, hole rescue techniques, leg entrapment rescue, boat recovery, Z-drag use, strainer rescue 
	   techniques, swift water wading, rescuer lowering, etc.
	5. Must be able to perform river rescue.
	6. Must have participated in at least three (3) class C trips.
	7. Can lead class C trips.

Class B:
	1. Class C requirements with added emphasis on roll, river reading, river safety, and river rescue. 
	2. Must be able to roll consistently in class IV whitewater.
	3. Must have improved river reading skills.
	4. Must be able to teach rolling.
	5. Must have led at least three (3) class C trips and participated in at least three (3) class B trips.
     	6. Can lead class C and B trips.

Class A:
	1. Class B requirements with added emphasis on roll, river reading, and river safety and rescue.
	2. Must be able to roll consistently in class IV and V whitewater.
	3. Must have led at least three (3) class B trips and participated in at least three (3) class A trips (not 
    	   necessarily official).
	4. Can lead class C, B, and A trips.

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT:

Class C, B, and A trips:
1. Kayaks
2. Paddles
3. Skirts
4. Helmets
5. Personal Floatation Devices
6. Spare Paddle
7. Floatation bags
8. Hip pads
9. Duct tape
10. Wrap kit
11. First aid kit
12. River knives
13. River saw
14. Throw bags
15. Dry bags
16. Booties
17. Gloves
18. Wool hats
19. Changes of clothes.
20. Drysuit or wetsuit according to weather and water temperature.
21. Whistle
22. Water-proof matches
Kayaking Equipment Chair:

The equipment chair shall be appointed by the Executive Council.  The chair should at least be familiar with 
kayaking and should be able to identify and explain the use of ALL gear commonly used on kayaking trips.  
Additionally, the chair MUST:

1) Inventory all kayaking equipment at least once per year.
2) Maintain and repair all kayaking equipment as needed.
3) Develop and get approval for the yearly kayaking budget.
4) Buy all gear as approved in the budget.
5) Organize and find people to run the weekly kayaking pool sessions.
6) Organize and find people to run a minimum of two (2) kayaking safety sessions, in either a pool or on the river, per year.
7) Revise the kayaking policy as needed or when requested to by the Executive Council.