Nudist Colonies? Paddling While Drunk? These are outside influences I had not considered.
But I think the key is to be patient, find like minded people and do not force anything.
Agree 100%.
I think that is key, take whatever time it takes to gather people of the same mindset in a natural way and not try and “ change” people or “ herd” them.
Make it a facebook event too for those who use FB? That is where most people are these days.
I agree in principal completely. The problem arises in the practice of those principles. I don’t think anyone who organizes or leads group paddles wants to exclude anyone for not being of a “like mindset” or to change anybody. The problem is one of a more pragmatic nature. For the sake of safety one wants to keep the group as a group. Safety for all is paramount. Leaving someone behind or letting someone get so far ahead that they paddle past a landing or campsite is an issue.
Splitting the group into “fast” and “slow” subgroups with each subgroup having an attentive and capable sweep and someone near the lead of each subgroup who knows the planned campsites and landings helps a lot. Having in each subgroup someone who could handle a rescue if necessary is also a really good practice even on flatwater. But its about safety and making the miles in daylight necessary to get to an island campsite large enough to accommodate the group, not changing anyone or herding them. (I used to do the trip solo or with a couple friends the week before and stash firewood at the selected campsites so nobody had to forage for firewood in the poison ivy if we arrived in the twilight or rain. So making the mileage was important.)
On the Wisconsin trips I had two spots where ice cream was accessible from the water (this is August and very little shade, recall) where we would group up, helping to promote group unity as we all gathered at the same spot. On the Ozark trips we take lunch and snack (second lunch) breaks which serves the same purpose.
What felt to me like “herding” came in when someone decided not to camp with the group, or paddle off into the night to go line dancing or some such thing. I certainly tried not to be a dictator and folks are free to do whatever, but if something went amiss I was concerned that some official might consider the consequences of their actions to be my responsibility.
None of the folks who gave me concern back then were Pneters. On purely Pnet/com trips everyone takes paddling a little more seriously and I can’t think of similar issues ever arising in the 40 or so trips I’ve done with them.
PS: Like Jyak I like solo paddles also.
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You misconstrue my comments. Once a trip or outing starts, you gotta do what you gotta do, whatever it takes, you are in an unimproved natural environment. That presents certain risks and all bets and preconceptions are off. I am talking before a trip is even planned, before the group is even fully formed. When I say, “of the same mindset” I do not mean autotoms or people who all think alike, I am talking about people who are all responsible within an extremely diverse nature. You know instinctively who you meet who is responsible and who you can count on. You build that group, a little at a time. That will lead to less of trying to change people once on the water, which is impossible and herding people.
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Yes, I did see the question marks and I feel like I answered why we don’t consider those things.
Had nothing to do with how you answered, it was an indication as to whether or not any of these topics were even relevant in the first place because I know absolutely nothing about the “Rendezvous”, the people who put it together or the people who attend it. But I have seen several references that it and others like it are dwindling in size, wondered why and if there was anything that could be done about it, if anyone wanted to. Perhaps it is fine just the way it is.
It is about a bunch of people getting together to paddle and that is pretty much it. If you’re looking for something more then this probably isn’t the group for you.
I am not looking for anything, trying to understand the group and figure out why groups like this have been dwindling when they should be thriving with kayaking being as beautiful sport that it is all the way around. There is certainly nothing wrong with a group getting together to just to paddle without a bunch of organization and in many, many ways is desirable. I am just wondering why it is becoming harder and harder to do. It makes no sense.
Because people age and drop hobbies. New people must be brought in to maintain group size. Which is what’s failing to happen here. The reasons why? I’ll happily ramble about my theories over a camp fire with you, but I’m to pressed for time to try and get them all across here. I’m one of the “young” newcomers so I’ve got a certain perspective on this issue that others might not share.
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Now that would be interesting, I assumed when I started reading your comment that you were a codger. It should have been effortless and seamless to bring younger generations into the sport, given its beautiful nature and then you throw in the mechanics.
I’d love to join this year–all done with my knee surgeries and ready to roll! I prefer to ride with someone from the Madison, Wisc. area. I can help drive!
Please let me know if you can fit in an extra passenger. I can probably find another way to get my canoe down there, if you can’t take an extra boat.
Thanks!
Rena
How do ya’ll recover from all of these knee surgeries, knee and hip replacements and the like?..
To me that would be daunting.
No Physical Therapists in the Cajun Navy?
The Cajun Navy is too tough for Physical Therapists.
Its daunting but not as daunting as not doing it when its really needed. Time catches up to everyone who’s lucky enough to last that long.
It has to be daunting and people here just write it off with a casual statement, oh I had this done or that done. One guy, @Jdaniel907, said in just a passing remark, “ I had BOTH of my hips “replaced” and I have to get BOTH of my knees “replaced.”…Jesus. I had a torn Meniscus in ONE knee and it was a PIA.
I had two knees replaced:,the right one 8 months ago and the left one six months ago so I can only share my experience.
If you are going to have it done, the first five weeks don’t plan on doing anything to strenuous! now my right knee is eight months old, and the left is six months old. I sometimes actually forget that they’re titanium. They are wonderful!
Recovery just took a lot longer than I thought. I thought I’d be done and finished in two months—maybe it’s because of my age, I’m 75, or maybe it’s cause nobody really tells you how how much work you have to do to get full recovery. You have to follow all the instructions and exercises at home. I am an extremely flexible person and I was before surgery, so for me, the bar was very high. I would not settle for anything less than my former flexibility, mobility, and range of motion. I’m almost there. I will not go downhill skiing or cross country skiing and probably anybody that gets their knees replaced will not do that either unless they come up with some sort of a brand new invention for replacement surgeries but that’s OK. I don’t like to ski anyway.
And I won’t kneel in my canoe, yet. I can kneel right now, but I like to have a cushion under my knees. It keeps getting better and better—that might be something I will never do, but I don’t care. My canoe can be paddled like a kayak.
I am trying to get down to the Ozarks for the rendezvous. It really depends on having someone to drive with, because driving is not my strong point. Never was! I’m good for about three hours and it’s a nine hour trip.
I hope to see you on the water!