*DO NOT bite off more water than you have the skills to paddle comfortably!

If unsure of your paddling abilities or skill levels, please, get the advice of the trip coordinator. You could endanger your own life as well as the lives of others by getting in way over your skill level.

This chart might also help you to determine your place within the pack:

Novice
• If you and your partner get into your shiny NEW canoe, get all the gear stowed, proudly shove off into the brisk current and begin to paddle, but discover that the two of you are actually facing one another in your canoe you’re a Novice.

Intermediate
• If you get from point A to point B without much trouble, if a ten mile trip is often too short, if you know and can use several basic strokes,(J-stroke, draw, pry backstroke, etc.) if you can successfully maneuver through Class 1-2 rapids most of the time, congratulations, you’re an Intermediate level paddler.

Expert
• These folks can run Class 3-5 rapids perfectly while doing hand-stands on one gunnel and spinning their $500 graphite racing paddles in the air with their feet.  They could paddle in an expensive suit, wing-tip shoes, and silk tie and never worry about getting wet.  Nobody actually likes Experts very much but they’re good to have around when the going gets tough.  When you’ve reached this level, you’ll know it, and others will probably know it too.

Please register with the trip coordinators before the trip date. Most coordinators specify a time for this in the calendar posting. (Coordinators need to plan ahead as far as the numbers of paddlers go).

If you have registered for a trip but find that you must cancel, please notify the trip coordinator immediately.  Don’t inadvertently ask the group to wait for you at a meeting place because you forgot to tell someone that you weren’t coming.

Please be on time!!! Be early actually.  Allow plenty of time to make the meeting places and don’t promise others that you’ll be Home by -??-.  Be early, relax, be considerate of others,  don’t worry about getting off the water at a certain time, and have a great trip.

PFDs are required on all Ahwaga trips.  Bring a whistle, an extra paddle, a painter line, sunscreen, hat, lunch, drinking water, a towel and a change of clothes in dry bags, etc.

Permission is required to pass the lead boat.  Stay between the lead and sweep boat.  Keep the boat behind you in sight at all times.

Shuttle Vehicle.If you have a large capacity vehicle that you don’t mind using for the shuttle, make your trip coordinators day, VOLUNTEER ahead of time!!!

No alcohol on Ahwaga trips please.