Lead or Assist Trips

BECOMING A CANOE TRIP ASSISTANT 

Trip assisting is a great way to give back to the community. We ask you to be an intermediate paddler, and are willing to learn the skills below. Experienced volunteers at NBCB can teach you all you need to know!

All canoe trip assistants must be trained and assessed by NBCB canoe trip leaders, and it is recommended, but not required, to pass the ACA Level 2 Canoe Touring Assessment (or BCU equivalent). Preferably this assessment is done by a NBCB ACA canoe instructor, who can adapt the assessment to meet the specific challenges paddling the East River and Newtown Creek.

Trip assistants should be able to demonstrate the following skills:

    • Communication

    • Awareness of the environment, whether water, weather, or people

    • Positive and pleasant demeanor

    • Knowledge of equipment set-up, and care

    • Marine radio use (channels for traffic, emergency, and general chatter; security calls responses to commercial vessels)

    • How to help if there is a capsize or other emergencies

    • Lead and sweep, gather and stop signals

    • Basic local knowledge (shipping lanes, ferry stops, landmarks, eddies/resting spots, rules of the road)

BECOMING A CANOE TRIP LEADER

Without our volunteer trip leaders, NBCB could not provide our members with the amazing experience of canoeing around Brooklyn and New York City. We outline our basic guidelines below:

PROCESS AND QUALIFICATIONS

    • Email the canoe committee. Tell us why you want to Trip Lead. Share your information and skills.

    • Pass the ACA Level 2 Canoe Touring Assessment, preferably done by a NBCB ACA canoe instructor who can adapt the assessment to meet the challenges of leading trips at NBCB, and paddling the East River and Newtown Creek.

    • Pass NBCB Local Knowledge test

    • Assist on five NBCB canoe trips

    • Co-lead at least three canoe trips (These trips must run with at least three participants. Trip leaders in training must be evaluated by at least two NBCB trip leaders and at least two of the co-led trips must be on the East River).

Co-leading means a NBCB trip leader oversees and supervises a trip leader in training who will:

    • Create a float plan

    • Post the event on the calendar

    • Evaluate all potential paddlers’ skill level for trip participation

    • Execute the trip (set-up and clean-up)

NOTE: All applicants for trip leader are subject to final approval by the Canoe Committee.

If you are interested in becoming a trip assistant or leader, please talk to a current canoe trip leader and reach out to the canoe committee with any questions.