Kayak Committee Guidelines & Policies

Kayak guidelines and policies were updated at KC meetings on 02/22/2024 and 05/13/2024

1-WHO VOTES ON POLICIES: (Voted on 02/22/24)

Only Trip Leaders vote on policy decisions. OPs and TAs can give their thoughts and opinions to the group before voting.

2-SKILL LEVELS (BEGINNER, INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED) (Amended on 02/22/24)

i) Beginner Skills

No previous kayak experience is required.

Beginners should expect to start on sit-on-top kayaks and progress to decked kayaks at the discretion of the trip leader. 

Spray skirts should either be: 1) not worn or 2) worn but not fully fastened around the cockpit. 

Beginners should look at the Intermediate skills to see what to practice or learn.

ii) Intermediate Skills

The below on-water skills, including the wet exit, can be demonstrated to a Trip Leader during the beginner paddler’s Intermediate Assessment. These skills must be demonstrated BEFORE signing up for an intermediate trip.

Individuals should be able to prepare and paddle their kayak without assistance, including:

iii) Advanced Skills

Have mastered Intermediate paddler skills as well as the following:

  • Self-rescue & towing

  • Marine radio use

  • Current and tide tables

  • Weather knowledge (including lightning procedure, wind, CSO)

  • Basic nautical rules and local knowledge

  • Paddle at a moderate pace four hours or more

  • Launch from land on a beach, or rocky shoreline

  • Understand how to prevent hypo- and hyperthermia

  • The above should be demonstrated to a TL during the paddler’s Advanced Assessment 

3-PADDLER ASSESSMENTS (ADVANCING TO INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED PADDLER STATUS)  

(Voted on 05/13/24)

  • Based on the 05/13/24 meeting, TLs wanted flexibility and worried a standard assessment would slow down the pipeline.

  •  TLs will continue to do Intermediate Assessments ad hoc.

  • TLs are encouraged to incorporate wet exits on any intermediate trip and use it as a learning opportunity for the group.

4-TRIP BOUNDARIES (BEGINNER, INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED TRIPS) (New Official Policy 02/22/24)

The following are guidelines for Trip Leaders. Due to various factors, some exceptions may apply. Therefore it is under discretion of the Trip Leader on where it is safe to bring a group of paddlers.

  • Beginner: Anable Basin, Bushwick Inlet, Newtown Creek 

  • Intermediate: North up to Roosevelt Island, south down to the Williamsburg Bridge

  • Advanced: North of Roosevelt Island, South of the Williamsburg Bridge

5-BECOMING A  DECKHAND: QUALIFICATIONS 

Deckhands should be intermediate paddlers and 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

6-BECOMING A TRIP ASSISTANT: QUALIFICATIONS

All trip assistants must be assessed by NBCB Trip Leaders and it is recommended, but not required to be ACA (a national kayak safety organization) Level 2 or BCU equivalent assessed. 

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

  • Towing (both a contact tow [grabbing bow] and in line tow)

  • Lead and sweep, gather and stop signals

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

  • Perform a wet exit

7-BECOMING A TRIP LEADER: PROCESS & QUALIFICATIONS

  • Pass the ACA Level 2: Essentials of Kayak Touring Trip Leader training (L2: EKTTL).

  • Pass NBCB Local Knowledge test

  • Assist on five NBCB kayak trips

  • Co-lead at least three kayak trips (These trips must run with at least one trip assistant and 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 (Wild Apricot event listing counts as 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 Kayak Committee.

Please contact the Kayak Committee with any questions: kayaking@nbcboathouse.org

8-GUIDELINES FOR NEW TRIP LEADERS (New Policy 05/13/24)

  • For their first 1-2 beginner trips, new Trip Leaders should partner with a seasoned Trip Leaders

  • New Trip Leaders can lead intermediate trips without a seasoned TL

9-TRIP LEADER & OFFICIAL PADDLER STANDING (Taken from 2018):

To assure that our trip leaders and official paddlers maintain their necessary skill levels, the Committee recommends that all Trip Leaders and Official Paddlers complete a rescue every season. These can be planned or unplanned rescues and can be observed by another paddler who has been ACA certified.  This rule would be a tool for someone who is grossly out of compliance, rather than a box we have to check off next to everyone's name.

10-WINTER PADDLING

Cold weather paddling is when water and air temperatures combined are less than 120 degrees or the water is less than 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

 When kayaking in winter conditions:

  • A dry suit is a must. NBCB has dry suits available to borrow.

  • Trip leaders and all participants must be trained in winter paddling and dry-suit use (via NBCB workshops or approved paddles)

Winter Paddling Skills:

  • You must be an intermediate to advanced paddler.

  • Paddlers must demonstrate how to properly dress for winter kayaking.

  • Paddlers must demonstrate that they understand the risks associated with winter kayaking and how to prevent hypothermia.