kayaks and kayakers - roles and responsibilities

Rob - i hope you do not mind but I have cut-and-pasted your attachment. Kevin - I accessed the kingdom swim site and it is a very good resource though I do not care for this quote, Swimmers are stubborn Idiots who will take you into Canada if you let them. the joke works by just calling us stubborn. communication is critical. Kayak assignment and instructions #1 responsibility is the safety of the swimmers Other responsibilities: 1) provide first responder assistance to swimmers in distress, 2) direct swimmers to stay on course, 3) notify race officials if any swimmer quits before the finish, 4) understand and follow any emergency evacuation instructions. OPTIONAL: identify any swimmer who cuts the course (does not round turn buoys). Most competitors will not need to be rescued or assisted; guards can affect them positively and give them more confidence by just being visible. 1) Wear your life vest, even if you are an expert swimmer. 2) Be alert, watching things even when there's no one swimming across your zone. 3) Be positive to everyone, but not to the point of insincerity or inappropriateness. Approach distressed swimmers quickly, but when you get close, slow down and begin a recovery dialog. "Are you OK?" "What is your name?" "Do you want any assistance?" "If you want assistance, what can I do to help?" What to Expect: 1) Swimmers may have muscle cramps, mild or so totally debilitating that an athlete can't even hold a rescue tube. 2) Swimmers may swallow a little water (a little seems like a lot). 3) Swimmers may experience open water panic attacks. Most open water panic attacks take place at the beginning of the race; at the start of the race, before you move with your assigned zone, be extra vigilant for swimmers in distress. Offer assistance. If they refuse help, return to your patrol zone and continue to monitor. If the swimmer refusing help is in obvious distress and not likely continue, contact a race official to make a ruling. What to bring on board: 1) Fuel and Drink for yourself, 2) your PFD, 3) signal flag for assistance, 4) a whistle or air horn or other audible means to signal for assistance, 5) 2-way radio in zip-lock bag, 6) sunscreen, 7) a hat and rain gear. Lifeguard jobs: 1. Lead Paddler: Paddle on-course just in front (5-15 yards) of the lead swimmers so they can sight off you and assist in navigation. Stay on course, even of the lead swimmers don’t. If they head off course significantly give a short whistle to get their attention. It is the swimmer’s responsibility to follow the course, not the lead paddler. Once the lead swimmers are nearing the finish, 1) break off, 2) insure that all paddlers are in position and not in need of assistance, then 3 moving into a guarding position. Optional: provide periodic radio reports on the progress of the swim. 2. Trailing Paddler: Try to stay with the slowest swimmer in the wave. However, you are responsible for responding to anyone else in trouble in your zone. When you are with the trailing swimmer assist them in keeping on course, but do not provide propulsion (stop in the water if they hold the boat). 3. Zone Paddlers: Most guards will be on kayaks guarding a zone of the race (examples lead pack, middle pack, trailing pack, etc.). Learn the names of guards in the surrounding zones. Your "zone" extends in front of you and to your right and left and occasionally, when you can, behind you for a swimmer who is off course, or trying to get to shore and deal with a cramp or quit the swim. You watch and cover the zone of the guards to your right or left when they leave their board. All paddlers should stay clear of the start and finish areas, at least 100 yards up course. Except the Trailing paddler and the trailing pack paddler who should be off to the side of the course. 5K – is a loop around the perimeter of the lake. Zone Paddlers should be positioned on the lake side of the course 3K – is a loop that cuts across the lake. Zone Paddlers should alternate positions (left and right of course) on the cross lake leg then be positioned on the lake side for the rest of the course. 1K – is an out and back course. Lead Paddler needs to be on the lookout for on-coming swimmers on the return leg. Zone Paddlers should be positioned on the lake side of the course. Trailing Paddler should stay on the lake side of the swimmer.

Rob - i hope you do not mind but I have cut-and-pasted your attachment. Kevin - I accessed the kingdom swim site and it is a very good resource though I do not care for this quote, Swimmers are stubborn Idiots who will take you into Canada if you let them. the joke works by just calling us stubborn. communication is critical. Kayak assignment and instructions #1 responsibility is the safety of the swimmers Other responsibilities: 1) provide first responder assistance to swimmers in distress, 2) direct swimmers to stay on course, 3) notify race officials if any swimmer quits before the finish, 4) understand and follow any emergency evacuation instructions. OPTIONAL: identify any swimmer who cuts the course (does not round turn buoys). Most competitors will not need to be rescued or assisted; guards can affect them positively and give them more confidence by just being visible. 1) Wear your life vest, even if you are an expert swimmer. 2) Be alert, watching things even when there's no one swimming across your zone. 3) Be positive to everyone, but not to the point of insincerity or inappropriateness. Approach distressed swimmers quickly, but when you get close, slow down and begin a recovery dialog. "Are you OK?" "What is your name?" "Do you want any assistance?" "If you want assistance, what can I do to help?" What to Expect: 1) Swimmers may have muscle cramps, mild or so totally debilitating that an athlete can't even hold a rescue tube. 2) Swimmers may swallow a little water (a little seems like a lot). 3) Swimmers may experience open water panic attacks. Most open water panic attacks take place at the beginning of the race; at the start of the race, before you move with your assigned zone, be extra vigilant for swimmers in distress. Offer assistance. If they refuse help, return to your patrol zone and continue to monitor. If the swimmer refusing help is in obvious distress and not likely continue, contact a race official to make a ruling. What to bring on board: 1) Fuel and Drink for yourself, 2) your PFD, 3) signal flag for assistance, 4) a whistle or air horn or other audible means to signal for assistance, 5) 2-way radio in zip-lock bag, 6) sunscreen, 7) a hat and rain gear. Lifeguard jobs: 1. Lead Paddler: Paddle on-course just in front (5-15 yards) of the lead swimmers so they can sight off you and assist in navigation. Stay on course, even of the lead swimmers don’t. If they head off course significantly give a short whistle to get their attention. It is the swimmer’s responsibility to follow the course, not the lead paddler. Once the lead swimmers are nearing the finish, 1) break off, 2) insure that all paddlers are in position and not in need of assistance, then 3 moving into a guarding position. Optional: provide periodic radio reports on the progress of the swim. 2. Trailing Paddler: Try to stay with the slowest swimmer in the wave. However, you are responsible for responding to anyone else in trouble in your zone. When you are with the trailing swimmer assist them in keeping on course, but do not provide propulsion (stop in the water if they hold the boat). 3. Zone Paddlers: Most guards will be on kayaks guarding a zone of the race (examples lead pack, middle pack, trailing pack, etc.). Learn the names of guards in the surrounding zones. Your "zone" extends in front of you and to your right and left and occasionally, when you can, behind you for a swimmer who is off course, or trying to get to shore and deal with a cramp or quit the swim. You watch and cover the zone of the guards to your right or left when they leave their board. All paddlers should stay clear of the start and finish areas, at least 100 yards up course. Except the Trailing paddler and the trailing pack paddler who should be off to the side of the course. 5K – is a loop around the perimeter of the lake. Zone Paddlers should be positioned on the lake side of the course 3K – is a loop that cuts across the lake. Zone Paddlers should alternate positions (left and right of course) on the cross lake leg then be positioned on the lake side for the rest of the course. 1K – is an out and back course. Lead Paddler needs to be on the lookout for on-coming swimmers on the return leg. Zone Paddlers should be positioned on the lake side of the course. Trailing Paddler should stay on the lake side of the swimmer.