We’re glad you’re here! This page shares how OPP approaches safety on club paddles so we can all enjoy being on the water together.
These guidelines come from years of collective experience and are meant to support safe, fun, and rewarding paddles.
Requirements
- Personal Responsibility:
On every OPP paddle, each participant is responsible for their own safety. We encourage you to use your best judgment and paddle in a way that feels comfortable and appropriate for your skills. If something doesn’t feel right or seems beyond your current ability, it’s always okay to speak up or choose a different approach. We’re here to support each other—but every paddler plays an important role in making safe, thoughtful decisions on the water.
- Be prepared to take care of yourself.
If you’re new to paddling, this might feel like a lot—but you’re not alone. Fellow paddlers are always happy to help and support one another. At the same time, it’s important to build your own confidence and be ready to take care of yourself, especially if conditions become more challenging.
- Be sure your skills are a good match for each paddle trip. If you arrive at the put-in and decide the conditions or route aren’t quite right for you that day, it’s absolutely okay to sit this one out—many of us have been there! Making that call is a sign of good judgment and an important part of staying safe on the water.
- Paddle Trip Agenda: Take a little time to get familiar with the paddle trip plan. Review the route, look at a map or chart, check the weather and tide forecast. If the area is new to you, don’t hesitate to check in with the trip POC—they’re a great resource.
- Paddle POCs: Trip Organizers Who Help Bring the Group Together
A Paddle POC (Point of Contact) helps bring the trip together - sharing the plan, coordinating details, and helping everyone get out on the water. OPP paddles are cooperative experiences, not guided trips led by a single individual. Each paddler is responsible for their own safety, decisions, and comfort level. The POC provides trip information and supports the group, while participants look out for one another, stay connected, and share the experience. To help ensure a safe and enjoyable outing for everyone, the POC may limit participation if conditions are not a good match for a paddler’s current skills or comfort level.
- Bring the right equipment for the trip: Make sure your kayak and gear are in good working order (see Recommended Safety Equipment ). All of our trips take place in cold water, so it’s important to be prepared for immersion. Having a helmet accessible is important as conditions can change quickly, and you may find yourself launching, landing, or paddling in surf or around rocky shorelines.
- Paddle POCs don’t formally assess anyone’s kayaking ability. POC’s help coordinate the trip and support the group. Each paddler is encouraged to take an honest look at their own skills and comfort level when deciding to join a trip. The POC is happy to answer questions and help clarify what to expect. For everyone’s safety, the POC may occasionally ask someone to sit out if conditions or the trip doesn’t seem like a good match that day. Making thoughtful, realistic decisions about your abilities is an important part of staying safe and having a great time on the water.