RIver Etiquette
By Lesley Suppes
Aug 3, 2004, 09:16
There are no rules posted at the put-in, no handbook, no river cops to monitor rude paddlers. River etiquette is more common sense. As more and more people become addictedto paddling, river etiquette, and common consideration become more important. These "rules of the river" will make paddling more enjoyable for you and others who share the river. Remember, we are all out there for the same reason - to play and have fun!
Be ready to go: Nothing is more annoying than having to wait an hour at the put in for someone who "oops" left his or her spray skirt at home.
Tell someone in your group if you leave: Your group will wish you had drowned if they spend two hours looking for you only to discover that you took out early and hitched a ride to the takeout. You will save worry, frustration, and time by letting someone in your group know if you decide to take a break.
Check upstream for oncoming boaters: Rafts and others coming downstream have the right of way. It only takes getting run over once to figure out why this rule is important
Always look upstream before leaving an eddy and before getting on a wave to play. Please see the above rule.
Though the general rule has been "yield to people running downriver," those running downriver should try to pick lines that don't interrupt someone's surf if possible.
Leave plenty of room between boaters: Don't tailgate. Save "bumper boats" for a game of kayak polo. Wait for a boater to move through a tight spot before following. Different boat designs will move at different speeds. Adjust the space you need accordingly.
Do not cut in front of a boater running a drop.
Do not enter a crowded drop or eddy when there is no room It is very unnerving to have someone come crashing into your eddy. If there isn't room in an eddy you need to catch, wait upstream in another eddy until there is room for you.
When waiting in an eddy, move away from the eddy line to allow more room for other paddlers to enter -- Unless you enjoy people plowing into you as they try to enter the eddy.
Wait for a group to move through a rapid before you pass: Try to pass in calm section of the river
Limit groups to a moderate size: Smaller groups are less intrusive
Respect other river users: Pass fishermen quietly without disturbing their hole. Make room for others at heavily used access points. Load and unload your boats as quickly as possible and move your vehicle so others can use your spot.
Talk with other boaters on the rivers to decide campsites: This will prevent conflicts later on when you are tired and hungry and less likely to compromise
Don't be a hole hog: The lines are getting longer and longer in eddies, be considerate tailor the length of the ride to the number of people waiting in line.
Wait your turn: It is bad river karma to cut in line. Unless the person ahead of you is not paying attention. Then it is your duty to keep the line moving -- step up!
Practice minimum impact and help maintain the pristine river environment: Pack out all garbage and the garbage left behind by others
Show respect for locals and private property: These people own the land you paddle through. Paddlers are lucky to have the limited access they do, don't ruin it for everyone. It is not part of the experience to be chased by some irate landowner with a shotgun.
Keep the noise to a minimum: A few hoots and hollers are fine, but excessive yelling and screaming can be annoying to other river users.
Don't walk through other people's campsites: When putting in or taking out, respect other's space, if you must pass through, ask permission.
The group you are paddling with may have its own set of rules that you will have to quickly learn and abide by-regardless of how nebulous the rule may be.
For instance, this is what one paddler informed me: "Don't swim, if you do swim you owe me a beer (unless you are a significant other, then it depends how significant you are)." So I guess I can assume that if I swim and my significant other makes me buy him a beer, I'm not looking at a very long-term relationship.
As always, the most important rule: Have fun and be safe!
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