Paddle Planning Guide

Use this detailed guide to help plan your paddle:

1. The first item to consider is where would you like to paddle.
1. Review the OPP Paddle Venues.
2. Select a venue that offers the best combination of location and expected sea conditions for the skill level of your group.
3. Decide on a date for the paddle
2. Review tide and current cycles and predictions for the venue.
1. Tides … DeepZoom and Willy Weather
1. Tide cycle during the paddle?
1. Flooding?
2. Ebbing?
3. Time and Height at planned launch?
4. Time and Height at planned return?
2. You may want to consider date of paddle based on best tide/current cycle
2. Currents … DeepZoom (or TideAlert app, available for Apple only)
1. Are there any currents in your chosen venue?
2. If so, what effect will they have on your paddle?
3. After selecting a paddle venue, use Google Earth or Google Maps websites to:
1. Review the launch point.
2. Determine:
1. Route
2. Distance
3. Approximate duration of paddle
4. If there will be lunch, and if so, where?
3. Does selected route have potential hazards such as possible surf launches or landings or crossing marine traffic lanes?
4. Determine best “bailout” or evacuation point(s) in case of an emergency:
1. Type beach access?
2. Vehicle access?
3. Availability of help?
5. Consider actions required during a possible emergency
4. Print off a copy the Paddle and Pre-launch Sheet at this time and complete the desired sections for you paddle plan.
5. Based on the specifics of your paddle, use the Paddle Ratings link to select the paddle rating.
6. Post your paddle on the OPP website (Step-by-step instructions are included on a separate sheet.)
7. Long-term forecasts of wind and weather in the PNW are subject to frequent change. So, about 4-5 days in advance of your paddle, look at wind predictions and have a back-up venue (if any exist) chosen if conditions look iffy. Email registrants of possible changes.
1. Look at venues where forecast for wind is no more than 8–10 kts.
1. Several sites to check are:
1. SailFlow.com
2. Willy Weather
3. Windy.com
2. Weather …
1. The Weather Channel
2. Accu-weather
3. Wunderground

1. As registrations come in through the OPP website, click on each registrant’s name to verify their skills demos are up-to-date. It is located under “Additional Information” on their profile page. If you have any questions about a registrant’s abilities, contact them or the club Paddle Coordinator.

1. Take the Planning and Pre-Launch Sheet to the launch site with you.

NOTE: POCs should:

1. Plan to arrive at the venue before the group is scheduled to arrive to give yourself time to:
1. Get your personal boat and gear unloaded and to the beach.
2. Get dressed and prepared for paddle.
3. Assist others with their gear, if/when needed.
2. After everyone in the group has moved their boat and gear on the beach and are ready to launch:
1. Call group together.
2. Ask participants to check each other and boats for gear or “wardrobe malfunctions.”
3. Share your paddle plan for the day using the Planning and Pre-Launch Sheet.
3. Cover the following items in your Pre-Launch Discussion:
1. Greet/Welcome everyone.
2. Do introductions and have everyone count-off to get number of paddlers in group.
3. Using the Planning and Pre-Launch Sheet as your guide, conduct the pre-launch discussion.
4. Recap essential information about the paddle.
5. Answer any questions from the group.
6. Ask if anyone has a medical condition that may affect them during the paddle
7. Do warm-ups and stretching exercises before launching.
8. Identify who has a radio and do a radio check. If there are new members, review Common Hand/Paddle Signals
9. Identify lead and sweep paddlers and remind the group to stay together.
10. Remind participants of 360 degree awareness, good communication, and shared duties.
11. Remind all paddlers to standby/wait for everyone to launch and get underway before leaving the immediate launch area.