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How to Initiate a WAKE Trip


The Trip Initiator

A Trip Initiator is a WAKE member who decides that he/she wishes to organize a paddling trip and is inviting other WAKE members.


The Trip Initiator is not a “tour guide.” The Trip Initiator is not a paid professional who is responsible for their trip participants'  safety and is therefore not expected to possess a tour guide’s degree of paddling expertise, nor is the Trip Initiator insured against liability claims. For the purposes of WAKE, a Trip Initiator is a volunteer.

A trip Initiator is expected to post trips that lie within his or her own abilities. A WAKE member may decide to act as the Initiator only while arranging for another, more experienced member to take the lead on the water.

WAKE paddles are cooperative in nature, and the Initiator is no more responsible for group safety than any other individual in the group. The Trip Initiator must encourage all trip participants to speak up if they feel that an unsafe condition exists.

Trip Initiator Responsibilities 

  1. The Trip Initiator “advertises” the event through official WAKE channels like the WAKE Short Notice email group email or the WAKE website.

  2. In order to match potential participants to a trip that lies within their abilities, Trip Initiators are asked to use the format provided below for their invite. An invite, whether through the “Short Notice” channel or through the website, should contain, at a minimum, the following information:

  1. When (meeting time, launch time, return)

  2. Where (route, distance)

  3. Trip rating (see Trip Ratings and Skills Chart)

  4. Expected conditions the day of the trip (wind, waves, temps etc.)

  5. Contact info of initiator

  6. RSVP info

  7. Required Gear

  8. Suggested Gear

  9. Any special considerations (surf landings, tide rips, long crossings, etc.)

  10. All participants must sign, or have signed, the WAKE liability waiver

  1. It is recommended that the Trip Initiator maintains a list of participants, including contact and emergency information. All participants must have signed the WAKE liability waiver (members who have signed the waiver with their membership application/renewal do not have to sign another for the trip)!

  2. The Trip Initiator will be available to provide basic information to the participants about the intended route, launch and return locations, arrival and return times, and expected conditions.

  3. It is required that the entire group gather before launching. At that time, the Trip Initiator should organize or personally conduct a safety briefing and risk assessment. Topics should include: route description, communications, VHF radio protocol, identifying emergency equipment and any special skills, or special needs.

  4. It is not the responsibility of the Trip Initiator to provide equipment, clothing, food, water,or any other items to participants. However, if he or she wishes, the Trip Initiator is welcome to bring extra items that participants may forget or that could prove useful in an emergency.

  5. If the Trip Initiator feels that a paddler is unprepared for a particular trip, the Trip Initiator can deny participation to the paddler.

  6. If the Trip Initiator feels that the conditions require changes to the original plan, they are empowered to alter the original route, shorten the trip, or decide not to paddle at all.

Now let’s put some trips on the calendar!

If an accident / significant injury occurs, contact the Board as soon as reasonable: wake.treasurer@gmail.com