ADVERTISEMENT SAFETY LINES “SWEEP” SAFETY
One of the first new terms I encoun- tered as a novice canoe tripper, over 40 years ago, was “sweep.” Now, in my retirement years, the term is still part of my daily life: “Have we swept yet?” my wife and I ask as we depart for a trip, check out of a hotel, or pack up following a church function.
I was originally introduced to the sweep philosophy as a key element of a successful portage. The sweep is the person designated to be the last one over the portage, ensur- ing nothing has been left behind or dropped en route. The sweep also makes sure that none of your trip’s gear is inadvertently returned to the start of the portage by a group going the opposite way—yes, that really does happen! Because the sweep’s job is ensuring your trip has all its gear, no one should resume paddling until the sweep gives the all clear.
NEW BEGINNINGS
FOR BEGINNER KAYAKERS, there are plenty of articles on the technical aspects: what kayak to choose, how to choose it, what paddle, what lifejacket and even how to know when you’re ready to take on multi-day trips. There are lists of things you should bring for emergencies and yet more lists on what to put in a bail-out bag and in a first aid kit. But the thing is, experts and long-time paddlers write all of these articles. I have yet to find an article that discusses what it feels like to try to break your way into the world of kayaking as beginner, especially given the overwhelm- ing flood of information and technical jargon you scramble to absorb. I set out to write just such an article. What follows is my story as a beginner kayaker. My first introduction to kayaking was
through a friend who owned two nine-foot faded orange kayaks. I’ve since learned that serious paddlers call them “planters” or “tubs.” And that makes perfect sense to me—they do kind of look like backyard flower plant- ers. My friend and I are both avid photogra- phers and one day she suggested we take her “planters” out on the local river to get some more favorable shots of the scenery and wildlife. Although somewhat nervous, hav- ing never been in a kayak before, I felt per- fectly confident my friend would show me the ropes and, hey, I was going to get some
unique shots out of the deal. Little did I know that I’d become completely enchanted by this new-to-me sport. The very first time she was to take me
kayaking, we planned to wake up around 4:30 a.m. That wasn’t unusual for either of us. As photographers, we were accustomed to hunting for shots in the golden hour. We wanted to catch the first light of dawn com- fortably floating between air and water. I still remember my excitement. I woke early to make coffee and pack a
snack, double-checking everything I thought I’d need for paddling that morning. When I asked my friend what to wear and what to bring, she said only to wear comfortable clothing and maybe bring a garbage bag to keep my camera dry in case it rained. At the time, I didn’t know that wearing
heavy cottons—like jeans or sweats—could be life threatening. But I trusted my friend. After all, she paddled every summer at the cottage and owned her own kayaks. To me, she was the expert. So that first morning I donned a pair of old jeans, a t-shirt and an old pair of sneakers and headed out the door with a camera bag and a thermos of coffee to pick her up and load the kayaks in the back of my truck. —Jan Carol Phillips Continue reading this series by Jan Carol Phillips at
www.paddlecanada.com/kanawa.
On longer portages my fellow paddlers and I designate an obvious item like the wannigan or the large fluorescent orange first aid kit as the last item to be carried over. When the sweep finds that object, he knows that is the last of the equipment to be carried across the portage.
The sweep philosophy is use- ful on the water. A wilderness first aider and the expedition first aid kit are assigned to the sweep boat. All other boats on the trip stay in front of the sweep. The sweep is the last vessel down a set of rapids or around a headland. The leader holds up until the sweep success- fully completes the rapids or arrives at the headland, indicating that everyone in the party is present and accounted for. If there is a mishap, the sweep brings it to the attention of the trip leader (using a whistle, a radio or paddle signals) and pro- vides assistance to the crew in peril. By using a sweep the trip leader can verify that all is well simply by observing that the sweep boat is in sight and underway.
It’s been 40 years and the sweep philosophy still works for me! Have a safe 2014! Eric Williams
President Emeritus, Paddle Canada Director, Canadian Safe Boating Council
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