Want to become a trip leader? The process involves planning and leading two club trips under the guidance of a trip leader mentor. The following information describes the formal process and is from the Leadership Manual. Contact the Committee Chair or the Leadership Sub-Committee Chair if you are interested.

Sea Kayaking Committee Policies on Leader Selection, Recruitment, Development and Rewards

A. Scope

This policy covers methods of recruiting new leaders, developing their skills and rewarding their time and effort.

B. Leader Criteria

1. Nominee shall be a graduate of the Mountaineers Sea Kayaking Course or have been granted equivalency by the committee.
2. Nominee shall have paddled for at least one year after graduation from class or granting of equivalency and completed at least three trips with the Mountaineers.
3. Nominee must be recommended by two trip leaders.
4. Nominee must lead two supervised trips including pre-trip planning, sign ups, leading the trip, dealing with on the water group dynamics, and completing a trip report. Each trip must be done under the watchful eye of a sponsoring leader listed as a mentor. Each trip must be mentored by a different leader. The leadership coordinator has a current mentor list.
5. Nominee must be approved by two-thirds vote of the committee members present at the meeting wherein the nominee's name is presented for approval.
6. Nominee will be evaluated in several areas including but not limited to:

• Leadership skills
• People skills
• Sea kayak paddling and handling skills
• Judgment
• Knowledge of potential risks, including those associated with group trips such as weather and currents
• Trip planning
• Safety
• Emergency procedures

C. Leader Recruitment

1. Invitation by the Committee: The committee may invite individuals who show potential as leaders to become leaders. These paddlers may be identified by committee members or by leaders with whom they have paddled.
2. Requests by paddlers: Paddlers may request to become leaders. These requests will be addressed to the leadership coordinator.
3. Qualified paddlers will be put into training.

D. Skills Development

1. Since sea kayaking involves physical skills, the committee organizes workshops in selected skills for active and potential leaders. These not only benefit the individuals involved, but result in leaders that are more able to increase the skill level of those they lead and are better prepared to cope with unexpected and potentially dangerous conditions. Workshops include paddling technique, surfing, handling currents and eddylines and open water rescue practice.
2. Clinics and workshops are held that cover the particular skills necessary for the leadership role. These include trip planning, navigation and prediction of tides and currents.

E. Reward of Leaders

1. The fees and expenses of outside instructors for the workshops and clinics for leadership development are paid by the committee.
2. Leaders who participate in the swimming pool and open-water portions of our annual sea kayaking class are provided with refreshments, special training and opportunity to practice the skills being taught in the class.
3. Leaders will experience a growth in their interpersonal management skills.