Position of most usefulness
Position of most usefulness
This is a really interesting one. So what on earth is the position of most usefulness?
Is there any point to being the leader of a group, paddling down a river, getting so far ahead of your group that you are out of sight around the bend? Yes they can all now follow your lead and your line. You clearly can’ t communicate with anyone, visibly with signals, and you may be able to whistle to them. But there may be wind so you can’ t rely on that. Is that really the position of most usefulness for you or the group? Is it at the back of the group watching over everyone, where you can see all? But can they see you? Can you communicate to everyone which direction you need to take from the back, probably not?
Is it in the middle where you can see the more confident paddlers in front, the weaker less confident paddles behind you and with a slight turn of your head they being able to see you clearly and copy or follow your lead? This sounds a good idea. But you can’ t see that they are up to all the time, they could be really struggling with difficult water, or dropping behind in the wind as you and the rest of the group dig deep to battle into the headwind.
Truth is: it’ s all of these. It’ s hard to be in the right place all the time. The more your paddle group is spread over distance the harder it is for you to get round your paddlers and to lead your group effectively. Short paddle sections with regroups is very effective at keeping everyone together but can be tiresome for some. It may make you unpopular as well. But then again it will make you popular with others.
What makes a good leader? Someone who is aware of the risks of the paddle, has created a paddle plan to reduce, minimise and / or avoid the risks that could feature on the paddle and has anticipated likely outcomes if the paddle doesn’ t go as planned. Someone who is aware of each person in the group, their level of paddling and how they are paddling in the group during the day. That controls the group’ s momentum to the best interests of all that are in the group, and if it doesn’ t work out, takes it on the chin, doesn’ t hide behind false statements, but openly discusses what went wrong, why it went wrong and works out how it could be done better in the future. This is the way you learn, grow and become a great leader.
Enjoy your group paddles this summer, stay safe and paddle wisely.
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