Sacramento Sea Kayakers (SSK) does cooperative common adventure trips. As a Trip Initiator for SSK you are not a guide, you are a member of the club just like everyone else, and as such you are no more responsible for the safety of others than anyone else on the trip. Each participant is responsible for his/her own safety.

Moral obligation and Maritime law says the person in charge of a vessel is obliged to assist others in danger unless rendering such assistance would place his/her own vessel, crew or passengers in serious danger.

SSK has a mission statement, purpose, structure, culture, and way of doing things. As a Trip Initiator you can reinforce, share, create, shape, negate, or undermine these things. The club wants its Trip Initiators to be informed and equipped so they and other Members have positive kayaking trips.

The club does not desire to dictate a set of rules or to tell anyone how or where they should paddle. The purpose of these guidelines is to help you and the club be successful. Trip Initiators can organize (or not organize) a trip any way he or she wants. If a member doesn't like the way a trip is organized, they are free to initiate trips and do it their way.

Although Trip Initiators have great freedom to do as they want, and the club is not responsible for evaluating the abilities or actions of Trip Initiators, the club reserves the right to eliminate anyone who they feel has grossly or repeatedly done things that are unsafe, irresponsible, disrespectful, or potentially damaging. The club may provide a warning or explanation, but is under no obligation to do so.

In the same way, although Trip Initiators are not responsible for evaluating the preparedness of participants, initiators have the right to eliminate anyone who they feel is not prepared with the adequate skills or equipment for a particular trip.

Trip Initiators shall:
1. Contribute to the growth and well-being of the club.

2. Only post the following types of events on SSK’s site:
a) SSK kayak trip (if guests from other groups are invited they must sign our waiver)
b) Large or reputable kayak trip put on by an outside organization that has insurance and requires waivers.
c) SSK special event (Must be approved by the Steering Committee)
d) Non-SSK special event (Must be approved by the Steering Committee)

3. Not charge for trips, services, or rental fees (sharing costs like gas is acceptable).

4. Protect the private personal information that is contained on the Membership Roster.

6. Download a Group Waiver Form, found in the "Files" tab of the home page, and have it signed by all of the participants. While we recognize that Members have already signed an electronic waiver it is still Club Policy that ALL members, participants, guests, and minors sign the waiver for EVERY trip or event. The waiver is for the protection of the Club and the Trip Initiator.


Trip Initiators should:
1. Know how to navigate the club’s website and be familiar with its contents.

2. Know the club’s mission, structure, policies, guidelines, and key members (leaders).

3. Be familiar with the proposed trip, and do sufficient pre-trip planning.

4. Have the ability to safely do the trip.

5. Announce the trip on the club’s website in a clear, concise, accurate, and descriptive manner. Use the “Trip Template” to ensure completeness, create uniformity, and simplify the process.

6. Conduct a pre-trip talk. Just before getting on the water it is a good idea to get everyone together, do introductions, privately assess the group’s weaknesses and strengths, discuss the plan, appoint a lead and a sweep paddler, go over any area hazards, and perhaps review basic communication signals or any essential skills.

7. Strive to create trips that are inclusive and vary in nature. To include the needs of advanced paddlers there will be trips that are inappropriate for beginners. To include the needs of beginner paddlers there will be trips where advanced paddlers will need to be present to introduce, mentor, and encourage. There is also a need for trips where it is about being in the moment rather than learning.

Inclusiveness also means being aware of the needs of those with physical and mental handicaps. Kayaking is a very attractive sport for those with mobility, strength, weight, stress, depression, social anxiety, cognitive, and other challenges. Paved walkways and handicap parking are easily identifiable accommodations.
Clear, complete, and well thought out communication is invaluable to everyone, but this is especially true for those with disabilities. Last minute changes in plans or locations should be avoided. People with handicaps often need extra time to prepare, process, and get ready.

I HAVE READ THE ABOVE GUIDELINES, AND UNDERSTAND THAT I AM NOT ASSUMING ANY LEGAL OBLIGATIONS BY SIGNING IT, AND HAVE SIGNED IT VOLUNTARILY.