Organisation as a group is key to running any rapid - be clear on your plan as a leader and make sure that your group is fully briefed. As a leader you should also make sure that everyone in the group is capable of implementing the line that you have deemed suitable. Remember as a leader your role is to facilitate the safety but also the enjoyment of the trip, ensuring that the group is having a positive experience which is important when runnning white water. Below I outline some strategies to help facilitate this...

As we head into the realms of open water canoeing, keeping an eye on the wind and it's effects on our environment are incredibly important. In order to assess the wind and it's impact on open water and sea conditions, the Beaufort Scale is used.

I often get asked on BCU 4 Star White Water training courses can you provide a kit list of things we'd need to carry when leading our groups in a moderate water environment. Rather than keep writing one I thought a quick blog on the subject would be more appropriate. So here's the list of kit we'll need: