How to become a FLCC Steersperson

Here's some info on becoming a steersperson.  Please read:

The FLCC DB Suggested Team Positions and Responsibilities also outlines the steerspersons responsibilities.  If there is no designated captain, such at drop-in practices, the steersperson takes that responsibility as well.  As steersperson you are in command and responsible for the crew and equipment.  Be sure you have the required safety equipment on board.  Be sure all on the board are members or signed the dropin waiver. You must assess the crew's abilities and the conditions - call the practice if you think you should.  Better safe than sorry.  And never go out in the thunder, and return to dock if you hear thunder, keeping close to shore on the way in.  Have paddlers load in an orderly, safe fashion and sit as soon as they get to their seat.  Upon return, everyone remains seated until instructed to get out in an orderly fashion.  Only one or two persons should be moving in the boat at one time.  After practice you must ensure the boat/dock are tied and locked properly and all equipment put away.  Have paddlers clear the dock if they are not holding the boat, helping others out of the boat or helping to secure the boat.  You must watch for other traffic on the water and debris in the river and take evasive action.  Be aware of the tide/current and weather conditions.  Take charge in case of emergency.  Have someone on board help the person affected. Have someone call 911 if required and have them meet you at the dock when you return or somewhere else if it is closer.  Know what to do in case of swamping or capsize.  Remember, the steersperson is the most likely to go overboard, it is recommended there is a backup steersperson but if nothing else be sure they know to hold the boat. The paddlers can control the boat without a steersperson.  If you can’t get back in the boat, get as much of your body out of the water as possible and have the paddlers tow you to the closest shore.  When the freshet is running there are freshet rules – Be sure you know when the freshet is running and the rules.   

Freshet Rules   -  The FLCC website with announce when freshet rules apply.


Approved Steersperson

We are continually having new members learning to steer the DBs and voyageurs.  It's an on-going issue to have steersperson for both teams and outings.  We train on the water, as well as send out written steersperson information (FC steering manual, Canada’s Safe Boating Guide, as well as the club freshet rules and steersperson expectations).  A trainer goes out with them many times, giving instruction and letting them steer.  New steerspersons must have an approved steersperson in the boat.  When the river is slow and with experienced paddlers we allow a lower level of steering experience as the new steerspersons need to learn.  We do encourage all paddlers to have a try at steering, and have set up some "mini clinics" to allow anyone willing to try - some hate it, but others enjoy it and do well. 

We have a graduated program but one of the key things we do is judge the comfort of the steersperson with the boat in all circumstances and the confidence that is shared with the paddlers.  Of course, we cannot either train or test each steersperson in all conditions, but we aim to use our skills and experience to judge whether a new steersperson is likely to react quickly and appropriately to any emerging situation, including that all-important taking of control.  So, first the new steersperson does not take the boat in or out of the dock but steers only on the river away from the bridge, with no freshet, with an approved steersperson in the boat, and with experienced paddlers.  Then the new steersperson starts bringing the boat in to the dock, and later, out of the dock.  And so the process develops until the "new" steersperson is allowed to take out a crew of inexperienced paddlers, knowing that they are responsible for the crew's safety and also for the simple security of equipment and tying up procedures.  

The DB and voyageur club representatives book the boats and arrange for the steerspersons for group outings, so each have had a list of approved steerspersons, and will be recruiting volunteers from the appropriate "list" depending on their daytime availability.  We have other steerspersons of varying abilities that we may call upon depending on the type of group or other steerspersons on the water that day.