Paddle safer with Operation Paddle Safe

Published 12:00 am Monday, April 25, 2005

I recently received an e-mail from a reader that said I have spent too much time on power boats and sailboats in this column over the last few years and not given enough publicity to either canoe or kayak safety, both of which have grown in popularity over the four years I have written this column.

I went back to my subject file and the writer was indeed correct. In over 230 columns for the paper I have only written about these two types of watercraft 10 times. An obvious error on my part, which I am going to address right now.

To start my effort to improve the information regarding canoes and kayaks I want to feature a great program that should better publicized – Operation Paddle Safe.

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Developed by the American Canoe Association (ACA), Operation Paddle Safe is one of the newest on the water programs that has become available. It is designed around providing, according to the ACA web site http://www.acanet.org/ops-main.htm, a &uot;safety education documentation for camp counselors, summer staffs and others who require documentation of safety training but not full-fledged Instructor certification.&uot;

I wanted to make sure I highlighted this as young people move forward in securing recreational jobs this summer.

Sounds good so far, especially if you will be working at a camp this summer or at a park. Read on.

Completing the Op Paddle Safe Program is easy as one, two, three…

First off, go to the Web site and download the registration. It is a PDF file so make sure you already have that loaded on your computer.

All participants, who must be age 15 or older, take an on-water workshop an ACA certified Instructor.

Second, students should go to ACA website, download the test and complete it.

(Yes, there is a test involved.)

Third, once you have completed the test, participants need to package up their registration, their exam and a copy of their participation at a seminar and mail to the ACA at the address below. Once everything is received and the test is passed the ACA issues documentation stating the student has completed a paddle safety program.

Here are two other pieces of information to keep in mind if you want to pursue this program. First, participants have up to five months following the seminar to complete their test.

Second, and this is a biggie, the documentation is valid from the date of the online test until May 1 of the following year.

Additionally, according to the ACA web site, &uot;One year extensions are granted once only for participants who re-register and retake the online safety exam between January 1 and May 1 of the following year. Cost of registration and the exam is $30, which includes ACA membership. Current ACA members pay a reduced fee of $10.&uot;

If you need additional information contact Vicki Baron, Operation Paddle Safe Project Coordinator at vbaron@acanet.org or 703-451-0141 ext 16 or write to the American Canoe Association, 7432 Alban Station Blvd, Suite B-232, Springfield, VA 22150. It is that easy.

Next week I will continue to look at safe ways to have fun with paddle sports. Until then….Boat Safe…..Boat Smart….and keep those e-mails coming!

Joe DiRenzo is Coast Guard employee who lives in Suffolk. He can be reached at j.direnzo@charter.net.