Important Skills

A number of conversations and experiences have gotten me thinking about what skills/traits are really important in sea kayaking. There are the "technical" skills like a good forward stroke, strong braces, a deep repertoire of boat handling skills, a solid assisted rescue, and rolls. I'm not convinced that mastering the skills necessarily make a good paddler. There is a certain amount of athletic ability and physical stamina that come into play, but again I'm not convinced of the importance of those qualities.
Ultimately, I think the qualities that separate a skilled paddler from a good paddler are less tangible. Just because a paddler knows every rescue in the book and can do them in rough water, can carve up the surf, or has a "bomb proof" roll does not mean the paddler can perform the same skills when it really counts. Nor does it mean that they can avoid situations where such skills are needed. Being in superb physical shape does not mean that you are capable of making a 10 mile open water crossing.
I think given the right set of mental qualities, even a paddler with mediocre skills can be a good paddler. Here are a few of the mental things that I think count:

• keeping your head when things turn ugly


• watching out for the other paddlers in the group


• respecting the authority of the group leader


• respecting the knowledge of other group members


• being honest about your skill level and physical condition


• putting the interests of the group before your own interests


• thinking more than one paddle stroke ahead

This is by no means an exhaustive list. But it does contain the top things I would consider in putting together a group of paddlers to do trips that push the envelope.