No, not ‘The clap’! C.L.A.P. is an acronym most kayak leaders will be very familiar with but it’s useful to practice C.L.A.P principles whether you’re leading a group or you are a group member. This is something that Leaders of Improvers sessions and other trips will practice.

CLAP stands for:

Communication: How are you going to communicate with people in the group during the paddle? Signals are often more useful than shouting. Common signals are:

• Come to me (paddle held vertically upright or hand on head)
• Go left or right (paddle or hand pointing left or right)
• Stop (Paddle held horizontally above your head)

The most important thing is to agree how you’re going to communicate in advance.

Line of sight: Line of sight to everyone in your group is important, especially if you’re paddling with less experienced paddlers.

Avoidance: Being aware of hazards on your trip in advance as well as avoiding hazards that become apparent during the paddle.

Position of maximum usefulness: This one is mainly for leaders but also applies to other group members, especially if you’re more experienced. Where can you position yourself best to support and lead a group? Sometimes it will be leading from the front, other times looking after people at the back of a group or positioning yourself between the group and a hazard. Dynamic decision making is needed.