Long Island Paddlers

PADDLE TRIP LEVELS

Trips will be rated for conditions/skills and endurance separately. A Level 1A trip is the easiest trip, while a Level 5D is the most difficult. Kayakers should consider their skill and endurance levels with respect to trip ratings when signing up for trips.

Note: Trip levels are determined by both typical conditions plus the current weather forecast for a given area. Changes in trip levels, for any given trip, due to weather or water conditions are at the discretion of the trip leader. Trip levels are classified by the most severe conditions in either category "Wind Conditions" or "Water Conditions / Distance from Shore". (Example: A trip with sustained winds of 15-20 MPH with gusts to 30 MPH is a level 5 trip).

Conditions - Skills Trip Levels	Required Skills In Trip Level Conditions	Wind Conditions (MPH) Sustained Gusts	Water Conditions / Distance From Shoreline	Miscellaneous Requirements
1	Wet exit or permission from the trip leader	S 0 - 5 G 0	Flat water Less than ¼ mile from shore in protected waters	Entry and exit on soft beach sand
2	Perform in level 2 conditions: Wet exits Assisted rescues	S 5 - 10 G 15	Waves 1 foot or less Current 2 knots or less Less than ½ mile from shore Minimal boat traffic	Entry and exit from a dock and/or pebbled beach
3	Perform in level 3 conditions: Assisted rescues Self rescues Bracing	S 10 - 15 G 20	Waves 1 - 2 feet, may break over kayak Current 3 - 4 knots Less than 1 mile from shore Moderate boat traffic with sufficient distance for safety	Spray skirts required for Level 3 and above. Entry and exit from a dock and/or rocky beach.
4	Perform in level 3 conditions: Assisted rescues Self rescues Instinctive bracing	S 15 - 20 G 25	Waves 2 - 3 feet Currents 4 - 6 knots Exposed crossings up to 10 miles Heavy boat traffic in close proximity	Entry and exit into breaking waves and/or rocky coast line
5	Perform in level 5 conditions: Assisted rescues Self rescues Instinctive bracing Kayak roll preferred	S > 25 G > 30	Waves greater than 4 feet Currents greater than 6 knots Exposed crossings greater than 10 miles Heavy boat traffic in close proximity Possible crossing of shipping lanes

Endurance Rating	Duration*	Single-Segment Duration**	Pace	Suggested Rest Stops***
A	Up to 3 hours / 6 miles	Up to 1 hour	Up to 2.5 MPH	Minimum of 1 stop. Not less than ½-hour duration
B	Up to 4 hours / 10 miles	Up to 2 hour	Up to 3.5 MPH	Minimum of 1 stop. Approx. ½-hour duration
C	Up to 6 hours / 15 miles	Up to 3 hour	No Limit	TBD by the trip-leader
D	Greater than 6 hours / 15 miles	Greater than 3 hours	No Limit	TBD by the trip-leader

* Duration - considered total time paddling, exclusive of rest stops. Actual trip time will be longer.
** Single-Segment Duration - the longest time paddling between rest stops.
*** Suggested Rest Stops - to be used as a guide. Actual quantity and duration of rest stops will be determined by the trip leader.

This website was developed compliments of Frank Durante (frankd@suffolkconnection.com), a devoted member of the Long Island Paddlers