Class IV Rafting Leadership Lessons
Last week my niece and I went rafting with A1 Wildwater Rafting out of Ft. Collins, CO. Due to the heavy snowfall this winter, the river levels are high and the flow is double the average making for a rafting trip of Class IV rapids. For the non-rafter, Class IV rapids are advanced and according to the Safety Code of American Whitewater are defined as:
“Intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise boat handling in turbulent water. Depending on the character of the river, it may feature large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted passages demanding fast maneuvers under pressure. A fast, reliable eddy turn may be needed to initiate maneuvers, scout rapids, or rest. Rapids may require “must” moves above dangerous hazards. Scouting may be necessary the first time down. Risk of injury to swimmers is moderate to high, and water conditions may make self-rescue difficult. Group assistance for rescue is often essential but requires practiced skills.” (americanwhitewater.org)
The safety preparation prior to departing was stern and specific that we would be rafting dangerous waters and paying attention was critical. When we arrived at the river, our guide put us in the boat on dry land and went over safety again. He made us practice paddling, “staying in the boat,” and commands. He was adamant that we had to operate as a team to stay safe and have fun. We MUST paddle and work together to move the 1,000+ lbs of the raft with us it. Our raft team was comprised of our guide SS Botwin, another raft company worker who had some experience, three who had never rafted, and myself. I’ve rafted a number of times over the years with experience at Class IV and V so became the lead paddler opposite the guide.
SS Botwin told us that if someone went swimming (falling out of the raft), they would immediately need assistance to get back into the boat or they’d be swept down river without us. As lead paddler, unless SS Botwin told me otherwise, my job was to keep paddling and not attempt to help rescue anyone. Again, the waters were high and dangerous. And remember, Class IV rapids are for advanced rafters, and we had 3 people on our boat who had never rafted before. Thankfully one of the three was my niece is who is a junior life guard in Hawaii and expert ocean swimmer and strong surfer. She took the 2nd paddler position.
We launched down the Poudre River with SS Botwin yelling commands and getting on our case constantly-rightfully so; the sense of urgency was warranted as two people not in life jackets had drowned on the river two days prior to our trip. Within 20 minutes one of the rookie rafters went swimming during a rapid stretch. As I continued to paddle, the raft company member of our team rescued our team mate by pulling her over the edge of the raft right on top of him, right next to me. She was clearly stunned and had lost her prescription glasses so aside from being shocked, now couldn’t see.
SS Botwin yelled repeatedly that we must work as a team to keep his boat safe. The fun part I don’t think was mentioned again after one of the team went swimming!
“KEEP MY BOAT SAFE, PADDLE HARDER.”
We navigated the rest of our stretch of the Poudre with leadership from SS Botwin with no more swimmers despite having 3 rookie rafters, one of which couldn't see.
The experience reminded me of the necessity of leadership of teams. The necessity of a leader to not be afraid to point out when things aren't being done right. The necessity of ensuring that teams are working together for the greatest leverage and power. The necessity of communication in the moment when it’s needed, and before those moments occur. The necessity of acknowledging what is likely unavoidable and preparing for potential obstacles. The necessity of telling the team they must ask for help when they don’t understand. The necessity of setting clear intentions for the leader and team to be in service of.
We were all in service of safety and having fun. In our case, physical harm was the possible outcome of poor paddling so no one minded being corrected or communicated with; we were clear on what we were working for and were all bought into that outcome.
The experience reminded me that without alignment to goals and outcomes, it is easy for the team to get out of sync. Without alignment to goals and outcomes the leader often hesitates to make a course correction or even communicate. Without alignment to goals and outcomes, the team is a dangerous raft on the river with no teamwork present. There are swimmers who take up precious time and energy in rescuing, taking team members away from their important paddling. There are guides who instruct the team to paddle without clear intention, causing confusion and panic in the boat. The raft might even flip dislodging the guide and leaving the team vulnerable. Navigating the river without clear goals and outcomes becomes reactive, chaotic, and dangerous.
The bottom line is, when you lead “in service of a goal and outcome” you will lead with intention and your team will follow you with intention. They will know you are course correcting in service of the goal, not because they are right or wrong. Your team will feel empowered, not judged. Your team will feel safe to ask for help when they need it. Your team will stick to the important work and not get side tracked by distraction. When you are intentional in your design about what you want, it’s easier to be in service of the outcome. It’s not me versus you; it’s what we are “in service of” together.
Where do you need to set goals and outcomes with intention?
Where can you align together in service of?