by Jim Kakuk
Editor’s Note: this piece is based on an article Jim coauthored with Eric Soares, originally published in Sea Kayaker Magazine, Summer 1989.
Team Definition:
A team is a group of people working together toward a shared goal or purpose, where the members depend on each other in some meaningful way to achieve what they’re trying to accomplish. What makes something a team rather than just a group is usually that interdependence – people bring different skills, perspectives, or responsibilities, and they coordinate their efforts rather than just working in parallel. There’s typically some level of collective accountability for outcomes.
Teams versus Individual Paddling
Many paddlers view sea kayaking as an individual sport. We see ourselves alone in our boats, exploring vast expanses of water, entering new frontiers. Paddling solo offers a special experience that teams cannot replicate—the meditation, the self-reliance, the uncompromised freedom.
But there’s another way to paddle. Gradually, we find ourselves seeking out others who share our passion. We visit the local kayak shop and chat, attend symposiums, join group outings, become club members. Eventually, we meet the right people and form a kayak team. Why? Because while a soloist bivouacs, a team constructs an outpost. A solo paddler meditates; a team shares experiences and stories. A team offers camaraderie, enhanced safety, and opportunities to tackle challenges impossible alone.
Teams versus Clubs
Understanding the difference matters. A club is a group of people who share mutual interests, meet regularly, socialize, share knowledge, and sponsor activities. Relationships remain loose and informal. As of 2026, the ACA boasts over 300 registered kayak clubs and affiliated organized organizations, and an AI search revealed this nugget: Given that there are over 42 million active paddlers worldwide as of 2023, the number of localized clubs and informal meetups is likely in the thousands. A team is different.
A team is tightly interconnected and coordinated. Members pool individual efforts to achieve shared goals efficiently. When the right talents combine in correct proportions, the result exceeds the sum of its parts.
Throughout history, humans have formed teams to achieve specific goals: surgical units, construction crews, expeditions, sports teams. Effective teams share common characteristics: unified purpose, efficient structure, complementary tasks, and specialized communication. Successful kayak teams combine these same factors.
Building Your Team: First Steps
Finding the Right People
Don’t rush this. You want paddlers who:
• Match your skill level or complement it appropriately
• Share similar goals and attitudes toward risk
• Communicate honestly and directly
• Handle stress constructively
• Commit to the team’s purpose
Start small. Paddle with potential teammates in easy conditions first. Watch how they handle
equipment, make decisions, and interact with others. Gradually increase difficulty. A person who
seems competent on calm water may become unreliable in challenging conditions—you need to
know this before it matters.
Vetting Compatibility
Plan a weekend trip or day-long expedition with prospective team members. Pay attention to:
• Decision-making style: Do they think things through or act impulsively?
• Communication: Are they clear and direct, or vague and passive?
• Stress response: Do they stay calm or become anxious?
• Teamwork: Do they help others or focus only on themselves?
• Skill honesty: Do they acknowledge limitations or overstate abilities?
If someone doesn’t fit, it’s better to discover this early. A weak link in a team isn’t just inefficient
—it’s dangerous.
Initial Team Building
Once you’ve identified compatible paddlers, start building team culture:
• Paddle together regularly in varying conditions
• Share skills and knowledge freely
• Establish clear communication norms
• Discuss goals and expectations openly
• Start simple and build complexity gradually
Unified Purpose
For a team to benefit from member interaction, it must have purpose—a reason to exist that each member contributes to. Historically, Aleuts and Eskimos formed teams to hunt whales, seals, and otters. Their purpose was survival. Today’s teams might work together to explore and chart new coastline, forage and fish for a feast, teach skills to new members, document wildlife through photography, or safely execute challenging paddles.
Even a couple touring in a double kayak is a team, with companionship as their purpose. Two racers in a double share the purpose of maximizing speed over a set course. Your team’s purpose shapes everything else: who you recruit, how you structure yourselves, what risks you accept. Define it clearly before you commit.
Team Structure
Size and Composition
A team requires at least two individuals working toward a common goal, but three is often ideal.
Larger teams become unwieldy and require more accommodation for varying skill levels and
personalities.
For most kayaking applications:
• 2 people: Maximum flexibility, but limited capability
• 3 people: Ideal balance of capability and coordination
• 4-6 people: Good for coastal exploration and moderate challenges
• 7-10 people: Requires formal structure and clear hierarchy
• 10+ people: Consider splitting into sub-teams
Balance is crucial. One person’s strengths should compensate for another’s weaknesses. Each
individual must contribute what they can. A good team uses everyone’s talents effectively.
Leadership and Hierarchy
Some teams try to operate without predetermined decision-making policies. Collective decision-making works around the campfire or in easy conditions, but becomes cumbersome when conditions deteriorate. In danger, ill-defined hierarchy results in split decisions, conflict, or chaos.
Some teams may prefer rotating leadership or establishing situation-specific leaders. In the Tsunami Rangers, we established a hierarchy based on judgment, knowledge, experience, skill, and initiative. We assign naval ranks commensurate with demonstrated performance.
The Captain has overall responsibility for strategy and team safety. The Captain should know everyone well and understand how to motivate each person. This role requires experience, calmness, directness, and strong leadership.
The Commander usually heads out first into new situations, under the Captain’s direction. This position requires technical skill, good judgment, and the ability to assess conditions quickly.
Other ranks follow down the chain of command. All members know their rank, role, and responsibilities before embarking on adventures.
Your team may use different titles or structures, but the principle remains: everyone must know
who makes decisions when conditions demand quick action.
When Hierarchy Should be Flexible
As team members gain experience, hierarchies should evolve. Reassess roles periodically:
• After significant skill improvements
• When someone demonstrates new capabilities
• After incidents that reveal strengths or weaknesses
• At the start of each season
Leadership shouldn’t be permanent unless earned repeatedly. The person best suited to lead may change with circumstances.
Complementary Tasks
When we go kayaking, we often say “we’re going on a mission.” The mission might be exploring
a sea cave, taking pictures in the surf zone, or picnicking on an island. Still, each person has a
role. When exploring a cave, one kayaker might sit outside to scout for waves while another enters the main chamber to photograph a third boater probing into the darkness. Sharing tasks makes the activity safer and more engaging. Indeed, in many caves, only a coordinated team can enter safely.* When touring the coast with the whole team, we rate each person and set up formations based on interests and skills. Each boater takes a complementary position within that formation.
Formations and Positioning
A formation keeps the team together and allows for communication, even in high seas and wind.
Different formations suit different conditions, team sizes, and skill levels.
Basic Formations
Shotgun (Random) Formation
• When to use: Calm conditions, equally skilled paddlers, easy communication needed
• Setup: Paddlers spread naturally within visual and vocal range
• Advantage: Flexible, relaxed, allows conversation
• Limitation: Can spread out too much in wind
Row Formation
• When to use: Paddling against wind
• Setup: Paddlers line up side-by-side, perpendicular to wind
• Advantage: No one fights another’s wake; equal effort required
• Limitation: Harder to communicate across the line
Column Formation (Loose or Tight)
• When to use: Wind from the side
• Setup: Single file, with spacing appropriate to conditions
• Tight column: 1-2 boat lengths apart in challenging conditions
• Loose column: 3-5 boat lengths apart in moderate conditions
• Advantage: Easy communication, clear leadership
• Limitation: Those behind may struggle in leader’s wake
Oblique Formation
• When to use: Running with the wind
• Setup: Diagonal line angled to allow drafting without direct following
• Advantage: Efficiency, speed, maintains visual contact
• Limitation: Requires discipline to maintain spacing
V-Formation (Spearhead)
• When to use: Exploring open coast with larger teams
• Setup: See opening example
• Advantage: Maximum flexibility, clear roles, strong support for weaker paddlers
• Limitation: Requires experienced team members in key positions
General Positioning Rules
Regardless of formation:
• Place less skilled paddlers in the middle and near the front
• Position the weakest paddler surrounded by the strongest
• Put the most heavily loaded kayak where it can be supported easily
• Ensure the sweep position can see everyone
• Keep the leader’s position visible to all
Specialized Communication
Precise, quick vocal and visual signals are essential for teams at sea. Please see our articles on Hand Signals and communication for group kayakers for more information.
The Basic Protocol
We blow a whistle or emit a loud, high-pitched vocal signal to get attention: “HOYT!” Once the
team is alerted, the person who wishes to communicate follows with one or more visual signals.
Team members acknowledge, reply, then act or relay.
Essential Hand Signals
Most visual signals are performed with one hand. Here are the core signals every team should
know:
Safety and Status
• Help: Wave paddle horizontally overhead, both hands (universal distress)
• Danger ahead: Raised fist
• Safe to proceed: Thumbs up
• Stop: Flat palm facing forward, arm extended
• Raft up: Paddle held horizontal overhead, then tapping motion (come together for
discussion)
Direction and Movement
• Come here: Beckoning motion with arm
• Go left/right: Point paddle blade in direction
• Go forward/back: Point ahead or behind with paddle
• Go fast/slow: Rapid or slow paddling motion in air
• Go over there: Point with paddle to specific location
• Go around: Circular motion with paddle
Team Coordination
• You/Me/Us: Point at person, self, or circular motion encompassing group
• Lead/Follow/Sweep: Point forward, to self then forward, or to rear
• Set formation: Hands form shape (V, line, etc.)
• Fan out: Spreading motion with arms
• Get in close/Stay far away: Hands together or pushed apart
Communication
• Take a picture: Camera motion (hands to face)
• Scout it: Hand shading eyes, looking around
• Wait a moment: Raised finger
• What?: Hands out, palms up, shrug
• Yes/No: Thumbs up/down
• Disregard last signal: Wave hands back and forth (cancel)
• Will comply: Tap top of head
• Good job: Pat on head or high-five motion
• Grok (tune in, pay attention): Tap temple with finger
Activity
• Let’s quit: Cutting motion across throat (end activity)
• Let’s land: Point to shore
• Let’s eat/drink: Hand to mouth
Sample Conversation
A conversation between two teammates at sea might go like this:
Paddler One: “HOYT!” (Paddler Two looks over)
[One points at Two, makes stop signal, points to a distant location, makes “get in close” signal,
scouts with hand to eyes, makes camera motion]
Paddler Two: [Shakes head no, taps temple for “grok,” raises fist for “dangerous,” makes cutting
motion, points to shore, hand to mouth]
Paddler One: [Raises finger to wait, waves hands to disregard, points to shore, makes formation
signal, points at Two, points forward for lead, points at self, points forward for follow]
Paddler Two: [Pats head for “good job,” taps head for “will comply”]
Translation: “Stop. You go over there, get in close, scout it, and take a picture.” “No. Pay
attention—it’s dangerous. Let’s quit, land, and eat.” “Wait. Forget that. Let’s land. Set formation.
You lead, I’ll follow.” “Good job. I’ll do it.”
Communication in Difficult Conditions
In big waves, wind, fog, or low light, visual communication at a distance becomes difficult. After
making vocal contact, make the “raft-up” signal with the paddle to bring everyone together for
discussion. Effective communication binds a team together. All team members must know and practice the team lexicon for accurate conversation at sea. Members may not agree, but they must at least understand each other.
Training and Development
Ocean white water kayaking is inherently a dangerous sport. Make sure every potential member
on your team understands this and is a capable swimmer in turbulent water. To function together, train together. Signals and formations, along with rescues and advanced kayaking skills, should be taught by experienced team members.
Make Training Engaging
Teams can make training fun. We play a game called “Wax Your Tail” in rock mazes. The object is to intercept your adversary and bump their stern. Players learn to combine all paddle strokes while discovering teammates’ skills and weaknesses in the marine environment. Games and simulations help teams prepare for contingencies at sea. Our motto: Train for trouble.
Progressive Skill Development
Build skills systematically:
1. Calm water basics: Practice signals, formations, and simple rescues in protected water
2. Moderate conditions: Apply skills in light wind and small waves
3. Challenging scenarios: Simulate emergencies (swimmer recovery, tow practice,
navigation in fog)
4. Real conditions: Graduate to actual challenging environments with full team support
5. Complex missions: Tackle ambitious goals that require coordination
Individual Development Within the Team
Respect each person’s uniqueness, interests, and goals. People will forego some personal desires
to contribute to a team, but never ask them to abandon their individuality. Involvement in a team
—even a highly structured one—should enhance, not diminish, each individual’s dignity. Encourage sharing of special knowledge and talents within the group:
• First aid and emergency response
• Photography and documentation
• Cooking and nutrition
• Marine biology and natural history
• Navigation and weather forecasting
• Equipment repair and modification
• Diving and underwater skills
Enable any member to be first to try something new with full team support. The others may
observe and follow, or observe and applaud. This way, both the team and each individual benefit.
Team Evolution Over Time
As your team develops, expect changes:
Early stage (First season)
• Focus on basic communication and simple formations
• Build trust through shared experiences
• Identify individual strengths and weaknesses
• Establish clear roles and hierarchy
Development stage (Second season onward)
• Refine complex maneuvers
• Tackle more ambitious objectives
• Cross-train members in multiple roles
• Adjust hierarchy as skills develop
Mature stage (Experienced team)
• Anticipate each other’s actions
• Handle complex situations smoothly
• Mentor newer members effectively
• Innovate new techniques and approaches
Handling Conflict
Accept that conflict within a team is inevitable but not necessarily destructive. From conflict
comes new understanding and growth. When conflicts become destructive, however, address
them quickly.
Common Sources of Conflict
Skill disparities: When gaps between members create frustration or safety concerns
Solution: Be honest about limitations; adjust roles or formations; provide targeted training
Communication breakdowns: Misunderstood signals or unclear expectations
Solution: Practice signals regularly; debrief after each outing; speak directly
Ego and hierarchy: Disagreements about who should lead or make decisions
Solution: Keep team purpose foremost, ego last; base hierarchy on demonstrated performance
Risk tolerance: Different comfort levels with danger
Solution: Discuss acceptable risk before committing; respect individual limits
Stress at sea: Fear or fatigue causing poor behavior
Solution: Train for stressful conditions; recognize warning signs; support struggling members
Conflict Resolution Strategies
Address issues immediately: When safe to do so, discuss problems as they arise. Don’t let small
issues fester.
Use debriefing sessions: If discussion during the paddle isn’t feasible, address conflicts during
the debrief after returning. Identify problems encountered, including interpersonal issues, and
solicit opinions from all participants.
Refer to senior members: Junior teammates can resolve disagreements by consulting senior
members who have perspective and authority.
Focus on behavior, not character: Critique actions (“You paddled ahead without signaling”),
not people (“You’re irresponsible”).
Seek understanding first: Before defending your position, ensure you understand the other
person’s viewpoint.
Take responsibility: Team members must own their actions. Acknowledge mistakes, learn from
them, and move forward.
Know when to separate: Sometimes personalities don’t mesh. It’s better to part amicably than
force a dysfunctional team to continue.
Warning Signs: When Teams Fail
Watch for these indicators of serious team problems:
• Repeated safety incidents due to poor communication
• Members consistently ignoring hierarchy or protocols
• Declining participation or enthusiasm
• Unresolved conflicts that resurface repeatedly
• Members making unilateral decisions that affect team safety
• Lack of trust between members
• Training and skill development stops
• Fun disappears entirely
If these persist despite good-faith efforts to resolve them, the team may need restructuring or
dissolution. Not every group of paddlers can form an effective team, and that’s okay.
Safety Protocols
Emergency Procedures
Establish clear protocols for emergencies:
Immediate danger (swimmer, capsize, collision)
1. Nearest paddler provides immediate assistance
2. Others move to support positions
3. Captain or Commander directs additional response
4. Once stable, assess and regroup
Environmental Hazards (fog, storm, strong current)
1. Captain calls for raft-up
2. Team discusses options collectively
3. Captain makes final decision
4. Team executes in formation
Medical Emergency
1. Stop all activity immediately
2. Bring victim to stable position
3. Person with medical training takes lead
4. Captain coordinates evacuation or rescue call
Separation (team member out of contact)
1. Stop and raft up remaining team
2. Account for all members
3. Backtrack or search systematically
4. Consider emergency notification if not located quickly
When to Abandon Team Structure
Sometimes individual survival must override team protocol:
• Immediate life-threatening danger (bear attack on shore, boat-eating wave)
• Scattered team in extreme conditions where regrouping increases risk
• Medical emergency requiring fastest possible extraction
• Each member facing simultaneous independent hazards
Discuss these scenarios during training so everyone understands when protocols shift.
From Teams to Tribes (From the original 1989 article)
Kayak teams have sprouted everywhere. In northern California alone, four teams flourish. Force Ten challenges storms off the Mendocino coast. Just south is the Sonoma coast, home of the Banzai Bozos. Cruising into San Francisco Bay, you enter the domain of the Slackwater Yacht Club. From the waters off Tomales Bay to the bottom of Big Sur is Tsunami Ranger country. Each team has unique purpose and structure. But unlike earlier sea tribes who often were bitter enemies, today’s teams work together as friends. We compete in each other’s races and events, share festive gatherings, and paddle together. We respect each tribe’s cultural uniqueness and enjoy each other’s company.
The Next Generation of Teams:
Neptune’s Rangers is a sea kayaking team from the Bay Area in California.
Who They Are: Neptune’s Rangers is a group of adventurous sea kayakers who specialize in
“rock gardening” – an extreme form of ocean kayaking where paddlers navigate through rocky
coastal areas, using wave surge and ocean swells to maneuver around and over rocks and reefs.
The team is made up of Bay Area Sea Kayakers (BASKers).
How They Formed: The team was formed in response to the “Big Sur Challenge” issued by the
Tsunami Rangers. The challenge was to locate “Neptune’s Castle” – a rock formation on the
California coast – kayak to it, scale its walls, and leave a message in a bottle at the summit.
Neptune’s Rangers successfully completed this challenge, becoming the first team to do so.
Notable Members: The original team included Peter Donohue, Lucy O’Brien, Tony Johnson,
Cass Kalinski, Bill Vonnegut, and Gregg Berman. Bill Vonnegut is particularly well-known as a
sea kayak instructor at California Canoe & Kayak.
What They Do: Neptune’s Rangers are known for tackling challenging ocean conditions, navigating rock gardens along the Northern California coast. Their activities involve playing in dynamic ocean whitewater created by waves crashing on rocks, which creates river-like features in the ocean. They produce videos of their adventures and are considered experts in this demanding and dangerous form of kayaking. The team emphasizes safety, teamwork, and reading each other’s movements while navigating these treacherous waters together.
Your Next Steps
It takes time to develop a good working relationship and forming a team. Choose people that you
are compatible with first and then work on your water skills. New members should be vetted
carefully so that the balance of the team is not adversely affected. The next time you go kayaking with your friends, challenge your ability to work together as a team. Find an adventure that will include each individual’s skills, then use your team’s combination of talents to accomplish your objective.
Start simple:
1. Define your purpose: What do you want to achieve together?
2. Choose compatible people: Paddle together in easy conditions first
3. Establish basic communication: Learn essential hand signals
4. Pick simple formations: Start with column or row formations
5. Train together regularly: Build skills progressively
6. Debrief honestly: Discuss what worked and what didn’t
7. Adjust and improve: Refine your approach based on experience
Assess what you learn after each outing. As your team develops, so will you in your own style and skills. You may even discover that you’re part of a new generation of sea tribes. The ocean is vast, but you don’t have to face it alone.
*The dangers of exploring sea caves are discussed in the authors’ “Sea Caves” (SK Spring 1989) and in Matt Broze’s “Sea Caves, Arches, Narrow Passages—Where The Sirens Sing” (SK Winter 1986). It’s possible to find old Sea Kayaker Magazine articles online. Sometimes they can be found on eBay. Physical copies may be found in used bookshops or libraries. You can also contact local kayak clubs like BASK. Sometimes members have collections of copies they are willing to share.
We hope you have enjoyed this article on Team Kayaking and found it informative. For questions or comments, please use the comment section below or hit the Contact Us button at the top of the page. Thanks and happy paddling!
