A knot is 1 nautical mile per hour, equivalent to 1.15 land miles per hour. Seas are measured in height of waves above normal flat water. Distances are in land miles, not nautical miles.

Class 1: Rivers and bays. Easy paddling or swimming. Quiet water, little wind or current. Easy put-in and take-out. Short paddles of 1-5 miles.

Class 2: Protected ocean area. Wind 0-10 knots and seas 1-3 feet. Sheltered put-in and take-out sites so you can make a short or long trip. Less than 1 mile between possible landings.

Class 3: Moderate open ocean. Wind 5-15 knots and seas 2-5 feet. Often more than 2 miles between landings. Some rocky shores and surf during take-off and landing. There is access to roads and phones in the first 3 trip classes.

Class 4: Exposed open ocean. Prevailing winds 10 -25 knots and seas 2-10 feet. Some sandy beaches to cushion the landings. No phones or towns. May be 5 miles or more between road accesses. Steady shore break.

Class 5: Dangerous open ocean. You might get a quiet day, but this area often has winds of 15-30 knots, choppy seas up to 15 feet. Breaking surf on rocky shores, few or no sand beaches. Cliffs drop sheer into the sea. Experience, skill, and judgment required. No roads. 10-30 miles between phones. Difficult and dangerous.

Each paddler is responsible for his/her own safety. Please make sure that you are familiar with the skill level required, have proper instructions in kayaking, and that your boat and equipment are well cared for and sea-worthy. Ratings of the paddles are based on average conditions. Weather and ocean conditions can change rapidly which would increase the difficulty of the paddle. It is up to each individual to assess the conditions prior to launching according to his/her experience and ability, and to decide whether to participate or not. Each paddler must sign the release form and read the waiver provided by the leader if he/she plans to paddle.