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CLASS I PADDLER
 - WA: not afraid to get feet wet.
 - PA: no boating experience
 - EA: no equipment knowledge
 - TA: an individual
 - RA: nervous on water or being in a boat
 - RA: usually first or second river rafted.
 - SA: never had a swim in a river and has no idea what to do.
 
CLASS II PADDLER
 - WA: not afraid to be on a little boat on moving water
 - PA: knows how to hold a paddle
 - EA: learning about some gear and developing an understanding of how it works
 - EA: knows how to properly pump up a boat
 - RA: has fear of falling in river or moving water, doesn't like to go into
       cold standing water either.
 - RA: been on 5 or fewer different rivers.
 - SA: knows to have life jacket (PFD) on and buckled when near the water.
 - SA: knows about river sanitation, and "packing things out".
 - SA: aware of the hazards of foot entrapment, standing in river current
 - SA: aware of the hazards of strainers
 - SA: aware of rock hazards, holes and hydraulics
 - DB: don't be a flatwater boater with beer and no water.
 - DB: don't be a sophomore boater without respect for the river, 
       it's hazards and water dynamics.

CLASS III PADDLER
 - WA: has no fear of water, big waves, getting splashed down
 - PA: knows paddle commands and what to do (forward, back, left, right, stop)
 - PA: paddles through all rapids when commands in effect, paddles
       correctly for left and right turns
 - PA: knows that executing paddle commands is the priority, can paddle
       with the team, lead/bow paddler.
 - EA: knows how to handle boat inflation/deflation, importance of keeping
       a boat cool and free of dirt/sand
 - EA: knows how to properly put on PFD and on river shoes
 - RA: knows what to do in a high side situation
 - RA: has no fear of falling in river, and knows what to do if they fall in.
 - RA: has had at least one swim, relaxed in water
 - RA: With higher flip probability of Class III water, paddler has
       usually been in one or more boat flips and knows what to do.
 - RA: Done 5-10 different rivers.
 - SA: knows to avoid strainers and what to do if caught in strainers.
 - SA: knows to never stand in the river, especially in current.
 - SA: knows to float with feet and knees up high if in the water.
 - SA: moves to high side quickly when situation arises.
 - SA: knows about poison oak and poison ivy and off-river hazards.
 - SA: understands the need to drink fluids and keep cool during the
       recreational season.
 - TA: begins to be aware of working together as a unit, understands
       alignment concepts, tries to meld with the team.
 - TA: developing and understanding of priorities, doing what's necessary
       first for the good of the team.
 - DB: don't be distracted and stop paddling when you see something beautiful
       on the river, when someone is talking, or when entering a "scary"
       rapid, and certainly not when in a waterfight.
 - DB: don't be overconfident and think you are ready for Class IV after one
       Class III trip.
 - DB: don't be a sophomore rafter, wise fool, someone who knows less than
       they think they do.
 - DB: don't be a macho rafter, there's no room for macho's who can't work
       as part of a team.
 - DB: don't be afraid to fall into the river, you can't paddle effectively.
 - DB: don't use paddles in water fights and don't boat just to water fight.
 
CLASS IV PADDLER
 - PA: strong paddler, knows what to do for any command well, also knows draw
       strokes.
 - PA: paddles well, focused on executing commands without being distracted or
       fearing being splashed by water.
 - PA: anticipates some commands, aggressive paddler, rarely misses a stroke.
 - PA: understands the importance of paddling together as a unit, always
       works well together within the team.
 - EA: Usually has own personal gear for Class IV boating, all season boating.
 - EA: usually can set up and do tie-down for a paddle boat
 - EA: developing favorite preferences for water craft and paddle position 
 - RA: has no fear of falling in river, but has respect for what falling
       in entails.
 - RA: With the increased probability of a boat wrap, flat wrap of Class
       III and IV waters, the paddler has usually been in one or more
       wrap situations and knows what to do.
 - RA: With the increased maneuvarability requirements of technical
       Class IV rivers, the paddler knows how to assist in precisely
       maneuvering a boat through tighter channels with faster moving
       water, bigger drops, waterfalls.
 - RA: Class IV paddler has usually been in a number of perch situations
       and understands how the shifting of weight in the boat can assist
       in "un-perching" the boat.
 - RA: Run 10 to 30 different river runs.
 - WA: has had too many swims to keep count.
 - WA: self-confident, not over-confident.
 - RA: can move around on  a boat automatically to free it from 
       a rock breach or perch
 - RA: Can read water, spot a good line, quickly spot tongues, 
       stickers, sleepers, pillows
 - RA: knows how to use rocks, bounce and pivot.
 - TA: knows the basic "on water" signals
 - TA: puts the team ahead of themselves
 - TA: always helps with group gear and group setup and teardown
 - TA: doesn't hold up the group with personal items
 - TA: always helps out other members of the team
 - TA: can recognize the guide's line of entry
 - TA: understands ferry angles and eddie catching techniques
 - TA: understands how to set up and do shuttles
 - SA: knows when to relax in an unplanned swim and to look for safety.
 - SA: knows what to do in a boat flip or wrap situation.
 - SA: aware of undercut rock hazards and sieves.
 - SA: has helmut on and buckled when on water or at portages/scouts
 - SA: moves to high side automatically, also recognizes moving to high
       side to prevent a flip
 - SA: can do Class III safety talk
 - SA: has used a throw rope
 - SA: knows what to do when thrown a safety line.
 - SA: relaxes and knows how to get out of a hole or reversal, escape methods.
 - SA: comfortable on water, but always with great respect for the river.
 - SA: knows when to float feet forward and when to swim for safety.
 - DB: don't overpaddle, paddle with the team even if you aren't afraid of
       the water, or are a very strong paddler, or are a guide.
 - DB: don't be fearless, never lose respect for the river, that's when
       you go for a swim, wrap or flip a boat, or "shit" happens.
       
CLASS V PADDLER
 - WA: has had so many swims, doesn't matter, but knows to swim aggressively to
       safety.
 - WA: has been thrown or catapulted from a boat, aerials, tube stands, etc.
 - WA: knows and understands the dangers of Class V water, can 
       practice self-rescue.
 - RA: Generally has the knowledge of at least a Class III-IV guide, can read
       and run water.
 - RA: Knows when to run a hole or drop and when to sneak it.
 - RA: Can read and recognize the guide's line, execute to it automatically.
 - RA: Knows when to walk a rapid, especially for the good of the team.
 - RA: Can react quickly to protect face and limbs in a flip into a rock
       formation, knows what to do in a boat flip when the boat can hit
       hit you on the head.
 - RA: Run some 30 to 60 different river runs with about half on Class IV 
       and Class V rivers.
 - PA: solid paddler, powerful strokes, paddles through rapids and holes
       without missing a stroke
 - PA: capable of "independent" paddling, knows what to do when, and 
       still can paddle with the crew/team.
 - PA: can paddle even with a small crew (R2, R3), paddles both aggressively
       and proactively.
 - PA: as a bow paddler, leans out and can really pull the boat, moves
       to sweep the bow on turns, can really reach on draws.  Is able to call
       for and effect emergency adjustment of the team for hazards the 
       guide/driver cannot see.
 - PA: boats year-round on anything and everything.
 - PA: can boat on a variety of rivercraft in any position.
 - PA: knows how to paddle regardless of what is up ahead, never shys
       away from a single stroke.
 - PA: paddles with priority of the team, fearless and self-less paddler 
       or at least has overcome the fear of falling into the river.
 - PA: paddles in the "clutch" and understands when there is truly
       a need to "paddle or die"!  Is always paddle ready!
 - PA: knows how to paddle with the unit to make the "must make" moves
       required for Class V waters...
 - EA: Knows how to handle all gear and equipment, their care, safety, and
       purpose.  Always rigs to flip.
 - EA: Usually owns their own personal gear and boats, has everything they need
       for Class V boating.
 - EA: Can do setup and tie-down for an oar boat or shuttle
 - EA: knows how to rig for expedition class trips
 - EA: knows when and where to wear a helmut
 - EA: knows to have and use only  the best equipment, full spec., for Class V
       because marginal equipment can cost you on Class V waters.
 - TA: knows the guide or signal caller and can work with and anticipate the
       guides' commands.  
 - TA: "Egoless" boater, does not need to prove anything.
 - TA: Doesn't need to be asked to do anything...and is always helpful to others
 - TA: never holds up the group, is always paddle ready when needed, helps
       make sure things are secured properly and ready to go when group is ready
 - TA: Satisfied and can take commands from any signal caller, doesn't need
       to be the "guide" and doesn't need "stick" time, gives others "stick"
       time unselfishly.
 - TA: knows all the "on and off water signals", whistle protocols, and river
       etiquette.
 - TA: Always listens to others and takes suggestions well, solicits criticism
 - TA: Recognizes the value of learning from other experienced boaters around
       them, those in Class V boating groups especially.
 - TA: In Class V, knows that there is more of a bias toward proactive
       paddling with downstream ferries, uses less upstream ferries to buy
       time since there are fewer opportunities.
 - TA: Usually a known quantity, accepted by at least one Class V boating
       group.
 - TA: Doesn't need to be guiding a boat, values the good of the team over self.
 - TA: Self-less boater, enjoys just being part of a team.
 - TA: Able organizer, coordinator, good communicator.
 - TA: Helps group set and achieve group group goals over 
       individual/personal goals.
 - SA: can do self-rescue, swim immediately and agressively to safety.
 - SA: Knows to save self first, equipment last, but usually can hang onto
       equipment so it's not lost.
 - SA: can swim to overturned boat, get on top and flip it over quickly.
 - SA: when scouting difficult rapid, scans for exit points in the event of 
       a swim, flip, and/or wrap, identifies places where a swimmer could 
       have great danger or difficulty, identifies life threatening hazards 
       in the run.
 - SA: can do Class IV safety talk
 - SA: Aware of consequences for all if a mishap occurs, for just a 
       single swimmer, multiple swimmers, a wrap, a flip.
 - SA: Can identify and position rescue rope and safety positions on 
       difficult points in difficult rapids
 - SA: can use a throw rope well, hits target.
 - SA: maintains conditioning and hydration for being mentally alert 
       at all times.
 - SA: understands the need for a high protein diet to provide sufficient
       energy for extended Class V river trips and expeditions.
 - SA: maintains physical conditioning for strenuous continuous rapids.
 - DB: you are expected to have it all here, don't be afraid to take yourself
       out of action before a trip when you are sick or think you can't perform
       to the necessary level.  Your decision may save your life and those 
       of others in your team.


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CLASS VI PADDLER:
 - WA: Crazy or very, very good! Requires extreme precision, no margin of error.
       not about the downside consequences if you fail.
 - SA: fails to be pragmatic, doesn't recognize the wisdom of just portaging
 - SA: Ignores the consequences of errors or mishaps which do occur.
 - EA: Doesn't care about equipment, willing to risk and lose 
       equipment and boat.
 - TA: Doesn't care about teammates or self, willing to risk certain injury
       and damage to the team, no trust.
 - TA: A leader who cannot follow, runs on too much testosterone.
 - TA: Personal goals outweigh group goals.
 - RA: Run on 60 or more different river runs and is crazy to do any new run,
       usually refuses to run Class III or below stuff because there's no thrill or chill.
 - SA: doesn't think about safety first, only about running things 
       successfully, never thinking about the downside consequences, doesn't
       look for safe exits when scouting a major rapid.
 - PA: paddle or die, ready for a big, long swim, doesn't need paddle
 - DB: don't be this... (includes all DB's from above)