GAMES - PASS THE PADDLE

This is a variation on an activity that was demonstrated to me during my Level 2 coach training. This activity is a great warm up exercise and is easy to play. I've often used this whilst waiting for the car shuttle on a river trip to keep the group entertained and warm. The game itself is quite a laugh, particularly with younger members - actually, I think some adults would probably admit to it being fun! This game is a good giveaway for paddlers that have problems distinguishing between their left and... their 'Other' left!

RULES OF THE GAME

Organise the group into a large circle with no more than an arms distance between each person.
Each person shall be wearing their helmet for protection.
Each paddler/player should place one hand on their head (say their left hand) whilst the other hand holds the paddle in front of them in the vertical position (the paddle must rest on the floor).
The instructor then shouts a series of instructions, e.g. "Left", "Right", "Switch".
When the instructor shouts "Left", each person must grab the paddle from the person to their left still keeping that hand firmly on their head.
When the instructor shouts "Right", each person must grab the paddle from the person to their right, again, keeping that hand firmly on their head.
When the instructor shouts "Switch", each person must swap hands (i.e. the hand on their head now holds the paddle whilst the hand that was holding the paddle rests on the paddlers head).
As the group becomes more proficient increase the speed of the commands until someone gets it wrong!

This activity is very simple and a well trained group can look very slick doing this. You can also try variations; for example:

"2 Left" is the equivalent to "Left", "Left"
"Spin", where the players let go of their paddle, spin 360 degrees on the spot then grab their paddle again VERY HARD!

REMARKS

It's best to play this game on a soft surface such as grass/sand as some people get very protective of their expensive cranked paddles, especially playing this game on a hard surface such as concrete!