Experience has taught me that it is a wise idea to screen potential paddling partners before joining them on the water.  This provides an opportunity for each of you to assess the others skill and equipment, and to discuss the rigors and requirements of the planned paddle.  This excel file provides the form I developed and use.

 

Letting someone know where you are going paddling, how long, etc makes sense if you want to aide your rescuers.  In several popular paddling destinations filing a float plan is required by the regulating agencies.  Particularly for multi day trips I will leave one with the person watching the place I parked my vehicle, or the park authorities.  Here is the excel form that I developed and use.