INFORMATION - GUIDELINES FOR PADDLERS

Edition 8 (May 01) updated on Norfolk Bridge following AGM's decision thereon, and replaced old-style BCU qualifications with the L1, L2, L3 equivalents, refers to Duty Instructor Rota, and reformatted slightly. Edition 7 (Nov 99) noted that Kevin is now qualified as Level 4 and is formatted for web use. Edition 6 was modified by the committee 02/09/97 from those adopted at the AGM 04/04/95.

Club paddling activities must follow the Club’s and the BCU’s rules. The Club’s Instructors and Paddlers should also follow these Guidelines.

Club Activities

The definition of a Club Activity is in the Club Rules.

These guidelines must be followed on a Club Activity when:

  • There are under 18s paddling
  • Novices are paddling (including adults)

The guidelines are only advice when:

  • All paddlers are competent adults or
  • Competent under-18s whose parent is competent, present, and has assumed full responsibility for their child.

Club Rule No.1 says that there must be a Duty Instructor for each Club Activity, and describes his or her responsibilities. The Duty Instructor for paddling activities should named by a rota or chosen by the most senior instructor present. The Duty Instructor must sign the day sheet, and must be named on the Centre’s board, if available.

Supervision and Safety

Paddlers on a Club Activity may be split into groups. Every group must have a responsible adult as group leader. It is important that all the paddlers know who is the group leader, and that the group leader acknowledges his or her responsibilities for group control and safety.

The leader must think of their own skills, and those of the group members, when forming the group. It is vital to ensure there is enough group control and rescue cover. Remember that Instructing qualifications are not the only proof of safety and competence.

There should not be less than 3 paddlers in a group.

Normally, in easy conditions, there should not be more than 8 paddlers for each group leader or competent helper to look after. In harder conditions more safety cover is required. For good teaching, smaller groups are better.

If a group is large, it may be wise to divide it, with sub-groups staying within sight and hailing distance, under the control of (say) Trainee Instructors. In such cases the group leader is still responsible for all of the group.

Qualifications for Group Leaders

Local Harbour and Beach trips

Club Level 3 and Level 2 Coaches with local knowledge may take groups to Shoreham harbour and the surrounding beaches. For L2, this is only allowed if:

  • Conditions are not difficult. This means there should be no offshore wind, and any surf should be under 2 feet.
  • The group should not go more than 500 metres offshore.
  • They obtain the permission of a Club Sea or Inland L3 before the trip.

Local Surfing

Groups intending to go surfing should be supervised by an appropriately experienced Sea, Inland or Surf L3 (as defined in the BCU terms of reference).

Local Inland Waters

On the Adur below the Railway bridge, when there is a fast current washing under moored boats, group leaders should be L3 or L2 endorsed by a Club L3. At other times group leaders should be L2 or above.

When a group is engaged in competition training an adult non-instructor may be endorsed by a Club L3 to lead the group.

Note: The L1 (ex-Supervisor) award is no good for any of the Adur, except, maybe, the ‘Plug hole’ at high tide.

Expeditions

See the BCU rules. But note that at present (May 2001) no Club members are qualified to lead at sea in anything apart from simple inshore sea conditions.

A disclaimer form must be filled in and signed by the parents of any under-18s on an expedition, unless the parent accompanies their child (this is mostly a requirement for transport).

Equipment

  1. Buoyancy Aids must be thoroughly examined annually and checked for flotation every two years.
  2. General purpose canoes and kayaks used for teaching should be fitted with at least 25Kg buoyancy. The buoyancy should be secure and distributed such that the craft cannot form a ‘Cleopatra’s needle’.
  3. Footrests should either prevent the feet from passing, or allow the feet back out again. Leg straps must have a quick release system.
  4. Any painters or decklines must be secure, taut and held away from the cockpit.
  5. Craft must have loops, toggles or handles at each end. These must be suitable for the intended use (e.g. rescues, towing, competition).
  6. Spray covers must have serviceable release straps.

On the Water

  1. All new members joining a group for the first time should confirm that they can swim 50m in light clothing in outdoor, unheated water.
  2. The clothing worn by each paddler must be appropriate, especially to prevent the risk of hypothermia.
  3. All paddlers must wear a Buoyancy Aid when on the water. A Club L3 may, however, authorise race training without buoyancy aids.
  4. Suitable helmets must be worn except when the Duty Instructor allows it.
  5. Capsize instructions must be given to novices before going afloat. Before a spray deck can be worn a capsize drill must be performed and spray deck instruction must be given to those unfamiliar with them. A spray deck test must be done as soon as possible.
  6. If wearing thigh straps for the first time an exit test must be done as soon as possible.
  7. The canoe and equipment must be checked by a competent canoeist before going afloat.
  8. The Duty Instructor must know where the groups are going, and expected time of return.
  9. Each group must carry a first aid kit. For most of the year spare windproofs and/or an exposure bag must be carried. If ropes are carried by any group member that person should also carry a knife.
  10. After the activity Club boats and equipment must be tidy and, where applicable, secured.

If the activity is based at the AOAC then:

  1. The Duty Instructor must ensure that there are arrangements for all groups to return to the Centre.
  2. The Centre must be left in a tidy and secure state.
  3. Any accidents on AOAC property must be entered into the Centre’s accident log, and the Centre manager informed.

Pool Sessions

The following guidelines apply to sessions at Wadurs Swimming Pool.

  1. All participants to sign in prior to the session commencing.
  2. No more than 14 boats permitted in the pool at any time.
  3. Equipment from outside brought into the pool must be clean.
  4. All particpants to adhere to pool safety rules.

Surfing

Upon arrival the group leader should check the conditions and decide whether or not to go out. If it is safe to surf the group leader should set clear limits on the beach (e.g. between 2 groynes), and ensure that paddlers are aware of ‘surfing etiquette’. Paddlers should divide into pairs who keep a watch out for each other. When surfing, watch out for:

  • Bathers
  • People getting cold (including those on the beach)
  • Offshore winds
  • Drift along the shore (easy to miss at Shoreham)
  • If the tide is coming in the dump will get bigger - it can get pretty big.
  • Clapotis by the harbour walls

If many swims are likely it is wise to have someone on the beach to help with landings. Any such helper should be dressed for working in the water.

Other Activities

Jumping off the Norfolk Bridge into the river, or seal launching from it, is not acceptable as a Club activity.