Tamworth Canoe Club operating procedure
Introduction
This operating procedure is a collection of ‘Best Practice’ guidelines has been prepared using the best available information from the British Canoe Union
(BCU) and personal experience, and has been approved by the committee members of Tamworth Cane Club (TCC).
The purpose of this procedure is to minimize risks, and should be flexible, not constrained by a rigid set of rules. Varying conditions, group and goals may combine with
unpredictable circumstances to require alternate procedures at the group leader’s discretion. On all water based club activities, all participants must be registered members of Tamworth Canoe Club, or be a registered visitor within their 4 session trial period. Failure by members to comply with our operating procedure could result in disciplinary action by TCC, this may result in exclusion from the club.
This operating procedure is to be reviewed by the committee prior to the start of each new season.
1. Code of Conduct
It is the policy of TCC that all paddlers, volunteers, coaches and parents show
respect and understanding for each other and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the
principles of the Club. The aim is for all paddlers to improve their paddling skills and have fun.
Everyone involved in the Club should abide by the Club Rules and Policies.
Paddlers
a. Take care of all property belonging to the Club or club members.
b. Treat other club members with respect at all times – on and off the water – treat other
paddlers as you would want to be treated yourself.
c. Control and avoid behaviour which may inconvenience or upset others.
d. Co-operate fully and listen to your coach, helpers or Club officials.
e. Be on time for training sessions and events or inform your coach if you are going to be late.
f. Paddlers must wear suitable kit for paddling as agreed with your coach.
g. Junior paddlers (under 16) must wear helmets on ALL waters.
h. Do not leave a session without permission of the coach or leader.
i. Junior members are not allowed to smoke, consume alcohol or drugs of any kind whilst at
club venues, trips or representing the club at events.
Parents/Guardians
a. Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results.
b. Never force your child to take part.
c. Publicly accept officials’ judgments.
d. Support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoy the sport.
Club Officials, Coaches and Volunteers
a. Consider the well being and safety of paddlers before development of performance.
b. Make sure all activities are appropriate to the age, ability and experience of those taking part.
c. Display consistently high standards of behaviour.
d. Follow BCand Club guidelines and Policies.
e. Hold an appropriate, updated qualifications.
f. Encourage paddlers to value their performance.
2. River Base rules
General Rules
TCC’s base river base is River Tame/River Anker where they run through the town (R.Tame – Kingsbury to Hopwas, River Anker – Amington to confluence with the R.Tame. Training will be based around sheltered water paddling consequently most experience is for safety on rivers and water up to grade 2. Any paddler who wishes to go on water above this grade must make sure they have adequate experience and training from an approved BCU qualified trainer.
All members of TCC must pay regard to the following.
1. Inform the leaders or coaches of any medical conditions that are relevant on all occasions.
This information will be treated as confidential, and only divulged to medical personnel if it is
necessary to do so.
2. Be a competent swimmer (50m in light clothing)
3. A correctly fitted buoyancy aid must be worn at all times.
4. Helmets are to be worn by under 16s at all times.
5. Due to the wildlife in and around the lake it is recommended that members wash their hands
and faces with soap after the lake sessions.
6. No member of HCC is allowed on the water until a qualified club coach is on the water.
7. Paddling alone is not permitted. The minimum party is two people.
Specific to the Lido:
1. If cars are parked behind Strykers, they must be parked out of the way as this is an access for Emergency services vehicles
2. Leave no rubbish in or around the lido
3. Do not smoke in the Lido area
4. Refer any issues with other Lido tenants or to a committee member
5. When getting boats out, be aware of children on the track inside the lido quadrant and ensure they are not covering any part of it.
All members of TCC are encouraged to be practiced in self-rescue, including escape from an
overturned craft. Ideally be trained in rescue skills, CPR and first aid and make sure you are able to
recognise and treat hypothermia.
First Aid Equipment
A First Aid kit meeting the requirements of BS 8594 is kept in the club room at the Lido, in
addition to this coaches will normally be carrying a first aid kit in their craft.
First Aid Personnel
The First Aid qualified personnel will be one of the following:
Mark Daniels
Catherine Marlow
Steve Wilcox
Jeffery Cole
This is not an exhaustive list and other members are also qualified in first aid.
Fire Prevention
No flammable liquids or gases are stored on site at the Lido.
Emergency Directions
In the event of an emergency, phone 999 and direct emergency services to:
The Old Lido (behind Strykers Bowling Alley)
The Castle Pleasure Grounds
Tamworth.
Club Equipment
Every year all Club equipment is inspected for defects, any defects found are to be rectified.
All buoyancy aids are visually inspected and float tested with a 4.5kg mass to ensure suitability.
Any defects detected throughout the year are dealt with accordingly. Any defects found should be reported to a committee member or coach.
The club has one room at the Lido, which houses all river fleet kit. Keys to the room are held by Mark Daniels, Justin Tweed, Darren O’Connor, Catherine Marlow, Colin Rouse and John Wybrew. At the beginning and end of club sessions a coach or committee member will be present
to help remove and return the kayaks. 7
3. Swimming Pool
All members of TCC must pay regard to the following.
1. Inform the leaders or coaches of any medical conditions that are relevant on all occasions. This
information will be treated as confidential, and only divulged to medical personnel if it is necessary to
do so.
2. The pool is a valuable resource. Damaging the pool and actions which will result in TCC be asked to
leave the pool will not be tolerated.
3. It is the responsibility of the lifeguards at the pool to ensure the safety of all present. Their
instructions must be adhered to.
4. Prior to getting in the pool, kayaks should have airbags removed and be washed to remove river water and dirt from the river.
5. When learning to roll ensure a coach or instructor is present to right you should the attempted roll fail.
6. It can take several sessions to learn to roll, stick with it, you will get there!
4. Guidelines for club trips (inc peer led)
A suitable responsible member or members of the committee should be present on all TCC organised activities. In the absence of a committee member a designated River Leader will be
appointed for the trip. The person must be deemed to be of sufficient experience and competence to ensure the safety and welfare of all participants (unless it is an externally provided coached course where the course provider assumes responsibility). TCC makes the following recommendations:
Ignoring these recommendations could result in individuals being asked not to participate in future club activities and cancellation of membership.
a) Each venture should include at least one Designated trip leader.
b) Use of buoyancy aids is mandatory for all TCC members on all club run trips.
c) The use of approved helmets is mandatory on hazardous waters fast following shallow rivers, white water, weirs etc. The removal of helmets on placid water is at the discretion of the paddler (16+ only). However helmets must be worn if the team leader asks members to do so.
d) Note: Other discipline specific rules for the use of buoyancy aids and helmets apply and shall be implemented if TCC member participate in these sports.
e) A first aid kit must be carried with the team leader. All members of TCC are encouraged to be first aid trained to the requirements of the BCU and carry their own first aid kit.
f) A throwline must be carried with the team leader. All members of TCC are encouraged to be trained in the use of a throwline and carry their own.
g) The use of a spray deck is mandatory in all moving water. Beginners should not be discouraged from using them on flat water, however a capsize with a spray must have been witnessed by a coach before a spray deck is used.
h) Canoes should be fitted with full and effective buoyancy suitable of the grade of water to be run. It is the responsibility of the user to make these checks. When in any doubt, a member
of the committee should be consulted for advice. The team Leader’s decision is final and he possesses the right to cancel activities if he feels that safety may be compromised.
i) Participants should be made aware that canoeing is a sport which does pose a risk of personal injury, although the leaders must make every effort to ensure safety.
j) Before paddling a river ensure your river skills are sufficient to be able to stop or reach a shore before reaching a hazard or danger in the river. Do not enter a rapid unless you are reasonably certain that you can run it safely or swim it without injury. Whitewater rivers contain many hazards which are not always easily recognised. Particular attention should be
paid to high water, wind and cold, strainers, holes, hydraulics and broaching.
k) Have knowledge of your paddling ability and don’t attempt rivers or rapids that you know are beyond your ability. A good canoeist/kayaker will develop their skills gradually. Attempts to progress too quickly may have detrimental effects. The decision to paddle with suitable competency is judged by the senior member or coach, or a suitably experienced member of
the committee, with regards to who is capable for a particular river.
l) Every paddler will support one another on all occasions. However, individual persons paddling are ultimately responsible for their own safety, and must assume sole responsibility
for the following decisions:
i. The decision to participate on any trip.
ii. The selection of appropriate equipment, including a boat design suited to their skill. There is advice available from experienced paddlers.
iii. The decision to inspect any water conditions, rapids, and to run or portage according to their best judgment. The club will not force anyone to paddle anything they are unsure about. Other members of the group may offer advice.
iv. Any member of the group should always voice their concerns when appropriate to the trip leader who will then take appropriate action.
m) No participants should venture outside any harbour to sea or onto a river without first being taught capsize drills.
n) TCC’s canoes and kayaks shall not be used on rivers of grade 3 and above except those designed for the purpose.
o) TCC equipment shall not be used in the sea, or high saline water without prior consent of the committee.
p) If a rapid is to be attempted then inspection should be carried out by the team leaders who should decide on a suitable course of action. Where it is deemed by the leader that a rapid
should not be attempted as a group then at his/her discretion the rapid may be attempted in groups of one or two with suitable bank support. If the leader advises against shooting the
rapid it should be portaged. Anyone who ignores the leader’s advice does so at his/her own risk and the leader will not be responsible for their actions. When on club trips (any trip
using club equipment) no one is permitted to ignore the team leader. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action by TCC.
q) All River authority warnings must be observed and it the responsibility of the team leader to be acquainted with the local river authority warning methods and rules.
r) Weather forecasts must be checked prior to embarking on any trip, the suitability is the decision of the trip leader.
5. Guidelines for group prepardness and responsibility on club trips
Organisation.
A river trip may be regarded as a common adventure for all participants, except on commercially guided trips. Participants share the responsibility for the conduct of the trip, and each participant is individually responsible for judging his or her own capabilities and for his or her own safety as the trip progresses. Participants are encouraged (but not obligated) to offer advice and guidance for the independent consideration and judgment of others.
Trip Leaders
For all activities of TCC the party responsible for the safety and welfare of all participants will be the clubs Trip Leader . The Trip Leader may at his discretion delegate
responsibility for the group. Any person delegated to be responsible must be a registered member of TCC. A delegated person has the right to refuse responsibility. The most qualified person at any club activity is not assumed to be the most responsible person unless delegated specifically by the leader of the trip.
It is recognised by the BCU and appointed insurers Perkins Slade Ltd that for third party liability insurance purposes it is not necessary for the appointed, or presumed, leader of the canoeing venture to hold a BCU coaching qualification. In the event of an accident where this is the situation, should the leader be held to be inadequate in experience or competence then clearly grounds for legal action should exist.
Such qualifications are designed for people coaching BCU courses on a professional basis. Whether or not a person is sufficiently experienced and competent is obviously a difficult area to judge. In the judgement of TCC, the Trip Leader must be capable of looking after his or herself, and retain the capability to look after others without putting themselves in any danger. They should be competent in appropriate rescue techniques and familiar with the water and also capable of reading the water conditions. Decisions as to who is competent, or not, should rest with the Team Leader, or a suitably experienced member of the committee.
It is notable that in the situation of irresponsibility or careless leadership, then third party liability insurance is not valid, and in the event that the club is successfully sued then the officers of the club or members acting officially on their behalf are covered.
River Conditions
The group should have a reasonable knowledge of the difficulty of the run. Participants should evaluate this information and adjust their plans accordingly. If the run is exploratory or no one is familiar with the river, maps and guidebooks, if available, should be examined.
Equipment
Group equipment should be suited to the difficulty of the river. The group should always have at least one throw-line, and a first aid kit available. The list may also include; caribenas, first aid kit, folding saw, guidebooks, maps, food, extra clothing and any other rescue or survival items suggested by conditions. Each item is not required on every run and this list is not meant to be a substitute for good judgment.
Keep the group compact, but maintain sufficient spacing to avoid collisions. If the group is large, dividing it into smaller groups may be necessary. The “Buddy System” may also be adopted as an additional safeguard. The canoeists should be spaced closely enough to permit good communication, but not so close as to interfere with one another in rapids. The lead paddler sets the pace. When in front, do not get in over your head. Never run drops when you cannot see a clear route to the bottom or, for advanced paddlers, a sure route to the next eddy. When in doubt, stop and scout.
Keep track of all group members. Each boat keeps the one behind in sight, stopping if necessary.
Know how many people are in your group and take head counts regularly. No one should paddle ahead or walk out without first informing the group. Weak paddlers should stay at the centre of a group, and not allow themselves to lag behind. If the group is large and contains a wide range of abilities, a designated “Sweep Boat” should bring up the rear. Be courtesy to other river users. On heavily used rivers, do not cut in front of a boater running a drop. Always look upstream before leaving eddies to run or play. Never enter a crowded drop or eddy when no room for you exists.
Passing other groups in a rapid may be hazardous, it is often safer to wait upstream until the group
ahead has passed.
Drugs
The use of alcohol or illegal drugs prior to or during river trips is not compatible with safe paddling. It dulls reflexes, reduces ability to make decisions, and may interfere with important survival reflexes. If in doubt paddlers should also seek medical advice on whether prescription medicine can be safely taken before paddling.
6. Guidelines for manual handling
Kayaks are stored on racking in the lido, and stood vertically in the pool. As a result they are often above head height which poses a difficulty in removing them. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you can manage on your own GET HELP. Kayaks can be heavier than expected and can cause injury when not handled correctly. They can be slid off the racks with ease by two people, – one taking the front and the other the rear of the kayak.
When carrying a kayak it is best to double up with another person. When moving two kayaks it is possible, having placed the paddles in the kayaks for one person to carry the front of two kayaks and the other person should carry the back of the kayaks.
7. Risk assements
TCC has a risk assessment which covers the activities undertaken at the Lido, River Base and Swimming Pool.
8. General information on waterways and rivers
Rules Of Navigation.
The local rivers and canals are governed by the international rules of navigation. As such it is essential all rivers and canal users have due regard to this. One important rule is that all craft should keep to the right when passing on-coming craft. There are exceptions when meeting large vessels such as on canals, they may be restricted by their draft and cannot take up a position on the right hand bank. Due care must be paid to this.
All paddlers must also take care when in front of the narrow boats, as due to their length the helmsman cannot easily see paddlers immediately at the bow of the craft.
River Features – Flow
River’s speed and power increase tremendously as the flow increases, raising the difficulty of manoeuvres, particularly near weirs and most rapids. Rescue becomes progressively harder as the water rises, adding to the danger. Floating debris and strainers make even an easy rapid quite hazardous. It is often misleading to judge the river level at the point of put in, since a small rise in a wide, shallow place will be multiplied many times where the river narrows. Use reliable local information whenever possible, and be aware that sun on snow-pack, hard rain, and dams upstream when released may greatly increase the flow. Great caution should also be paid when overtaking large craft at close quarters. They can be creating a wash and if you are riding the wash, it is possible to get sucked in to the larger craft unless you are careful. Also, on exiting the final wash, ensure you have the strength to continue onto the new water at the bow of the craft and exit cleanly.
River Features – Cold
Cold drains your strength and robs you of the ability to make sound decisions on matters affecting your survival. Cold water immersion, because of the initial shock and the following rapid heat loss, is especially dangerous. Suitable thermal wear under a waterproof shell is essential. If, after prolonged exposure, a person experiences uncontrollable shaking, loss of co-ordination, or difficulty speaking, he or she is hypothermic, and needs immediate assistance.
River Features – Strainers
Brush, fallen trees, bridge pilings, undercut rocks Moored craft or anything else which allows river current to sweep through can pin boats and boaters against the obstacle. Water pressure on anything trapped this way can be overwhelming. Rescue is often extremely difficult. Pinning may occur in fast current, with little or no white water to warn of the danger.
River Features – Dams, Weirs, Ledges, Reversals, Holes, and Hydraulics.
TCC is a placid water based club. Consequently there are very few people with the experience to supervise or execute paddle sport on or near weirs etc.
When water drops over an obstacle, it curls back on itself, capable of holding a boat or swimmer. Some holes make for excellent sport. Others are proven killers. Paddlers who cannot recognise the difference should avoid all but the smallest holes. Hydraulics around man-made dams must be treated with utmost respect regardless of their height or the level of the river. Despite their seemingly benign appearance, they can create an almost escape-proof machine. The best method of escape is to dive below the surface when the downstream current is flowing beneath the reversal.
River Features – Broaching
When a boat is pushed sideways against a rock by strong current, it may collapse and wrap. This is especially dangerous to kayak and decked canoe paddlers; these boats will collapse and the combination of indestructible hulls and tight outfitting may create a deadly trap. Even without entrapment, releasing pinned boats can be extremely time-consuming and dangerous. To avoid pinning, throw your weight downstream towards the rock. This allows the current to slide harmlessly underneath the hull.
Emergency Procedures & Rescue
It is highly recommended that every member of TCC attends the following courses
a) Foundation Safety & Rescue Training (FRST)
b) White Water Safety & Rescue (WWS&R) minimum of 1 day
c) First Aid (minimum of 8 hours)
The above courses will teach the Rescue and First Aide skills to the latest governing body approved standards.
It is also recommend that club members read White Water Safety & Rescue written by Franco Ferrero.
Scale Of River Difficulty
The BCU rating system is used to compare river difficulty throughout the world. This system is not exact; rivers do not always fit easily into one category. Paddlers attempting difficult runs in an unfamiliar area should act cautiously until they get a feel for the way the scale is interpreted locally.
River difficulty may change frequently due to fluctuations in water level, downed trees, geological disturbances, or bad weather. As river difficulty increases, the danger to swimmers becomes more severe. As rapids become longer and more continuous, the challenge increases. There is a difference between running an occasional class III rapid and dealing with an entire river of this category. Allow an extra margin of safety between skills and river ratings when the water is cold or if the river is remote and inaccessible.
Grade 1 Moving water, unobstructed and without technical difficulties. There may be small waves and riffles to challenge the paddler.
Grade 2 Waves, small stoppers and other minor obstructions to avoid. Eddies and cushion waves may be strong.
Grade 3 Waves, stoppers and technical difficulties are more severe. There may be drops and powerful constrictions. The main distinguishing factor of Grade 3 water is that the paddler will have to follow a recognisable route to avoid obstacles and hazards.
Grade 4 Severe waves, drops, stoppers and other obstructions. The route is not easily recognisable and will usually require careful inspection from the boat or bank. Grade 4 encompasses a wide range of rivers, from those with pool-drop rapids to those with extended continuous rapids; so there is a huge variation in difficulty. It is common to distinguish easier grade 4 rapids by grading them as 4- and harder rapids as 4+ (or in some cases, 3/4 or 4/5).
Grade 5 Extremely difficult rapids with precise and technically demanding routes to be followed. Stoppers, currents and waves will be powerful and inspection is essential.
Grade 6 All of the above carried to extremes. Grade 6 usually means unrunnable rapids, which may just be possible in certain conditions.