Hereford County Canoe Club

Polices

Hereford County Canoe Club attaches great emphasis to the Health and Safety of its
members and anyone else who may be affected by our activities. This means that we will
ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the following:

 Safe environments and conditions

 Safe paddling arrangements

 Safe equipment

 Members have sufficient canoeing knowledge, experience and skills

Our procedures describe how this will be achieved and are given to all members when
they consider joining the club.

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Table of Contents
Club Constitution.............................................................................................................................................................3
Club Safety Framework...................................................................................................................................................4
Cruise Captain Responsibilities....................................................................................................................................5
Pre trip for Cruise Captain.......................................................................................................................................5
On the day for the Cruise Captain...........................................................................................................................5
Participant Requirements............................................................................................................................................7
What do members need to bring on a river trip?....................................................................................................7
Clothing advice by the British Canoeing..................................................................................................................7
Possible kit list for summer.....................................................................................................................................8
Warm Weather Paddling.........................................................................................................................................8
Member Information...................................................................................................................................................9
Membership............................................................................................................................................................9
Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk Policy............................................................................................................10
Review........................................................................................................................................................................... 11

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Club Constitution

Hereford County Canoe club is group of adults of all ages, who enjoy gentle cruise
canoeing on the River Wye, its tributaries and close by rivers and canals, in the
company of likeminded people. Members use their own kayaks and Canadian canoes.
We particularly welcome families to join us but no children are allowed to join a trip
unless they have a responsible person (e.g. parent, grandparent) with them.

We canoe as individuals, totally responsible for our own safety, but recognise that it is
logistically much easier, safer and more enjoyable to paddle and transport ourselves
with others.

We only go on the river between late March and early October when the weather is less
likely to be unpleasant and the river levels more suitable to the competence of
members. Cruises are generally 8 to 12 miles and involve 4 to 5 hours paddling, with a
refreshment break(s) on a suitable riverbank during the cruise.

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Club Safety Framework

On application to join HCCC members are given a ‘Welcome’ note explaining:
 how the club is organised,
 how trips are organised
 how to access yearly safety training
 participant requirements
 What level of competency they need
 What they should bring on a trip
 What our standards of behaviour on trips are

The application form requests Emergency contact details. This data is held in accordance
with GDP Regulations by the Club Secretary.

Each river or canal trip on the club fixture list is created in the previous winter months and
organised by a Cruise Captain. He or she is an experienced member who has volunteered
for this role.

Suitable launch and landing arrangements are determined by the Access Officer.

The Cruise Captain deals with administration matters preparing and undertaking the
cruise. They also work out the movement of cars and drivers between the start and finish
of the cruise and back to the start at the end of the cruise for those whose cars are left
there.

Those wishing to join a river trip MUST notify the Cruise Captain of the cruise at least 24
hours before the event if they wish to take part, otherwise the cruise may be cancelled
due to lack of interest or create extra work amending vehicle transport plans. The Cruise
Captain will inform them of the time and place to meet and advise on the trip’s suitability
if they are novices to canoeing.

If weather or river conditions are doubtful, participants should contact the Cruise Captain
two hours before the start to check it is still going ahead as planned.

Members may bring guests, with the Cruise Captain’s approval, provided the guests are
given, read and accept the contents of this document, and the member takes
responsibility for their behaviour.

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Cruise Captain Responsibilities

General

Each river trip on the club fixture list is organised by a Cruise Captain. He or she is an
experienced member who has volunteered for this role.

Members wishing to join a river trip should advise the nominated Cruise Captain 24 hours
or more before the event. The Captain will inform participants of the time and place to
meet, and advise on the trip’s suitability for beginners.

Members must let the Captain know if their ability to do the trip may be affected by a
health condition or medication.

If weather or river conditions are doubtful, members who are interested in the cruise
should contact the Cruise Captain two hours before the start.

Should pictures or videos of the trip be taken, to comply with GDP Regs back
views/views/ducks are best for publishing on the web and Facebook. Front views can used
at the AGM slide show. Photos/videos are sent to the Chair for adding to the web,
Facebook, and AGM presentation.

Pre trip for Cruise Captain

At a suitable time prior to the trip if required the cruise captain should ensure access, rest
points and exit point are still available. If suitable, should walk the route to check for any
issues. Checking the previous reports of the trip and looking at the EA site for water
levels. (https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/river-and-sea-levels) can help
ensure a great trip.

On the day for the Cruise Captain

To inform a Risk Assessment, river levels are checked using the appropriate websites to
decide if the trip will go ahead.

http://naturalresources.wales/our-evidence-and-reports/maps/river-levels-online/?lang=en river level map

for our area.

https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/station/4019 for the Lugg at Lugwardine

http://rloi.naturalresources.wales/ViewDetails?station=4016 Hay on Wye

https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/station/4017 Hereford Bridge on the river Wye

https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/station/4025 River Wye at Mordiford

https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/station/4029?direction=u River Wye at Ross on Wye

The Cruise Captain notes attendees names, introduces new members, arranges a car
shuttle and refreshment breaks on route. The captain also notes emergency contact

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details and checks if participant ability to do the trip may be affected by a health condition
or medication

Experienced canoeists are nominated as front and back-markers to help ensure all in the
party keep within sight of each other and assistance is offered to anyone who needs it.
Two-way radios are available for front and back markers to use.

The Cruise Captain will carry a first aid kit and ensure that someone in the party has a
mobile phone in the rare event of an emergency.

Following each trip, the captain completes a Cruise captain’s report outlining the main
highlights of the trip, listing participants’ names and recording details of any
unplanned/untoward incidents, including irresponsible behaviour and capsizes, and emails
this to the club secretary.

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Participant Requirements
All adult participants have a responsibility to ensure the suitability of their equipment. If
they have any doubt, they should seek the advice of the cruise captain.

All children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or other trusted adult who will
take full responsibility for their behaviour and safety throughout the trip.

It is strongly advised that all cruise participants be able to swim at least 50 metres in a
swimming pool, as an indicator that they will have the strength to swim through river
currents if they capsize.

Irresponsible behaviour will not be accepted as it can create risks of harm to self and
others as well as spoiling the enjoyment of members and others on the river. The club will
not be held accountable for any such behaviour

Cruise participants must let the captain know before taking part in any trip if they have
any medical condition, or are taking any medication, that may affect their ability to do
that cruise or to communicate well.

A condition of membership and acceptance as a guest at a club event is that the person
accepts that the club and its members, cannot be held responsible for any accident, injury,
loss or damage sustained by members or visitors to the club, or their property, at any
time during the event.

Whenever a participant is paddling in front of the rest of the cruise party they should
ensure that they are within sight and sound of the back marker.

What do members need to bring on a river trip?

Warm and waterproof clothing in case of bad weather.

In hot weather, sun-tan lotion, a sun hat and squash/water.

Refreshments. We usually have a picnic break and sometimes an additional refreshment

stop.

A change of clothes and a towel inside a waterproof bag or barrel.

A personal first aid kit is advisable together with any medicines you might need. (Please
let the Captain know if your ability to do the trip may be affected by a health condition or
medication).

Your canoeing equipment. We strongly recommend you wear a suitable buoyance aid
recommend for canoeing. You may be asked to withdraw from the cruise if you do not
have a suitable buoyance aid with you.

Clothing advice by the British Canoeing

Necessary clothing comprises an insulating layer and a water/windproof shell layer.

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Insulating Layer - Insulation can come from several thin layers rather than one single
thick layer. More dead air is trapped in and between thin layers than in one thick layer.
Synthetic thermals and fleeces are appropriate.

A Water/Windproof Shell Layer – This is the crux of the system, ranging from
waterproof (like a dry suit) for white water to a light shell for competition or fair weather.

Never canoe in bare feet and keep laces short on shoes so they can’t tangle on the
footrest.

Possible kit list for summer

Thermal vest, light fleece, synthetic top (such as a football strip)

Nylon tracksuit trousers or shorts

Waterproof trousers (especially in a kayak without a spray deck)

Trainers, beach shoes or rubber sailing boots

Light-weight wind-proof/splash-proof top

Simply increase or decrease the layers until you feel comfortable

Warm Weather Paddling

Specialist canoe kit is not essential on warm summer days. To start off with, wear a pair
of shorts, which dry quickly when damp, a T-shirt and some form of footwear. A
lightweight or short shell top will combat any wind chill. You may want to invest in some
neoprene shorts, beach shoes and a synthetic thermal.

Don’t forget your buoyance aid.

Much useful information on clothes and equipment etc is available on the British Canoeing
web site (https://britishcanoeing.org.uk/)

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Member Information
The Club holds third party insurance through its affiliation to the British Canoeing
(https://britishcanoeing.org.uk/ ). However, members may wish to amend their personal
insurance to cover water contact sport. Guests should be aware that they are covered by
this insurance provided they become a member before their 5 th trip.

We strongly recommend that all new and potential members attend our annual swimming
pool session to practise capsizing in a safe environment.

The Club does not own any equipment, but members may be able to arrange a loan of a
canoe or kayak, paddles and lifejackets for new or potential members for a limited period.
The Club prides itself in respecting the environment and the wildlife of the river and other
users of the waterways.

If a fisherman is encountered during a cruise participants should paddle as close as

practical to the opposite river bank or directed by the fisherman and pass as quietly as
possible.

Much useful information on clothes and equipment etc is available on the British Canoeing
Web site (https://britishcanoeing.org.uk/).

It is a condition of membership that the club cannot he held responsible for any accident,
injury, loss or damage caused by or sustained by members or visitors to the club, or their
property, on any occasion.

The Club reserves the right to withdraw individual Club membership if circumstances
indicate.

Membership
There is a small annual membership fee per family payable to the Hon Treasurer after
three attendances by invitation. We encourage potential members to go on at least two
river trips before applying for membership.

Apart from our river trips, we meet together socially at the beginning, throughout the year
and at the end of the season AGM.

On occasions the members at its AGM awards Honorary Membership to members who
have given exceptional service to the club but have become unable through health to
continue regular canoeing. We also appoint the Chairperson, Hon Treasurer and Hon
Secretary and have a meal, after the typically brief AGM, while a slide show is running
showing pictures taken at the cruises throughout the year.

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Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk Policy

People can have a need for care and support for a variety of reasons – for example they
may have a learning disability, a physical disability, a chronic health condition or have a
mental health issue. Such conditions may bring with them additional vulnerabilities,
however having care and support needs does not mean that people are automatically
adults at risk and need safeguarding.

Safeguarding adults is underpinned by The Care Act 2014

We all have a responsibility to safeguard adults who are experiencing, or are at risk of,
harm, abuse and neglect.

Given we are a Club of friends, HCCC is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and
positive environment for all people involved in our activity. It accepts its responsibility to
assist in the welfare of all people and to safeguard them from risk of harm, abuse and
bullying. Any concerns would be notified to the Chair.

The official definition of “Adult safeguarding” is working with adults with care and support
needs to keep them safe from abuse or neglect.

The safeguarding duties apply to an adult who:

 has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of
those needs)
 is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect
 is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of, abuse
or neglect, as a result of those care and support needs

Adults who fulfil this criteria are ‘adults at risk’.

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Review
The H&S policy and procedures will be reviewed by the Chair, Treasurer, Access Officer
and Secretary

 Each year, following the AGM

 If legislation changes
 If guidance changes
 If an incident occurs that indicates a weakness in procedures

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