Safe repeatable and reliable
Volunteer pages
- Mission statement
- Diversity policy
- Supporting the AquaPaddles
- Safe repeatable and reliable
- Route design
- AquaPaddler Numbers
- Code of conduct
- Management of results and crew
- Children at AquaPaddle
- AED - Automated External Defibrillator
- Dogs
- Adaptive paddlers
- Slow paddlers
- Triumphs
- Volunteer envoys
- Cancellation of an AquaPaddle
- Hot and cold temperatures
- Coping with large numbers
- Social media policy
- Photography video policy
- Money handling
- Vacancies
- Mission statement
- Diversity policy
- Supporting the AquaPaddles
- Safe repeatable and reliable
- Route design
- AquaPaddler Numbers
- Code of conduct
- Management of results and crew
- Children at AquaPaddle
- AED - Automated External Defibrillator
- Dogs
- Adaptive paddlers
- Slow paddlers
- Triumphs
- Volunteer envoys
- Cancellation of an AquaPaddle
- Hot and cold temperatures
- Coping with large numbers
- Social media policy
- Photography video policy
- Money handling
- Vacancies
By having straightforward guidelines for each AquaPaddle, we can keep them safe for all users.
At the heart of all AquaPaddles is the community and that we look after each other.
The Paddle is more important than the time. This is our mantra. If someone falls in the water near you, stop and help them back on their board or craft.
The Basic Safety Guidance
The safety of all AquaPaddlers is the primary concern for the event team and other participants.
Below are the main items that must be provided
- Public liability Insurance for all AquaPaddle Even (provided by AquaPaddle HQ)
- First Aid Kits at each AquaPaddle
- A First Aider where possible on the event team
- An AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) at each AquaPaddle
- Course check on the day before AquaPaddle Start
- Sweeper Marshal at all events – follows the last AquaPaddler home
- Incident tracking and review for all AquaPaddles
- Regular safety updates for all volunteers
- Annual risk assessment review of every AquaPaddle location
- Regular Water Rescue refresher training for all Marshals and Volunteers
Crew
Each AquaPaddle event needs a sufficient Crew (Marshals to run safely). These numbers will vary depending on the Location (Lake, River, Canal, Sea). The basic Crew should be
- Captain or Vice Captain
- Time Lord (Timer)
- 3 Crew
Definition of Roles
- Captain or Vice Captain is the Event Director. They a qualified Instructor or Paddle Leader with at least a year experience of running or leading events.
- The Vice Captain is deployed by the Captain when they are not available to be at the event in person.
- Time Lord is the Timer responsible for recording the times on the AquaPaddle WebApp. This role can be a non-padder role.
- Time Beings are assistant Timers, there to assist the Time Lord. This role can be a non-padder role.
- Crew Member (on water) is the on-water marshal. They need to have some form of Water rescue training. This can be the Paddle UK PSRC (Paddlesport Safety and Rescue Course) or equivalent or the Captain has evidence that the deployed Crew Member has undertaken similar training with a Club environment. The Captain MUST satisfy themselves that the Crew Member is capable of performing the role required.
- Crew Member (on land) is the on-land marshal. This role can be a non-padder role.
Crew Numbers
The Captain must deploy a Crew that satisfies themselves that the make-up is sufficient for the event and provides the right amount of safety.
- For the sea, a lake or large river, there should be 3 On-Water Crew members, plus the Captain
- For a Canal were possible, there should be at least 2 on the water, this can be a Captain and Crew or 2 Crew. The difference is that the other Crew/Captain can be on the Towpath with throwlines. Each location needs to be assessed as to the best deployment.
- For events of over 30 AquaPaddlers, additional Crew are required, these can be either Land or Water-based. The requirement here is that there are enough Crew members watching the AquaPaddlers to ensure safety.