Sign in and out every session
In order for our BCU insurance to cover non-BCU members, we have to be able to provide evidence of numbers on the water

Every session, the sign-in book will be available attached to the club noticeboard, on the front of the club cage.

It is your responsibilty to sign in before using a boat on the canal AND to sign again after leaving the water.

Paddling beyond the canal basin
Regents Canoe Club recommends that you paddle only in the basin in view of the club base until you have sufficient paddling skills to ensure you can go further afield safely and in control i.e. you have directional control of your boat, can avoid bumping into other canal users and know what to do in the event of a capsize.

In all cases it is recommended that you should not paddle beyond the basin on your own. These recommendations are for your own safety and that of other canal users, and considering the following:

• People live on the barges moored along the canal. You should take care not to bump into these and other craft to ensure we continue to get a welcome from our neighbours;

• The canal is a popular fishing spot, so you must be able to spot and avoid fishing lines. Try to give fishermen a bit of space - they will appreciate it;

• Club sessions from early autumn onwards to late spring take place when it is already quite dark and you may not be spotted easily if you get into difficulties at any distance from the Club base;

• The sides of the canal are quite high and make it very difficult to get out should you capsize away from sight of the club and from assistance;

• Local teenagers occasionally find it amusing to throw things at kayakers. This does not happen frequently, but is obviously dangerous. Keep an eye on groups of youths and if in doubt, avoid them.

Club members are a friendly lot, so please ask for advice and assistance in improving your skills from others members out paddling.

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Training opportunities
RCC members have requested to know more about the training routes available for them to further their personal paddling, safety and rescue, river leading and coaching skills.

Regents Canoe Club has put together a 4-page 'briefing' on some of the options available to you. Members should also be reminded that they can apply for a 40% subsidy for the cost of courses that they wish to go on.

Training Briefing

Members should note that RCC will be organising group WWSR and AWWSR courses (to find out what these acronyms mean, you should read the briefing!) over the spring/summer when it's warmer to jump in the rivers - for further information on this, the briefing and subsidy or any training questions, please contact Christine on christine.dove@camden.gov.uk.

Training subsidies
Members who wish to organise professional kayak or first aid training and/or assessment for themselves or a group of members can apply to the committee for a discretionary subsidy. Subsidies will only be given if the training will be of benefit to the club, rather than the individual.

Complete the form below and either pass to a Committee member or post to:

Training officer
Regents Canoe Club
16-34 Graham Street
London N1 8JX

Subsidy application form

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Organising a trip

Regents Canoe Club has provided a guide to organising a club trip. The guide is available in Word format. Click on the link below to open the document.

RCC Guide to Organising a Club Trip

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Policy documents

Incident Report Form - click on this link to open the Incident Report Form.

This form should be completed in relation to any incident occurring during club activities which result in actual injury to a member / club activity participant, or a near miss. The form should then be emailed to safety@regentscanoeclub.co.uk as detailed on the form, for review by the committee, for any appropriate follow up action and for the record.

Details of any incident which results in injury requiring hospital attendance / treatment will also be passed to the British Canoe Union for their records on sports injuries and to note to the insurance company in case of any resulting claim.

Draft risk assessments

RISK ASSESSMENT - canal sessions 2010.doc

RISK ASSESSMENT - Equipment 2010.doc

RISK ASSESSMENT - events & trips 2010.doc

RISK ASSESSMENT - IWWK & Other Courses 2010.doc

RISK ASSESSMENT - locking up 2010.doc

RISK ASSESSMENT - money 2010.doc

RISK ASSESSMENT - pool 2010.doc

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