Operations Manual

1. Introduction

1.1 Club Aims

 

Sutton Bingham and District Canoe Club was formed in the spring of 2001 to develop access to Sutton Bingham reservoir and other local waters, with the intention of promoting canoeing, trips and events for the local community. The Club aims to promote the sport and recreation of canoeing in a safe and enjoyable way, to provide opportunities for those wishing to try the sport for the first time and encourage those already partaking in the sport to achieve their full potential. The aim of Sutton Bingham & District Canoe Club can be summarised as:

“The promotion of community participation in healthy recreation, for the benefit of the inhabitants of Somerset and Dorset and the public generally, by the provision of facilities and opportunities for canoeing and kayaking.”

This aim has been expanded upon and incorporated into the Club’s Constitution (Annex A), including the BCU objectives

“To promote the sport and recreation of canoeing and to ensure newcomers to the sport are introduced to canoeing in a safe and enjoyable way and that they and those already involved in the sport are assisted to progress to whatever level and in whichever discipline within canoeing that suits them best.”  (BCU Coaching Service).

The Club aims to co-ordinate the activities of all those wishing to canoe at Sutton Bingham reservoir. This includes the Airborne Canoe Club, the Apollo Swimming Club, local youth organisations, schools and members of the public (in prearranged group sessions). In particular the Club intends to promote canoeing in the local area, particularly to youth organisations, schools and the disabled.

It is proposed that any organisation or individual wishing to paddle at Sutton Bingham reservoir should gain affiliation, full or day membership to the Club and abide by its operating procedures, thus ensuring that canoeing is undertaken in a safe and responsible manner and in line with British Canoe Union (BCU) recommendations.

1.2 Purpose of This Document

The purpose of this document is to set out the Club’s operating procedures that have been introduced in pursuance of the Club’s aims.  It is intended this document will evolve as the Club develops and should be viewed as a working document. To ease updates, the main body of this Operating Manual contains the overall policy/practices, while specific information and guidance is located in the attached Annexes. This document will be reviewed annually to ensure its currency.

As the document acts as a formal repository of information, it will be made accessible to all Club members. However, it will not be distributed generally, and any necessary flow-down of information to members will take more convenient formats.