Annex B. Club Rules, Codes of Conduct and Guidelines

Rules

Site Access

1. Do not cause obstructions by parking on the road or in gateways.
2. Dogs are not allowed on the launch field or in the water.

Paddling

1. The paddling area is defined as south of the power lines and north of the nature reserve (this being defined as a line from the inlet bridge to the nesting platform), except in exceptional circumstances, as granted by the warden.
2. The club will appoint an officer of the day. He/she shall be responsible for providing safety cover to those wishing to paddle. He/she shall also be responsible for ensuring paddlers are in groups that contain suitably experienced paddlers.
3. No person may paddle without the presence of the officer of the day.
4. The officer of the day, in consultation with the coaches, must be satisfied that the conditions are safe to paddle. The decision of the session / trip leader is final.
5. No person may paddle on Sutton Bingham on their own. Paddlers must create groups of at least three.
6. If sailing activity is taking place and boats are in, or likely to enter, the paddling area, then stay within 10 meters of the bank if you are north of the sailing club south buoy (buoy 7).
7. Launching and landing from any area of the reservoir other than those identified by the officer of the day is prohibited, except in an emergency.
8. Swimming is not permitted in the reservoir, except as part of a training or test exercise.
9. All paddling must cease by 8:30pm or 20 minutes before dusk, whichever is the earlier.
10. For an individual to canoe on Sutton Bingham they should meet one of the following criteria:

• Be enrolled on an SBDCC training or taster course, family day or group session.
• Be a minimum of BCU 1 Star Standard, have Day or Full Membership of SBDCC and be paddling in a group defined by the officer of the day.
• Be a minimum of BCU 1 Star Standard, have Full Membership of an SBDCC affiliated club and be paddling in a group as defined by the officer of the day.

Equipment

1. Personal equipment must be suitable for the conditions; any equipment or boat that is unsuitable or poorly maintained will be prevented from using the reservoir.
2. Buoyancy aids or lifejackets must be worn and must be correctly fitting, (this rule may be relaxed in a swimming pool).
3. When using a spray-deck, a release system that ensures immediate disengagement from the cockpit rim must be in place.
4. Persons taking part in any canoeing with a spray-deck fitted must be able to demonstrate their ability to remove the deck in an emergency. Junior members must perform a satisfactory capsize drill with a spray-deck before using one on the reservoir.
5. When the activity requires, a helmet must be worn. They must be correctly fitted and adjusted.

Courses

1. Club courses will be run by BCU qualified coaches.
2. All coaches will be cleared in line with the Club's adopted policy on child protection.
3. All coaches will hold a current first aid certificate.

Medical Conditions

1. Members must inform the officer of the day or coaches of any medical condition that could affect their ability to paddle.

Behaviour Policy

1. All members of the club will be expected to behave in an acceptable manner and follow the clubs adopted policies.
2. No action should be taken that could cause concern or offence to other club members or the general public.
3. Members should avoid changing in public view.
4. Inappropriate behaviour should be reported to the Committee and could result in exclusion from the club.

Code of Conduct

Sutton Bingham and District Canoe Club asks 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 performance and have fun.

Everyone in the Club should abide by the Club Rules and Policies.

All Paddlers

• Take care of all property belonging to the Club or Club members.
• Treat other Club members with respect at all times (on and off the water) - treat all paddlers as you would want to be treated yourself.
• Control tempers and avoid behaviour that may inconvenience or upset others.
• Co-operate and listen to your coach or Club officials.

Club Officials, Coaches and Volunteers

• Consider the well-being and safety of paddlers before the development of performance.
• Develop an appropriate working relationship with performers, based on mutual trust and respect.
• Make sure all activities are appropriate to the age, ability and experience of those taking part.
• Display consistently high standards of behaviour and appearance.
• Follow BCU and Club guidance and policies.
• Hold the appropriate, up-dated qualifications and insurance.
• Encourage paddlers to value their performance and not just results.
• Never condone the use of prohibited substances.

Parents/Guardians

• Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results.
• Never force your child to take part in sport.
• Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes.
• Publicly accept officials' judgements.
• Support your child's involvement and help them enjoy the sport.
• Use correct and proper language at all times.
• Set a good example by applauding good performance of all paddlers.

Junior Code of Conduct

All Junior Members are asked to abide by the following code of conduct at all times:

• Co-operate fully, respecting all requests and decisions made by the coaches, helpers, officials and administrators.
• Be on time for training sessions and events or inform your coach if you are going to be late.
• Paddlers must control their tempers and avoid behaviour that may inconvenience or upset others.
• Be considerate and respectful to other paddlers and water users - treat other paddlers as you would want to be treated.
• Paddlers must wear kit suitable to the environmental and paddling conditions, as agreed with your coach.
• Take care of all property belonging to the Club or any Club member, and be responsible for caring for your own equipment and clothing.
• Do not leave sessions without the permission of the coach or leader.
• Junior members are not allowed to smoke, or consume alcohol or drugs of any kind while on Club premises or representing the Club at events.

Additional Guidance Notes

Membership

Qualification:  Any person who undertakes to behave in the best interests of canoeing shall be eligible for membership.

Classes of Membership:

• Full members - over the age of 18.
• Family members - the spouse and family members under the age of Full member.
• Junior members - under the age of 18. Those under the age of 10 will only be admitted if one or both parents are members.
• Honorary Life Members voted as such at Annual General Meetings

Acceptance:

The General Committee may, at its sole discretion, decline to accept renewal of membership from any person without disclosing the reason.

Adopted Policies

The club has adopted the British Canoe Union (BCU) policy on child protection and vulnerable adults, the BCU policy statement/code of ethics, and the canoeists' country code, BCU Club's code of conduct, BCU Junior code of conduct.

All club members are expected to follow these policies. These policies and procedures are available from the committee. The full club rules, constitution and operating procedure are also available from the committee.

Youth Section

Responsible adults, who have been cleared in line with club policies, will control all activities of this section. Only Youth Section members, coaches, trainee coaches and adult helpers with a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance will be present at youth section sessions.

Sutton Bingham Launch Field

Unload your equipment at the launch field and where practical use the car park. Parking in the field is limited. Do not obstruct gateways. No more than three vehicles should be parked in the lay-by outside the launch field. Extreme care should be taken when entering or leaving the field.

A responsible adult should accompany children to and from the site.

Personal Equipment

Clothing must be appropriate, taking into account the following factors: water temperature, air temperature, wind chill factor, the ability of the group, the type of activity, the length of the session and the location (e.g. the availability of support).

Suitable foot protection should be worn to prevent cuts due to hazards such as glass, shells or flints or due to contact hazards on the craft.

Safety Equipment

• Spray decks should have a suitable release system fitted.
• Buoyancy aids or lifejackets should always be worn.
• Helmets should be worn where there is any risk of hitting your head, e.g. white-water, surfing, canoe polo etc.

If you are in any doubt about the suitability of your personal or safety equipment, ask the officer of the day or one of the coaches!

Action in an Emergency

In an emergency paddling should cease and all paddlers must follow the instruction given by the coaches and the officer of the day. Paddlers must come off the water until the emergency has been dealt with. Ensure that others on the water are aware of the situation as you pass them.

Do not get in the way of the persons dealing with the emergency; assist them if you can.

Hire Charges

• Club (and scout) boats and paddling equipment can be made available for hire (£2 for members / £3 for non-members) - check availability beforehand. These will be made available at the pool during designated sessions only (dependent on someone to tow the trailer) - check with the nominated Pool Session Coordinator.