Rutland Canoe Club

This is the area of water up to the two headlands. The end of the Creek is marked by a buoy and notices on both banks. This is the area of water in the remainder of the reservoir on which canoeing can take place.

Anglian Water Services Ltd. Water Park Bye Laws 2004 apply.

• All Club members and persons under the direct control of the Club will wear a correctly fitting buoyancy aid or lifejacket when on the water and suitable clothing for the prevailing conditions.
• All Club members will carry a whistle when on the water.
• Paddling may only take place in the Creek area supervised by a Level 2 coach, creek leader or Main body leader .Also a minimum of 2 Paddlers who hold at least a BCU 2 Star and be over the age of 14 may paddle when the centre is open. Solo paddling on the creek is only allowed when safety cover has been arranged with Rutland Watersports.
• Paddling may only take place when Rutland Watersports is open. Unless paddling in the Creek during a Club Sunday morning, members must log on and off with Rutland Watersports. No paddling: after 1 hour before dusk or before one hour after sunrise.
• To lead in the Creek the person must hold a BCU 2* qualification, hold a current Canoe Safety Rest and hold a current First Aid qualification or be a L2 Coach or Main Body Leader.

Part 1, rules 1 and 2 apply. No solo paddling will take place.

• Paddling should normally take place when Rutland Watersports is open. If it is intended to paddle at other times, Rutland Watersports (01780-460154) should be advised a month in advance for groups only.
• If Rutland Watersports is open a minimum of three vessels is required for paddling on the Main Body. Rutland Watersports must be advised by the Main Body Leader of the number of vessels and number of people going on to the Main Body. They must also be advised when the vessels are off the water.
• If Rutland Watersports is closed, a minimum of three vessels is required for paddling on the Main Body. The Main Body Leader must log on and off the Main Body by liasing with the Duty warden on 07885-484113.
• Members may not paddle on the Main Body unless they are accompanied by a person who has been approved to lead on the Main Body. The Main Body Leaders will sign directly in and out at Rutland Watersports using their RCC Photo ID card.
• To lead on the Main Body the person must be over the age of eighteen, hold a BCU 3 Star Qualification, hold a current Canoe Safety Test and hold a current First Aid qualification recognised by the BCU. The person must be approved to lead on the Main Body by the Club Committee with the guidance of the Safety Officer. The Committee may require proof of qualifications.
• Groups going onto the Main Body must always carry the following equipment:
  • Smoke Flares,
  • Split Paddles,
  • Tow Line,
  • First Aid Kit,
  • Mobile Phone or VHF radio.
• In addition from November 1st to March 31st the following must also be carried:
  • Bivi Bag,
  • Hot Drink,
  • Suitable Clothing for the Prevailing Conditions.

• Members going onto the Main Body must only launch from The Creek unless they have prior agreement from Anglian Water to launch at any other point on the reservoir.
• Members using Club equipment are responsible for its safe return and for reporting any defects. They must also ensure that the equipment is returned to its proper place and that it is adequately secured and the relevant locks are in place.
• Club members must report any incidents that had, or could have had, an impact on the safety of members or visitors to the Club Safety Officer as soon as possible.
• Members storing their equipment at the Club do so at their own risk. The Club takes no responsibility for loss or damage.

• Paddlers in the creek during Club sessions must be under the guidance of a recognised Creek Leader and must book on and off the water using the T-Card rack showing to which group they belong.

• The leader of a trip on the Main Body ( as defined under ‘Definitions’ above ) is totally responsible for the group and must ensure that the T-Card rack shows accurately who is in the group.

• The leader of any RCC trip organised away from Rutland Water must complete a record of all attendees on the day to be lodged in the Club file on their return.

• All paddling visitors to the Club Must sign on the water with Rutland Watersports and pay the appropriate launch fee. They must also complete the Visitors Log before going on the water and this must be countersigned by the sponsoring member. The appropriate fee must be paid. Any monies collected must be passed to the Treasurer at the earliest opportunity.
• Under current BCU rules a visitor is deemed to be someone who attends for a maximum of three sessions in any one subscription year. Anyone who wishes or intends to paddle on more than three occasions must pay the appropriate subscription to the Club thus becoming a member of the Club otherwise the BCU insurance cover is invalid.

• The Club pays an affiliation membership to the BCU. The Membership Card is held by the Secretary.
• This card may be used for club members who are not BCU members whilst on a trip off Rutland Water. It is not for the use of non-club members or for trips that have been organised privately or where the trip is not open and advertised to club members.

• Members who wish to use Club equipment outside the normal Club times may apply for a key to any committee member. The Committee reserves the right to decline an application.
• Keys must not be handed to, or loaned to, any other person even if that person is a club member.
• Key holders are responsible for ensuring that General Rules ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) above are followed.
• Equipment must not be removed from Rutland Water without the prior consent of the Equipment Officer or another committee member. A fee may be charged for use of club equipment off Rutland Water at the sole discretion of the General Committee.

Any enquiries please email us at info@rutlandcanoeclub.org.uk