Rutland Canoe Club

Rutland Canoe Club Rules

The Creek:

This is the area of water up to the two headlands. A buoy and notices on both banks mark the end of the Creek.

The Main Body of Water ( Main Body ):

This is the area of water in the remainder of the reservoir on which canoeing can take place.

Safety Rules

Anglian Water Services Ltd. Water Park ByeLaws 1993 apply.

Part 1 - The Creek Area Only

● 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.
● Solo paddling may only take place in the Creek area. All solo paddlers must hold at least a BCU 1 Star or be under the supervision of a recognised Creek Leader.
● No paddling before one hour after sunrise and no paddling after one hour before sunset.

Part 2 - Qualification to Lead in the Creek:

● To lead in the Creek the person must hold a BCU 2 Star Qualification, hold a current Canoe Safety Test and hold a current First Aid qualification recognised by the BCU. The Club Committee with the guidance of the Safety Officer must approve the person to lead in the Creek. The Committee may require proof of qualifications.

Part 3 - The Main Body:

Part 1, rules 1, 2 and 4 apply.

● No solo paddling will take place. A minimum of three vessels is required for paddling on the Main Body, unless the Safety Officer has approved that two paddlers may paddle as a pair.
● Members may not paddle on the Main Body unless a person who has been approved to lead on the Main Body accompanies them.
● Groups going onto the Main Body must always carry the following equipment:
Smoke Flares, Split Paddles, Tow Line, First Aid Kit.
● In addition from November 1st to March 31st the following must also be carried:
Bivi Bag, Hot Drink, Suitable Clothing for the Prevailing Conditions.
● Anglian Watersports, and the Rescue Centre when operational, must be advised 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.

Part 4 - Qualification to Lead on the Main Body:

● 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 Club Committee with the guidance of the Safety Officer must approve the person to lead on the Main Body. The Committee may require proof of qualifications.

General Rules

● 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 which 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.
● Club members are entitled to use the changing facilities at Anglian Water Sports.

Operating Procedures

1. Creek

● 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.

2. Main Body Trips

● 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.

3. Club Trips away from Rutland Water

● 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.

4. Visitors Log

● All paddling visitors to the Club (including trips away from Rutland Water) must be sponsored by a Club member who must complete the Visitors Log before going on the water. The appropriate fees must be paid to the person on duty. Any moneys 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.

5. Use of the Club BCU Affiliation Membership Card

● The Club pays an affiliation membership to the BCU. The Secretary holds the Membership Card.
● 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.

6. Keys

● 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.

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