CANOE CLUB
INFORMATION PACK
Contents
WELCOME TO FRIENDS OF ALLONBY CANOE CLUB
THE GENERAL COMMITTEE
WHO TO CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
COMMUNICATION WITHIN THE CLUB
CANOE EQUIPMENT LOAN SCHEME
WHY YOU WILL NEVER MEET ALLONBY
INSTRUCTION & LEADERSHIP WITHIN
THE CLUB
RIVER GRADING
RIVER TRIPS
CANOEING SAFETY
Personal Equipment:
Canoeing Equipment:
SAFETY ON A RIVER TRIP
IF THERE IS A CAPSIZE - SOMEONE ELSE
IF THERE IS A CAPSIZE - YOU
SWIMMING POOL CANOEING
IDEAS TO PRACTICE IN THE BATHS
RESCUES AND ROLLING
WEIL'S DISEASE
CANOEING CODE
WELCOME TO FRIENDS OF ALLONBY CANOE CLUB
This Members information pack has been written to introduce you to Friends of Allonby Canoe Club and explains how the Club operates. Please read this carefully and then keep the information for future reference.
The information falls into two sections:-
Firstly Business:
1. An introduction to the Committee
2. Who to contact for further information
3. Communications in the Club
4. Canoe Equipment Loan System
Secondly Canoeing:
1. Why you will never meet Allonby
2. Instruction and Leadership within the Club
3. River Grading
4. Canoeing Safety
5. River Trips
6. Swimming Pool Canoeing
Past and present Members of the Club have written articles for the Newsletter which have ben reproduced in this Members Pack. We should especially like to thank Vince Milhench and Joanna Morley.
Finally, may we wish you many years of safe and happy canoeing
with Friends of Allonby Canoe Club.
THE GENERAL COMMITTEE
The General Committee is made up of elected Members who meet once a month to deal with the general running of the Club. Election to the Committee can be made by any Club Member. The names and positions held by the present Committee are given in the Monthly Newsletters.
Any Member is welcome to attend these monthly meetings, but are not able to vote on issues raised.
WHO TO CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
The Newsletter gives the names and telephone numbers of Members who are responsible for the various activities in the Club. If you cannot contact the relevant person for any reason, then telephone a Committee Member who will pass on your query.
The Club holds an Annual General Meeting in October of Every year which provides one of the means for Members to get to know each other and to put forward their points of view as to what the Club should be doing, and how.
A Newsletter is issued monthly to all Members detailing forthcoming events, coaching sessions and articles on canoeing trips written by Members. Notices are also displayed on Notice Boards at the various canoeing venues.
1. You must be a paid up Member to use Club Equipment.
2. Loan is on a First Come - First served basis EXCEPT that official Club trips have priority booking of Club equipment.
3. Loan fees must be paid for all trips including Club trips, slaloms etc.
4. The person who has the equipment out on loan is responsible for it. They must not lend it to anyone else but must return it to the Equipment Officer.
5. Loan of Club equipment must be arranged through the Equipment Officer.
6. With permission of the Committee, Club boats may be loaned out to instructors for non-Club members. The fee for such a loan is £6 per day.
7. A £5 deposit will be required which will be refunded if the equipment is returned on time.
8. The loan fee for Members is £3 per day. Family Membership loan fee if £6 maximum per day. If a boat is borrowed for a weekend and used both Saturday and Sunday the cost will be £6.
9. The deposit and loan fee must be paid before the equipment is taken.
10. Borrowed equipment must be returned at the time specified. Failure to do so means the person will forfeit their deposit.
11. Anyone who abuses these conditions will forfeit the right to use Club Equipment.
12. All equipment is loaned out at the discretion of the Equipment Officer.
13. Rubber straps must not be used for tying canoes onto roof-racks. Roof racks should be padded please to avoid damaging the canoes.
14. Canoes taken for use at Polo Tournaments MUST be returned
to the appropriate VENUE before the next session.
WHY YOU WILL NEVER MEET ALLONBY
Once upon a time, before there was an 'open' Canoe Club in Liverpool, a small group of Merseyside Canoeing enthusiasts used to organise weekend trips away and go paddling on rivers and the sea. One of their regular canoeing venues was the Novice/Division 4 slalom on the River Eden at Carlisle. Their accommodation for the weekend was at a caravan site at Allonby which is a village on the Cumbrian coastline.
Slalom competition is divided into team events run on Saturday and individual competition run on Sunday. Teams consist of three people and they are asked to submit a team name for the start list. Our intrepid trio chose the name 'Friends of Allonby'.
On returning home they thought that as canoeing was becoming more popular there should be an organisation set up locally so that interested people could get together. At the end of 1981 your Canoe Club was formed in Liverpool by a small group of friends. There were no formal training sessions, no Club premises, no Club equipment but people could get together to discuss ideas and organise weekend trips away river and sea canoeing. It seemed appropriate to keep the name 'Friends of Allonby' so they did.
From these small beginnings the Club grew to 150 Members in 1985 and now has a great breadth of expertise. Friends of Allonby has continued to maintain its strong slalom tradition and a role in teaching canoeing in the area. With the help of Sports Council Grants we were been able to purchase B.A.T.s for pool sessions and General Purpose Kayaks for lake and river trips. From funds raised from membership fees and social events we have purchased specialist slalom kayaks and canoes, white water racing kayaks, a surf shoe and an open canadian canoe. New equipment is bought from time to time to replace old or damaged equipment.
Friends of Allonby Canoe Club prides itself on trying its best
to cater for Club Members canoeing requirements. The Committee
is always looking for ways of improving the Club and welcomes
constructive criticism.
INSTRUCTION & LEADERSHIP WITHIN THE CLUB
Friends of Allonby Canoe Club is affiliated to the British Canoe Union (B.C.U.) which is the National Governing Body of our sport.
As a Member of an affiliated Club you have third party insurance cover at Club meetings and receive B.C.U. information which is sent out with our own Newsletter.
You will come across three types of Instructor at Club sessions:-
1) A Trainee Level 2 Coach, who has been on a coaching course and will help at training sessions.
2) A Level 2 Coach, who has been a Trainee Level 2 Coach then taken another assessment which enables him/her to teach people on sheltered water in flat water skills.
3) A Level 3 Coach who has passed an assessment to show his/her competence to instruct people in moving water skills on rivers up to Grade 2.
To lead a trip on Grade 3 water or above, the B.C.U. recommend a Level 3 Coach should hold the 5 Star Award or "be able to show equivalent experience and ability."
Club organised sessions will always have a level 2 or 3 Coach present when beginners are on the water.
If trips are advertised in the Newsletter stating 'canoeists
should be 4 Star level at least' this will mean either that the
water is difficult, or a Level 3 Coach will not be leading.
A system has been devised where rivers are classified according to level of difficulty. There are six grades of difficulty.
Grade 1 Not difficult. Regular stream, waves and rapids. Only simple obstructions.
Grade 2 Moderately difficult. Irregular stream and waves. Medium rapids. Small stoppers, eddies and drops. Route easy to find.
Grade 3 Difficult. Larger waves and rapids. Frequent drops and obstructions. Route still recognisable.
Grade 4 Very difficult. Long and extended rapids with high irregular waves. Eddies and whirlpools. Course often difficult to recognise. Inspection from the bank advised.
Grade 5 Extremely difficult. Long unbroken stretches of rapids with difficult and irregular broken water. Submerged rocks. Very fast whirlpools and eddies. Prior inspection from the bank necessary.
Grade 6 Limit of practicability. Cannot be paddled without serious risk to life.
Grade 1 and 2 rivers are suitable for beginners and Grade 3 for intermediate paddlers. Grade 4 and above rivers are only for very experienced canoeists. Individual rapids may have a separate, higher grading than the rest of the river and often you can walk round these rapids (portage).
Experienced Canoeists Paddling Together without a Coach
If you decide to join a group of friends for an informal paddle together then remember:
1. For safety reasons try to have a group of at least three.
2. Be aware of water levels, a placid Grade 2 river can change to a difficult Grade 3 or 4 after heavy rain.
3. Anyone who attempts Grade 3 water should have spent considerable time on Grade 2 water.
4. There can be a very real danger of being expert on flat water and being able to roll easily in the swimming pool and imagining you can cope in any water. This is not the case. River canoeing requires special skills that can only be learned on rivers.
5. Be aware of your own capabilities and those of the people you are with.
Final Points to Remember
Preparation, common sense and consideration are the keys to safety, but remember that no set of rules can cover every possible set of circumstances so be aware and alert.
Throughout the year river trips are organised to enable Members to gain canoeing experience. Information on trips is given out in the Newsletter, by the River Trip Hot-line Officer, and Notices are put up at Club Sessions. You will be told the following details for the trip.
a) Date
b) Place
c) Level of experience needed to attend
d) Who to contact for further information
e) Whether transport can be arranged.
If you decide to go make sure that you are properly equipped.
List of Gear required for a River Trip
1. A boat with buoyancy, a minimum of 12.5 kg. (30 lbs) at each
end which must be securely fixed. End grabs must be fitted and
hopefully toggles.
2. A paddle in good condition. Make sure it's the correct type for you, i.e. right or left handed.
3. A spraydeck in good condition with an efficient release strap.
4. Buoyancy aid or life jacket in good condition with a minimum of 6 kg. buoyancy.
5. A helmet in good condition which fits you.
6. Adequate clothing for cold weather. This should be a wet suit if possible but if not, then tee shirt and trousers, thermal underwear, waterproof jacket & trousers, woolly hat and something for your feet. Remember lots of thin clothes are better than one thick article. Do not wear jeans or wellies in the boat. Also take a towel with which to get dry.
7. Adequate Spare clothing to be carried in the boat.
8. Food and drink. Take plenty to eat of things you like such as sandwiches, chocolate bars, lemonade and a warm drink in a flask
9. Watertight containers for spare food and clothes
10. If you are under 18 you need written permission from your
parents or gardian
FINALLY, MAKE SURE YOU ARRIVE ON TIME WITH THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT
AT THE RIGHT PLACE
Canoeing is an exciting and adventurous sport so consequently it involves a certain amount of risk to the paddler. To minimise the possibility of accidents certain safety precautions must be taken.
Personal Preparation:
1. Never canoe alone (minimum of 3)
2. Be able to swim 50 metres in your canoeing kit.
3. Be able to complete a capsize drill with a spraydeck with ease in the type of water you intend to paddle on.
4. Be able to complete suitable rescues when required.
5. Promptly carry out the instructions of your leader.
1. Always wear your buoyancy aid or life jacket.
2. Except on Flat water, always wear your helmet.
3. Always wear your spraydeck when waves can be expected. Make sure it has a quick release strap.
4. Wear the correct clothing for the weather and water conditions.
5. Wear or always take with you some form of windproof top, cagoule or canoe jacket.
6. Wear something on your feet.
7. Have spare clothes to change into.
8. Take a towel.
1. If you borrow equipment make sure that you can use it properly.
2. Is your boat watertight? If not fix it.
3. If your boat is made of glass fibre make sure that rough edges are sanded down e.g. the cockpit rim.
4. Make sure that your boat has adequate buoyancy, and
a) the buoyancy stays in place
b) the buoyancy has not been damaged by pressure of water.
c) the buoyancy supports the boat floating horizontally when capsized.
5. If you have a footrest make sure it is set correctly for you and it cannot trap your feet or legs in an emergency.
6. Make sure your boat has toggles. If it only has end loops tape them up.
7. Any deck lines must be taut and well secured.
8. Your spraydeck should fit well and be easily removable when necessary.
9. Secure equipment in your boat in watertight containers.
Most important: be sure of your fitness and ability to tackle a day's canoeing. Do not be tempted to go onto water you are not capable of handling safely.
Before you get onto the water
1. Check your canoe again before you get on:
Buoyancy? Toggles? Footrests? Equipment secured? Paddles?
2. Listen carefully to the talk given by your River Leader.
a) Make sure you know and understand the signals that will be used.
b) Listen about any hazards you may encounter and know how to deal with them, e.g. weirs, overhanging trees, and rocks.
c) Know your place in the group.
Once you are on the water (General Hints)
1. Keep relatively close and if the group is big then keep alert.
2. Never pass the lead boat - follow his/her course.
3. Never all behind the rear boat.
4. Pass anglers quietly and in single file taking the route instructed by the leaders.
5. Be helpful to those closest to you - pass on signals and don't paddle too close to them.
6. If you have a problem e.g. cold, leaking boat, footrest too short or long, cramp etc. don't just suffer - let the Leader know!
IF THERE IS A CAPSIZE - SOMEONE ELSE
1. Only attempt rescue if you are competent otherwise the Leader will have two people to rescue - the person who first capsized and you!
2. If you are competent to rescue, make sure your rescues are done quickly.
3. When someone capsizes listen for instructions where to go and what to do.
4. If you are asked to help, for example hold a boat or paddle, or help fix a spray deck in place, do so quickly and decisively.
1. Hold onto your boat and paddle.
2. Keep the boat upside down.
3. Move to the upstream end of your boat on a river.
4. Only let go of your boat if you are in immediate danger, e.g. too close to a weir or a dangerous rapid.
5. Follow your rescuers instructions quickly.
An important part of the Club's activity is the swimming pool sessions which are run on weekday evenings from October to May.
Pool canoeing is usually done in B.A.T.s. (Baths advanced trainers) which are short kayaks with rounded ends - short so more can be fitted in the pool and with rounded ends for safety so people and tiles don't get damaged.
The Club pays for pool hire so when you attend a pool session a fee is collected. Pool time is at a premium. We always have full sessions so when you are on the water use the time to learn or practice - don't sit around and talk.
IDEAS TO PRACTICE IN THE BATHS
As someone experienced to teach you things you haven't tried before. You will find the Club has many Instructors teaching at baths sessions. You will also very quickly find that the Instructors all teach in a slightly different way. This does not mean that one method is right and another wrong. Some teaching methods work better for one physical build while another method is used for a different build. Often one stroke is taught to a beginner but as you become more skilful you will be taught refinements of the stroke or a less stable but more effective stroke instead. Listen to a variety of Instructors is you can and work out what suits you best.
Beginners 1. Getting in and out of the canoe
2. Emptying the canoe
3. Forward and backward paddling
4. Stopping
5. Exit without, then with a spraydeck
6. Sweep strokes: forward and reverse
7. Draw strokes
8. Swimming with the canoe
Intermediate skills 1. Stern rudder
2. Bow Rudder
3. Low Brace Turn
4. Sculling
5. Support strokes
Practice, practice and more practice. Learn what you are doing in the pool where you can get wet again and again without getting cold. On open water you should know EXACTLY what you are doing so the rescues are fast and efficient.
The commonest criticism of proficiency and T.I. candidates is that they do not know how to do rescues properly or they are too slow. In most cases the fault is not that they haven't had the opportunity to practice but they haven't bothered to practice.
Ask an S.I. to teach you to do rescues if you are not sure. The Instructors are not mind readers and if you don't ask they'll assume you know. You'll find the Instructors more than willing to help, after all it's in their own interest to teach you to be a competent canoeist.
Finally have a go at pool slalom and canoe polo. You may feel that you aren't good enough but everyone must start somewhere and with practice you'll improve. Swimming pool canoeing can be used to great advantage to improve skills for open water while for the canoe polo players it is the most important aspect of their sport.
WEIL'S DISEASE
What is it?
Weil's disease is a bacterial infection carried in rats urine
which contaminates water and wet river banks. The bacteria does
not survive for long in dry conditions. The risk of infection
is greater where stagnant or slow moving water is involved, but
cases have occurred on swift moving streams as well as lowland
rivers.
How serious is it?
It can be a serious illness requiring hospital treatment and can
lead to kidney or liver failure. One patient in 19 dies with it.
Weil's Disease is a notifiable illness.
How do I catch it?
The bacteria are absorbed through the skin and mucous membranes
of the mouth and eyes, it gets into the blood stream more easily
if you have a minor cut on your skin or feet or if you do capsize
drill or rolling.
What should I do about it?
If you feel ill after canoeing, particularly from 3 to 19 days
following, and have any of the features in the case history CALL
YOUR DOCTOR EARLY. The most common early symptoms are: temperature,
an influenza-like illness and joint and muscle pains. (Pains in
the calf muscles are often particularly noticeable.) Jaundice
and/or conjunctivitis may be present, or develop, although the
absence of any of these symptoms does not mean that the illness
is not Weil's Disease - nor does a symptom in isolation necessarily
indicate that Weil's Disease is present.
TELL YOUR DOCTOR YOU HAVE BEEN CANOEING AND WHERE AND ASK IF YOU CAN HAVE A BLOOD TEST FOR WEIL'S DISEASE. TELL THE BCU WHO WILL LET THEIR MEDICAL PANEL KNOW ABOUT IT.
In Summary
Avoid capsize drill or rolling in stagnant or slow moving water.
Wash or shower after canoeing.
Cover minor scratches on exposed parts of the body with water-proof
plaster.
Use foot-wear to avoid cutting feet.
If you have flu-like illness after canoeing go to your GP early
- tell him you are a canoeist.
EARLY IDENTIFICATION OF THE ILLNESS IS VITAL.
YOUR DOCTOR IS REMINDED OF THE EXISTENCE OF:
The Lepto Spirosis Reference Unit, Public Health Laboratory, County
Hospital, Hereford HR1 2ER
Results of blood tests have been known to take 2-3 weeks through
the normal laboratory system. Water sports persons have become
seriously ill, and some have even died, through slow diagnosis
and treatment since 1987. ?The local public health laboratory
should be equipped to undertake and ELISA test, from which a result
can be obtained within 3 hours of commencement. Otherwise the
sample should be sent to the Leptospirosis Reference Unit at Hereford.
CANOEING CODE
1. Leave no litter or cause pollution.
2. Do not damage fences, hedges, gates, walls or river banks at portage or access points.
3. Observe the Country Code.
4. Park considerately.
5. Close gates.
6. Do not light fires.
7. Do not make noise.
8. Avoid giving offence caused by changing in public.
9. Drive carefully on country roads.
10. Conserve the environment.
11. Keep away from banks from which anglers are fishing.
12. Keep well clear of anglers tackle, do not loiter in fishing pools, cause as little disturbance as possible.
13. Keep a sharp look out for fishermen. Comply with any signals they may make to indicate whether they wish you to wait for a moment or to pass. Give a hail if you think your approach has been unnoticed.
A hail is often useful to draw a person's attention to a situation which may result in inconvenience, damage to gear, or a collision; but treat a hail as a friendly warning and not as an insult.
14. Be particularly careful not to touch anglers lines.
15. Do not alter course so as to baulk other craft, particularly in narrow waters. Remember that larger boats are less easily manoeuvrable and that canoes can use much shallower water than other craft.
16. Keep clear of rowing craft - sculls, fours and eights - particularly when racing or serious coaching is taking place. Remember that it is sometimes difficult for rowing craft to see canoes.