Health & Safety

Prospective new members are welcome to join us for a trial session on the first and third Wednesday of the month. The paddle  starts at 18:30 but please arrive at 18:00 in order that we can go through safety procedures and get you kitted out with equipment.

Thereafter two further trial sessions on Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings will be permitted.  There will be a charge of £5 per session.  This charge will be deducted from the membership fee if the prospect becomes a club member.

No refunds will be made if you decide not to join.

When the Thames is on ‘red boards’  all members are reminded of the need for caution.

The Environment Agency makes the following recommendations:
RED BOARDS
Caution strong stream
We advise users of all boats not to navigate because the strong flows make it difficult and dangerous.
YELLOW BOARDS
Caution stream increasing (up arrow)
We advise users of all un-powered boats not to navigate and users of powered boats to find a safe mooring. This is because river flows are likely to strengthen and red boards could be displayed very soon and without warning.
Caution stream decreasing (down arrow)
We advise users of all un-powered boats not to navigate and users of powered boats to navigate with caution.

The following is an extract from the club rules:
Water Activities During Strong Stream Warnings
Section E3.16 Members must acquaint themselves with the information on Environment Agency Strong Stream Warnings - displayed on the notice board **
Section E3.17 Whenever Cautions or Strong Stream conditions exist, the Club advises that:
1) Adult members, inexperienced on moving water, should not launch
2) Adult members, experienced on moving water, launch at their own risk
3) Junior members should not launch unless they have previous written consent from a parent or guardian
4) All members deciding to launch, wear buoyancy aids, irrespective of their competency
5) No members should launch during hours of darkness

**There is a link to the EA website on the home page of this site, to enable members to check the current situation.

Club sessions are likely to be affected by the prevailing river conditions and may be subject to a change of venue or cancellation. We will try to give notice of any changes on the club website – so please check before setting out. Alternatively please phone our Sessions Officer, Lindsay Askew on 07803 943818

It was not exactly a brilliant turn out for the AGM but thanks to those who made the effort to attend. Thanks also to all those who have agreed or were press-ganged into standing for the Committee. There are however, a couple of  posts which remain vacant ~ Youth Development Officer and Events & Trips co-ordinator – If you are interested please contact Marion Quemby for more detalis.

Your Committee for the coming year is:

Chairman ~ Earl Hewett

Secretary ~ Marion Quemby

Treasurer ~ Mike Pateman

Membership Secretary ~ Hilary Pearson

Recreation Officer ~ Steve Finch

Racing Officer ~ Sam Rippington

Sessions Officer ~ Lindsay Askew

Publicity Officer ~ Shirley Boyt

Social Secretary ~ Sandy Goatham

Health & Safety ~ Rod Hart

Bosun ~ Phil Millman

Youth Representative ~ Sarah Burness

A new sheet of Committee contact details will be put on the noticeboard shortly. In the meantime if you wish to contact any Committee member please do so via the ‘contact us’ button on this website.

Finally, don’t forget to put in your nominations for the ‘Club Award’ ~ you should have received an email about this.

The illness Leptospirosis is an infection caught through contact with urine from infected animals (mainly rodents, cattle and pigs) in water or soil. The bacteria enter the body through abrasions or cuts in the skin and through the lining of the nose, mouth and eyes. The disease is more prevalent when the river has been in flood.

Early symptoms include flu-like symptoms, vomiting, high temperature, headache and muscle pains. The treatment is antibiotics. If you think you may have the infection, go to your doctor and tell them there may be a risk of leptospirosis – early treatment is vital. If left untreated Leptospirosis can progress to Weils disease, a very unpleasant and sometimes fatal condition.

It has been drawn to the attention of the Canoe Club Committee that members are not wearing Buoyancy aids and Crash Helmets when paddling in or around the Weirs. Members are reminded of the danger.

Please find below an extract from the BCU Guidelines

Where “white water” or the shooting of weirs, is involved: the wearing of buoyancy aids and crash helmets is mandatory for slalom and wild water racing, and should be strongly advised for other events where an obvious risk is present.

Participation should be limited to those who declare themselves competent to handle the conditions, taking into account the type and amount of safety cover it is practical to provide at sites of particular difficulty.

Gary Thompson
Chairman