Health & Safety

• Monday  18:30 – Racing Time Trial
• Wednesday 18:30 – Club Session
• Wednesday 18:30 – Junior Dragon Boat training
• Thursday 18:30 – Junior Racing
• Saturday 10:30 – Junior Racing
• Sunday 10:00 – Club Paddle
• Sunday 10:00 – Ladies Dragon Boat Training
• Sunday 10:00 – Junior Recreation Session

Please ensure that you arrive at least 15 minutes before the session is due to start. It is frustrating when one or two individuals delay the whole group. If it is your first time please arrive 30 minutes beforehand to allow us to go through safety and admin procedures with you.

• Wednesday 18:15 to 19:30 – Circuit Training (14 years+)
• Thursday 18:30 to 19.30 – Running and Paddle Machine work (outside)
• Saturday 10:00 – Race Training K1 or C1 (two groups)
• Saturday 11:00 – Race Training Lightnings
• Sunday 10:00 – Club Paddle
• Sunday 10:00 – Ladies Dragon Boat Training
• Sunday 10:00 – Junior Recreation Session
• Sunday- Racing or Endurance paddle
• Sunday 14:30 Junior Dragon Boat Training

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

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