Falmouth Canoe Club
Committe Business

The following are matters arising out of the FCC committe meeting on Thursday, August 4.

1) It is suggested that this short passage on what the club's purpose is and what it can offer should be put on the cage so that keyholders who allow members access to club kit, do not end up being perceived as being responsible for club members while out on the water. Suggested text:

"Falmouth Canoe Club is a group of individuals with a shared interest in canoeing and kayaking. This non-profit making club is run by volunteers and is aimed at offering an environment in which individuals can develop their own canoeing skills and experience. Club sessions are dependent on having sufficient competent (by experience or qualification) paddlers to cover the planned activity, given the prevailing or anticipated conditions on the day and the experience of the group involved.

All paddlers should take responsibility for their own safety, and that of the group they are paddling with, as far as they are able.

If the person running a session feels that there is not sufficient cover in place then the session should be modified or cancelled.  Members should accept such decisions unconditionally and accept that this may occur from time to time due to the limited volunteer resources that are available to the club."

2) The following bullet points have been suggested for publication at the cage in order to comply with our moral responsibility to care for the health and safety of club members. The emphasis is on self-awareness. Suggested guidance to club members:

OFF THE WATER
1) Boat lifting – bend your knees and keep your back straight.
2) Boats stacked on end in the cage should be tied in.
3) Horseplay near the water can be dangerous to you and others.
4) Take extra care while driving on the dinghy hard.

PLANNING
1) Match activity to ability.
2) Groups must have the ability to rescue themselves.

EQUIPMENT
1) Wear an approved buoyancy aid and carry a whistle.
2) Wear a helmet when in shallow water, when there are shallow submerged hard objects and whenever you are unsure.
3) Always dress for immersion.
4) If you are using a neoprene deck ensure you are confident in your ability to exit in the water. Not all neoprene decks are equal.
6) Canoeing involves exposure to the elements – think about keeping warm in the cold and taking precautions against sunburn.
7) If there's any possibility you might be out beyond sunset, take a light and whistle.

ON THE WATER
1) Always stretch and warm up gently before paddling.
2) When crossing navigation channels keep together and make sure your movements are clear to any shipping.
3) Paddle at the pace of the slowest in the group.
4) Try to avoid doing deep water rescues.
5) Avoid paddling too close to the docks.

Any comments on the above should be emailed to Jamie, please, before the September, 2005, committee meeting.