The authorisations required for leading scouts in canoeing
activities is somewhat different to that of walking. For the most part an
authorisation for canoeing activities is not needed providing that the following criteria are met:
- That the activity is taking part on Class C waters.
- It is implicit that those supervising the activity have the appropriate skills and knowledge.
The District Commissioner is then responsible for all authorisations for
people to lead canoeing activities on Class C water. Basically if anybody
wants to lead an activity on Class C water they need to get in touch with
their District Commissioner for a letter of authorisation. If your DC is unhappy
with writing this letter then they are more than welcome to get in touch with
Peter Millard - County Water Activities Advisor
peter.millard@orange.net
who will look at the person and offer advice as to whether an authorisation
should be given. Water that constitutes Class C is defined as:
Inland lakes, lochs or other stretches of placid water which are less than
100 metres wide throughout the region being used and where surface turbulence
is limited to the regular waves produced by wind action. This also includes
rivers or canals which again are less than 100 metres wide in the region
that is being used. Information on Class C water can be obtained from FS120623
Class C Waters on Scoutbase: http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/facts/pdfs/fs120623.pdf
For those people wishing for authorisations on waters above Class C then
the process changes slightly. First of all they need to fill in FS120601
Authorisation Scheme for Water Activities. http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/facts/pdfs/fs120601.pdf
This must be completed and signed by yourself, your GSL and your DC and
then be forwarded to:
Peter Millard, County Water Activities Advisor, 8 Diana Drive, Potters Green,
Coventry, CV2 2GR along with a detailed log book of your canoeing experience
containing at least the following headings:
- Date, Location Including class of water, Weather Conditions, Number
in Group, Role in Group,
- And a copy of your valid first aid certificate.
Once The County Water Activities Advisor has received the form he will assess,
from the information within the form, whether an assessment will need to take
place. If it is deemed necessary for an assessment the County Water Activities
Advisor will contact the applicant to arrange dates for a formal assessment.
If an assessment is deemed necessary it will take the form of the applicant
planning organising and running a canoeing activity with his or her group.
This activity will be overseen and an assessment made from that activity.
If anybody has any queries or comments please contact Peter Millard on peter.millard@orange.Net
All POR references and fact sheets relating to canoeing activities can be
found on Scoutbase at the following address: http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/ps/activities/factfile.php?ID=12
