Please read the following carefully; it is intended to help you take reasonable steps to ensure your own safety and well-being during the paddling event being organised by Cumbria Canoeists.

While our event organisers, leaders and coaches will take reasonable steps to deliver the event safely, and to keep you safe, taking part in paddling activities carries a risk of injury or death. Ultimately it is your decision to take part in the event and your safety remains your responsibility. Accidents can happen without any contributory action from the organisation or its volunteer staff.

Cumbria Canoeists can accept no responsibility for loss or damage to personal property, or for personal injury, not arising as a result of its own act or default. We would advise all paddlers to think about insuring any kit that is irreplaceable.

You can help in the safe delivery of an event by bringing any matter of relevance, or that you are unsure of, to the notice of the event organiser and/or leader/coach.

A clarification that the coach/leaders and assistants, supporting all Cumbria Canoeists events are acting as VOLUNTEERS and are not paid, claiming minimal expenses from Cumbria Canoeists funds.

Participation Statement

Cumbria Canoeists recognise that kayaking, canoeing and associated water activities pose a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of, and accept the risks associated with adventure sports and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.
Minimising risks to reasonable and acceptable levels in line with current best practice and using dynamic risk assessments on the day is the accepted norm for organising adventurous activities and yet accidents do happen in outdoor situations when circumstances arise over which individuals have no control.
Leaders will always act within their specified leadership remit and act as the focal point for group management by ensuring that decision making is informed, collaborative and well-communicated. In turn it is expected that group members will discharge their own duty of care by following guidance and provide support as appropriate.
The leader has a duty of care for the whole group and the leader has a right to ask someone not to attend an event,or partake in part of an event, such as running a rapid beyond their capability, and will outweigh the individual’s ‘desire’ to participate.
Risk is an inherent driver of adventure sports for when activities become predictable, absolutely safe and risk-free, they cannot then be defined as adventurous. As participants, you willingly accept some degree of risk and should safeguard notions of adventure by exercising appropriate levels of personal responsibility during lead events.

Guidance for participating in events

My personal responsibility on trips:

• I will have a safety briefing given by the trip leader. I will ask the leader to clarify any points I am uncertain of.
• I will notify the leader regarding any medical issue which may be relevant to me participating in this activity.
• I will not attend any events under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
• I am able to swim 50m and I am confident in open water, wearing the clothing I will be wearing whilst participating in the activity.
• I am aware that the sessions may be cancelled for operational, weather or environmental related safety issues.
• I will attend trips with the correct equipment or I understand that I may not be able to take part. If you are unsure of the equipment required you must ask the trip leader before the event.

Participant responsibilities

On many events photos and videos may be taken if you do not wish for this to happen please let the leader know.

I understand that I should not seek to join events that are above my ability level. I understand that if I do so, I may be advised that an event is above my level of expertise.

If you have medical issues that we need to know about, please ensure the event lead is made aware of these at the start of the event, even if you have declared these already on booking, along with an emergency contact.

If you suffer from any differ abilities/disabilities? To help your coach/leader understand any specific needs from participants, could you please share, in confidence, any sensory / communication/ emotional (eg anxiety) / thought processing differences and physical differences you may have.

Data Protection

Cumbria Canoeists only use your personal data for official business. We will not provide personal details to third parties. We may supply your email/phone number to an event organiser where you have indicated that you intend to join a trip/event. We will supply your emergency contact details to event organisers in case of emergency, please ensure your trip lead is aware of any changes. You accept and opt into this by signing up to an event.