Code of Conduct

Reviewed and edited 25-02-2020 by P.Amey

Adults, Coaches and Parents + Safeguarding Arrangements

It is the policy of Southampton Canoe Club that all paddlers, volunteers, coaches and parents show respect and understanding for each other and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of the Club. The aim is for all paddlers to improve performance and have fun.

Everyone involved in the Club should abide by the Club Rules and Policies.

All Paddlers

• Be respectful to your fellow session members – Please arrive a half an hour before your session starts in order that you can properly prepare both yourself and your equipment for entering the water.
• Arriving 5 or 10 minutes before 9-00am is unacceptable. Coaches have been instructed to not to allow you to participate if you arrive this late.
• If you are not going to be on time for your training session and/or event – please inform your coach if you are going to be late so that other arrangements can be made if possible.
• All attendees are to co-operate fully with, and respecting all requests and decisions made by the coaches, helpers, officials and administrators and will comply with the Club Rules.
• Paddlers will not be allowed to leave the Centre grounds to go to the get-in point until they have signed into the paddling register.
• Remember to offer to help to carry fellow paddlers boats to and from the storage containers.
• Parents are requested to accompany their children AND HELP WITH THEIR BOATS to and from the LAUNCH POINT at the Start and End of every water- based session. IF THIS INVOLVES CROSSING A ROAD – PARENTS MUST ASSIST IN THIS PROCESS.
• Paddlers must remember to not only return their paddle, boat and buoyancy aid to the storage from where you collected them at the start of the session, but also put them away tidily. Leaving them in and around the changing rooms is unacceptable.
• PLEASE PUT AWAY ALL EQUIPMENT BEFORE SHOWERING AND CHANGING
• If the Coaching team changes for any reason, one of the Coaches known to you will advise accordingly.
• Paddlers will not be allowed to enter the water until a Coach is in place on the water themselves.
• Paddlers must control their language and tempers and avoid behaviour which may inconvenience or upset others
• Be considerate and respectful to other paddlers and water users – treat other paddlers as you would want to be treated
• Paddlers must wear suitable clothing for paddling to suit the conditions as agreed with your coach. If you are unsure ask your Coach.
• Take care of all property belonging to the club or any club member – and be responsible for caring for your own equipment and clothing. Remember to take home all the clothing you came with.
• Paddlers are respectfully asked to ensure that:-
• 1. They do not leave a session at the club without signing out of the Paddling register and
  2. They must not leave the session on the water without asking the permission of the coach or leader to do so
• No member is allowed to smoke, consume alcohol or drugs of any kind whilst on club premises or whilst representing the club at events.
• Paddlers are to be mindful that the Club operates in a Public Accessible environment. Do not be afraid to challenge anyone you do not know or indeed anyone who seems out of place.
• The Health and Safety of all attendees and session participants is paramount. Please help us to help you have a FUN time.
• Challenge anyone you do not know.

Club Officials, Coaches and Volunteers

• Consider the well being and safety of paddlers before the development of performance
• Develop an appropriate working relationship with performers, based on mutual trust and respect
• Make sure all activities are appropriate to the age, ability and experience of those taking part
• Display consistently high standards of behaviour and appearance
• Follow BCU and Club guidelines and Policies
• Hold the appropriate, up-dated qualifications and insurance
• Encourage paddlers to value their performance and not just results
• Never condone the use of prohibitive substances
• Be mindful of who delivers and collects children from the Centre
• Challenge anyone you do not know.

Parents/Guardians

• Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results
• Never force your child to take part in sport
• Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes
• Publicly accept official’s judgements
• Support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoy the sport
• Use correct and proper language at all times
• Set a good example by applauding good performances of all paddlers
• Talk to the Coaches and make them aware who you are delivering and collecting from sessions and at what times
• Help your children with their equipment to and from the get in points
• Challenge anyone you do not know.
• PLEASE NOTE – OUR COACHES ARE ALL UNPAID VOLUNTEERS AND ARE NOT CHILD-MINDERS. AS A RULE THEIR SAFETY SUPPORT STARTS AND ENDS AT THE WATERS EDGE. PLEASE HELP US SUPPORT THEM PROVIDE YOUR CHILDREN WITH A SAFE AND FUN ENVIRONMENT.