Balmy Beach Canoe Club

Safety Information

STAYING SAFE ON THE WATER...

 

Safety issues can never be ignored in our sport.  Because most of our training is done on Lake Ontario water, the cold water temperatures present an obvious hazard.  Though some boats may appear to be more stable than others, this can never be taken for granted.  Our coaches educate paddlers on the risks, how to avoid them and what to do if the unplanned happens.  They are required to enforce the Code of Safety of the Ontario Canoe Sprint Racing Affiliation of Canoe Ontario and the regulations that follow.  Paddlers must cooperate fully or they are subject to suspension.

All paddlers must be insured through Canoe Ontario before being allowed to participate in the canoe/kayak program.  This is done automatically by the Club when a fully completed Application and Waiver form is submitted to the appropriate persons.  This cost of insurance is covered in the registration fee, so it is important that forms are submitted by the dates requested.

• All paddlers must be able to swim to the proficiency of the Canadian Red Cross "Aqua 6 Level" requirements, including -
• Put on a life jacket )PFD) in deep water
• Stay in the fetal position for one minute
• Stay above the water for one minute
• Swim 15 m crawl and 20 m backstroke
• All paddlers under the age of 19 years, must be accompanied by a coach(es) and coach boat(s) when on the water.
• Bantam aged paddlers must always when practicing and an approved flotation device (belt) when racing.
• All paddlers, despite their ability, must wear a PFD approved life jacket while paddling when the water/air temperature is below 5 degrees Celsius, and must have provided the Club with a Cold Water Waiver Form signed by their parent/guardian.
• All paddlers must inform the coach(es) of any change in their health which may affect their ability to participate in the sport, or which affects their well-being, or which may endanger the safety of  other participants.
• All paddlers must inform the coach(es) that he/she is under the effect of any medicinal drug.
• All paddlers must refrain from drinking alcoholic beverage or using drugs which may affect their ability to train or compete in a safe manner.
• Paddlers may not be "tied", "strapped", or "secured" to a boat or its floorboard in any manner, during raining or in competition.
• Paddlers must not purposely jump out of their boat at any time during a regatta or throw their equipment while on the water.

STAYING SAFE IN THE ASHBRIDGES BAY TRAINING AREA

• All paddlers must stay close to the north and west walls of the Bay.
• When turning at the south end (Lake Ontario), paddlers must keep out of the red/green boat channel markings
• Paddlers must not bo near the sail and power boats moored on the east side of the Bay.  If these boats are backing out, they cannot see a small boat that might be behind them.  Buoys have been set out to mark the area.
• At all times, paddlers must be seen by a coach boat, another paddler or from shore so that assistance can be provided if required.
• Paddlers must ot go into the south bay unless a coach boat(s) is present.

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Remember, anyone who tells you they have never fallen in is lying.  It is a part of learning and improving.  All involved from paddlers to cox/captain to motor boat drivers must be aware of and comfortable with the proper way to handle such a situation.

SHOULD A "SMALL BOAT" TIP

• Turn the boat over so that it is in the upright position.
• Find paddle and any other equipment that may be floating in the water and place in boat.
• THEN
• Hang onto the boat and hand paddle and kick his/her way to shore.

SHOULD A WAR CANOE TIP

• All paddlers shall attempt to locate the person directly in front of them.  Anyone missing or injured should be reported immediately to the cox/captain.
• The cox/captain shall do a head count.
• The crew, shall, if possible, turn over the boat so that it is upright.
• The cox/captain shall do a head count.
• Rescue boats should be on the scene, by now.  Priority for getting out of the water shall be given to persons who are most in need of assistance (i.e., injured, asthma suffers, etc.).
• All paddlers should now be in the motor boat.
• The cox/captain shall do a head count.
• If circumstances permit, motor boats should now, and only now, attempt to pick up any equipment (i.e., buns, paddles) which may still be floating in the water.
• The war canoe should be towed back to the dock in the upright position.
• As the boat approaches the dock, it shall be turned over again, and lifted out bow first, upside down.
• Although this is an event that we should like to avoid, it has happened and it will happen again.  Above all, everybody must try to.....

Parents and paddlers are concerned about outdoor activities in light of research on ozone layer developments, including a report from the UN Environment Program exploring ultraviolet solar radiation effects on the immune system, as well as the more established concerns about skin cancer.  Sprint canoe/kayak racing clearly has an exposure to such concerns as shade is sparse on the water but events are of very short duration, especially compared to most other outdoor sports, should not cause any substantial risk.  Where regatta sites lack natural shade, the Club will be using a portable canopy and/or tarpaulins strung beside the Club trailer to protect our paddlers both from the sun and the rain.

The Club is committed to staying informed on this topic and will pass along any guidelines, suggestions on protective measures, etc.  So far, the following facts should be considered careful-

• Minimize exposure between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm when the sun is most intense.
• Non transparent long sleeved shirts, pants and hats provide protection.  Sun hats should have a brim all the way around to protect the back of the neck, ears and face.
• Sun screens with a solar protection factor under 10 provide little protection.  They block UV B radiation which causes sunburn, but offer no protection against UV A which causes wrinkling of the skin and promotes cancer.  Broad spectrum sun screens which also block UV A generally have ratings of 30 and up as they use various compounds (the most effective SPF LaRouche).
• Opaque sun blocks of Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxides are effective as they block all light.  These often are brightly colored salves and can be applied to parts of the face vulnerable to sun burn (use Club colors) if available!).  Of course, since our sport involves water and perspiration, waterproof sun screens area a preferred choice.
• Some sunglasses may do more harm than good since they allow the pupils to dilate in brighter light, but do not block UV radiation.  If the sunglass wearer can see their eyes when looking in a mirror, they may be wearing useless "fashion tint".  The harmful blue range of UV is best blocked by brown or amber glasses.  Blue lenses are the least effective.

SHOES:
It is recommended that at least one shoe be worn in war canoe paddling.  Paddlers of other boats, especially kayaks, may often go barefoot on the water.  Depending on the site and the availability of docks, paddlers may have to wade into the water to enter the boat during regattas.  It is recommended that shoes are worn at this time to avoid any injury to the feet.  Whether worn on the water or left at dockside, paddling footwear is repeatedly soaked, so old expendable running shoes are a favourite choice.

OTHER CLOTHING

Clothes should be tailored to weather conditions and the level of activity.  With the possibility of a boat capsizing, clothes should not be of the type to absorb water to the point of limiting the ability to swim or stay afloat.  Loosely secured hats and sunglasses are discouraged during competition events since they come adrift and the paddler may become distracted.

PADDLERS MUST WEAR THE CLUB'S BLUE/YELLOW/WHITE racing jerseys during all regatta competitions.  They are available for purchase from the Club

The Club coaching staff is required to have various degrees of accreditation in the National Coaching Certificate Program, training in C.P.R. and Safety and First Aid and to have the authorized Harbour Commission motor boat licence(s).  No one without a boat licence may drive a boat.  All Club coaches, boat drivers and officials are aware of the Code of Safety of the Ontario Canoe Sprint Racing Affiliation and will enforce it.