Kayaks. KCC Standard Operating Procedure. Activity Overview. Be Prepared:

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1 Kayaks KCC Standard Operating Procedure Activity Overview Across the road from KCC facilities is the pond that we use for Kayaking. We have a selection of 12 sit on kayaks including one double and a triple (2 adults, 1 child). There is also a row-boat down at the pond that can be used for supervision or to row less confident campers in. Life jackets, Kayaks and Paddles are all supplied. Note: The Lake is not suitable for swimming in. Be Prepared: You will get wet No jeans or heavy footwear are to be worn while kayaking. Specific Prerequisites of Activity Instructor Before a supervisor is to run this activity they must have the following prerequisites: Be over 18 years of age Show evidence of leading or supervising groups e.g. teacher, sports coach, scout leader CPR and 1 st Aid qualified (at least one person) Able to swim 100m non stop Have had at least 5 days personal experience in a kayak. Induction: Once adequate leaders have been accepted, as set out with the prerequisites, KCC staff must induct them into the site and the SOP. You will be shown and taught if necessary: Correct fitting of PFDs (personal floating device) Emergency procedures How to use tow lines Boat fitting and storage Safety boundaries

2 Running procedure Before Activity Ensure all kayakers have a PFD and that it is fitted correctly (first group to be fitted at adventure shed at camp and spares of various sizes be taken down to pond for future groups) Lead instructor must have on them a whistle, first aid kit, walki talki (optional) and have this SOP with them There must be a 1:4 supervisor/ adult helpers to kayaker ratio on the pond at all times with a minimum of 2 supervisors. Instruction Given: SAFETY RULES Given at kayaking entrance gate Before passing this gate: 1. You must be wearing a correctly fitted PFD (don t take it off until you are back on this side of the gate either) 2. You must have permission of your supervising leader one at a time into kayaks Once on the Jetty: 1. Follow instructions 2. Only get in & out of Kayaks at the jetty with the help of a supervisor On the Water: 1. You must stay within sight of your supervising leader 2. Wait until every one is on the water before heading out off view of the shed (not past the big green tree on the left) 3. 1 whistle blow means Stop and listen to instructions, 3 whistle blows mean return to jetty 4. If you capsize, Don t panic, follow instructions of the supervisor 5. Don t throw water weed at each other (It may cause rashes) 6. Take care with the use of your paddle particularly when playing games 7. Games / Water fights only involve those that want to play 8. Avoid contacting others with the paddles During The Session Reiterate safety rules as needed Ensure supervision ratios are maintained Pack up Line up the Kayaks on the shore between groups for easy access during change over. After the last session has run for the day place kayaks back in the kayak shed as per photo.

3 After the last session has run for the day place all paddles and tow rope in paddle box and lock the box. Line all PFDs along the fence line for easy visibility of sizes for next group coming down. After the last session has run for the day whole group to take PFDs back up to the adventure shed and supervisor is to hang them back up as per labels. Report any breakages or equipment failures to staff Helpful Information and Tips Entering Kayaks Getting into and out of a kayak is done in a controlled way, supervisor steadies the kayak with their feet as the kayaker sits next to them and slowly lowers themselves down onto the kayak as per photos. Supervisor then offers the kayaker a paddle and sends them off. Paddling Hold the paddle with the bump under your right hand (fingers) Grip the paddle with both hands (overhand grip) in the marked area and practice rotating the paddle with the right hand allowing it to slide in the left hand Practice forward paddling blade enters the water near your toes and exits near your hip. To turn, forward paddle on the opposite side until the bow is facing where you want to go Show participants how to back-paddle, to push off the bank and other obstacles. Be weary of other kayakers nearby when paddling to avoid striking someone in the head When approaching another kayaker coming the other way, sit your paddle beside you with one blade in front of you and one behind you, resume paddling once they have passed. Capsize Rescue The sit-on kayaks are very safe because of their open leg area and their width. In the event of capsizing a supervisor will come help flip the kayak and assist re-enter as per photo. Just remember that the life jacket will keep you afloat so there is no need to panic.

4 Kayak Rules Before passing this gate: 3. You must be wearing a correctly fitted PFD (don t take it off until you are back on this side of the gate either) 4. You must have permission of your supervising leader one at a time into kayaks Once on the Jetty: 3. Follow instructions 4. Only get in & out of Kayaks at the jetty with the help of a supervisor On the Water: 9. You must stay within sight of your supervising leader 10. Wait until every one is on the water before heading out off view of the shed (not past the big green tree on the left) whistle blow means Stop and listen to instructions, 3 whistle blows mean return to jetty 12. If you capsize, Don t panic, follow instructions of the supervisor 13. Don t throw water weed at each other (It may cause rashes) 14. Take care with the use of your paddle particularly when playing games 15. Games / Water fights only involve those that want to play 16. Avoid contacting others with the paddles

5 Kayak Games Kayak Hockey: An inflated paddle float or a beach ball with air and a little water is used. Teams consist of an even number of kayaks. Teams must work together to pass the puck Colourful Raft: Rafting up is a safety procedure, allowing the group to handle situations or hold discussions while on the water. By moving as a unit, stability is increased and individual boats do not have to work to stay in the same place. This activity can lead into a Raft Stand or Raft Walk. Raft Stand: After rafting together, participants work on their balance and group trust, standing up in the cockpit of their kayaks. Walk the Plank: A real trust exercise, requiring balance. One at a time, participants will walk along the raft of kayaks, relying on other participants for stability and staying dry. Birthday Line Up: Participants will have to manoeuvre their kayaks into a line of birthday order by either the front or rear person in the kayak. This activity is done while making forward progress and encourages kayak handling skills and group interaction. Three Men/One Boat: After landing on shore, we leave some boats behind and get into three person teams. Each team must decide where to put the extra person, paddle out to a designated place, all switch places, and return to shore. Creativity, teamwork, planning, and a good attitude keep participants begging for just one more race. Swap It: With eight boats: every boat has seven of something. All boats must interface and trade items without any boat contact. If approaching a boat and the boats touch, the teams must interface with another team before trying again. Sharks and Minnows: A classic, only a bit trickier in kayaks. Guides establish a perimeter for play, and the hungry shark(s) try to make contact with all the other boats. High speed ramming is illegal and usually impossible. Rescue/Wet Exit: Participants will learn and practice how to safely escape an overturned or capsized kayak, and then reenter. Ball tag Red light, green light

6 Kayak Procedures How the kayaks should look at the end of the day. Instructor needs to have a whistle, first aid kit and may want to have a walki talki to have contact with up top. Supervisor steadies the kayak with their feet as the kayaker sits next to them and slowly lowers themselves down onto the kayak The row boat can tow two kayaks or more at a time if need be. The rope is attached to the back of the boat. The row boat can tow two kayaks or more at a time if need be. The rope is attached to the back of the boat In a kayak tow, the Supervisor attaches the middle carabina to the back of their kayak, and the other two to the side, that way they are handy and ready when someone needs assistence. The row boat is handy when you have less confident participants or people who are not fond of getting wet. Supervisor steadies the kayak with their feet as the kayaker climbs out.

7 Single Kayak Rescue Oh no! Supervisor helps level the kayak Supervisor assists kayaker, instructing them to swing their leg up around onto the front of the kayak. Supervisor holds kayak steady while kayaker repositions themselves. Supervisor holds kayak steady while kayaker repositions themselves. Good to go!

8 Double Kayak Rescue Brave move! Or stupid Encourage kayakers to remain calm in the water Kayakers flip double kayak over. Kayakers climb aboard from oppisite sides, leveling out the kayak. Dogs come in handy to collect paddles (someone may need to assist in retrieving paddles) Good to Go!