OVERVIEW
LSKC organises a number of peer group trips and of club trips each calendar month. They are advertised via the club website, and email list. Club trips are called A-Paddles and Pathway Paddles (“APPP”s).
DEFINITION OF TRIPS:
Peer trips are trips where a group of paddlers simply go out paddling together.
APPPs are club trips. They are organised and led by leaders who have been approved by the Committee, or a delegated sub-committee. Each APPP has one designated trip leader who is responsible for the trip, with support from other leaders, coaches, experienced paddlers or committee members. They are open to all members.
Participation is at the discretion of the organisers and trips may have to change or be cancelled due to weather conditions or for other reasons.
APPPs leaders are experienced paddlers, they are not necessarily qualified instructors and trips are not coaching sessions.
The overall ethos is that each participant should come prepared to look after themselves. As with any outdoor pursuit there is an element of risk.
LEADERS:
APPPs leaders have been approved by the Committee on the grounds of the leader’s competence, experience and/or formal qualifications
There are no set requirements for specific qualifications, but relevant qualifications may help the Committee to assess the suitability of a leader against the
Criteria –
Assessment of environment and matching group to plans, Location, Preparation,
Personal Paddling skills, group organisation, rescue and towing.
Selection of Location and conditions are key. The element of judgement expected in the BC sea kayak and sea kayak leader awards is the principle followed by the club.
https://www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/news/2018/british-canoeing-deployment-guidance-for-instructors-coaches-and-leaders
All current club trip leaders will be reminded of the need to refresh regularly, including those holding BC awards. Leaders can be checked by experienced leaders who hold 4 star or 5 star awards (or equivalent) observing the application of the criteria above.
LSKC encourages and supports paddlers to develop their leadership skills, to attain and maintain relevant qualifications and to take on the leading of APPPs Trips.
Leaders can be approved for single trips, or for a period of time.
The Committee can impose limitations and conditions on a leader’s remit. The Committee reserves the right to change the remit of a leader, or to remove the leader from the list of approved leaders, at any time.
A list of approved Leaders is maintained by the Trips Coordinators.
(Updated 27 April 2021)