Risk assessment and management

Background

Safer paddling and Standards for Deployment

We are a club affiliated to our governing body Paddle Scotland. In accordance with that we have agreed to comply with their standards for deployment by the end of 2026. These standards are there to improve the safety of all club activities and as a club we aim to encourage safe paddling for all.

On this basis we are setting out recommendations for both Club Led paddles (led by leaders with appropriate Paddle Scotland qualifications and experience) and for Collaborative Paddles (where all participants are aware of the intended plan, risks and conditions).

General risk assessment

The general risk assessment is for all kayaking activities and includes all the risks inherent in sea kayaking. The club expects all members to be aware of these general risks as sea kayaking is by nature an ‘assumed risk’ activity.

The full risk assessment is Club Risk Assessment

Trip and activity planning

Before any trip a plan should be circulated to all participants.

The club recommends that a trip plan includes the elements on the trip plan page.

Beach briefing

Before setting off on a trip it is expected that a beach briefing takes place to cover essential topics to before launching. The format of the briefing may be adapted to circumstances and may be split e.g. if there is a drive from a rendezvous point to a launch location.

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