Club Activity, Peer Paddling and Insurance
So we all accept that paddle sports are assumed risk sports however British Canoeing does provide insurance cover for individual members and for affiliated Club activity.
Paddling activities undertaken by members of Carlisle Canoe Club fall into one of two categories:-
“Club Activity”
As from 1st October 2020 Club activity for English based Clubs affiliated to British Canoeing is defined as:
‘Any activity that has been assessed as part of the Club’s safety framework and promoted on the Club calendar, website or noticeboard.’ And in the case of Carlisle Canoe Club, the Club Facebook pages.
This includes the regular Club sessions on the Sands rapid and pool sessions.
Club activities also include inter-club activities where the responsibility for risk assessment and management is carried out and then shared between all participating Clubs.’
Club Associate members are covered by insurance for entry-level competitions organised for, or on behalf of, British Canoeing Discipline Committees, or participation events organised by Regional Development Teams.
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“Peer Paddling”
Peer paddles are activities which sit outwith the British Canoeing definition of “Club Activity” and as such are not covered by Club Associate Member Insurance.
Such paddling opportunities advertised on Club media will be explicitly labelled as “Peer Paddles”
Examples of this are:
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Ad hoc paddles arranged at short notice between individual club members.
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Paddles where individuals have carried out their own risk assessment outwith the Club safety framework and have mutually agreed to paddle.
-
A paddle where no qualified leader is present, and a group of paddlers are taking on the responsibility for safety themselves.
Any individual taking part in a peer paddle should consider:
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The risks associated with the suggested paddle.
-
Their own personal competence.
-
The competence of other potential group members.
-
Obtaining their own individual membership of British Canoeing in order to enjoy full insurance cover.
Peer paddles are activities which sit outwith the British Canoeing definition of “Club Activity” and as such are not covered by Club Associate Member Insurance.
Such paddling opportunities advertised on Club media will be explicitly labelled as “Peer Paddles”
Examples of this are:
-
Ad hoc paddles arranged at short notice between individual club members.
-
Paddles where individuals have carried out their own risk assessment outwith the Club safety framework and have mutually agreed to paddle.
-
A paddle where no qualified leader is present, and a group of paddlers are taking on the responsibility for safety themselves.
Any individual taking part in a peer paddle should consider:
-
The risks associated with the suggested paddle.
-
Their own personal competence.
-
The competence of other potential group members.
-
Obtaining their own individual membership of British Canoeing in order to enjoy full insurance cover.
Insurance
INDIVIDUAL BRITISH CANOEING MEMBERS’ COVER
All individual members of British Canoeing are covered for Public and Products Liability Insurance.
CLUB ASSOCIATE MEMBERS COVER (Provided to all Carlisle Canoe Club members)
Club Associate members receive third party liability and professional indemnity insurance for any activity that has been assessed as part of the Club’s activity, in accordance with the British Canoeing definition above. However, these club members will not be insured if they are paddling at other times.
Club Associate members are also covered by insurance when they coach and lead groups within the constraints of ‘Club activity’, as long as they have undertaken the Clubs competency framework assessment. If associate members think they may paddle outside of sessions organised by the Club, ie Peer Paddles, they should consider purchasing their own membership from the National Association where they live in order to be covered.
