An Isle of Wight mobile paddlesports centre has become the first paddlesports activities provider on the Island to become an appointed British Canoeing Delivery Partner for the provision of their training courses and awards.
As an approved British Canoeing Delivery Partner SUPboarding&kayakingIOW have to meet and maintain set standards in best practice, in training delivery, monitoring, record keeping, risk assessment, safeguarding, and safety of clients on and off water during sessions.
British Canoeing is the national governing body for paddlesports and set the standards of excellence in training and delivery, and as such, supervises training of the UK World Olympic & Paralympic team.
The centre has a fleet of stand up paddleboards and kayaks ready to deliver British Canoeing training courses and purely for fun, Paddle4fun sessions, with emphasis on the fun part.
The Paddle4fun sessions are run as closed bubble ‘Keep it Safe’ Family & Friends sessions, introduced after the easing of last year’s Covid-19 lockdown.
These proved to be very successful as the attending paddlers, who were all known to each other, felt more secure having the safety of a bubble, giving greater reassurance that any risk of transmission of the virus was as minimal as possible.
Rob Chuter, Head of Operations, said:
“Full Covid-19 prevention methods are to remain and would like to reassure all clients that best practise in helping prevent transmission of the virus is and will continue to be implemented this year, and that kit and equipment are cleansed with antiviral sprays and washing, and that where necessary, mask-wearing and social distancing will be maintained.”
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In supporting British Canoeing aims and objectives in making paddle sports accessible to as many people as possible, sessions and courses are run for people with special educational needs (SEN).
SUPboarding&kayakingIOW prefer to give quality small group sessions. Training sessions are run at a maximum of 4 participants for on-water activities, and a maximum of 6 for the ‘Keep it Safe’ Family & Friends group Paddle4fun sessions.
Sessions cater for all ages from 12yrs old, however, under 14’s must be accompanied by a participating adult. In special circumstances with prior approval, a child under 12 paddling with a parent can be included as can a younger sibling, keeping it an all-family inclusive adventure.
For further information about all activities a visit to the new website outlines it all: www.supboardingandkayakingiow.co.uk
