CarlS
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Burrs 16th April club meetingOur first weekly meet at the Burrs went 'swimingly' (read my confession!). Graham, Steve and myself were the members present, with Jon and Graham B turning up later to watch from the bank. Despite the cold, we stayed on the river until about 8.15, at which point we got changed and retreated to the pub.
As the days get longer and warmer, it is hoped that more members will be able to join us. Don't worry if you can't make it at 6.30, just join us on the river when you can. Junior members should contact Graham, Steve or myself first to ensure that conditions are suitable.
Carl
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Steve T
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Good point on junior paddlers.
Club members should be aware that only a Level 3 coach or above has any “official” remit from the BCU to lead or coach on moving water. We’re a small club and have only one Level 3 coach (Graham), although we have a number of Level 2 coaches and Level 2 trainees who are all covered to work on flat water.
We do, of course, regularly run formal and informal trips on moving water of varying grades, but when leading/coaching adults with L2 or L2T coaches (or experienced paddlers who aren’t coaches) we take the position that adults can make the decision as to what they want to do themselves, with our guidance.
However, the position with juniors is obviously different and, while I can’t speak for anyone else, I personally (as a L2T) would not be comfortable to take juniors of any ability onto moving water without Graham overseeing.
Graham can’t be expected to be present every week, so on those occasions juniors will be limited to the pool (if not in use by the centre) or the canal, and the rest of us will take turns to look after them. In very low flows then the wide, flat part of the river above the squirt spot might also be suitable. This applies to Burrs, other venues would have different rules but obviously a river or surf trip without Graham would not be feasible for juniors.
Hence Carl’s request to get in touch before turning up is wise, just to make sure that no-one is disappointed.
Not only that, but despite BST having kicked in it is still BLOODY COLD (technical paddling terminology). Last night my car’s temperature gauge was showing 2°C at 6:00 ish, so by 8:00 I don’t know what it would have come down to, and it also rained fairly heavily while we were out on the river. Kids feel the cold much more than adults, and it hits them much more quickly, so it would also be a good move to consider the weather when deciding whether to bring kids along. There’s no point getting them cold & miserable, and possibly putting them off paddling, just for the sake of waiting a few weeks.
This is all my own view, by the way, not official club policy. However, I think it’s common sense and parents remain responsible for their child’s welfare even when they are out paddling with us. I’ll post something on the website about this so that all can see it.
Steve
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Steve T
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I suppose that I should add that it was an enjoyable evening.
Graham S shot the big weir for the first time, and I decided to shoot it down the steps for no other reason than I'd never done it before. It was a bumpy ride, even in my creek boat, so I wouldn't recommend it in a shorter boat unless you fancy catching the front & cartwheeling down (but not in a good way).
The level was well down from Saturday but we still got plenty of wave surfing & general practice done. A good evening's paddle, followed by a pint in the Brown Cow & then home via the kebab shop - what more could you ask for?
Steve
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DaveS
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Sounds like a very sensible position to take Steve, but would the experience of the "junior" perhaps influence the decision to allow them on the river?
Hopefully I will be up at the Burrs this week, with Jon in tow (not literally!!!) 
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Steve T
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Dave
(Again everything below is my personal opinion; I’m not speaking on behalf of the club)
On the day I think it comes down to the personal choice of the coach, based on not just the experience of the youngster but the coach’s knowledge of him/her.
Obviously, Jon went to Mile End Mill when we had no Level 3 present (and acquitted himself very well), but you were also paddling, neither of you are novices and you as the parent were therefore able to make the judgement on his behalf that we would expect an adult to make for themselves. (Does that make any sort of sense?)
It's different when an unknown youngster turns up, and we have no knowledge of him, and nor do we know whether his parent (who we would expect to be present, if not paddling) is aware enough of the potential risks to make that judgement. We would also have to say to the parent in effect: “I’m not qualified to teach here, but don’t worry about it – little Johnny will be fine”. Remember the parent doesn’t know us either.
No matter what our level of experience, as L2 or L2T we have no qualification to say that we can coach in moving waters (we are still insured however). Therefore it’s a judgement call by the coach (as it still would be by a L3) whether to take kids on the river. The underlying concern is that in today’s unfortunate culture if someone decides to sue us we can’t wave a piece of paper in front of the beak to say we are competent to coach on the river (even though the likes of myself and Carl clearly are, and we often do coach adults, on an informal basis).
For what it’s worth, based on what I saw at JJ’s, I’d be happy to take Jon on river trips – it won’t be long before he’s teaching us a thing or two!
I won't be paddling this Wednesday, but might turn up later to heckle. See you then.
Steve
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CarlS
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After seeing Jon's valient attempts to roll in the big 'sticky' weir at Mile End Mill, I for one would have no objection to taking him on most rivers that I would be happy to paddle. The fact that we do not hold level 3 coach qualifications should not prevent us going on our usual rivers; it is my understanding that we will not have any problems providing operate in a sensible manner and carry out the usual risk assessment. It is interesting to note that a number of people in the club) are involved in scouting and hold authorisation to take scouts on the Burrs and other rivers, despite not being L3 coaches.
Carl
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DaveS
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I'd better not let Jon see this thread, he already thinks he is better than me....the worrying thing is - he probably is!!!!!
very annoying.... 
Jon might not be down this week as he has exams for the next two weeks.
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