Things You Should Know

Club Safety

The Club coaching staff is required to have at a minimum the National Coaching Certificate Program (“NCCP”) Community Coaching Course, or ELCC, training in C.P.R.  and Safety and First Aid, and to have the authorized Port Authority and Coast Guard motor boat licenses.  No one without a boat license may drive a boat.  All Club executive, directors, coaches, boat drivers and officials are aware of the Canadian Canoe Association Code of Safety and will enforce it.  It is available for everyone’s information on the CKC website.

Our coaches educate paddlers on the risks, on how to avoid them and what to do if the unplanned happens.  They are required to enforce the Canoe Kayak Canada Code of Safety and the regulations that follow, and paddlers are expected to cooperate fully.

All paddlers must be insured through Canoe Ontario and the OCSRA before being allowed to participate in the canoe/kayak program.  This is done automatically by the Club after a fully completed Membership is submitted to the Registrar.  This cost of insurance is covered in the registration fee, so it is important that you register on time.

All paddlers must and will receive safety instruction before going on water.   In addition….

All paddlers must be able to swim to the proficiency of the Canadian Red Cross Swim Level 6 requirements, Safetywhich includes being able to:

  • Put on a life jacket (PFD) in deep water
  • Stay in the fetal position for one minute
  • Stay above the water for one minute
  • Swim 15m crawl, and 20m backstroke

All paddlers must be accompanied by a coach(es) and coach boat(s) when on the water.  No paddler should be out of sight of a coach boat at any time.  Also: 

  • Bantam aged paddlers must always wear an approved flotation device.
  • Paddlers up to age 15 must wear a PFD approved life jacket when practicing and an approved flotation device when racing.
  • No boats or equipment may be removed from the Club facilities unless first approved by the Head Coach.
  • All paddlers, despite their ability, must wear a PFD approved life jacket from the start of spring training until at least May 1, during fall training from November 1, and at other times when the water/air temperature is below 8 degrees Celsius.
  • The Club's Cold Water/Air Waiver must be signed by each paddler (or his/her parent/guardian if under 19 years of age) training on water during the spring and fall.
  • The Club's Individual Cold Water/Air Waiver Form  must be signed by those adult paddlers choosing to paddle solo and/or unsupervised, and without a life jacket during the spring and fall. These paddlers do so at their own risk.
  • All paddlers must inform his/her coach of any change in his/her health which may affect his/her ability to participate in the sport or which may endanger the safety of other participants.
  • All paddlers must inform his/her coach that he/she is under the effect of any medicinal drug.
  • Paddlers may not be "tied", "strapped", or "secured" to a boat or its floorboard, in any manner, during training or in competition.
  • Paddlers must not purposely jump out of their boat at any time or throw equipment while on the water.

AND in the Ashbridges Bay Training Area…..

  • All paddlers must stay close to the north and west walls of the Bay.
  • When turning at the south end (Lake Ontario), paddlers must keep out of the red/green boat channel markings.
  • Paddlers must not go near the sail and powerboats moored on the east side of the Bay.  If these boats are backing out, they cannot see a small boat that might be behind them.  Buoys have been set out to mark the area.
Ashbridges Bay/Coatsworth Cut
Water Quality and Recreational Use

The City of Toronto has responded to reports of stormwater pollution and the water quality in Ashbridges Bay being below acceptable standards by recommending the following precautions be followed:

  • Avoid exposing a cut or rash (could be covered with waterproof bandage).
  • Wear a life jacket at all times.  If the boat accidentally tips, try to keep your head above water.
  • Avoid swallowing any water.
  • Ensure a safety boat is available to quickly retrieve tipped boaters.
  • Shower immediately after any contact with the water.
  • Wash hands after boating.
  • Exercise caution if you are in a high-risk group.

 We ask all parents and guardians to review these practices with their paddlers and stress their importance to ensure that those who elect to paddle understand and follow the recommendations.  While they do seem to be prudent minimum safeguards, there is a continuing residual risk from exposure to the water used by Club paddlers.  Club policy requires paddlers aged 14 and under to wear a life jacket at all times.  For anyone aged 15 and over, a life jacket or life belt is optional (except when cold water condition regulations are in effect).  Life jackets and life belts are available for everyone’s use.  If you wish your child/ward aged 14 and over to wear a life jacket or life belt at all times, let his/her coach know.  However, it is your obligation to give him/her that directive.  From a practical perspective, the Club is simply unable to enforce your preference.  We can only pass on a reminder

Bullying, Sexual Harassment, Alcohol and Drugs

Bullying and Sexual Harassment will not be tolerated or condoned.   Any complaints of this nature will be dealt with by the Head Coach and the Balmy Beach Canoe Club executive.  Underage drinking/illegal drug use is prohibited.  Any violations of this policy may be subject to suspension and parents will be notified.