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Enhancing Safety Skills at Knottingley Canoe Club
At Knottingley Canoe Club, safety is at the heart of everything we do. Last Friday, on the 29th of November, eight of our club members, including seven committee members and one junior paddler took a significant step forward in improving their safety skills by completing the Paddlesport Safety & Rescue Course at Manvers Lake, delivered by Chris Brain Coaching.
Building Essential Safety Skills
The course focused on key rescue techniques and paddler safety, helping our members gain the confidence and skills needed to support others both in our pool sessions and on the river. Throughout the training, participants worked through a range of essential skills, including:
✔️ Self-rescue techniques – ensuring paddlers can get themselves back into or onto their craft safely.
✔️ Rescuing others – learning how to assist paddlers in distress and help them re-enter their boats.
✔️ Towing methods – practicing different ways to assist a tired or injured paddler.
✔️ Dealing with capsizes – performing effective rescues across different types of craft.
✔️ Understanding safety equipment – knowing what to carry and how to use it effectively.
Why This Training Matters
With these new skills, our members are now better equipped to provide safe and effective support during club activities. Whether it’s assisting at our Monday night pool sessions or ensuring safer experiences during river trips, this training marks an important step towards expanding our coaching capacity.
This is just the first stage in our plan to train more instructors and leaders, ensuring we can continue to grow as a club while maintaining a strong focus on safety.
A Huge Thank You
A big thank you to Chris Brain Coaching for delivering an excellent and practical session, and to Manvers Lake for providing the ideal training venue. We are also incredibly grateful to Alpkit Foundation and Wakefield Council, whose generous funding helped make this training possible.
Looking Ahead
With the course fresh in our minds, this weekend has been a great opportunity to reflect on what we’ve learned and how we’ll apply it in future club activities.
As a club, we are always looking to support our members in developing their skills. If you’re interested in getting involved in paddlesport safety training or progressing towards coaching, get in touch – we’d love to help you take the next step!
Happy Paddling!
Knottingley Canoe Club is a welcoming and inclusive paddlesport community based in West Yorkshire. Offering a range of canoeing and kayaking experiences for all skill levels, including river paddling, sea kayaking, and white water adventures. Our pool sessions take place at Normanton Leisure in Wakefield, providing a safe and supportive environment for learning and training. Discover more about our activities, membership options, and how to connect with fellow paddlers at Knottingley Canoe Club.
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