Buddy Use of the water - guidance for members
This guidance is to provide pragmatic advice, and clarity of the rules, to help members to make suitable, informed decisions about using the water. More detailed information about the levels of Safety Cover being provided at different times are available both in the Water Safety Policy and the Club Byelaws.
'Buddy Use' Introduction & Principles
Members may use the water on a buddy system basis (buddy use) outside of scheduled watersports times when there is no safety boat on the water. The whole ethos or principles of buddy use of the water is based around water users agreeing to go afloat as a peer group and to help each other if required. Therefore, before going afloat, members should chat and agree to being each other's buddies, as this comes with some responsibility towards each other you should all 'opt in' to supporting each other as well as making sure you understand the abilities and limitations of those going on the water with you. It is unreasonable just to launch and expect that those already on the water will be able to sort out your problems if they haven't agreed to do so, haven't had the opportunity to understand & discuss your needs and abilities, or they might not even have seen you launch. It is entirely reasonable to decline to be someone's buddy for example, if one member is felt not to have suitable experience, equipment or clothing for the conditions, or if a member does not know how to support those in a different kind of craft.
People should normally only go afloat with the belief that they will get themselves back to shore by themselves. Each water user must be self-sufficient and capable of capsize recovery or self-rescue as if their buddy wasn't there, with the possible exception being a pair or group of buddy paddlers who can effectively peer rescue each other (obviously being able to self-rescue reduces the risk of your reliance on others).
Water users should be especially aware of the limitations of rescues whilst buddying. For example, a sailing dinghy is unlikely to tow another back to shore; an intermediate/advanced windsurfer is unlikely to be able to carry a 2nd person on their board.
Responsibilities & abilities
The primary responsibility for safety in all watersports lies with the individual participant, or their responsible adult for persons under 16 years old. There are many factors that influence the personal safety of a water user, which are mainly a combination of good judgement calls as well as suitable personal competency and equipment for the prevailing conditions. Personal competence and good decision making both improve with training and experience. The club offers a range of training & coaching opportunities to help members improve their skills, including RYA & Paddle UK certificated courses, personal tuition and occasional bespoke coaching sessions. For more information, see the club website or contact the Training Principal.
Inexperienced water users should understand the limits of their knowledge, and that they may not even be aware of all the hazards that could affect their own safety. They should also take advice from any more experienced users or instructors present.
Buddy use of the water with an instructor present is not an opportunity for free coaching, and the presence of more qualified & experienced users does not absolve each individual from making their own suitable decisions. The decisions about whether a member should go afloat should be based on the conditions, their own abilities, their equipment, and the buddy group as a whole. For example, if you are buddying up with an instructor, you need to be confident that you would be able to assist & support them in the same way that you expect they would for you. Again, it is entirely reasonable to for someone to decline to be your buddy if they feel you don't have a suitable ability for the conditions an instructor should not be expected to try and get you on the water regardless.
In the event of water users needing assistance, the assistance that can be provided by other water users is limited to what is reasonably practical for them to offer, based on the abilities and boat/board/equipment of both water users offering and receiving assistance. For example, assistance towards you may be limited if you have specialist equipment or particular needs which your buddies may not have experience with.
Considerations for Buddy Use should include as a minimum:
1.Awareness of both the prevailing and forecast weather and water conditions
2.Personal ability / technical competence to be able to control the craft and return to shore in the conditions likely to be encountered.
3.The ability to recognise and avoid potentially dangerous situations.
4.A constant awareness of other water users, including some forethought about how a rescue might be assisted or performed.
5.The number and ability of the group of Buddies going afloat.
Restrictions on Buddy Use:
1.All water users go afloat entirely at their own risk.
2.There shall always be at least two craft on the water at any one time so that one is available to stand by and give assistance if the other should get into difficulties.
3.Those craft shall stay within sight of each other at all times and should keep a lookout for other craft.
4.Members under the age of 16 are allowed to use the water on a Buddy basis if their supervising adult is in attendance, and at least one adult is afloat with them.
5.All members afloat shall abide by the clubs existing rules on 3rd Party Insurance cover.
6.For insurance purposes and to prevent unauthorised access, Buddy Use is for club members only. Guests may not be introduced and craft not owned by club members cannot be used.
7.No person shall be afloat without the appropriate protective clothing suitable for the prevailing and forecast weather and water conditions.
8.Any craft used shall have its designed buoyancy maintained in satisfactory working order.
9.Other than at scheduled watersports session times, the upper level of the clubhouse is unavailable. Access to changing, shower and toilet facilities are available via the keypad entry on the downstairs changing room doors.
Example Questions you should ask yourself before going afloat:
Are the conditions suitable for your ability level? If you capsize your boat/board and/or fall in, can you deal with this by yourself in the prevailing conditions?
Are the conditions forecast to change? Is it likely to become too windy for you? Do you have a plan for if the wind drops off completely? (like a paddle!)
What is the wind direction? If you do have problems, where will you end up?
Where are you going to sail or paddle? Plan your operating area or route to give yourself time to deal with any problems before you run aground. The further you are away from the club, the longer it will take you to get in should the conditions change.
Who else is on the water with you? What is their level of experience, and what kind of assistance are they likely to be able to provide, if any?
Is your craft well maintained? Does it have enough buoyancy?
Have you considered the use of a masthead float (sailing) to prevent an inversion, and avoid a possible 'mast stuck in the mud' scenario?
Are you dressed appropriately for the conditions? If you fall in and get cold, you'll need to get yourself back to the clubhouse before you can change and warm up.
What do you carry on you whilst you sail? Are you prepared to deal with minor equipment breakages, such as a halyard or control line breaking?
Do you carry a spare paddle for your canoe/kayak/SUP, or have a plan for such eventuality? Do you carry a towline in case you or your buddy gets tired or breaks a paddle? Are you familiar with towing and rafting techniques to make things easier?
What if you have gear failure or unexpected exhaustion? Are you able to drift ashore and carry your paddleboard, kayak or windsurf kit back? Or separate your windsurf kit and paddle back? In a dinghy, will you be able to fix things on the nearest shore, or could you get the sails down and paddle back to the club, or walk the boat through shallow water? Consider carrying a mobile phone on the water in a dry bag or aquapac (other brands are available!)
If you look at the conditions and have any doubt about whether you should go out, then you probably shouldn't!