Water Activities
County Advisers
- Canal Cruising: Brian Tidbury
- Canoeing/Kayaking: Roger Harris
- Offshore Sailing: Geoff Dunstan
- Power Boating: Max Harvey
- Pulling Boats: TBC
- Sailing – Small Craft: TBC
- Sub Aqua, Windsurfing: advice from Russell Baldwin
Surrey Scouts participate in a wide variety of water activities, most of which are co-ordinated through the water activities club. Several Districts and others also offer restricted opportunities. Advisers are available for most disciplines and they will be pleased to provide advice and guidance relative to their specialities.
Water Activity Permits
The Adventurous Activity Permit Scheme applies to all water activities. Applications for permits should generally be made on the Application for an Adventurous Activity Permit form, available from the Scout website www.scouts.org.uk/activitypermitapplication. The completed form should be sent direct to an Assessor. After an assessment has been completed the DC will check the suitability of the candidate and issue a permit.
County Adviser/Assessor: Canoeing/Kayaking: Roger Harris
Assessors: Colin Ashworth, Peter Amys, Steve Britain, Paul Frame, Jonathan Gasson, Graham Hodgson, David Huddart, Peter Wadworth (contacts in County Directory)
Useful Downloads
Canoe Centre
The Canoe Centre is located on the Wey Navigation at Godalming. It includes changing and toilet facilities and has ample parking. There are 20 single-seater kayaks available and nine Canadian open canoes. Hire charges are £10 for whole day.
Rates for hire:
- For Scout and other youth groups – SSWAC boat hire per paddler per day: £10. The total charge is subject to a minimum charge of £25 per day per group.
- For Commercial users – SSWAC boat hire per paddler per day: £15. The total charge is subject to a minimum charge of £45 per day per group.
- Boat hire and minimum charges are reduced by 50% for sessions of 4 hours or less.
- Coaches using club kit for their personal use do not pay rental for the kit they use.
To book the Centre contact: Sue Reeve
Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Scout Network are all welcome at the Centre, but, as the Wey Navigation is Class B1 water, bookings will only be accepted from Groups that have arranged for a relevant Activity Permit holder (or holders) to be on site and responsible for their members whilst on the water.
Please remember that the number of kayaks that an individual instructor can supervise is 8 at most, and may only be 2 (dependent on the instructor’s qualifications). Large groups will therefore need the services of more than one qualified instructor. There are a number of canoeing instructors who have kindly said that, if they are free, they will be prepared to instruct groups who cannot provide their own Activity Permit holder(s) to take charge.
Please contact Roger Harris who will try to find such instructors for you: Roger Harris
Canal Cruising
County Adviser – Canal Cruising: Brian Tidbury
Useful Downloads:
Why not hire a Narrow Boat for a Pack, Troop or Unit expedition? You will need to have an appropriate Form ‘W’ but this is where the County adviser, Brian Tidbury, can help. He can arrange a canal cruising and training day for leaders, date TBA, to teach them the essentials for the safe handling and manoeuvring of these craft. There is no charge for this event!
For details contact Brian Tidbury
Dinghy Sailing
Assessor: Adrian Sancroft
Useful Downloads:
Offshore sailing
County Adviser: Offshore Sailing: Geoff Dunstan
Power Boating
Assessors: Peter Wadworth, Adrian Sancroft, Eileen Wingrove, Max Harvey
Useful Downloads
Pulling
Assessors: Paul Norman, Mark Marriot
Swimming, Snorkelling and Scuba Diving
Contact: ACC Activities.
Windsurfing
Contact Russ Baldwin for details of locations for windsurfing and courses available.
Water Activities Club
Booking Secretary: Sue Reeve
The Surrey Scout Water Activities Club aims to promote water activities by
providing courses, paddlesport and sailing that enhance the abilities of all; aiding all in gaining qualifications, so that they may pass on their skills to others; providing a focus for like minded people, in a sociable and supportive group. Providing access to many water related sports. It is also responsible for the operation of the County Canoe Centre and for County equipment, such as canoes and kayaks.
All Surrey Water Activity Club events and especially British Canoe Union courses that have been planned at the time of going to press are included in the programme diary, but there may additions and alterations. Further dates and more detailed information will be circulated by email, so please check. Other coaching and award training & assessments can be arranged on demand. For further details, contact: Roger Harris
In view of the changes to the BCU star awards syllabi, the programme has been adapted to provide events that cater for the changes, particularly for the 3* award, and Paddle Power has been introduced. A document with more information regarding the new club training structure is available from the adviser, Roger Harris.
The annual programme usually increases with further dates for other opportunities. Further dates and more detailed information will be circulated by email. We have a strong association with Tandridge Canoe Club. Their event dates will be released when available. During the winter they run a canoe polo league in the Oxted swimming pool and are often looking for members.
Contacts
Taster events – Note this special day for everyone Spring fun day at Godalming in early May each year; canoes, kayaks, water challenge, paper boats etc.
Introduction to Water Activities by Surrey Sea Scouts
1st Cuddington (Warspite) Sea Scout Group offers an opportunity to try out various boating activities including sailing, canoeing and pulling (rowing) on the River Thames at Thames Ditton Activities Centre. Please contact Richard Hunt SL, 1st Cuddington (Warspite), Sea Scouts rcfehunt@gmail.com, if you would like to experience any of the activities they can provide.
