Safety

The following rules have been adopted by the organising committees representing Canoeists, Rowers and Scouts. All lake users should take careful note and adhere to the following guidelines:

Lake Circulation Pattern Lake Circulation patterns may vary from time to time due to events and other circumstances subject to prior agreement of the joint safety committee and posting of a notice of the variation at the circulation pattern display locations in the club house. Water users should always check the pattern in operation prior to launching at every session.
Standard Circulation Pattern.

Rowers travel clockwise round the lake as viewed from the landing stage, Canoeists travel anti clockwise. All water users are responsible for their own safety and that of other water users. Travelling in the priority direction does not guarantee clear water and vigilance is required at all times. Canoeists should be aware that as they face forward they have better visibility than rowers and should understand that that as rowers vision is restricted so they are likely to be less aware of any potential collision situations. Any water user becoming aware of a potential collision should shout a polite but clear warning e.g. Attention Rowers. All water users should allow a safe separation distance when overtaking and take account of the room required for oars.

Circulation Path Description.
ROWERS - Priority will be given when paddling UP stream towards the statue following the left bank as far as possible allowing for fishermen ( extreme care needed at promontory due to shallow water). DOWN stream : to turn at Statue return towards the clubhouse on the island side of the lake.

CANOEISTS - Priority will be given UP stream following the right bank allowing enough clearance to avoiding >fishermen lines. DOWN stream : to turn at the statue and travel down the back straight keeping to the island side. This pattern will involve user groups passing each other at the turning points at either end of the lake. EXTREME care from all parties must be exercised and water users should shout a polite but loud warning if collision is possible. E.g. Attention Rowers!! Rowers, please try to do full lengths and do not turn your boat unless you really made sure you wont get in the way of oncoming crews. When you are turning at the boathouse end of the lake please do so quickly and the leave the area as soon as possible as this is a busy part of the lake. The buoyed section at the boathouse end of the lake should be a winding down, medium to low pressure area due to its narrowness and the number of boats present. All lake users must take care to note the travel of Miss Elizabeth and ensure they keep a safe distance apart.

There are a number of dead trees on the Islands which have been left as habitat for the bird population, in view if this, for safety reasons users must avoid paddling close to the Islands. Landing Stage The landing stage is a limited resource and therefore all users must ensure that they spend the minimum time on it. Please ensure you are ready to set out onto the water before you bring your boat to the landing stage, and when leaving the water please remove the boat from the area as soon as possible. Do not leave equipment or boats on the landing stage as they are a serious trip hazard and prevent other users accessing the stage area. If Possible water users should try and spread launching across all landing stages and the Training/Temporary landing stage is recommended for mooring/loading boats such as outriggers/bellboats as boat handling is not required. In high winds avoid the Weir end (extension) to the landing stage as there is a danger from falling branches Gravel ramp and Basin area Please move from the Landing stage basin as soon as is practical. Priority should always be given to boats launching or landing in this area and games or other exercises should be avoided at peak launching times. Please leave the gravel ramp, basin and front of boathouse areas tidy as were on public view at all times.

Supervision of users. For safety all users MUST log onto and off the lake in your clubs respective log book. This is ESSENTIAL for safety and insurance. If you are not logged onto the lake you are using the facilities without safety cover. Junior users below the age of 15 must not use the lake at any time without the supervision of a responsible adult. Those between 15 and 18 should obtain explicit permission from their coach that unsupervised use of the facilities is appropriate in their case. Individual club rules will take precedence subject to the minimum standard described above. Responsible users must accept responsibility for some risk within their sports however, by adhering to these recommendations, the aim should be to minimise unnecessary exposure to risk. Users should notify their clubs of any likely risks to themselves or others. Evening and night-time use Use of the lake in poor light conditions ( evenings and night times) is restricted to those whose experience is such that they are able to navigate and operate their boats safely and, if necessary, perform self rescue should difficulties occur. Juniors who wish to use the lake in low light conditions must always do so with direct supervision of a responsible adult. Boats should show lights at bow and stern.

ROWERS - to show white lights at bow and white lights at stern.

CANOES - to show White lights at bow and Red lights at stern.

The committees recommend that night-time lake users NEVER go out alone but, at least, in pairs. Summary All water users should respect the rights of all TWA members to utilise the lake and behave in a responsible and cooperative manner. Members may cross the circulation paths to utilise sections of the lake appropriate to their session but will give priority to water users travelling in the circulation paths. It should be remembered that water users of all levels of experience may be on the water and a final reminder is given that collisions should be avoided at all cost.