KAYAKERS CODE

The Solent Swim is organised by West Wight Sports & Community Centre as a fund raising event
for the West Wight Sports & Community Centre Trust (registered charity number 273334).
WWSCC is more than just a swimming pool - it is a community hub, providing a range of facilities
and services focusing on health, fitness, personal growth and development and supporting both
physical and mental health and well-being.

As a charity, we rely on ad hoc grants and fundraising events such as the Solent Swim to support
our work and ensure the Centre can continue to operate.

We face a huge financial challenge each year in order to be able to maintain our services to the
community, and need to raise around £150,000 a year to fill the gap in funding. The Solent
Swim is the main fundraising event for the Centre and since our first event in 2010, over 400
people have swum the Solent and raised over £200,000 for the charity.

Thank you very much for offering to help us with safety support – without our kayakers we would
not be able to run the event. Please read and take note of the following which has been drawn up
by Dave Lutas of IOW Canoe Club, before signing up:

Any person taking part as kayak support for this event must ensure the following:
 kayak is in a seaworthy condition and suitable for the crossing.
 Inflatable kayaks are not suitable for a Solent crossing and will not be allowed.
 must be competent to complete the crossing and the return journey.
 must wear appropriate clothing, ie waterproofs, suitable footwear etc.
 must wear at all times a correctly fitted buoyancy aid or life jacket.
 are required to carry a pealess whistle within easy reach at all times.
 must be familiar with ‘rafting up’ procedure with other kayaks.
 are available to take part in at least one rescue and recovery practice sessions at Colwell Bay on Sunday 13th June at 1000, or Tuesday 22nd June at 1900
 are available to attend the pre-event safety briefing on Sunday 4th July 2021 at 3.30pm

Please note that this year’s event will take place in the early evening – final timings will beconfirmed closer to the date

Kayakers instructions
Kayaker must register their attendance at Colwell on the morning of the swim at a time to be confirmed.
There will be a short briefing and numbered wristbands will be issued which must be worn at all times
during the event. Kayakers will be escorted by the Freshwater Inshore Lifeboat across the Solent. The
wristbands can be exchanged for a breakfast bap and a drink onshore when the event has ended.
Kayaker will escort a maximum of two swimmers across the Solent.
Kayaker must ensure the swimmers stay together during the swim.
If the swimmers need to be split up, kayaker must request the assistance of a spare kayaker.
Kayaker is responsible for the initial safety of the swimmers.

Charity No: 273334

In the event of a panicking swimmer, the kayaker must calm the swimmer by using words of reassurance
before getting close and assisting.

Once the swimmer is calm, offer either the bow or stern of your kayak. This way there is less likelihood of
the swimmer capsizing the kayak. Call for assistance.

Kayakers call for assistance is a ‘raised vertical paddle’.

In the unlikely event of an unconscious swimmer, the kayaker should turn the casualty so that the head is
facing out of the water, support the head and summon assistance immediately.

A whistle must only be used in an emergency. A series of long blasts and continue until attention has been
drawn.

A safety craft will approach and remove the swimmer from the water. Assist the safety craft by being
vigilant of any other swimmers in the vicinity.

If kayaker has VHF radio, channel will be confirmed at the safety briefing.

It is good practice for kayakers to be ‘self sufficient’ wherever possible. Carry a spare paddle if you are able,
wear a towline if you have one and are trained in its use, carry a pealess whistle, have a high energy drink
and snack available, carry a first aid kit if you are qualified to use it.

Kayakers are safety conscious at all times, constantly aware of their surroundings and always respect the
environment.

Please fully complete this form in order to participate in the above charity event. The information
provided is for the purposes of safety and identification only and will remain confidential to the organisers (West
Wight Sports & Community Centre Trust) and HM Coastguard, unless required for such purpose. Email addresses will be used for circulating information/updates about the event.

Please indicate if you are unable to access email and arrange for an alternative means of communication

The organisers reserve the right to decline the participation of anyone they believe may be unsuitable for any reason.