Peer Paddles

Moray SUP Club Policy for Peer Paddles arranged through their Social Media platforms

Our definition of a “Peer Paddle” is where a group of paddlers, Club members or otherwise, independently make arrangements for paddling trips etc out with the formal Club activities and without the sanction of the Moray SUP Club. 

As a club we support the aims of the coaches to encourage and help develop independent paddlers amongst the membership.  We believe this is a positive and healthy approach to further developing SUP boarding in and beyond our area.

Accepting this, does raise the issue of paddlers wishing to arrange paddle sessions amongst friends etc using the Clubs Facebook page etc.

To mitigate the responsibility of the Club, its committee and coaches for these sessions, we state that all responsibility of Duty of Care is held with the organiser of such events and the Club will not in any way interfere with the arrangements.

The organiser should make it clear in any Facebook post that their trip is not an official Moray SUP Club event.

To support the safety of Peer Paddles we offer the following advice:

This requires the organiser to ensure the suitability of the paddle for all participants, all safety aspects of the trip are covered including environment and weather conditions, equipment is appropriate and safety kit is carried.

Failure to cover these aspects of the trip could in the event of a serious incident lay the organiser being held liable for the outcome.

The club does support and encourage members to attend training and assessment courses which provides the paddler with skills, knowledge and safety and rescue abilities to support skilful and safe paddles.

Becoming a full member of the SCA also provides insurance cover for Public and 3rd party liability.

Peer Paddle questions 

What should I look for before joining a peer paddle group?

I am over 18 so I am free to make decisions on what I can and cannot do (within the law).

How do I decide if something is suitable for me?

Some questions to ask.

Who is the organiser?

Is there appropriate insurance cover for the trip?

Is the organiser leading the trip?

If not, who is leading the trip?

(In court they will establish the leader if its not the organiser generally it being through the most experienced or qualified member of the team)

What is their experience/qualifications for running such a trip?

Is the organiser/leader aware of the weather conditions/forecast, sea state, tides, river levels, access restrictions and is kit suitable for the trip?

What is my expectation of them?

Am I suitably experienced to be safe on the trip?

What do I expect if something goes wrong?

What safety kit is being carried?

What escape routes are there?

Does anyone have 1st aid qualifications and is a 1st aid kit available?

If there is doubt in any of the answers to these questions there should be doubt about your suitability for joining the trip.