Using the Fleet                              

Basic Required Skills                                                 

All new members must have the skills outlined in Paddle Canada - "Basic Kayaking Skills", PLUS the ability to self-rescue.

You can either take our Paddle Canada - "Basic Kayaking Skills" lesson or if you already have the required skills and experience you can attend a kayak checkout.

Surf skis

Use of these boats are only for those who have successfully complete a kayak checkout and a separate surf ski checkout.
These boats are extremely fragile and unstable,mounting and dismounting must be done in the water. These boats can not be dragged on the beach.

Restrictions

All restrictions are in place to safeguard club members and equipment.

Kayaks, like all of our club boats, can be taken out for two hours at a time, after which which you should return to the shore to see whether anyone is waiting to use the boat.

This policy is in place to ensure access to the fleet on busy evenings and weekends; please use your judgement at other times, and send a message to kayaking@clublocarno.com if you ever find that no boats were available when you wanted one.  It is rare to be left on the shore.

Members using boats for scheduled club events (clinics, lessons, racing) have priority access, so please check the event schedule to avoid possible disappointment.  It is a big problem for members who have paid for lessons and arrive to find insufficient boats for their use.

Members cannot take a kayak out before sunrise, or after sunset.  We have a no night paddling policy.  This is strictly enforced for safety reasons.

Each member who completed the checkout or lesson is allowed to take out one guest; the guest must use a plastic kayak or join you in a double kayak.

A kayak may be rented, on a first come basis, once a member has completed their 4 hours of volunteer hours.  This would ideally be through assisting in a lesson so that we can confirm your skills and safe use of club boats.

All kayaks must be floating in the water when you enter or exit them.
Each member must carry a paddle float, throw line, PFD, bailing device (pump) and whistle.

Kayak or Surf Ski sign out/in how to ...

Kayaks

Select the kayak you wish to paddle.  In the club room select the appropriate hatches and sign out at the computer log book.
Unlock the kayak and move to the grass area.  Remember to re-lock the cable.
Carry the kayak to the beach or use a rowing dolly and return immediately.
On your return, exit the kayak whilst floating and carry the kayak to the rack and rinse the outside and inside of the kayak and all the equipment thoroughly before returning to the shed.
The kayaks must move directly to the racks and not be placed on the grass area.
Remove all hatches and attach all clips together and rinse them.
Sign in at the computer log book.

Surf skis

Select the surf ski you wish to paddle. Take equipment you need and sign out at the computer log book.
Unlock the surf ski(remember to re-lock the cable) and move it to the rack.
Take off the cover and store in in the club room in the upper storage.
Carry the surf ski to the beach and place right in the water so it completely floats.
On your return, exit surf ski whilst floating and carry the surf ski to the rack and rinse it.
Cover it and store where you found it and place don't forget to lock it.
Sign in at the computer log book.

Use of Equipment

All kayaks and surf skis should be handled with the utmost care. All boats need to be rinsed off and returned to the racks as they were found. Any damage should be reported to the Fleet Captains asap.