The canoe club is a team of people who all want to enjoy paddling. After safety, ensuring that everyone has a great time on the water is the club’s primary goal. When club members meet the following expectations, it allows all members to enjoy a positive experience.
- Safety: Wear your lifejacket every time you go on the water. Follow safety rules at all times, and immediately alert a coach if you anticipate a threat to anyone’s safety. The club’s safety boats help keep paddlers safe, but motorized watercraft can also be dangerous. Steer clear of them! Stay with your coach when you are on the water.
- Respect: Treat others with respect and kindness. Do not use aggressive behaviour to threaten or intimidate others. Refrain from using offensive or explicit language. Be patient and positive with yourself and others.
- Communication: Make sure that you clearly communicate with your coach about your goals and any challenges you might be experiencing, especially if you suspect a possible injury.
- Consideration: Don’t engage in disruptive behaviour. Never allow your actions to threaten people’s safety or to spoil other people’s experience.
- Harassment/Discrimination: The canoe club fosters a safe and inclusive environment. Do not harass people or animals. Do not exclude others or use demeaning or discriminatory language/actions based on sex, race, identity, etc.
- Participation: Everyone is expected to participate. Trying a new activity can feel intimidating, but every time you give an honest effort, you improve. Be brave and try. It’s healthy to struggle at first. Remember that everyone has been a beginner at some point!
- Equipment Care: Our boats and paddles are used by multiple participants every day. This equipment is expensive and cannot be easily replaced. Be careful with the equipment you use. Get permission before using private boats. Don’t remove hardware. Protect kayak rudders- they are easily breakable. Avoid hitting objects with your boat or paddle.
- Doing Your Share and Helping Others: Paddlers are expected to carry their equipment to the water and store it appropriately at the club after practice. Check to see if fellow paddlers need help carrying their equipment. Let your coach know if you require help.
- Teamwork: In teamboats, each crewmember is expected to work together to create the best possible experience for themselves and everyone else. Teamboat problems belong to the entire crew. Don’t assign blame. Highlight things that are working well, and focus on the outcomes you want.
- Respect for the Environment: The canoe club shares a public beach and borders a nature reserve. Keep the club, beach area, and water clean and tidy. Be courteous to other beach-goers and the wildlife we share our space with. Do not litter or pollute. Leave your lunch area cleaner than when you arrived. Pick up litter when you see it.
- Integrity & Honesty: Be honest and fair, and give others the benefit of the doubt.
Progressive Discipline
Members who do not meet club expectations threaten others’ enjoyment of our sport. When this occurs, the club will follow a progressive discipline process, beginning with a verbal warning and/or notification to parents/guardians.
If an issue arises, the member’s coach will bring the unacceptable behaviour to their attention and review club expectations. The coach may also call a parent or guardian to collaborate on possible solutions.
Severe or persistent violations will lead to immediate removal from the program without eligibility for a refund.
PICC cultivates a safe, positive, and welcoming environment.