Thanks for making a booking at WAC. If you require any further information or documentation, please email us:
What to bring?
A towel, full change of clothes and spare shoes.
Arrive in clothes that you want to wear when you're kayaking! Old tracksuits, sportswear or PE kits are ideal.
We provide buoyancy aids and waterproofs, if required.
Directions
If you're arriving by car or minibus the easiest place to park at WAC is in our on-site car park, follow: M43 6DS (Buckley Street) and continue to the bottom of this gravel track road,
If you're arriving by public transport, please see our here.
Risk Assessment
Our risk assessment can be viewed and downloaded here.
Important Information
Please note: all participants must be aged over eight and able to swim a minimum of 25 metres or more, unless this has been agreed at the time of booking.
Your group must be made up of Greater Manchester residents.
All visiting groups must register participants by completing our signing-in sheet. This can be completed on the day or in advance by emailing the team.
If you have to cancel please give us as much notice as possible so that we can offer the session to another group. WAC reserves the right to cancel a session due to poor weather or staff illness but will offer you the next suitable session.
If you have any significant changes to your group (such as any access needs or disabilities) please contact us as soon as possible so that we can prepare appropriately.
Your role
We expect workers bringing groups to participate!
Encourage people to join in.
Help with putting on buoyancy aids, getting in kayaks and on and off the water.
You are responsible for working with any people who do not wish to be involved.
We do not allow pushing in or splashing (unless agreed) or other bullying.
Guidelines
• Everyone under 18 years must have written parental consent. It is your group leader’s responsibility to ensure this and to bring completed forms with them to WAC on the day.
• All under 18 year olds must be able to swim one length (25 metres) unless prevented through reason of disability. If you are planning to bring adult or disabled non-swimmers please ensure that you have discussed this with us at the time of booking so we can reduce the group size and/or put on extra staff/ volunteers.
• Maximum group size is 15, unless agreed otherwise when booking.
• The 2 hour session is inclusive of changing time before and after canoeing. Usually another group will be arriving as you leave so we sometimes need to bid prompt goodbyes.
• Please discourage your group from bringing valuables, expensive sportswear and money.
• Everyone must bring a warm change of clothes, a towel and footwear that will not fall off in the water. It is wise for workers to bring extra clothing and shoes as someone always forgets!
• If your group is mixed we ask that you bring equal numbers of boys and girls or men and women. Female staff provide an excellent role model when bringing groups of girls and young women.
• Please be enthusiastic about joining in yourself. Your involvement will really maximise the enjoyment of your group. We will not be happy for you to sit in the coffee bar whilst your group is on the water.
• Your staff are responsible for working productively with any young people not taking part in water activities.
• The behaviour of your group is your responsibility. We do not allow any pushing in or bullying.
• Please ensure your staff look after any necessary prescribed medication and tell our staff.
• Alcohol and non-prescribed drugs are not allowed on the premises. It is dangerous to be ‘under the influence’ and canoe.
• We are a British Canoeing Delivery Partner and follow their guidelines. The decisions taken by WAC staff are to ensure your safety and are final.
• We will require your group leader to complete our ‘Signing In Sheet’ on the day and provide all requested information in legible handwriting. If you prefer, you can type and print it in advance to bring with you on the day, provided that it is amended to reflect absences or changes to your participant’s details.
Accessibility
We have recently refurbished our centre which has improved accessibility – no steps and stairs inside,
Three toilets, two with Doc M installations,
Car park located on-site and is approximately 30 metres from the Clubhouse,
We have an accessible path which leads to the canal side,
Double kayaks are available for an adult or carer and a young person to paddle together,
With prior notice, we can ‘raft’ canoes which can accommodate 5-8 people – a very stable boat,
We can place additional members of WAC staff on the session to provide additional support,
Staff attend supplementary training where possible,
There is a drop from the canal bank to the water of approximately 30 to 40 cm,
The canal is approximately one metre in depth which can often reassure participants
Please contact the team to discuss any access needs.