What is a kayaking permit? (Scout Assoc Definition)
The adventurous activity permit scheme is designed to ensure that only people with the relevant skills and experience lead adventurous activities for the young people. Therefore, all activities classed as adventurous can only be led by someone holding the appropriate permit. Additionally, young people (under 18) can take part in adventurous activities for themselves with personal activity permits.
A Kayaking permit is required for all kayaking taking place except in class C water. Definitions of water classifications can be found in POR.
There is a lot of information in the factsheet but what does that mean?
Stand up Paddle boarding is oddly a Kayaking activity despite using a single ended paddle....
For a group of scouts with personal permits, all participants would need a permit, because each person is looking after themselves
For a group of 3 scouts with an explorer with Self + 3 permit the scouts wouldn’t need a permit, because the explorer is leading the activity
If you have permit to lead kayaking then you can look after a maximum of eight kayaks or 12 people (whichever is less) at a time, subject to any restrictions on your permit, and need to remain on the water with these kayaks at all times. When on B1 waters a permit to lead kayaking also allows the permit holder to lead canoes.
If permits are held for several different types of canoes and / or kayaks, it is acceptable to take charge of group consisting of a mixture of these craft. The permit holder must be in a craft which is suitable for undertaking rescues of all the various boats within the group.
If you hold a permit to supervise kayaking, then you can supervise up to three groups. All supervised groups should have means to communicate with the permit holder who will need to be in or have immediate access to a rescue craft (this may be another kayak) and be in a position to provide prompt assistance if required. You remain responsible for all the groups you are supervising but can designate someone with the appropriate skills to be the leader of each group.
Canoe Open Inland – Canoeing on inland non tidal waters including rivers of less than British Canoeing grade 1.
Canoe River – Canoeing on inland non tidal moving waters of British Canoeing grade 1 and above.
Canoe Sea – Canoeing on tidal waters (including tidal inland waters) where there is no intent of doing activities in the surf.
Canoe Surf – Canoeing where there is an intention of doing canoeing activities in the surf (this is only available on B2-A class waters).
Those holding a permit for B1 in any of the above types of water may also operate in the other types of water on B1 waters.