Rafting Permit Training and Assessment

Date

• Sunday 6th April 2025 (following the County Skills Day on 5th )
• Leaders need to attend the whole day

Times

• 09:30 – 15:30
• We may need to be flexible due to numbers of leaders who express an interest and the number of rafts available.

Who can go

• This course is open to:
  • Members of the Scout Association.
  • Over 18s only.
  • Any leader who wants training and assessment for a permit in Traditional Rafting
  • N.B. Those who cannot make this Sunday and want training and assessment in Rafting for a new permit need to look out for a future training 2026 course on the Cheshire Scout Website.

Transport

• You need to make your own way you to the campsite

Cost

• £0.00 – there is no cost.
• All expenses are being met by the county under the condition that leaders use their permit with youngsters as soon as possible.

Includes

• There will be a full run through of the Traditional Rafting syllabus and any implications.
• From initialising the activity right through to seeing the youngsters leaving the site.

Does not include

• The provision of wetsuits… see the kit list.
• All other gear will be provided if required, helmets, buoyancy aids, rafting kit…
• Lunch (but I’ve been told that there is a possibility of lunchtime sandwiches if you want them.)

Contact Details

• Pete Goodger 07769831919
• [email protected]

About the Course

We are training Cheshire leaders in Traditional Rafting. The aim is to have more permitted leaders who can take youngsters out.  By the end of the day you should have completed the training and have a new permit.

We will cover The Scout Assessment Checklist:

• Responsibilities
• Group Management
• Risk assessment
• Weather
• Technical
• Emergency procedures
• Equipment

https://cms.scouts.org.uk/media/12253/ac120950-rafting-traditional-jan-19.docx

Plan of the session

The schedule will be something like this:

Meet at Forest Camp inside the Beg Building at the start time

• Introductions and talk about the aim of the day
• The leaders in turn will take charge of the different tasks of a rafting session where the rest act as Explorer Scouts (maybe!!!)
• Talk about the pre activity elements you should have covered before a scout session
• Unload and build two(?) rafts
• Equipment in/on the raft
• Throw lines and knives
• Lunch – bring one!!!
• Launching and loading
• Paddling techniques
• Control
• Activities while on the water – not just paddling!
• Getting off the water
• Putting the dismantled kit away

Before the day…

• We need to see a risk assessment for running a two hour rafting session at Forest Camp or Tatton for a group that you are most likely to paddle with,
• a programme or list of activities you could do off/on the water with that group,
• an online application for a permit and this includes a log.

POR

Hopefully you all know about the Scout’s Policy, Organisation & Rules for Traditional Rafting? If not then have a read before the session.

https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/general-activity-guidance/paddlesports/rafting-traditional/

POR Rules relating to traditional rafting

Rule 9.7 Adventurous Activities Permit Scheme

Rule 9.8 Adult Groups Undertaking Activities

Rule 9.13.1 All Water Activities

Rule 9.13.2 Life Jackets and Buoyancy Aids

Rule 9.13.3 Classification of Waters

Rule 9.13.4 Activities on Class C Waters

POR General activity rules

Rule 9.1 All Activities

Rule 9.6 Use of External Centres and Instructors

Kit List

This is not a definitive kit list but really the key things to think about.

	On the water essentials
	Lifejacket or buoyancy aid	must be well-fitting and well maintained
	Helmet	Worn at all times and must be well-fitting and well maintained
	Windproof jacket / Cagoule	You, as leader, must not get cold at any time and these can always be kept in a drybag/rucksack until needed, don’t leave shore without it!!
	Insulating layer / base layer	If paddling in summer (avoid cotton t-shirts)
	Wetsuit or dry suit	depending on the time of year a wetsuit long john or full suit can be great
	Footwear	trainers, wet shoes,… anything that helps you walk across rough banks, beaches,…NO WELLIES, NO CROCKS, NO FLIP-FLOPS!
	Safety bag / dry bag	with a method of securing it to your craft
	Watch	or any reliable method of telling the time,… a banksman?
	Sun cream/lip protection	Even a cloudy day can get my nose!
	Throwing line?	Discuss!
	Knife?	Discuss!
	On the bank essentials
	Shelter	Supplied by me on the day
	First Aid Kit
	Bottle(s) of water	Supplied by me on the day
	Klaxon	Supplied by me on the day