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Bell Boat Training and Assessment

May 24, 2025 - May 25, 2025

Cheshire Scouts Water Activities Team are running a Bell Boat permit training and permit sign off weekend at Tatton Park Activity Centre.

Dates

Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th May 2025Leaders need to attend both days

Times

09:30 – 16:30We may need to be slightly flexible here due to numbers of leaders who express an interest and the number of Bell Boats.

Who can go

This course is open to:• Members of the Scout Association.

• Over 18s only.

• Those who want training and assessment in Bell Boats for a new permit.

There is no planned further assessments this year.  If you cannot make both days then you need to look out for training in 2026 on the Cheshire Scout Website…

https://www.cheshirescouts.org.uk/

https://www.cheshirescouts.org.uk/adult-support/training

Location

Tatton Park Scout Campsite

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 Bell Boating syllabus and any implications. From initialising the activity right through to seeing the youngsters leaving the site.

Does not include

Any provision of accommodation, drinks, food for lunch or activity clothing. See the kit list. But, some gear can be provided by arrangement…but you need to ask me well in advance.

Contact Details

Pete Goodger 07769831919Pete.Goodger@cheshirescouts.org.uk

About the Course

We are training Cheshire leaders in the use of Bell Boats. The aim is to have more permitted leaders who can take youngsters out.  We realise that with COVID and the lack of access to the Bells at Tatton many leaders require permits.  This weekend is an attempt to put this right. By the end of the weekend you should have your Leadership type permit for B1 waters where you are on the craft.

We will cover The Scout Assessment Checklist:

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

https://cms.scouts.org.uk/media/12286/ac120901-bell-boating-jan-19.docx

Plan of the session

The schedule will be something like this:

Meet at Tatton outside the powerboat shed at the start time

  • Introductions and talk about the aim of the day
  • Paperwork and in particular risk assessments
  • The leaders in turn will take charge of the different tasks of a Bell Boating session where the rest of us act as Explorer Scouts (maybe!!!)
  • Talk about the pre activity elements you should have covered before a scout session
  • Unloading and building Bell Boats
  • Equipment in/on the bell boat
  • Warm up techniques, stretching exercises
  • Throw line types and use of
  • Launching and loading
  • Paddling techniques
  • Control
  • Activities while on the water – not just paddling!
  • Getting off the water
  • Putting the Bells away
  • There will be beach breaks for lunch and drinks – so bring butties and a flask
  • Return, reviews, feedback and closure

Before the weekend…

  • We need to see a risk assessment for running a two hour Bell Boat session at Tatton for a group that you are most likely to paddle with,
  • programme or list of activities you could do on and off the water with that group,
  • You will need to make an on-line application for a renewed permit and include a log of your paddling experience after the weekend.

POR

Hopefully you all know about the Scout’s Policy, Organisation & Rules for Bell Boating?

If not then have a read before the session…

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

POR Rules relating to bell boating

Rule 9.7 Adventurous Activities Permit Scheme

Rule 9.8 Adult Groups in Adventurous 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

Rule 9.13.5 Boats

POR General activity rules

Rule 9.1 All Activities

Rule 9.6 Use of External Centres and Instructors

This is a link to the Scouting National Directory of Waters

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.These are provided.
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 – note that we do man overboard and recovery…it may be you!
Footwear trainers, wet shoes anything that helps you walk across rough banks, tree roots, beaches, glass shards…NO WELLIES, CLOGS, CROCS or 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!
Sun hat And my head!
Throwing line? Discuss!
Knife? Discuss!
Bailer/sponge especially useful in an open vessel
On the bank essentials For in an emergency
Shelter Provided
First Aid Kit Provided – but bring your own…
Bottle(s) of water Provided for first aid reasons only…
Klaxon Provided

Details

Start:
May 24, 2025
End:
May 25, 2025
Event Category:
Website:
https://www.cheshirescouts.org.uk/events/bell-boat-permit-training-and-assessment

Organiser

Cheshire Scouts
View Organiser Website

Venue

Troop Scout Council Meeting