SAFETY & WELFARE
Risk Assessment
Introduction & Overview
This risk assessment covers normal club operations for Richmond Canoe Club, including water based training, safety boat operation, gym, club house and the boat sheds. For each event and race that we run, there is a separate risk assessment.
This document is presented in five parts;
Section 1. Introduction and Overview.
Section 2. On the water training (also referred to as ‘paddling’).
Section 3. Club House, Gym and Boat Sheds.
Section 4. Safety Launch operations.
Section 5. Junior Paddle Camps.
How to contact the club
Richmond Canoe Club address is; Landsdowne Boathouse 81-83 Petersham Road Richmond upon Thames TW10 6UT which is the location for the club house, gym and boat sheds. There is no fixed line telephone number for the club. Contact is made, either by postal service or by emailing the appropriate Club Officer. safety@richmondcanoe.club
Where we train
The majority of on-the-water activities typically take place on the River Thames between Teddington Lock and Richmond Half Lock, making use of navigation routes around Glovers Island, Eel Pie Island and Corporation Island. Certain sessions take place further along the River Thames, upstream as far as Dreadnaught Reach, Wokingham Canoe Club. At other times club sessions take place downstream to Chiswick and Putney bridge and as far as Westminster Bridge. From time to time, training also takes place on the Grand Union Canal, Wey Navigation, Basingstoke Canal, Kennet and Avon Canal and the River Kennet and this risk assessment also covers Coach led water based training on all of these locations.
Robert Ames, Richmond Canoe Club Safety Officer
RIVER CONDITIONS
Latest River Conditions
The colour-coded status helps you quickly understand if it's safe to launch:
Green — Normal/average flow. Ideal conditions for all paddlers — enjoy your session!
Orange (or Amber/Yellow) — Elevated flow. Stronger currents; suitable for experienced paddlers only. Juniors, novices, and coaches should assess carefully or consider postponing.
Red — High/very strong flow. Dangerous conditions with powerful currents, swirls, and increased risk. No paddling recommended unless highly skilled.
Safety first — never underestimate the power of the river.
Thames Watch App: https://www.thameswatch.app/
Stay informed and paddle responsibly. This displays the current fluvial flow rate (in cubic metres per second) on the River Thames at Kingston Bridge — the key non-tidal gauge we use to assess conditions here at Richmond.
Flow rates are sourced from Environment Agency data. Always cross-check with tides (especially on the ebb), weather, and club guidelines before heading out.
See our paddler safety guidelines for more information | Go here for latest Thames river flow at Kingston Bridge. | Updates?
RIVER CONDITIONS
Latest River Conditions
The colour-coded status helps you quickly understand if it's safe to launch:
Green — Normal/average flow. Ideal conditions for all paddlers — enjoy your session!
Orange (or Amber/Yellow) — Elevated flow. Stronger currents; suitable for experienced paddlers only. Juniors, novices, and coaches should assess carefully or consider postponing.
Red — High/very strong flow. Dangerous conditions with powerful currents, swirls, and increased risk. No paddling recommended unless highly skilled.
Safety first — never underestimate the power of the river.
Stay informed and paddle responsibly. This displays the current fluvial flow rate (in cubic metres per second) on the River Thames at Kingston Bridge — the key non-tidal gauge we use to assess conditions here at Richmond.
Flow rates are sourced from Environment Agency data. Always cross-check with tides (especially on the ebb), weather, and club guidelines before heading out.
See our paddler safety guidelines for more information | Go here for latest Thames river flow at Kingston Bridge. | Updates?
