Waitakere Outrigger Canoe Club - Club Rules
Safety - Safety First
Safety for life and canoe
Safety is non-negotiable. All paddlers have a personal responsibility for safety. This responsibility is not only for yourself, but for your team mates, our canoes and others property. All members must abide by the following rules.
1. All crews shall appoint a Captain. It is the Captain's responsibility to ensure that Safety Rules are being met for the particular training or racing session.
2. The Captain shall check weather and tide conditions before the crew enters the water. If there is doubt about conditions and there is no support (e.g. another waka out at the same time), don't paddle.
3. The Captain shall ensure someone knows the crew is out on the water, and the expected latest time of return. Use the safety register on the club white board.
4. Crews must have a competent steerer for the planned paddle route and weather conditions.
5. Every paddler must have a PFD (Personal Flotation Device/Lifejacket). No PFD, you do not paddle.
6. There shall be a spare paddle available in all waka.
7. There shall be two suitable bailers in W6 and one in W1/W2 at all times.
8. Every paddler must wear a "high vis" when using a W1 or W2, recommended also for at least one paddler in every W6.
9. Novice paddlers must be accompanied by a nominated club coach.
10. You must have a light or lights for paddling in the dark. The light must be visible from the front, rear and sides of the waka - i.e. from every direction.
11. Canoe lashings, bungs, lights, flares and general waka condition are to be checked before going out. Spare lashings are to be available in the canoe.
12. For forecast winds over 15 knots sprayskirts are to be fitted beyond the Te Atatu Bridge and W1 paddlers must have a leg rope.
The club has a nominated Safety Officer. That Safety Officer has the power to veto in respect of any disregard of these Safety Rules. Paddlers must abide by the Safety Officer's decision.
coaches and managers
1. Every club member who is a paddler that uses any club resource (including waka, ramp, compound), must have a designated club coach and designated club manager.
2. Every coach that coaches a club paddler or team must be a member of the club’s coaching unit.
3. Every manager that manages a club paddler or team must be a member of the Junior or Senior Committee (as relevant).
4. A representative of the coaching unit and of every Junior or Senior Committee shall attend all club meetings.
Circumstances under which a WOCC Member may race with another club
Club members may paddle in a race for another club only if:-
(a) there is no Qualifying WOCC Team with a seat available in which the member could have paddled, and
(b) the WOCC Member has the express approval of the Squad Coach, who shall advise the President.
“Qualifying WOCC Team” means a team that comprises paddlers within a two age grade range, whose paddlers have all attended a national championship and who are regular trainers (averaging at least 2x a week over the previous two months). For nominated senior events, a “Qualifying WOCC Team” also means a team that will get a Top Five finish (first five across the finish line).
Any member not meeting the above may be required, by WOCC Committee decision, to resign their membership of the club, with no refund made.
Te Atatu Boating Club Protocol
Our Club has been fortunate enough to have an agreement with the Te Atatu Boating Club for use of their facilities. THIS IS A PRIVILEGE, NOT A RIGHT!! Please respect the boat club by following these rules.
1. Do not leave waka tied up and unattended at the jetty. Please be considerate of boat owners using the ramp.
2. Keep the boat ramp, jetties and accessways clear at all times.
3. Use the left hand side ramp only.
4. No swimming off the jetties at any time.
5. Unless a member of the Te Atatu Boating Club, vehicles are not to be parked within the boat club property.
6. Don’t block entry to the club site, for instance by standing in the middle of the road talking!
7. Keep trolleys clear of the entry/exit gate to the Garden Bar of the boat club – please read signage.
8. Ensure all litter is taken away with you.
Rules for use of Waka - Training
1. The club shall appoint a Booking Officer (by Committee decision). The Booking Officer shall provide a monthly report of activities to the Club Committee.
2. Those eligible for use of the club waka include, in priority order:-
Club Crews - defined as being no less than four members or intending members of the club. Note: no intending member may paddle for more than 4 successive weeks without becoming a member of the club.
Local school crews practicing for secondary school regattas, with a Waitakere club member to be present.
Outside club crews that have Waitakere registered paddlers in their team and are training for a specific regatta.
Other crews with a recognised paddler to be present.
3. Regular weekly waka bookings (defined as longer than 3 weeks) shall be available only to club squads/ crews (anytime) and local school crews (3.30pm – 5.30pm). These will be reviewed at three monthly intervals by Club Committee decision – February, May, August, November. Additions (ie unbooked times) are able to be made at any interim period through the Booking Officer. Note: times can be swapped between crews or other agreed arrangements made through the Booking Officer.
4. One-off waka training bookings can be arranged outside of regular booking times via a note to be placed on the noticeboard at least 2 days before waka usage. Should the Booking Officer receive more than one request for any particular time the priority order in 2 above shall apply.
5. Serious cases of non-usage of booked waka time may result in forfeiture of the booking (by joint decision of the President and Booking Officer).
6. Waka are to be rinsed down with the hose after use
Extra Rules for Club W1s and W2
1. The Club has four Surfriggers and one Ika Nui which were purchased with Junior funding. The Juniors have priority on the use of these waka.
2. Seniors are permitted to use these waka from 7am to 10am Weekends and Weekdays after 6pm, subject to prior payment of a $10 per month to pay for maintenance (this to be arranged through the club secretary or alternative nominated person).
3. The waka are to be left in the condition they were found - including rudders on/ off.
Most importantly, please treat our waka with respect and care to ensure longevity.
Rules for use of Waka - Races
Five waka are available for races – Kaitiaki o Te Kekeno, Whau Moana, Waitakere, Te Mata Pounamu and Paul Preston. The following rules will apply to use of these waka.
1. Club Canoes are generally available for the use of Club Crews only. For race purposes a “club crew” is defined as including no less than four financial members of the Waitakere Outrigger Canoe Club. Other use of club canoes will be possible only if they are not wanted by a club crew, and with the approval of the President. Every paddler in a race crew shall be registered with Nga Kaihoe o Aoteoroa.
2. Teams wanting to race in any regatta are to notify the Booking Officer that they require a waka for the regatta, by a time to be set by the booking officer.
One Crew
If there is one crew only racing, that crew shall have a choice of canoe without a ballot being held.
Two or Three Crews
In circumstances where there are two or three teams in the race the Mahimahi will be allocated on the following basis.
A ballot will be held by the Booking Officer with representatives of each crew to be present. The winner of the ballot shall have first choice of canoe, the runner-up second choice and the other the third choice. All crews shall be eligible to take part in the next ballot.
Four or Five Crews
In circumstances where there are four or five teams in the race waka will be allocated on the following basis.
A ballot will be held by the Booking Officer with representatives of each crew to be present. The winner of the ballot shall have first choice of canoe, the runner-up second choice the next the third choice, and the next the fourth choice.
Towing of Waka to Race Venues
1. Crews wanting to race over a weekend are to unstrap waka by the Friday evening in order to transport the waka. Crews who have waka booked for training on Friday should be informed out of courtesy.
2. It is the responsibility of those teams racing to transport the waka to and from the regatta.
3. A per paddler fee of $5.00 is to be paid to cover the costs of towing the waka to the regatta increased to $10 or $20 if the race is outside of Auckland and location is further than 200km.
4. The waka are to be returned to the WOCC compound after racing or when the weekend of racing is over in the first instance. The race crews are responsible for unloading and restrapping the waka.
5. It is the responsibility of the crews racing to ensure you have bailers, buoyancy aids, tyres, straps for the waka when transporting the waka to regatta, etc.
Crews using other club’s waka, it is your responsibility to make arrangements with the parent club for transporting their waka. The club trailer may only be used if it is not in use at the time by the Waitakere Outrigger Canoe Club.
Damage to Club Equipment (including waka)
Teams who are involved in an accident shall report the incident in writing to the club committee. The report shall contain:
> Date and time of accident
> All parties involved
> Statements from those involved and anyone who saw the accident
> The name and contact details of any other party
Except as agreed by the club committee (and having regard to insurance coverage) the crew concerned shall be responsible for the payment of rectifying any damage to waka or other property (including any insurance excess).
Discipline Procedures
When a member or team within the club has-
* brought the name of the Club or a club member into disrepute
* broken a club rule
* acted in a manner which is against the objectives of the Club as outlined in the Constitution
* otherwise acted in an inappropriate manner
then that issue may be raised by any person in writing to the Committee, addressed to the President.
Discipline Committee
The discipline committee shall be the full Club Committee. The quorum for any discipline meeting shall be no less than 6. Unless otherwise arranged through a Special Meeting discipline matters shall be addressed at the normal monthly meeting.
Process
On receipt of a written complaint the following steps shall be taken:
1. The member/team is to be contacted to appear before the Committee with the date, venue and time given. The member/team is to be told of the complaint and no less than 10 days notice shall be given of the Committee meeting. If the member/team decide not to attend the meeting the Committee may proceed regardless to deal with the complaint.
2. The President is to read the written complaint to the Committee and member/team concerned.
3. The complainant may add any evidence they may wish to raise.
4. The member/team has the right to reply to the complaint and put their evidence forward. The member/team may have a spokesperson to speak on their behalf. Any complaints against junior or younger team members are to have adult representation at all times.
5. The Committee may decide to ask for further evidence and may adjourn the meeting if necessary for this evidence to be obtained. If necessary, steps 1-4 above will be repeated.
6. The Committee shall decide by majority whether the complaint is justified and, if so, the penalty, if any, to be handed down having regard to the penalty guidelines.
7. The Committee decision shall be final and shall be conveyed in writing to the member/ team.
Guidelines for Penalties
(1) Fine – Member/team to pay a sum of money to the Club. No more than $50.00.
(2) Compound Duties – Member/Team may be given duties to perform around the Outrigger Compound in lieu of monies for a period of time specified by the Committee.
(3) Suspension – Member/Team may be stood down from practicing and regatta for a period of time specified by the Committee.
(4) Membership Terminated – Member/Team may be asked to terminate membership with the Club effective immediately with no refund for subs paid.