Llangollen Health & Safety

Notes

General Hazards
Due to the nature of the canal, paddlers will often be in close proximity to each other - especially when overtaking/passing and during the start. With this in mind, we would recommend paddlers keep left - this allows participants wishing to overtake an easier opportunity to do this, as well as paddlers heading in different directions to pass. Additionally, although paddling 2 abreast isn't discouraged, we would ask to remain vigilant of approaching paddlers - front and rear.
In specific reference to the start, we would ask everyone to remain courteous - paddles in such close quarters and 'rushing' are a recipe for an ouchie. We would suggest participants manoeuvre themselves roughly into an order of how fast they wish to move - faster vessels to the front etc... Remembering that although the 'official' AquaPaddle time may be affected by when you cross the start line, you will be able to subtract your own time it takes until you cross the line ( i.e if you're towards the back, just don't start your watch until you actually cross the line).

Unlike most canals, this one was built without locks, which is great as no portaging is required! But, it does mean there is a bit of a flow! The first half of the route will be against the flow, but you will be with the flow on the return part of your journey!
There are 4 bridges (inclusive of 1 tunnel) along the route, these areas narrow again, and the flow will increase due to this, it will be enough to notice, but not enough that you won't be able to paddle against it.

There may be some overhanging shrubs, especially towards the last 500m, these are easily avoided, but something to watch out for.

The depth of the canal is shallow enough that you WILL contact the bottom with a fall, and the sides of the canal will never be too far either - Paddleboarders especially need to be aware of this, as a fall will cause you to contact solid earth somewhere. Taking a kneeling or seated stance will reduce this risk where you feel appropriate.

You will be able to 'escape' the canal throughout the journey, with a tow-path running the entire length, there are short sections where either a handrail or steeper bank will make this more difficult, mainly the last section by the Chain Bridge hotel. However, if it comes to self-rescues, again, you will be able to stand and perform the rescue along the entire route.

Launch and Start Point
The Car park listed is adjacent to the canal, there is space to unload/inflate as required and a short carry will get you onto the canal, where you can get a bit of a warm up to paddle to the start line - 300m, alternatively you can place your craft in the water and tow it behind you (with the flow) to the start.

The start area is a large marina, but only a tow-path for land, for this reason we ask that you remain on the water to avoid congesting the tow path. There is an area on land near the start where you can wait, however, this is on the other side to the tow-path and would require you to paddle across.

The marina is also an active area with boats coming and going, for this reason we ask paddlers to remain near the start of the ‘non-motorised’ section to prevent interaction with these boats as they navigate.
You are able to spread out up from the start, and will be called in for safety brief and for when we plan to start.
There is a horse-drawn boat that operates on the section we will be using, however these do not operate until 11am. If you are still on the waterway at this time, you will need to move over to allow it to pass as the boat doesn’t have brakes!

The Route
From the start of the non-motorised section at the Marina, it is straight up the canal to the pump-house near the Horseshoe falls. Here you must turn your craft around, depending on the length of your craft, you may need to step out onto a purpose built launch area to turn around. If other users are already here, please turn in turn.
There will be a member of the Crew at the midway point (turning point) to assist if required.
Upon turning around, head back down – with the flow! To the start point, which is not the finish line!

If, for whatever reason you want to finish early, please let a member of the crew know so that we are aware that you are safe. Additionally, if you want to shorten your route and turn back earlier, then this is absolutely fine, just let the Time-lord know so that your time can be altered accordingly.

Risk Assessment

Llangollen risk assessment was reviewed by Paul Williams (Captain) on 01 April 2026.

General hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required
All Activities		Constant	Remote chance of a Major incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Participants must comply with AquaPaddle/Club Policies and therefore with certain British Canoeing Policies	Ongoing continual review that all conditions are being observed and adhered to by Crew. Ensure each member/visitor has access to a current copy of the AquaPaddle Policies, via the website.
No line of site	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Constant	Probable chance of a Minor incident	Probable chance of a Minor incident	Due to the nature of a winding linear route, line of site is impossible, and participants will very likely always be out of sight at some point to the crew. All participants to look out for each other, member of Crew to tail the group which will mean assistance will at some point arrive. Participants informed of egress points throuhout journey, and informed to let Crew know if they have issues or decide to exit event. All crew given patrol areas,a s well as walkie talkie, so that areas are monitored as frequently as possible.	Assess by Captain and if able, increase crew size so that patrol areas are reduced in size and therefore increased in frequenct of check.
Safeguarding		Minority	Possible chance of a Lost Time incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	All members and people on our site agree to follow our AquaPaddle/Club Policies and procedures, of which safeguarding and code of conduct is one of them. An Event Captain/Safeguarding Officer is to have oversight over the Safeguarding of the event.	Crew and other Volunteers who have regular contact with U18 are to be DBS checked and attend a safeguarding course.
Safety Cover	Paddlers	Majority	Probable chance of a Major incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Crew are to either have a Captain present or be in a minimum number of four Crew that are at the standard to self-rescue and rescue others; one person is aged over 18 or a coach (Land or Water) is in the vicinity. Compliant with the AquaPaddle/Club Safety Policy. The Captain and or an Event Safety Officer is to have oversight over the Health And Safety of the event.	British Canoeing Awards set an appropriate level for standards, such as 2 Star, Explore awards and higher. However other factors can be taken into account such as experience, competition level and paddlers being at the standard that to self-rescue and rescue others, during paddling on the water.

On Water hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required	Notes
Contact with sides/bottom of canal	Paddlers	Constant	Possible chance of a Lost Time incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Participants must comply with AquaPaddle/Club Policies and therefore with certain British Canoeing Policies. Paddleboarders ensure they are creating a stable stance throughout, this may require lowering your centre of gravity - kneel/sit	Ongoing continual review that all conditions are being observed and adhered to by Crew. Ensure each member/visitor has access to a current copy of the AquaPaddle Policies, via the website.
Environment	Paddlers	Constant	Possible chance of a Serious incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Paddlers are to be aware of other water users and keep away from powered craft Paddlers are to be aware of wildlife on and surrounding the water system and steer clear of any floating rubbish, which is to be cleared from pitches before use.	Captains, Crew and Experienced Paddlers are to stay vigilant and ensure they have a plan to get to safe water at all times to mitigate the risks when they occur.

Off Water hazards

Hazard	Who is at risk?	Duration	Inherent risk	Residual risk	Control measures	Further action required
Lack of Changing rooms	Paddlers, Spectators, Crew	Minority	Possible chance of a Minor incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	No changing facilities, please change in privacy, being aware that you are in a public setting.
Spectating	Spectators	Majority	Probable chance of a Minor incident	Improbable chance of a Minor incident	Spectators are not to encroach too close to the water's edge. Instructions will be issued. On-site induction.	AquaPaddle Crew to monitor and advise the spectators when they are not acting in the best manner.
Tripping or Slipping on access steps or pontoons. (see also Drowning - Medical section)		Minority	Possible chance of a Lost Time incident	Remote chance of a Minor incident	Advised to wear suitable wet footwear with a non-slip sole, or training shoes, when using the access steps to the pontoons and whilst stepping on and off the pontoon bridges. Care needs to be exercised to avoid algae or, bird deposits etc. particularly when wet.	Ongoing Housekeeping Maintenance to ensure the minimum build-up of growth or droppings by AquaPaddle Crew when the risk is increasing. Ongoing continual review that all conditions are being observed and adhered to by AquaPaddle Crew.