We will be holding a Bell Boat Helm qualification on Thursday 26th April and 3rd May from 4-7pm at the Mount Battern. Successful helms from the course will be able to work on the PSSP OAA Bell Boating Programme if they successfully pass full DBS and Safeguarding clearances.
The main responsibility of the Bell Boat helm is to ensure safety for themselves and their crew and, of course, provide lots of fun and enjoyment for all.
The Bell Boat is a twin hulled open canoe seating up to 14 children or eight adults plus the helm. Bellboating is fun and rewarding and can be used in outdoor education, expeditions and competition.
The Bell Boat Helm Award is aimed at coaches, youth leaders and others who wish to introduce and develop paddlers on Bell Boats for recreation and sport. Bell Boat helms may operate on Very Sheltered Water including to include slow moving rivers and quiet canals, small lakes or small areas of larger lakes.
In preparing the Bell Boat Helm to take responsibility for the crew and boat, the course will cover the following content areas:
Philosophy, Bell Boat and Placid WaterSafety - Equipment Boat, Paddles, Safety Equipment, The Crew, Man Overboard Awareness of paddling environment - Current, Weirs, Procedure at Locks, Weather, First Aid, Leptospirosis For events/expeditionsCoaching Group Control Coaching of techniques - Paddling, Steering, Manoeuvring, Negotiating a Lock, LiningGeneral Information, Next steps, British Canoeing, Access to water, The environment