Swimming FAQ's

Anyone unable to demonstrate to a suitable person their ability to swim 50 metres in clothing and equipment appropriate to the activity (where a buoyancy aid or life jacket is worn for the activity this may be used for the demonstration) and keep afloat for five minutes would be classified as a non-swimmer and must follow rule 9.13.1.

Yes but you must be following the swimming rules for the classification of water you are in.

The British Canoeing Lifeguard qualification is not a suitable one to lead a swimming session in a pool. The syllabuses of the RLSS National Pool Lifeguard Qualification and this qualification do not closely align on a number of aspects as there are many things that someone will not have been assessed against. The training and assessment they will have undergone is specifically for a canoeing/kayaking session rather than for general swimming cover.

Yes, you can run a swimming session within the remit of your kayaking permit. You would have to replicate the conditions you operate within for your kayaking permit (i.e. class of waters, group size, use of buoyancy aids etc.).

This depends on whether the waters already have operating guidelines. If these already exist then they should be followed. If the waters do not have operating guidelines then you must meet the requirements listed in Swimming regarding risk assessment, environmental factors, swimming ability rescues, equipment, swimming area, communication, access, group management and ratios.