General Conditions for British White Water Safety & Rescue Courses at the National White Water Centre / Canolfan Dŵr Gwyn Genedlaethol

•White Water Safety & Rescue (WWSR) training is an ‘assumed risk’ water environment contact sport that may carry attendant risks. •Participants should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own action and involvement. •All WWSR courses are staffed by appropriately qualified coaches. Coach to student ratios are in accordance with (BC) guidelines. The National White Water Centre (NWWC) has a pro-active approach to staff training. Occasionally, trainee coaches may be involved in sessions, however they will be under the supervision of an appropriately qualified coach at all times. •Whilst every reasonable attempt will be made to deliver WWSR courses, the NWWC reserves the right to cancel or modify the courses due to safety considerations and factors beyond our control. •As part of the continual review of safety and associated considerations, the conditions of booking are subject to change, clarification and modification at any time. Only the Centre Director or his appointed Deputy is empowered to vary or waive any of the conditions of booking. Such decisions are totally at the discretion of the Director or the Appointed Deputy.

Liability and Insurance • WWSR is a potentially dangerous activity. All participants must be aware of this and accept the risks associated with these activities. Whilst the NWWC has an excellent safety record, responsibility for death, injury or illness arising from WWSR and associated activities can only be accepted if caused by negligence on the part of the NWWC, its servants or agents. •The NWWC is under no liability whatsoever in respect of loss or damage to property, however caused, whilst at The NWWC, or on a course arranged by the centre at another location. •The NWWC holds public liability cover.

Health and Safety Considerations •Due to the strenuous nature of WWSR, all participants must be physically able. Anyone with a medical condition or injury which may impede their ability to and swim should consult their medical practitioner to assess their ability to take the course. The centre should be informed of any medical conditions or injuries. •All course participants must be able to swim and be confident swimming in open water (defined as 25 metres). •All participants must be age 14 or over for WWSR training with the NWWC. •Course participants will not be permitted to consume alcohol or drugs prior to or during courses. The centre staff reserve the right to refuse participation to anyone considered to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. •The NWWC staff may require any participant to leave the WWSR course if that person acts in any such manner as to endanger him/herself or any other centre user. •The Course Director may require any participant to leave the WWSR course if that person is not of a suitable standard to be on that course. • Disabled persons are welcome to participate in WWSR courses subject to submission of details to the Centre booking office at the time of booking.

Water Levels •There is always the possibility of water being turned off at short notice e.g. in the interest of flood defense or following a mechanical breakdown at the dam. This may result in a change of venue or in extreme cases the course may get cancelled. •Refunds will be made in the event of failure to deliver any WWSR courses due to unsuitable water releases. The NWWC will not accept any liability for any other expenditures or costs incurred by prospective participants.

Bookings and Payment •All bookings must be paid for in full at the time of booking.

Cancellations and Refunds • Cancelling your booking for any reason more than 30 days before your WWSR course date the cancellation charges will be £50 per person. • Should you cancel your booking for any reason less than 30 days before your WWSR course there will be no refund and the full amount will be payable. • No Refunds will be offered which arise from circumstances that are beyond the control of the NWWC other than water levels. • If a WWSR course has to be cancelled due to there being fewer than 4 participants, NWWC withholds the right to offer to transfer the booking to another date or provide a full refund. We will make every effort to meet the minimum requirement and ensure the course goes ahead, though this might not always be possible.

Course Information This is a 2 day course for which there are no evening sessions.

Pre-requisites for attending a WWSR course: Due to the paddling environment and the boat control required the candidate should be: •Confident in their ability to on grade 2 white water •Able to swim in normal clothing suitable for a moving water environment •Be a minimum of 14 years of age

Equipment Ideally you’ll need the following items for this course:  Normal paddling clothing (suitable for the weather conditions)  Paddling footwear (not sandals or open toed shoes)  Helmet (non peaked)  Buoyancy aid with a quick release chest harness  Knife  3 Locking HMS Karibiners  Un knotted 3-5m length of climbers tape  Whistle  Kayak & paddle •There is no need to rush out to buy any of this equipment for your course; full equipment can be hired from the centre, please contact us on 01678 521083 beforehand to make arrangements. •Dry suits are available to hire for the course at a cost of £25 per person, per course. •Damage to or loss of centre equipment caused by negligence, malicious acts or carelessness must be paid for at the time at current replacement value.

Travel Directions for the National White Water Centre / Canolfan Dŵr Gwyn Genedlaethol

•The postcode for the centre is LL23 7NU. •The NWWC is in and is located on the A4212 (Bala to Trawsfynydd road) between Frongoch village and Reservoir.

Travelling to the NWWC from elsewhere in the UK: •From the south take the M54, A5 and A494 to Bala, from the north take the M56 then the A494 to Bala, at Bala turn right onto the A4212 torwards Trawsfynydd. Drive 3 miles to the village of Frongoch; we are just 1 mile past Frongoch (look out for the and Canoeing Sign). Travelling to the NWWC from within Wales: •Travelling from Mid and South Wales; take the A470 to Dolgellau then the A494 to Bala, at Bala turn left onto the A4212 towards Trawsfynydd. Drive 3 miles to the village of Frongoch; we are just 1 mile past Frongoch (look out for the Rafting and Canoeing Sign). •From Anglesey, Bangor, Caernarfon and the surrounding area; take the A5 (south) to Cerrigydrudion, just past the village turn right onto the B4501 to Frongoch. Turn right in Frongoch onto the A4212 (towards Trawsfynydd); we are just 1 mile past Frongoch (look out for the Rafting and Canoeing Sign). •From Porthmadog, Pwllheli and the surrounding area; take the A487 to Trawsfynydd, then the A4212 (towards Bala) when you pass Llyn Celyn Reservoir continue down the hill then turn right to the centre at the rafting and canoeing sign. By Rail - Nearest main railway stations are Llandudno Junction, Chester, Shrewsbury, Aberystwyth and Bangor. Regional services are available to Barmouth and Wrexham. Travel by road is then essential. The main stations are about 1 to 1 ½ hours from the NWWC.

Useful Numbers Traveline Cymru; 0871 2002233.