Bell Boat Training and Assessment
May 24, 2025 - May 25, 2025
Cheshire Scouts Water Activities Team are running a Bell Boat permit training and permit sign off weekend at Tatton Park Activity Centre.
Dates |
Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th May 2025Leaders need to attend both days |
Times |
09:30 – 16:30We may need to be slightly flexible here due to numbers of leaders who express an interest and the number of Bell Boats. |
Who can go |
This course is open to:• Members of the Scout Association.
• Over 18s only. • Those who want training and assessment in Bell Boats for a new permit. There is no planned further assessments this year. If you cannot make both days then you need to look out for training in 2026 on the Cheshire Scout Website… |
Location |
Tatton Park Scout Campsite |
Transport |
You need to make your own way you to the campsite |
Cost |
£0.00 – there is no cost. All expenses are being met by the county under the condition that leaders use their permit with youngsters as soon as possible. |
Includes |
There will be a full run through of the Bell Boating syllabus and any implications. From initialising the activity right through to seeing the youngsters leaving the site. |
Does not include |
Any provision of accommodation, drinks, food for lunch or activity clothing. See the kit list. But, some gear can be provided by arrangement…but you need to ask me well in advance. |
Contact Details |
Pete Goodger 07769831919Pete.Goodger@cheshirescouts.org.uk |
About the Course
We are training Cheshire leaders in the use of Bell Boats. The aim is to have more permitted leaders who can take youngsters out. We realise that with COVID and the lack of access to the Bells at Tatton many leaders require permits. This weekend is an attempt to put this right. By the end of the weekend you should have your Leadership type permit for B1 waters where you are on the craft.
We will cover The Scout Assessment Checklist:
- Responsibilities
- Group Management
- Risk assessment
- Weather
- Technical
- Emergency procedures
- Equipment
https://cms.scouts.org.uk/media/12286/ac120901-bell-boating-jan-19.docx
Plan of the session
The schedule will be something like this:
Meet at Tatton outside the powerboat shed at the start time
- Introductions and talk about the aim of the day
- Paperwork and in particular risk assessments
- The leaders in turn will take charge of the different tasks of a Bell Boating session where the rest of us act as Explorer Scouts (maybe!!!)
- Talk about the pre activity elements you should have covered before a scout session
- Unloading and building Bell Boats
- Equipment in/on the bell boat
- Warm up techniques, stretching exercises
- Throw line types and use of
- Launching and loading
- Paddling techniques
- Control
- Activities while on the water – not just paddling!
- Getting off the water
- Putting the Bells away
- There will be beach breaks for lunch and drinks – so bring butties and a flask
- Return, reviews, feedback and closure
Before the weekend…
- We need to see a risk assessment for running a two hour Bell Boat session at Tatton for a group that you are most likely to paddle with,
- a programme or list of activities you could do on and off the water with that group,
- You will need to make an on-line application for a renewed permit and include a log of your paddling experience after the weekend.
POR
Hopefully you all know about the Scout’s Policy, Organisation & Rules for Bell Boating?
If not then have a read before the session…
POR Rules relating to bell boating
Rule 9.7 Adventurous Activities Permit Scheme
Rule 9.8 Adult Groups in Adventurous Activities
Rule 9.13.1 All Water Activities
Rule 9.13.2 Life Jackets and Buoyancy Aids
Rule 9.13.3 Classification of Waters
Rule 9.13.4 Activities on Class C Waters
Rule 9.13.5 Boats
POR General activity rules
Rule 9.1 All Activities
Rule 9.6 Use of External Centres and Instructors
This is a link to the Scouting National Directory of Waters
Kit List
This is not a definitive kit list but really the key things to think about.
| On the water essentials | ||
| Lifejacket or buoyancy aid | must be well-fitting and well maintained.These are provided. | |
| Windproof jacket / Cagoule | You, as leader, must not get cold at any time and these can always be kept in a drybag/rucksack until needed, don’t leave shore without it!! | |
| Insulating layer / base layer | If paddling in summer (avoid cotton t-shirts) | |
| Wetsuit or dry suit | depending on the time of year a wetsuit long john or full suit can be great – note that we do man overboard and recovery…it may be you! | |
| Footwear | trainers, wet shoes anything that helps you walk across rough banks, tree roots, beaches, glass shards…NO WELLIES, CLOGS, CROCS or FLIP-FLOPS! | |
| Safety bag / dry bag | with a method of securing it to your craft | |
| Watch | or any reliable method of telling the time,… a banksman? | |
| Sun cream/lip protection | Even a cloudy day can get my nose! | |
| Sun hat | And my head! | |
| Throwing line? | Discuss! | |
| Knife? | Discuss! | |
| Bailer/sponge | especially useful in an open vessel | |
| On the bank essentials | For in an emergency | |
| Shelter | Provided | |
| First Aid Kit | Provided – but bring your own… | |
| Bottle(s) of water | Provided for first aid reasons only… | |
| Klaxon | Provided |
