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25
Risk Management Focus
Over the last decade there
has been huge growth in the
volume, scale and types of
events on offer throughout the
UK and abroad. Music and
large scale sporting events
have come to define the british
summer. Challenge and
sporting events are the focus
for tens of thousands of people – both those new to event
participation and those looking for an inspiring challenge.
Water based events provide benefits for the participants,
organisers and wider community. They have become one
of the main vehicles for charitable fundraising and raising
awareness of good causes, whilst providing brand exposure
for both the sport and corporate partners.
Importantly, they can provide a much needed goal to
challenge sedentary behaviours and lifestyles, whilst offering
a route into a new sport for beginners. They are also central
to how our future Olympic and elite athletes are developed
and tested, through events that often cannot be found in a
single club or community.
One of the less welcomed aspects of this growth is the
sometimes variable safety provision that has occurred; there
have been a few notable near miss events in the UK, and
fatalities involving participants. Although rare, it is something
that is growing in likelihood with the rise in participation and
absence of national guidance for water safety at events.
Another concern is the perception, or reality, of a risk
adverse culture developing. Our scoping research indicated
that a number of events were reportedly cancelled due to
non-specific ‘elf-n-safety’, insurance or civil litigation fears.
Therefore, our first priority with this project was to do no
further harm; second, address the misunderstanding and
concerns when running water based event; third, bring
together and showcase the good practice that does happen
within a common framework.
SCOPE
The guidelines within this document are relevant to any
organised or public open-water sports (recreational) activity.
The principal activities to which this document relates are the
activities of open water swimming, triathlon, surfing, rowing,
canoeing, paddle boarding, surf life saving sport and kite
surfing - taking place on both inland and coastal waters.
The information contained within this document is intended
to be a useful aid to managing safety at a water based
event. There is no compulsion to follow this information, nor
is there one single approach that should be considered as
‘best practice’.
The use of the terms; should, consider, good or best
practice are the opinions of the authors only, and as such
do not carry any legal compulsion. Where existing UK law,
regulation or code exists we highlight these. Voluntary
organisations such as sports clubs and those running
smaller events will be able to draw useful guidance from this
document; however much of the complexity that surrounds
public events might not always be applicable. If in doubt you
should contact your sport’s national governing body and/or
the local authority event safety advisory group who can give
you further information on the local arrangement and specific
permissions required.
The information which follows has been developed through
a combined approach using desktop research, interviews
and reviews of leading events in both the UK and abroad.
Workshops with expert groups were held throughout the
research and drafting to ensure a balanced approach.
Watch out for extracts from the sections of the Guide in
future editions of Touchline.
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Supported by:
INTRODUCTION FROM THE
MANAGING EVENT WATER SAFETY GUIDE
Managing Water Safety:
Esther Pearson
and Sportscover’s Steve Boucher at the
RoSPA National Water Safety Conference in
Birmingham, UK