Stafford & Stone Canoe club have released the following statement detailing guidelines now that leisure activities have been reopened:
Following the government’s recent announcement, which permits canoeing as an exercise, we
would like to ensure the safe access to all users of the river and footpath at Stone.
As per the latest British Canoeing guidelines please only paddle in family groups, or with one
friend keeping the safe 2m distance apart.
We would ask all users to respect each other’s distances. To help this we propose to split the
river into three “Zones”.
Top Section from road bridge to steps half-way down.
Middle Section, steps to bend.
Bottom Section, from bend down.
In the event it is busy, we would ask you to wait until the river becomes free. If people are
waiting, please limit your time on the water to 45min. We hope this will allow everyone fair and
safe access the water.
Parents or family. Please allow walkers using the footpath 2m space to pass you. Please do not
block the footpath.
If you decide to paddle at Stone, you should be aware that it is fully at your own risk. The club
does not take any responsibility. You will need to be happy that in the event of an emergency you
are capable of managing it by yourself. Parents and paddlers will need to consider what will
happen in the event of a capsize. Over and above a family member being able to help, paddlers
should be able to self-rescue. Please note that the slalom poles and entry/egress present a risk
of contamination. Please make sure you have hand cleaning products to use after using the site
and contacting the water to reduce the risk of Covid-19 and water borne illness.
Stafford & Stone Canoe Club is currently closed and are not running club sessions. These
guidelines have been put in place to encourage safe paddling for our members and for all other
users of the river who might travel here to paddle.
