all you need to
know
What specialist equipment is required? A watersports trip (unlike a ski trip) does not require much in the way of specialist equipment. We provide all the necessary boats, boards, bikes and kayaks as well as approved buoyancy aids and waterproofs! You usually only need to bring swimwear as well as old clothing and trainers you don’t mind getting wet. Nevertheless, the watersports activities can be enjoyed to the full if participants wear a rash vest and wetsuit shoes, which are widely available to purchase. A wetsuit might also be a useful purchase and these are also now widely available at a reasonable cost.
staff qualifications and experience, instructor to participant ratios and our operational procedures. In addition, our UK centres are AALS (Adventure Activities Licensing Scheme) licensed. We have also developed a comprehensive Safety Management System to monitor, record and implement safe operation of our centres and activities, which encompasses policies, risk assessments, emergency and operating procedures. See also our website for further information on our safety procedures and for downloads of documentation such as our risk assessments at www.rockley.org/ schools/teachers
Do you have to be a strong swimmer? You don’t have to be a strong swimmer, or even a swimmer at all, to enjoy our watersports activities although it helps to be water confident. You will need to inform us if any of your group are unable to swim 50 metres unaided. As mentioned above, we provide all persons with buoyancy aids and provided we are notified, we can cater for non-swimmers.
Do the coaches have seatbelts? All the UK coach company operators used on our inclusive French activity trips comply with UK, as well as EU law (French coaches comply with EU and French laws), and are fitted with seatbelts. It is the Group Leader’s responsibility to ensure that the seatbelts are worn.
Are there any extra charges? Our residential school group trips are fully inclusive of our activities as detailed in your group’s itinerary, all meals and drinks from arrival on, to departure from the centre, insurance and, for trips to our French centres and return travel. We do offer a number of extra additional activities and excursions to enhance your trip. These can be arranged and paid for in advance or on arrival and are subject to availability. No refunds will be given for extras booked and paid for but not used. What about insurance? Our residential activity trips include personal accident and travel insurance. Please see the Trip Planner, on our website, for further details and complete policy wording. For activity trips that fall within the Package Travel Regulations (1993) your money is fully protected by an insurance scheme operated by International Passenger Protection Ltd. What about safety? All our watersports centres are fully recognised by the RYA (Royal Yachting Association) for the tuition of sailing, windsurfing and powerboating and are inspected annually. This means that our watersports activities are run in line with the guidelines laid down by our NGB, the Royal Yachting Association, and encompass
Do we need passports? A passport valid for six months beyond the length of stay and issued within the past 10 years is required in order to visit France and non-EU passport holders may require visas. Young people travelling as a group can travel under a Group Passport obtainable from the Passport Agency. Contact them for further information on 0870 5210410 and see also our Trip Planner. Lost, stolen or new passports will take a minimum of 2 weeks to replace. Campsite and centre rules We ask that all our groups comply with the rules set out by the campsites and ourselves. This helps ensure the enjoyment and safety of all our customers and other users of the campsites and facilities. These rules are to be found in our pupil behaviour charter and will be detailed in our Welcome Talk on arrival of your group. Supervision The campsites organise their own evening entertainment programmes throughout high season such as cabaret performances and music events, which are generally open until 1am. Daytime programmes such as sporting activities can be arranged at the campsite reception. All the activities are subject to demand and may be altered. Rockley Adventure staff are resident at our centres and therefore provide supervision during the day and evening. Certain staff are nominated as contacts for Group Leaders and group
members throughout the day and evening; we also have a member of staff on duty through the night. Group Leaders are required to nominate two of the adults from their group on a daily basis to be their group’s duty contact staff throughout the day, evening and night. Accommodation Both our tent and bunkroom accommodation sleep a maximum of 6 people. Security Each of our watersports centres is located on a private campsite with only one entrance/exit and is in a separate area of the campsite itself. Lock Box Our centres can store passports, EHIC cards and any cash float held by the Group Leader in the centre lock box. We are, however, unable to provide secure storage for pupils’ mobile phones, MP3 or ipod players etc which is why we strongly discourage the bringing of valuable belongings on the trip. First Aid Our centres are fully equipped with first aid boxes located in the Rockley offices on site. All our main safety boats carry a First Aid kit and suitable communications. All our Instructors hold a valid First Aid certificate and attend a health and safety induction when joining us. Currency & pocket money We recommend that you carry a float of Euros/ Sterling for unforeseen circumstances. However, for safety reasons we suggest that you use cards where possible. Pupils should be advised to bring only a small amount of pocket money; up to €100 is normally sufficient for trips to our French centres and between £20 to £40 for residential trips to our UK centre. Facilities We try to be as accurate as possible with regards to the availability and opening times of the facilities available on the campsites. However, due to circumstances beyond our control ie weather, time of year, local regulations or demand, some facilities may not be available - this will particularly be the case outside of high season (July and August) when the campsites are quieter.
www.rockley.org/schools
01202 677272
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