Self Launch - Bring Your Own Craft

Please be aware that all customers launching their own equipment must have 3rd party liability insurance, which will need to be shown on check-in and must wear a buoyancy aid or lifejacket at all times when on the water.

Wing Foiling Now available with your own equipment on Llanishen Reservoir

Launch your own canoe, kayak or stand up paddleboard on the reservoir in a controlled and safe environment, whilst enjoying the stunning views! We have a control boat on the water whenever a watersports activity is taking place, which can provide assistance if required. Please read the minimum requirements to ensure your craft is suitable.

Age requirements:

The minimum age allowed on the water is 5 years.

5 to 12 years old - Can be on a craft with a responsible adult aged 18+

8 to 13 years old - Can paddle own craft, whilst supervised by a responsible adult aged 18+ on the water

14 to 17 years old - Can paddle own craft with a responsible adult aged 18+ on site that is contactable in the case of an emergency

Please note we only allow 1 person per paddleboard, except in the case of a child aged 5 - 12 years old. In this instance 1 child aged 5 to 12 years old can join 1 adult on a paddleboard.

If bringing an EXTRA PERSON in your canoe, double or triple kayak you must use the 'add-on' feature on your booking and they must sign a paper based disclaimer on check in. Please ensure that any additional persons on a craft comply with the craft user guidance and weight limits.

Weather:

Water levels change so sometimes water sports and swimming might be limited. In rare cases, we might need to cancel them entirely for safety reasons.

Safety is our number one priority. In the event of poor weather conditions (e.g. strong winds or thunder and lightning) or other incidents we reserve the right to restrict water access to particular user groups, restrict the area available for activities, cancel sessions or close the lake. We will endeavour to give advance notice whenever possible; however sometimes decisions need to be made at short notice. If we close the lake, we will add a message to our website and endeavour to contact all customers impacted to offer the opportunity to reschedule their session or receive a refund.

Maximum wind speeds:

Paddlesports:

·If the wind is consistently exceeding Force 3 (11mph):

Canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding self launch activities will be restricted to experienced participants only. Experienced participants must be able to travel upwind in Force 4 conditions.

We reserve the right to terminate the session for any participant that we do not deem suitably experienced for the conditions.

** SWIMMERS ITCH WARNING**

Update 09/12/24:

A small number of swimmers have reported mild symptoms akin to swimmer’s itch. We are closely monitoring the situation and will provide regular updates.

Swimmer’s itch (also known as ‘cercarial dermatitis’)

What is swimmer’s itch?

Swimmer’s itch is an itchy skin rash. It is caused by an allergic reaction to a type of tiny flatworm that is found naturally in open water.

The tiny flatworms that cause swimmer’s itch live all over the world, in natural outdoor or ‘open’ waters, such as lakes, ponds and the sea. They are so small that we cannot see them, so it is not possible to know when they are there.

These flatworms do not infect people but they can cause itching if they come into contact with a person’s skin. The ‘itching’ cannot spread from one person to another, it needs direct contact with the worms.

Anyone who is in contact with the flatworms can get swimmer’s itch – this could be when swimming, dipping, wading or paddling in outdoor waters.

What should I do if I get swimmer’s itch?

People with swimmer’s itch are unlikely to need medical help, as it usually gets better by itself, and there is no test that needs to be done for it. But it is important that you don’t scratch the rash, to stop it getting infected with germs. Speak to your pharmacist if you need help with the itching.

It is also important to remember that itching skin and rashes can be caused by lots of other things. So, if you are unsure if you have swimmer’s itch, if your symptoms are getting worse or if you feel unwell after being in outdoor waters, see your GP or pharmacist for advice.

How do I know if I have swimmer’s itch?

Swimmer's itch usually happens within hours (1 to 48 hours) of being in the water. At first, it may cause a tingling, itching or burning feeling of the skin. Small reddish spots may appear, sometimes turning into larger rashes and blisters, with intense itching.

It usually only affects skin which directly touches the water. Skin that is covered by tight swimwear is usually fine.

Swimmer’s itch usually gets better without treatment and goes away by itself in 1-3 weeks.

As swimmer’s itch is an allergic reaction, people in the same water can have different reactions. But the more often someone has contact with the flatworms, the more serious (immediate and intense) their reaction may be.

How do I know when swimmer’s itch is a problem in water?

Swimmer’s itch is not a sign of pollution or ‘dirty’ water. But we are still learning more about why swimmer’s itch is a problem in some waters and not in others, and how this can change over time.

We think that swimmer’s itch is more likely to be a problem when water is warmer, in the Summer, in water where lots of water birds live or visit (e.g. ducks, geese and swans) and in shallower water with lots of plants. It may also be more of a problem in the early morning.

Children seem to be more likely to develop swimmer’s itch than adults, probably because they spend more time in shallow waters and may not dry themselves as well as adults do.

How can I reduce my chance of getting swimmer’s itch?

It’s difficult to know when and where swimmer’s itch will be a problem before you go into the water. Even if it has been reported as a problem somewhere, it may not always be a problem there in the future. But if you want to reduce your chance of getting swimmer’s itch:

• Avoid swimming or wading in warmer, shallow waters with lots of plants.

• Avoid swimming or wading where lots of water birds live or visit.

• Think about covering your skin e.g. wearing a full-length wetsuit, swim cap, wet suit gloves and booties. Remember your face will still be bare.

• Towel rub your skin dry straight after leaving the water.

• Where possible, shower straight after leaving the water.

It is also a good idea to rinse your wetsuit in clean fresh water after use.

You can find out more about safe swimming in outdoor waters here: https://phw.nhs.wales/services-and-teams/environmental-public-health/staying-safe-in-outdoor-waters-in-wales/

This advice is based on information from:

DermNet (2021): ‘Swimmer’s itch’. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/swimmers-itch

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020): ‘Swimmer’s itch FAQs’. https://www.cdc.gov/swimmers-itch/about/

World Health Organization (2021): ‘Guidelines on recreational water quality Volume 1 Coastal and Fresh Waters’. https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/342625/9789240031302-eng.pdf?isAllowed=y&sequence=1

All customers launching their own equipment must have 3rd party liability insurance, which will need to be shown on check-in. 3rd party liability insurance is often included with National Governing Body memberships or can be purchased as an insurance policy.

Please complete your disclaimer and medical information ahead of your visit – this will be prompted through your online booking. If this information isn’t completed in advance, it can cause delays to you starting your session. This information must be completed for every person participating.

·Canoes: Craft must be fitted with sufficient buoyancy to remain floating above the gunwale line when full of water.

·Closed Cockpit Kayaks: minimum of 2 paddlers with or without spray deck and must be fitted with sufficient buoyancy to remain floating when full of water.

·Sit on Top Kayaks: must have inherent buoyancy.

·Paddleboards: Paddlers must always be leashed to the board. A maximum of 1 adult and 1 child aged 5-7 years will be allowed per paddleboard, subject to the manufacturer’s maximum user weight guidelines.

·Evidence of your third party liability insurance including the expiry date. This will be checked again at the beginning of each season.

· A correctly fitting buoyancy aid (EN 393) must always be worn when on the water. Buoyancy belts are NOT accepted. Life jackets are allowed; however, we would advise not to use automatically inflating ones.

·A life jacket (EN 395) must be worn by all children aged between 5 and 12 years. These can be hired from the Activity Centre if needed.

·Your self launch equipment must be in good condition and meet the relevant EN safety requirements. You are accepting responsibility for ensuring your equipment meets these requirements.

·Shoes you are happy to get wet (old trainers or water shoes) – footwear must be worn when entering or exiting the water

·Wetsuits and buoyancy aids can be hired from the Activity Centre if needed.

1.Make sure you arrive in good time and have signed all relevant disclaimers and medical declarations in advance

2.Check in at the Activity Centre reception

3.Changing rooms and lockers are available

4.A safety briefing will be provided at the start of your session.

5.Please be aware that the last launching time is 45 minutes before the end of the session