Abseiling and Canyoning

GUIDELINES FOR ABSEIL TRAINING
(June 2024)
The Watagan Wanderers Bushwalking club provides abseil training to members, at the participants own risk and subject to signing a risk waiver. The club and trainers reserve the right to determine an individuals’ suitability and competency for training and abseiling with the club. This document outlines the expectations and general circumstances in which the club is prepared to offer training to individuals.

1. People new to abseiling must competently complete three training sessions to achieve a “Basic Abseil Standard” before they can attend general club abseiling and canyoning activities. An individuals’ training and competency will be documented. Individuals won’t be deemed to have achieved the clubs “Basic Abseil Standard” until they have satisfied club trainers that they can abseil and self-rescue safely. Extra training sessions will be required if necessary.

2. Non-members may complete the first abseil training session as temporary members, enabling them to try abseiling. Thereafter people over 18 years old will be expected to become full financial club members in order to complete the club training schedule.

3. Children 14 years and older can train with the club subject to their parent or guardian signing the appropriate club documentation indicating that they accept full responsibility for the child. The club requires that children training with the club are accompanied by a responsible adult family member or close acquaintance who is a financial member of the club. The parent or guardian accompanying the child must have already completed the club abseiling training or be training concurrently with the child.

4. People with significant previous abseiling and/or canyoning experience may be given the option of completing a single training session, rather than being obliged to complete all three standard training sessions. Such individuals must satisfy club
trainers that they know the club abseiling procedures and are competent to abseil and self-rescue safely. The individuals’ training and competency will be documented.

5. Members who have achieved the clubs “Basic Abseil Standard” but have not abseiled for more than 12 months will be expected to complete a refresher training session with a club trainer to demonstrate their continued competency. This will be documented.

6. Club trainers reserve the right to determine how many individuals will be offered abseil training at any one time or session. In general, only four beginners will be trained at any one time, subject to the availability of sufficient trainers and equipment. Existing club members will be given priority.

7. The club will provide to beginners all basic equipment needed to complete the “Basic Abseil Standard”.

8. The club provides and maintains all abseil ropes. Some club equipment is available for members to borrow on club abseiling activities. However it is expected that individuals who want to continue abseiling with the club will purchase and maintain their own equipment within a reasonable timeframe after completing club training. As such, priority for borrowing club equipment will be given to beginners and will be at the trainer / activity leaders’ discretion.

9. Individuals are expected to pay a fee for each club abseil or canyoning activity they attend. Currently the fee is $5 per activity, but this may be reviewed periodically. These abseil funds are used to purchase and maintain abseiling and safety equipment.

10. People wanting to attend a club abseiling or canyoning activity must book with the leader of that activity. The leader reserves the right to decide whether any individual can attend their activity based on the individuals previous experience/ competency, or limitations to the number of people who can safely attend.

11. Where appropriate, an activity leader may require attendees to have specific equipment before they can attend an activity. For example, a wetsuit or thermals may be required in order to attend some canyoning activities. All attendees are expected to have their own first aid and safety equipment.