2021 Opening up again !
From 29th March, we can open the centre again. So feel free to email us now to make a booking. We will keep it to family units, bubbles and small groups (5 people max to start with).
We are all too familiar now with the safety requirements - it's down to all of us all now to do what we know we should to remain safe when it comes to keeping on top of Covid into the future.
The systems we put in place at Bonkers will remain the same throughout 2021 - to ensure that our site is a place you can relax and enjoy. These systems include:
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ONLY advance booking is allowed - do not just turn up, you will not be allowed onsite
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You will have an allocated time - do not arrive any more than 10 minutes prior to this time. This enables us to spread out the bookings to give everyone plenty of space
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NO SPECTATORS - (this is strict - unless by prior arrangement only). This may sound strict - but its important as everywhere is cleaned after use etc.
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There is hand sanitiser by all the doors to the building - please use before entering.
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Kim and Alex have been vaccinated - there is also a LFT centre at the leisure centre next door and all our staff have regular tests
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The bonkers operating procedures and Risk Assessments have been modified and adapted to ensure a Covid safe environment
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The toilets can be accessed and used, but we will be doing as much as possible outside. We will follow Govt guidelines as to when we can use the showers and changing rooms. However, as a private centre, with new modern facilities, it is not like a busy space accessed by other people. So it will be clean, safe and professional.
2021 Jan 4th Update
We all know the score on this one
The 'Centre' is Closed until we can open again
BUT - we remain 100% positive and are using the time to get the centre ready for the best summer paddling ever !
We are gearing up for spring, with new boards arriving including a new fleet of touring boards
This was the post on 5th Jan from British Canoe advising that all centres should now close
and updated on the 7th here
https://www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/news/2021
Sport England have some great information and Q and A's here https://www.sportengland.org
Which highlights how can can safely take part in outdoor exercise with our households or one other person and even 1:1 coaching when it warms up a bit. But we shall do our bit, follow our NGB British Canoeing, and remain closed until it is considered OK to open again.
Latest Update 5th November
As per the Government guidelines, we are closing Bonkers Activities from 5th November until 4th December.
We are still selling vouchers for lessons, and you can order these by email
We will keep this page up to date with any changes and let you know if and when the restrictions relax enough for us to commence paddling again.
Stay Safe - Bonkers Team
Latest Update 20th July 2020
The activities at Bonkers are continuing to operate the new safe and clean systems including:
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Book and pay in advance
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Arrive on time for your session but not more than 10 minute before your session
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Strictly NO spectators (unless pre-arranged and only in certain circumstances)
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Toilets may be used, but very limited access to indoor facilities (please assume you cannot use the changing rooms)
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We are spacing out sessions and arrival times to keep it lovely and clear for you
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Our activities are limited to tuition and hire at this time
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We are constantly evaluating, learning, improving and modifying to ensure ongoing safety
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As this is our own private site, we are confident that we can make it safe and professional and welcoming for you...
We are now able to increase the numbers of people onsite in line with the new government guidance that has been issued to support the return of sport and recreation in England, last updated on 9 July 2020
These have been interpreted by British Canoeing who have issued the following guidance. This represents a slow easing, and enables us run more than 1 group of 6 (or family bubble) at the same time.
Previous updates (systems still in place)
Following the Government announcement on May 13th 2020 we have worked hard to change and adapt our Outdoor Activity Centre so it is as safe as it can possibly be.
There are links to Govt Guidelines we are following below and we are also following the guidance from our National Governing Body British Canoeing. The 'standard' information is also listed below
From the 1st June - small groups are allowed (up to 5 students, 6 in a group in total). We are still focusing on private tuition and small groups, as we have found this runs best, but if you want to link up with friends or family and book a session together, we can now do this for you.
To help re-assure you we would like to point out some unique elements we have to help keep everyone safe:
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We are not 'open to the public'. We will strictly limit people to their own time slots. (Some public car parks have been busy, with no 'control'. We totally control our private site, with strict arrival times booked in advance).
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All sessions MUST be booked in advance - forms are sent electronically and payments done in advance to avoid unnecessary contact
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We have set up the site with spaced out parking, 1 way systems, areas for unused and a separate area for used kit
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We have our own private river frontage, launch pontoons and our large private back field - all great for keeping you safe and socially isolated in the great outdoors
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We have over 50+ boards and 100+ b'aids, so you will not be using kit that someone else has used, we will rotate it around so as well as being cleaned it will have been stood unused/untouched for days.
The activities we are running are:
Private Tuition (1 on 1)
Family Tuition if you are from the same household we can teach up to 5 of you
A group of 5 that YOU choose - We will not put you into a group of people that you don't know, but if you can organise some friends, the price comes down per person ( see details here)
Hire (household groups, or you can meet up with up to 5 of your friends - as per Govt guidelines)
Limited Activity Days for young people - max 5 per session, book in advance
All sessions are booked in advance and you will be allocated an arrival time. We are taking everyone's safety seriously and will be limiting the amount of people at all times.
call Kim now to enquire 07962 240627
How we have come to this decision and what we have done to make it as safe as possible
Following all the information provide by both the UK Government, British Canoeing and other watersports governing bodies. All of these can be found on the links below. There is no point in re-writing them all, but the key changes we have made include:
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We have re-written sections of our operating procedures and Risk Assessment measures to include the changes necessary to adapt for Covid-19, including risk assessments.
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These changes have then been put into practice at our site including:
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signage
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sanitising stations
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booking systems - book in advance only
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staggering users into allocated time slots
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cleaning areas and cleaning systems in place
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we are the only user group - so you are safe in a 'private' setting
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The advise is that users can access our clean Toilets, but on advise we are not using the changing rooms - so come dressed appropriately.
As well as what you can see, like the cleaning and the site changes we have also assessed the things you cant see:
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All our booking and payment is now done in advance and online
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Our risk assessments and systems extend to include elements that might not be immediately obvious including:
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How we change, evolve, learn, improve and adapt
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How we would deal with an incident or emergency - including the latest first aid advise
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However, we also want to re-assure you that through all this, we will continue to use our common sense and hope to ensure your activities are FUN and SAFE giving you an amazing life enhancing experience on the water
Please contact Kim if you have any queries, or would like to book
07962 240627