Slalom course - regulations

Operating Rules

of the Artificial Slalom Course in Roudnice nad Labem

1. Purpose of the Document

The purpose of these Operating Rules is to define the rules for the safe movement of persons within the premises of Klub Kanoistiky Roudnice nad Labem, z. s., when using the artificial slalom course, boathouse, facilities, adjacent areas and other parts of the premises. The Operating Rules are intended to prevent injuries, threats to life or health, damage to property and other extraordinary events.

Every person moving within the premises is obliged to behave considerately, safely and in accordance with these Operating Rules, the instructions of the facility manager, coaches, organisers and persons authorised by the operator.

2. Binding Nature of the Operating Rules

These Operating Rules are binding on all persons who enter the premises, use the slalom course, boathouse, facilities, adjacent areas or any other parts of the premises of Klub Kanoistiky Roudnice nad Labem, z. s. By entering the premises, making a reservation, paying a fee or commencing sporting activity, the user confirms that he or she has read the Operating Rules, understands them and undertakes to comply with them.

A user who arrives without a prior electronic reservation or prior notification is obliged to familiarise himself or herself with the current version of the Operating Rules placed on the premises or available electronically before commencing any sporting activity. By commencing sporting activity, the user confirms that he or she has read the Operating Rules, understands them and undertakes to comply with them.

3. Nature of the Premises and Use at One’s Own Risk

The premises are a sports and water sports facility with an increased risk of injury. Sporting activity on white water, movement near water, handling boats, and entering banks, bridges, stairs, pontoons and other parts of the premises may be dangerous and may result in injury, damage to health, damage to property or, in extreme cases, danger to life.

Before commencing any activity, every user is obliged to assess his or her abilities, state of health, experience, equipment, current conditions and the difficulty of the slalom course. The user must not overestimate his or her abilities and must not start or continue paddling if he or she does not feel medically fit, is tired, injured, hypothermic or if the conditions exceed his or her abilities.

Persons over 18 years of age who use the slalom course outside organised training do so solely at their own risk and responsibility. It is recommended that they do not go on the water alone and that another competent athlete or a person able to call for help is present on site. Independent movement within the premises or use of the water facility does not create any obligation for the operator to provide continuous supervision, oversight or rescue service.

4. Basic Rules for Operation of the Slalom Course

The slalom channel is used as an artificial slalom course with a difficulty grade of WW 2–3. The channel is 12 m wide, 350 m long and is situated on the right bank of the Elbe River. The beginning of the slalom channel at the flap gate is equipped with entry signalling. When the light is on, the channel is out of operation and the flap gate is being operated.

The maximum number of boats on the channel in any given hour is 40 kayaks or 20 rafts. The minimum number required to start operation of the slalom course is 5 boats. All users are obliged to respect the training schedule, reserved time slots, instructions of the facility manager and designated training hours.

For increased safety, every user is obliged to wear a protective helmet and a buoyancy aid with buoyancy in accordance with the applicable canoeing rules, both during training and during competitions. Participants in operation must not be under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other intoxicating substances.

Throughout the operation of the slalom course, a responsible person must be designated, in particular the facility manager, a coach or a group leader. Before the start of training, this person is obliged to familiarise himself or herself with the current conditions, organise the operation of the group and, in the event of an extraordinary event, ensure that help is called, the course operation is stopped and the facility manager is informed. For visiting clubs, schools, commercial entities or organised groups, the name and telephone number of the group leader must be known in advance.

Only a person authorised by the operator and demonstrably instructed may operate the flap gate, water controls, signalling, codes, keys, access credentials and other technical equipment. Codes, keys and access credentials must not be handed over to unauthorised persons.

Each participant is responsible for ensuring that his or her boat, paddle, helmet, buoyancy aid, footwear and other equipment are functional, undamaged and suitable for the intended use. The facility manager, coach or group leader may prohibit the use of unsuitable equipment.

5. Adverse Weather and Natural Conditions

Operation of the slalom course and sports activities within the premises are prohibited, and operation must not be started or must be immediately terminated, in the event of a thunderstorm, lightning, strong wind, flood, extraordinary or non-standard water flow, ice, reduced visibility, technical fault, malfunctioning signalling, an obstacle on the course, an instruction from the operator of the hydraulic structure, the facility manager or another authorised person, or any other adverse natural, technical or operational conditions that may endanger the safety of persons.

In the event of a thunderstorm or lightning, users are obliged to leave the water immediately, not to enter bridges, pontoons, bank edges or other exposed places, and to move to a safe area. Closure or reopening of the course shall be decided by the facility manager, coach, group leader or another authorised person according to the current conditions and safety risk.

6. Movement within the Hydraulic Structure Area

Due to the risk of danger to life in the area of the hydraulic structure, in particular in the upstream area, the weir structure and the downstream area, participants in the operation of the slalom course are prohibited from entering the weir structures and from approaching these parts of the weir with boats.

Movement of participants in the upstream and downstream areas is limited by yellow-painted buoys. Entering the protective zone of the weir is strictly prohibited. Athletes may move only within the designated area intended for training. Entry into prohibited areas is strictly prohibited.

In the event of a serious or repeated breach of the Operating Rules, the facility manager, coach, group leader or another authorised person is

entitled to immediately terminate the participation of an individual or the entire group in the training session. Any ban on further use of the course shall be decided by the operator according to the seriousness of the breach.

7. Responsibility of Group Leaders and Minors

Persons under 18 years of age may use the premises and the slalom course only under the supervision of a coach, legal guardian or another person over 18 years of

age who is responsible for them at that time. During organised training sessions, the leader of the relevant group is responsible for minors. This person is responsible for ensuring that minors have been instructed on safety rules, have appropriate equipment and move only in areas and under conditions corresponding to their age, abilities and state of health.

For organised groups, visiting clubs, schools, commercial entities or other group visits, the group leader, coach or another responsible person is responsible for familiarising all participants with these Operating Rules. The group leader is responsible for ensuring that participants are medically and technically fit for the activity, have appropriate equipment, know the rules for movement within the premises, know the locations of the emergency stop buttons and have been instructed on the risks associated with movement near water and sporting activity on the artificial slalom course. For visiting clubs, their leader is also responsible for the required consents of legal guardians of minor participants and for damage caused by members of the group to the extent provided by law.

For rafts, beginners, children, commercial groups and persons with lower experience, the group leader must choose a stricter regime of supervision and rescue arrangements corresponding to the number, age, abilities and experience of the participants.

8. Emergency Stop Buttons for Shutting Down the Slalom Course

The emergency stop buttons for shutting down the slalom course are a priority safety feature, and every user is obliged to familiarise himself or herself with their locations and method of use before starting to paddle.

In the event of technical problems, injury, falling into the water, a person or vessel becoming trapped, imminent danger to life or health, a dangerous situation at the

hydraulic structure or another extraordinary event, the emergency stop buttons may be used to stop operation of the artificial slalom course.

There are two emergency stop buttons on the premises: the first is located on the wooden bridge approximately halfway along the channel and the second is located in the lower part of the channel. After a button is pressed, operation stops automatically; restarting is possible only after the situation has been checked and approved by an authorised person.

Every user is obliged to immediately report the use of an emergency stop button to the facility manager or another responsible person. Misuse of an emergency stop

button or unauthorised manipulation with it is prohibited and may be grounds for removal from the premises and compensation for any damage caused.

9. Additional Safety and Property Protection Rules

Users are obliged to behave considerately, in a disciplined manner and in such a way as not to endanger themselves, other persons, the operator’s property or the property of third parties.
Users are obliged to use the premises, slalom course, boathouse, pontoons, bridges, stairs, changing rooms, sanitary facilities and other equipment only for the purposes for which they are intended.
Unauthorised manipulation with technical equipment, water management elements, barriers, signalling, emergency stop buttons, the gate system, obstacles, electrical installations, the camera system or any other equipment of the premises is prohibited.
It is prohibited to damage, move or contaminate the equipment of the premises, gates, obstacles, ropes, buoys, bridges, stairs, fencing, information boards, rescue equipment or any other equipment.
It is prohibited to enter the premises or carry out sporting activity under the influence of alcohol, drugs, narcotic or psychotropic substances.
It is prohibited to enter technical, operational, storage or otherwise restricted areas without the consent of the operator or facility manager.
Every user is obliged to immediately report to the facility manager any identified defect, damage, dangerous condition, injury, collision, extraordinary event or use of an emergency stop button.
A user who causes damage to the property of the operator, another user or a third party is liable for compensation for such damage to the extent provided by law.

Swimming or floating down the channel without a boat is prohibited during regular training. An exception may be permitted by the responsible person only after training has ended or during specific practice, and after the channel has been secured against operation by other boats.

It is prohibited to intentionally cross the path of other boats, stop in areas with poor visibility, paddle into a swimmer or another boat, embark or disembark outside designated areas, jump into the water, create obstacles on the course or otherwise endanger operational safety.

10. Injuries, Extraordinary Events and First Aid

Every injury, rescue intervention, dangerous situation, damage to equipment or any other extraordinary event must be reported by the user without delay to the facility

manager or another responsible person. If the situation requires it, the user is obliged to call the emergency medical service, fire rescue service or the Police of the Czech Republic without delay.

Recommended emergency numbers: emergency medical service 155, fire brigade 150, Police of the Czech Republic 158, European emergency number 112. Users are obliged to provide reasonable assistance within their abilities, provided that they do not endanger themselves or other persons.

The operator does not provide continuous medical, coaching, rescue or any other supervision over all persons moving within the premises. Every user is obliged to adapt his or her conduct to this fact and to arrange appropriate accompaniment, supervision or safety support if required by his or her age, state of health, experience or the nature of the sports activity.

During operation, appropriate supervision from the bank and available rescue equipment must be ensured with regard to the nature of the training, in particular a throw bag, first-aid kit and mobile phone. The training leader or responsible person must determine the method of rescue arrangements with regard to the number, age, experience and level of the participants.

In the event of an injury or another extraordinary event, it is necessary in particular to stop course operation, secure the scene of the event, provide reasonable first aid, call emergency services, inform the facility manager and subsequently record the event in the operating log or accident book. The exact address of the premises, the emergency services access point, the location of the first-aid kit and, where applicable, the AED must be displayed in a visible place on the premises and included in an annex to these Operating Rules.

11. Records of Injuries, Defects and Extraordinary Events

Every injury, collision, use of an emergency stop button, technical fault, damage to equipment, dangerous condition or any other extraordinary event must be reported to the facility manager without undue delay and recorded in the operating log, accident book or other records maintained by the operator.

The record should include at least the date and time of the event, the location of the event, a brief description of the situation, names of available witnesses, information on whether emergency services were called, information on the use of an emergency stop button and the name of the person who made the record.

12. Responsibility of the Operator and Users

The user enters the course with awareness of the risks associated with water sports and is responsible for his or her technical, medical and physical fitness and for the condition of his or her own equipment. This is without prejudice to the rights and obligations arising from applicable legal regulations.

The operator is not liable for injury or damage arising as a result of a breach of these Operating Rules, failure to follow the instructions of the facility manager, overestimation of one’s own abilities, unsuitable state of health, insufficient equipment, inappropriate conduct by the user, force majeure, adverse natural conditions or risks customary for water sports.

The operator is not responsible for the loss, theft or damage of personal belongings, sports equipment, boats, paddles, clothing, electronics, valuables or any other items left on the premises, in changing rooms, in the boathouse, on the bank or in vehicles.

An athlete or user who fails to comply with the stated conditions may be removed from the premises and may not be allowed to continue training or using the slalom course.

13. Camera System and Information for Users

The KK Roudnice premises are permanently monitored by a camera system. The camera system is used in particular for the protection of property, the safety of persons and the investigation of extraordinary events. Persons entering the premises acknowledge this fact. Information about the controller of the camera system, the purpose of processing, the retention period of recordings and the rights of data subjects is provided in a separate personal data processing notice or in a visible place on the premises.

Basic safety rules, prohibition of entry into risk areas, information on the use of protective equipment, emergency numbers and the locations of emergency stop buttons must also be appropriately marked directly on the premises.

14. Approval and Effective Date

These Operating Rules were approved by the Committee of Klub Kanoistiky Roudnice nad Labem, z. s., on 1 July 2026.

These Operating Rules take effect on 18 July 2026.

Facility manager / contact person for reporting defects, injuries and extraordinary events: Ondřej Zajíc, tel. +420 704 913 746, e-mail: kanoe@kkroudnice.cz.

Ondřej Zajíc is responsible for keeping the Operating Rules up to date.