MCPA Safety Assessment - Lake Roto Kohatu
Guidelines set by MCPA for use of the facilities at Lake Roto Kohatu for Canoe Polo
1) Road
The 2 current assess roads are single lane and have several corners where visibility is restricted. The roads are used by walkers / cyclists as well as two way traffic
Vehicles should never exceed the posted speed limit of 30 km/h
Gates should be left locked / closed as appropriate to keep unauthorised traffic out
Drivers should pay careful attention, looking out for other users / children / animals.
Access to keys for the gate locks should in general be limited to MCPA members over the age of 18 yrs.
2) Lake
Water � The lake depth is quite variable being over 2m deep in many areas. In some areas the banks are relatively steep making exit from the lake more difficult. There tends to be a fair amount of plant growth around the lake edges making the exact location of the edge difficult to see. The larger part of the lake is used by the local Jetski club. (Access to this area from the water is blocked by a bridge.)
Polo court marking - The Canoe Polo court is marked out with goal frames suspended from wires / poles at each end and floating rope markers in the water
AT NO TIME IS ANYONE TO ACCESS THE MAIN AREA OF THE LAKE WHICH THE JETSKIS USE. All Canoe Polo activities are restricted to the small area of the court and bounded by the walkway.
Access to the water for kayaks should be from the shallow beach on the eastern side of the lake.
Recreational swimming in the lake is not encouraged. There should be absolutely no recreational swimming in the area of the Polo court unless specifically for the maintenance of the court. There should be no Polo happening at these times. Any other swimming should be well outside the Polo area and away from kayakers and rope markers. At no time is anyone to dive / jump from the footbridge.
To limit the chance of injury from the poles / wires / markers these should be marked in such a way to make them clearly visible. Wires that may be walked into should have a protective cover to aid visibility and reduce the chance of injury. Rope markers in the water should be marked with floats.
During any competition the walkway areas as defined in the rules should be kept clear for referee access and edges of the lake should be cleared of significant vegetation.
Parking should be well back from the Lake edge so as there is minimal restriction to visibilty around the lake.
3) Polo
Polo is a contact sport in which injury is clearly possible.
At all times people using or accessing the lake under the auspices of MCPA must comply with the current rules of the NZCPA, including paddles, the wearing of lifejackets and kayak padding. Helmets / facemasks must also be worn at all times when playing / practicing on the water.
4) Spectators
There is a risk of injury to spectators from over-thrown balls in addition to 1) and 2) above.
Spectators should restrict themselves to the sideline areas of the court.
At all times children present are the responsibility of their parents and must be supervised by them or their delegate.
The edges of the lake should be cleared of significant vegetation so as children entering these areas can be seen as easily as possible and to enable the waters edge to be clearly seen.
5) General
There will remain a risk of injury despite all reasonable attempts to minimise this.
A First Aid Kit should be available for use in the case of minor injury.
Access to a cellphone is desireable at all times. If this is not available then there must be access to a vehicle for summoning emergency assistance.
Key access to the gates must remain onsite while the Lake is being used.
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