{"alias":"contentPage","byline":null,"standfirst":null,"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"sidebar","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFS120750\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E(Published November 2024, replacing January 2023)\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EIntroduction\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThis guidance looks to give the facts a person would need to know to run Hovercrafting for a group of young people, or to do it for themselves if they are a young person.\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EWhat is Hovercrafting?\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHovercrafting is\u003C/strong\u003E the activity of riding on a powered craft, which is supported on a cushion of air created by a fan. Hovercrafts are amphibious and may be used on both land and inland waters. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHovercrafting does not\u003C/strong\u003E refer to craft constructed of a commercially manufactured blower unit with no access to moving parts (i.e., fan) and of no more than 5bhp.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EWhat is a Hovercrafting Permit?\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe adventurous activity permit scheme is designed to ensure that only people with the relevant skills and experience lead adventurous activities for the young people. Therefore all activities classed as adventurous can only be led by someone holding the appropriate permit. Additionally young people (under 18) can take part in adventurous activities for themselves with personal activity permits.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EA Hovercrafting Permit is required for all Hovercrafting activities as defined above.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003ELevels of Permit\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EHovercrafting permits can be issued for land or inland waters of class C, B1 or B2 (\u003Ca href=\u0022/por/9b-requirements-for-specific-activities/9b5-water-based-activities/\u0022 title=\u00229b.5 Water based activities\u0022\u003EPOR rule 9b.5.3 \u003C/a\u003EClassification of Waters)\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EEach class of permit can be further restricted (such as through venues, types of craft, etc.) to end up with an individual permit to the level of the competence and requirements of an applicant.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003ETypes of Permit\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThere are three types of permit available for Hovercrafting. These are:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPersonal\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u2013 Allows a young person (under 18) to take part in Hovercrafting with others with a personal Hovercrafting permit.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELeadership\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u2013 Allows the permit holder to lead Hovercrafting for a single craft.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESupervisory\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u2013 Allows the permit holder to remotely supervise more than one Hovercraft.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EPermit Limitations\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPersonal\u0026nbsp;\u003C/strong\u003E\u2013 If you hold a personal Hovercrafting permit you can go Hovercrafting with others who hold a personal Hovercrafting permit. It does not allow you to go Hovercrafting with anyone not holding a Hovercrafting permit.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELeadership\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u2013 If you have a permit to lead Hovercrafting then you can look after only one hovercraft at a time, and you need to remain on the craft whenever the craft is being used.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESupervisory\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u2013 If you hold a permit to supervise Hovercrafting then you can supervise up to three craft. All supervised craft should be within communication range of the permit holder. All craft used for solo training must also be fitted with a remote cut-off device which the permit holder has control of. You remain responsible for the groups you are supervising, but can designate someone with the appropriate skills to be the leader of each craft.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EDesignations\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EWhen supervising other craft the holder of a Hovercrafting supervisor permit needs to designate a leader for each craft. This designation lasts only for the current activity while the permit holder is supervising.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EPeople designated as craft leaders should have the necessary skills and be responsible enough to control the craft safely in the environment that they are in. There is no problem with making young people craft leaders if they are up to the role, and it can be used as a useful development tool.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EFAQ\u0027s\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":false,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe buoyancy aid is used as an impact protection and not as a flotation device when operating over land; this means that thought should be made as to the style of buoyancy aid used for these activities.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Why do we have to wear buoyancy aids for hovercrafting on the land?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThere are challenges with getting appropriate insurance for operating recreational hovercrafts on coastal waters and so the decision was taken to limit members to only operating on inland waters and over the land. This should give enough challenge and a taste of the activity to young people.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Why can\u2019t I use a hovercraft off the coast?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGoing on a commercial hovercraft is absolutely fine, this would be treated as a form of public transport and so the permit scheme and hovercrafting rules would not apply.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"What about going on a commercial hovercraft?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EYes, groups can build their own hovercraft. The rules designate what craft need to follow the permit scheme and which are too small and so don\u2019t need to.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Can I build my own hovercraft?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EOur insurance requires this to be in place when solo training is undertaken, this allows the permit holder to remotely stop the hovercraft if necessary.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Why do I need a remote cut-off when Scouts are operating on their own?"}]}]},{"items":[{"gridType":"callToAction","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","buttonText":"Hovercrafting Assessment Checklist","buttonLink":{"name":"AC120903 Hovercrafting Nov 24","id":null,"url":"https://prod-cms.scouts.org.uk//media/hkeptvbp/ac120903-hovercrafting-may-2025.docx","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":{"value":null,"label":null},"alignment":"left"},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/por/9a-activities/9a7-adventurous-activities-permit-scheme/#9.7\u0022 title=\u00229a.7 Adventurous activities permit scheme\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#9.7\u0022\u003ERule 9a.7\u003C/a\u003E Adventurous activities permit scheme\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/por/9a-activities/9a8-adult-groups-undertaking-activities/#9.8\u0022 title=\u00229a.8 Adult groups undertaking activities\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#9.8\u0022\u003ERule 9a.8\u003C/a\u003E Adult groups undertaking activities\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/por/9b-requirements-for-specific-activities/9b2-air-activities/#9.10\u0022 title=\u00229b.2 Air activities\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#9.10\u0022\u003ERule 9b.2\u003C/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;Air Activities\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/por/9b-requirements-for-specific-activities/9b2-air-activities/\u0022 title=\u00229b.2 Air activities\u0022\u003ERule 9b.2.2\u003C/a\u003E Public liability insurance and pilot and aircraft requirements\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/por/9b-requirements-for-specific-activities/9b2-air-activities/\u0022 title=\u00229b.2 Air activities\u0022\u003ERule 9b.2.3\u003C/a\u003E Flight briefings\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/por/9b-requirements-for-specific-activities/9b2-air-activities/\u0022 title=\u00229b.2 Air activities\u0022\u003ERule 9b.2.6\u003C/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;Hovercrafting\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/por/9b-requirements-for-specific-activities/9b5-water-based-activities/\u0022 title=\u00229b.5 Water based activities\u0022\u003ERule 9b.5.3\u003C/a\u003E Classification of waters\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#ffe627","title":"Rules relating to hovercrafting","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/por/9a-activities/\u0022 title=\u00229a. Activities\u0022\u003ERule 9a\u003C/a\u003E All activities\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/por/9a-activities/9a6-use-of-external-centres-and-instructors/\u0022 title=\u00229a.6 Use of External Centres and Instructors\u0022\u003ERule 9a.6\u003C/a\u003E Use of External Centres and Instructors\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#ffe627","title":"General activity rules","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/?category=Adventure\u0022 title=\u0022Activities\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022?category=Adventure\u0022\u003EActivities A-Z\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/?category=Adventure%3Fcategory%3DAdventure\u0026amp;category=Adventure?category=Adventure?category=Adventure\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022?category=Adventure?category=Adventure\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/activity-permit-scheme/\u0022 title=\u0022Activity Permit Scheme\u0022\u003EActivity Permit Scheme\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/general-activity-guidance/activity-helmets/\u0022 title=\u0022Activity Helmets\u0022\u003EActivity helmet guidance\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://forms.office.com/e/PugLXaJtsh\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Air notification form\u0022\u003EAir notification form\u003C/a\u003E - \u003Cspan\u003EPlease provide details of the air activities being undertaken by your Group, Unit or Network. This can be done prior to or shortly following an activity.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/general-activity-guidance/air-activities/hovercrafting-faqs/\u0022 title=\u0022Hovercrafting FAQ\u0027s\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#\u0022\u003EHovercrafting FAQs\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022http://www.hovercraft.org.uk/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022http://www.hovercraft.org.uk website opens in a new window\u0022\u003EHovercraft Club of Great Britain\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Additional information","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":"Read about the permits required for hovercrafting.","pageType":null,"location":null,"browserTitle":"","versionDate":"14 July 2023","reviewDate":"14/12/2020","redirectUrl":"","id":45287,"nodeName":"Hovercrafting","title":"Hovercrafting","type":"contentPage","image":null,"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Hovercrafting","headerSubTitle":"","headerCta":"","headerCtaText":"","headerCtaLink":"","headerBackgroundColour":"ffe627","showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":[]},"subHeader":"Read about the permits required for hovercrafting.","silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC80NTI4NyJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/general-activity-guidance-a-z/hovercrafting/"}