Paddle Scotland has adopted the WADA Anti-Doping Code through the British Canoeing Anti-Doping Rules.

If you are a member of Paddle Scotland, then the anti-doping rules apply to you regardless of your level of participation. For further information on all aspects of anti-doping in paddlesport in the UK and internationally, please see British Canoeing's Anti-Doping guidance website. Paddle Scotland works closely with British Canoeing to ensure that our policies, procedures and anti-doping education strategy meets the needs of our athletes and our sport, and we expect our athletes and coaches to follow the guidance and procedures issued by British Canoeing.

In particular, it is important to familiarise yourself with BC's advice on:

• Strict liability - the principle that all athletes are solely responsible for any banned substance they use, attempt to use, or that is found in their system, regardless of how it got there and whether or not they had an intention to cheat;
• Managing inadvertent doping risks - by checking your medications against the prohibited list and understanding the risks involved in taking supplements;
• Applying for a therapeutic use exemption - if you require a banned medication for a documented medical condition;
• Reporting doping in sport.

Anti-Doping Education Strategy

Paddle Scotland, British Canoeing and the other National Associations have developed Paddle Clean, our Anti-Doping Education Strategy which complements the UKAD 100% me programme. You can download the strategy below or visit the British Canoeing website for more information.

Our anti-doping education strategy

If you, or Athletes you work with, are included in the UKAD National TUE Pool or are considered to be an International-Level Athlete by the International Canoe Federation we will be sending them a letter soon, detailing the below. 

• This means that if you ever need to use a prohibited substance or method for therapeutic reasons, then you are required to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) in advance of using the substance or method in question (unless there is an exceptional circumstance – please see UKAD website for these). 

• At the point that you are prescribed with any medication (or purchase any medication over-the-counter), you should check the anti-doping status of that medication on Global DRO.

• If the medication or method of treatment is prohibited, then use the UKAD TUE Wizard to find out how to apply for a TUE. 

• Please note that you would be at risk of incurring an anti-doping rule violation should you be subject to Doping Control whilst using a prohibited substance without having first obtained a TUE (unless there is an exceptional circumstance for not doing so). 

If you have any questions relation to TUEs, please contact tue@ukad.org.uk. You can also receive further information from our dedicated Anti-Doping Lead, Mike Chandler.