NWANA Safety Standards

NWANA establishes unified safety and risk-management protocols for all Nordic Walking training sessions, clinics, demonstrations, and competitions held under the federation. These standards apply to athletes, coaches, judges, volunteers, and event organizers.

1. Purpose of Safety Standards

The objective of NWANA safety standards is to:

• protect athletes from preventable injuries and environmental hazards;
• ensure responsible event planning and safe course design;
• provide organizers with clear operational expectations;
• promote a safe and inclusive environment for all skill levels;
• standardize emergency procedures across all NWANA regions.

2. General Athlete Safety

All participants must be briefed on:

• event rules and safety expectations;
• hazards specific to the course (terrain, sharp turns, bottlenecks);
• proper use of Nordic Walking poles;
• hydration and pacing guidelines;
• location of first-aid and medical support zones.

3. Medical Coverage Requirements

The level of medical support depends on the size and nature of the event. Minimum expectations include:

• a designated medical lead or trained first responder on site;
• a visible and accessible first-aid station;
• clear emergency access routes for EMS vehicles;
• availability of basic medical supplies (ice, bandages, AED if available);
• incident reporting protocol for injuries or safety violations.

4. Environmental & Weather Protocols

4.1 Heat & Humidity Standards

Organizers must evaluate environmental risk using heat index or WBGT. Required responses include:

• Moderate conditions: hydration stations recommended;
• High heat/humidity: mandatory hydration, shade, course adjustments;
• Extreme conditions: event must be delayed, shortened, or cancelled.

4.2 Cold Weather Protocols

• additional warnings for ice, snow, or slippery surfaces;
• evaluation of wind chill and frostbite risk;
• mandatory communication to athletes about clothing and equipment needs.

4.3 Air Quality Standards

• AQI 0–100: safe to proceed;
• AQI 101–150: sensitive athletes should be cautioned;
• AQI >150: event must be modified, postponed, or cancelled.

4.4 Severe Weather Alerts

• lightning proximity rule (30/30 standard);
• evacuation paths and shelter locations must be identified;
• event must pause until risk has cleared for 30 minutes.

5. Course Safety Requirements

To ensure athlete wellbeing, all NWANA-recognized courses must meet the following:

• accurate measurement and safe surface conditions;
• no sudden obstacles in the athlete path (posts, vehicles, equipment);
• minimal sharp turns or blind corners;
• no steep descents unless controlled and marked;
• adequate course width for overtaking;
• clear barriers preventing interaction with traffic or spectators.

6. Equipment Safety

Pole safety is critical to avoiding athlete injury. Requirements include:

• poles must be structurally intact with no cracks or splintering;
• straps must be functional and securely attached;
• sharp tips should not be exposed in crowded start zones;
• optional tip covers may be required depending on venue rules;
• broken poles must be removed from the course immediately.

7. Athlete Behavior & Conduct

To minimize risk and maintain event integrity, athletes must:

• avoid sudden stops that endanger others;
• signal when slowing or stepping to the side;
• maintain control of poles at all times;
• not block or obstruct other walkers intentionally;
• follow all judge and marshal instructions promptly.

8. Emergency Action Plan

Every sanctioned event must have a documented emergency plan that includes:

• roles of medical staff and volunteers;
• communication pathways for emergencies;
• contact information for local EMS;
• evacuation routes and meeting points;
• clear protocol for stopping or neutralizing the race.

9. Incident Reporting & Post-Event Review

• all injuries must be documented by event staff;
• near-miss incidents should also be recorded;
• event organizers must submit safety reports to NWANA;
• NWANA may request corrective measures for future events.

10. Compliance Requirements

These safety standards are mandatory for:

• NWANA-sanctioned competitions;
• NWANA-recognized club events;
• NWANA training clinics and demonstrations;
• any activity using the NWANA name or branding.

11. Future Development of Safety Standards

NWANA will continue expanding its safety framework, including:

• SafeSport-inspired athlete protection modules;
• environmental science integration for heat/air quality management;
• advanced risk-assessment tools for large events;
• educational safety modules for clubs and leaders.

12. Contact NWANA Safety Office

Organizers or clubs needing safety guidance may contact:

Contact NWANA Safety Office

NWANA provides individualized safety guidance to organizers based on event location, conditions, and athlete demographics.