Newsletter
Frome Canoe Club
Volume 38 Issue 12: December 2014
For more about the Social see p7
For Graham’s Exe report, see p8 Frome Canoe Club is affiliated to the British Canoe Union and is a Registered Charity (Number 1104728) 1
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THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President Graham Warnecke Vice Presidents Richard and Jane Arney Jim and Catharine Croft Chairman Alun Jones Vice Chairman Gareth McGiveron Treasurer John Kent Secretary Pam Dixon 16 Blagdon Walk, Frome, BA11 2YH
In this issue CALENDAR: details
3 4/5 6 7
Calendar in brief Calendar in detail Pool Session Club Social
REPORTS
8-10 11 12 16
River Exe Dart Weekend Lower Dart Refresher First Aid
OTHER THINGS
13-14 Bits and Pieces 15 Copper noseclip Points
Committee Members Arthur Belbin Rich Carter Richard Heal Jonathan Howell Tracey Lemon Stuart Miles
Kit Officers Tim and Sally Smiles
Send articles for the next issue to th pam@dixon.org.uk by 27 December 2
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Calendar 2014 - 15 Date
Event
Standard
Contact
6
Club session: Saturday, 2-4pm
All
Rich C
7
River Usk
2 Star +
John K
10
Quiz night at the clubhouse
All
Dave
12
All LAST POOL SESSION Polo at the pool (contact game)
Jack S
13
Christmas Dinner at Whiterow
All
Linz K
17
DVD night at the clubhouse
All
Pam D
20
Club session: Saturday, 2-4pm
All
Rich C
21
River Dart
Passport/One Star
Gareth M
December
(+ 10 years or over)
January 1
New Years Day paddle
Passport/One Star
Rich C
11
River Exe or Barle
Passport/One Star
Rich C
(+ 10 years or over)
14
Rescues
All
Jack S
16
POOL SESSIONS RESTART
All
Pam D
17
Club session: Saturday, 2-4pm
All
Rich C
21
DVD night at the clubhouse
All
Pam D
24
CLUB SOCIAL and AWARDS
All
Pam D
31
Club session: Saturday, 2-4 pm
All
Rich C
3
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Calendar in detail RIVER USK TRIP
RIVER DART TRIP
7th December 8am at the Clubhouse Cost £15
21st December 9am at the Clubhouse Cost £15
Organiser : John Kent
Organiser : Gareth McGiveron
This one is always a cold one and often wet! You need to be at 2 Star Standard or Discover, with moving water experience and be over 10 years old. Access on the river has become a little fraught and so we will be doing the stretch Aberbran to Sennybridge.
The Dart is a popular trip because it is such a beautiful river with its rapids and drops. We will paddle the Loop, and those wanting a bit more excitement will tackle the Upper section. You will need good paddling gear for this trip, warm clothes and a hearty packed lunch.
QUIZ NIGHT WEDNESDAY 10th DECEMBER
DVD NIGHT WEDNESDAY 17th DECEMBER
AT THE CLUBHOUSE
A NEW DVD
A NEW EVENT
EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
EVERYONE IS WELCOME! IN TEAMS WE WILL PIT OUR WITS AGAINST EACH OTHER. Dave is the quiz master and will throw out questions on general knowledge, news, and canoeing for us to ponder on!
7.30pm
4
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Calendar in detail RIVER EXE OR BARLE
LOCAL TRIP
th
11 January 8am at the Clubhouse Cost £12
1st February 9am at the Clubhouse Cost £3
Organiser Rich C
Organiser: Alun Jones
We’ll decide in the run up to the trip which river it will be and we will let people know on the website and by fb.
A local trip, exact stretch to be decided on the day. Whichever we choose, it will be a good trip. But could be cold so come prepared with plenty of warm clothes and a good packed lunch. Borrow any club kit you need on the morning.
Both rivers are good. The Exe has weirs and rapids to play on. The Barle has more continuous rapids. Both trips need paddlers to wear spraydecks. Warm clothes and a good packed lunch essential.
WEDNESDAY EVENINGS 7.30pm
WINTTER CLUB SESSIONS AT THE CLUBHOUSE ON SATURDAYS
At the clubhouse in December 10th Quiz night 17th DVD ‘Too High’ 24th Clubhouse closed 31st Clubhouse closed
6th December 20th December 17th January
AND IN JANUARY 14th Rescues 21st DVD night
2–4 pm EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
Strict adherence to the Club’s code of conduct is expected at all times on club events. 5
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FRIDAY POOL SESSIONS Frome Leisure Centre Fridays, 8-9pm Cost £2.80 young people, £3.30 Adults
POOL SESSIONS ARE FOR
HAVING FUN LEARNING NEW SKILLS PLAYING CANOE POLO
The next canoe polo game is 12th December Help us to make the sessions go well by: Returning the kit you borrowed after your paddling session, to the floor next to the changing room door. Helping to hang up your boat at the end of the pool session. LAST SESSION BEFORE CHRISTMAS IS 12th December. RESTART SESSIONS after Christmas, on 16th January
6
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CLUB SOCIAL and AWARDS CEREMONY
24th January 2015 Our annual get-together for a social event Adults £5, under-16 £4 Families are welcome. We don’t do dancing or games, we just chill and chat. A buffet is available from 7.30. After that we celebrate the successes of club members in our Annual Awards Ceremony. Dress is quite informal. Starts at 7pm ends at 10.30. Food and soft drinks are included in the ticket price. Sign up on fb, or on the sign-sheet, or email Pam
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Exe trip: 2nd November River Exe, Bolham - Bickleigh OR He, or in this case, She who hesitates is lost. Or is it wet? By Graham Warnecke I had missed the Tivy Weekend and the Barle trip due to other commitments, thus I wasn’t going to miss the Exe trip. I have paddled the Bolham - Town section more times than I can remember but it has been five years since I have paddled the section on down to Bickleigh, so a quick call to Rich confirmed the start time on the Sunday morning.
That was until the Exe valley echoed to the gentle re-assuring voice of Rich requesting that Cameron paddle a little harder. It worked. Out he came only to get it all wrong below the rapids (see picture of Cam in the rapids on front page). He stopped paddling too soon again and ended up in three bits in the eddy and bushes at the bottom, the usual paddle, boat, body. We had only just stopped laughing at Cameron’s swim, when Jim decided to get in on the action and he too floated past in the usual three bits. Nothing new there, not for Jim.
I had been thinking on the drive down the M5, bit of a bump and scrape seemed possible. But no, a quick check at Bolham Weir showed that the river level was up by about a foot, or 300mm for the under 45s, on its normal level, to wit, no rocks, just lots of lovely bouncy water and waves to play on. After the usual bunny run to Bickleigh and back, there followed the ‘yeehah’ launch and off to the first bit of fun, Bolham Weir. The stopper was up, not serious, but if it got you, there would have to be a lot of muscle power to get you out again. Cameron nearly found this out as he started to slip back into the stopper, having stopped paddling too soon.
Worth house Bridge rapids followed but was rather boring as the play wave was washed out, so ever onwards down to Head Weir or Salmon pool/steps. Mark led the brave down 8
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Exe trip continued the steps and through the bottom hole that had flattened out somewhat, but still had that ‘grab and spit you out’ effect if you got it wrong. As I turned to start down, I noticed three pieces floating down under the road bridge. Not Jim, as he was still up here with me, so who, as Mark was picking up the pieces at the bottom?
off! Then the flat, slow section down to Town Weir. Would anyone get it wrong here? No. Oh well, on to Walronds Weir and its play-wave. Time to get the camera out because this was bound to catch someone out. I went through 3 sandwiches, 1 bag of crisps, 6 chocolate biscuits, 1 banana and 3 mugs of flask tea, with not one capsize, swim, nothing. Just a few photos of people trying to stay on the front of the wave.
I dismissed it to concentrate on getting the rest of the group down the sloping weir face and around the aforementioned grabby hole bit.
The final section now, with a good strong flow meant that we covered the section down to Broken Weir in just over 30 minutes. Difficult to be accurate as the sun was behind the clouds, we arrived at the weir to find it clear of trees. I have not been over this weir in the last 40 years without a tree somewhere jamming one of the routes, but not today. There was, though, only one route down and this had a large rock dead centre. We sent Mark down first to test the water, so
Having ushered all safely through, I arrived at the bottom to be met by a smiling but rather wet female member of the club who had been grabbed and spat out en route. Thus the three bits floating under the bridge, mystery solved. I will mention no names but the copper-noseclip tally may give a clue, and evidently it was all my fault. Now, I have checked on Google Earth and the distance from the top of the weir where I was sitting at the time of the mentioned swim, down to the location point/swim, the grabby hole bit, is 94 metres, thus I am not sure how. I am convinced there was another reason, thus the story title. Moving on, Heathcote Weir and the rapids just around the bend were all washed out, though Rich managed to find the only break-out en route. Show9
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Exe trip continued to speak. Yep, he still bounces well, off rocks that is! Thus everyone down to the left of the shoot to miss the rock. And Jim got it right too.
leaving it to the regular and younger paddlers to sort everything out!
I get a lot of pleasure watching others organize bodies, canoes, the bunny That was it then, just Bickleigh Bridge run etc and on the river, the right Weir stopper to beat and we were route to take, the some-times mother home and dry, well some of us anyway. -hen act by the leaders/instructors All were instructed about the left-hand and the thrashing of paddles to sort breakout immediately below the out a rescue if needed. I can sit back stopper/standing wave because we and think ‘been there, done that, didn’t want any swims/capsizes, as it is even got the video’ (no DVDs in my a long swim to Thorverton, the next day). access point. The warning worked as all Altogether an excellent trip with an made it to the landing beach in one ideal level of water, and brilliant piece. company. There followed the usual stopper paddle/show-off session for the watching pub customers before the long walk round to the car-park. Pam was on traffic duty at the road crossing. No motorist would dare argue with this crossing lady. All loaded and back to Bickleigh for my car. Yes, I got stuck with the bunny run again. Then it was back up the M5 to a roast dinner and soft armchair to fall asleep in. Age is beginning to tell. It’s always a pleasure to paddle with the club, everyone is always so cheerful even when it’s wet and cold. If anyone gets it wrong there is always someone there to put it right. I tend to take a back seat on trips nowadays, usually taking the tail-end charlie position, 10
Paddlers and Points Boys: Alex H, Cam F (3) Keiran C, Kieran F Ladies: Pam D (3), Su F Men: Graham W, Jim R (6), Mark B, Rich C Ed: I was wondering if you would indeed let the truth get in the way of this good story! What about the advice you gave us all at the start, and I quote: ‘I have reccied the river at Salmon Ponds weir and the hole is all washed out’. Well I found out after my swim that the hole was very much alive and kicking! Thanks Graham!
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Dart weekend 2014 - the Upper on Sunday 16th November By Rich Carter
thing is always the audience, apparently knowing the best line. Some ask for help with their spray decks but finish with “I am just paddling to the other side and walking it”.
Here I go again, on the Upper. Still nervous about this river - never been able to do this stretch without butterflies in the stomach. Must stretch the muscles and get the break outs first time, check the ferry glides are in order, make a tick list in my head, and yes all in order. How are the other paddlers doing? Are they looking good or a bit ropey? Look raound, take a long look. Yes, I do not think I will be the first to swim.
To be fair, anyone who has tried this piece of river, no matter how good a paddler they are, whether they stay in their boat or swim, or walk around parts (as rocks win every time in a paddler v rock contest), deserves respect. For many the Upper Dart will be their highest goal in this sport. I can say I did not swim on the Upper this year. It took some large bits out of me, but I survived. Let’s see who wins next year!
Large drops to start with - who gets the sweet line, and who drops into the stopper? Oh not expecting him to do that! He probably took that line to make it harder, and to show the rest up for taking the safe line.
Ed: A real shame about your swim at Triple on the Loop then!
Paddlers and points over the whole weekend: Girls: Aimee C (6), Iona M (3)
Big boulder gardens - who can control their boat as it is moved right and left very fast? And who hits the boulders all the way down? Big rapids with lots of white come next. Who goes down forwards? Who goes down backwards? And some show off by going down sideways.
Boys: George Mc, George W (3), James B (9), Jos M (3), Keiran F (8) Women: Kate J, Kath N, Megan J (3), Pam D Men: Alun J (3), Andy V, Jack S, Gareth Mc (15), Ian J (15) Jim R (9), Mark B, Paul F (3), Rich C (4), Stu M, Tim C (2) and Yousaf M (1)
Then there are the very big rapids, much bigger, with a lot more white, and so much noise you would not believe. At these points the hardest
Day trippers: Bex T (3), Ben N, Chris H, Rich N (2) 11
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Dart weekend - the Lower What a great way to start a trip on the lower Dart - as we are getting changed, down comes the rain. And I mean rain, with extra rain in side it! Just so our nice dry thermals become wet and cold before we get on the water. So an already soggy bunch head for the river. Let’s start with a bit of ferry gliding to get to the big eddy on the other side.
one was no problem, but the second should not have been done sideways. Another lesson learned. Must admit Paul, George and Jos, had a cracking day, but could not have been trying hard enough because no swims were racked up. As for Big Jim, falling in at the finish as you get out of your boat is bad form Jim! We also had 2 canoes with us Stu and Kath, who plied their craft with great skill and no mishaps. That just leaves Pam, Chris and me.
This was great except for our Iona, who soon learned that you are not to lean upstream, unless you want an early bath. And yes was the answer, Iona wanted that bath and over she went. We practised break-ins and breakouts, ferry glides, but for Amy it was a stopper that was her undoing. The first
Yes it was a great day, great people and great chocolate bars. Till the next time - Rich.
minus Andy V who was behind the camera!
Message from Harry Bloodworth Hi, here's a link to a live stream of this years Hurley classic. I'm not there this year but some from Frome might be interested. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yc-1QqruvZA 12
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Bits and Pieces WWSR course
4 Star training
April 18/19th 2015 At Tryweryn £85 plus £24 water charge plus certificate charge. Accommodation and food to be arranged by individuals. Spaces limited to 6 so book early with Pam
March 14/15th 2015 At Tryweryn £85 plus any water fees due Accommodation and food to be arranged by individuals. Spaces limited to 6 so book early with Pam
RESCUES 14th January 7.30pm at the Clubhouse Organiser : Jack Smiles An evening devoted to rescues. We'll cover throwline practice, typical rescues in moving water and the not so typical ones too!
at the clubhouse
We'll keep it practical and as dry as possible! You might find we slip in the odd scenario needing a bit of role play, but nothing too dramatic. Should be good fun as well as useful.
Wetsuit shoes: £5 Base layers, kids sizes (top and bottom): £16 Adults base layers £31 for a set comprising top and bottom.
Manoeuvre of the month A cut finger on the Barle trip followed by suspected infection, led Kath into her GP surgery to have it checked out. Turns out it was all OK, but on her way out of the surgery Kath fell down the stairs and sustained injuries to bum and arm, both of which required ice packs. So obviously visiting your GP is another ‘assumed risk’ sport. 13
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Bits and Pieces A promotional day at the Leisure Centre, to let College students know what’s available in the town. Thanks to Jane for manning the stall and also to George for supplying a rather stylish DVD player, so that FCC’s display was one of the coolest in the room! Incidentally, the Scotland DVD we showed drew in a fair few crowds! Courses by Joe Jordon WWSR: 29/30th November 2014. South Wales. £95.00 pp 3 Star WW Kayak: 27/28th December 2014. South Wales. 3 Star Canoe 3/4th January 2015 3 Star WW Kayak 15/16th January 2015 COACHING COURSES UKCC Level 1 19th-22nd December 2014. Melksham CC UKCC Level 1 including the FSRT if needed , 26-30th January 2015 UKCC Level 2 training 14/15th & 21/22nd February 2014 Bristol area. Full information www.canoesportcoaching.co.uk or email on joe@canoesportcoaching.co.uk
UKCC Coach Level 2 Training Course £135 March 7/8th and 14/15th Provider/Assessor Darren Joy. Dartmouth area. Max 12 persons - 5 places already taken. http://www.canoe-england.org.uk/coaching/course-dates/bcu-ukcc-level-1coach/ Prerequisite is level 1 coach and BCU 3 star (sea or inland).
UKCC Level 1: for more courses look on the Canoe England website: http://www.canoe-england.org.uk/coaching/course-dates/bcu-ukcc-level-1-coach/ 14
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Copper noseclip points
Rich Carter Rich Norman Bill Fryer Alun Jones Rich Heal Carl Gilder Julia McGiveron Mark Hemmens Kieran Fewell James Bennett Jos Maxey Alex Hulin Kath Norton Jane Thomas Pam Dixon Caroline Toogood Aimee Collins Andrew Lyall John Kent Su Fewell Jack Smiles Summer Vowell Mark Baines Chloe Humphris Ollie Hale Dave Pilbeam
14 13 12 12 9 9 9 9 9 9 7 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 5 5 4 3 3 3
These are the totals after the Dart weekend. So points from the Frome trip on 30th November are not yet included! Stuart Miles Arthur Belbin Jack Kimber Ben Trippick Jonathan Howell Bob Barr Kien Christmas Mike Hickson Julia Tuff Chris Reid Cameron Fewell Paul Fryer George Wright Iona McEntee Megan Jones Joe Townsend Oliver Neilson Finley Tuff Ben Nicol Andy Vowell Keiran Clarke Tim Cooper Yousaf Mirza Tim Cottle 15
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1
CONTACTS Chairman Alun Jones 01373 823513 Vice Chair: Gareth McGiveron Treasurer: John Kent 01225 765168 jfkent@blueyonder.co.uk Secretary: Pam Dixon 07740 472982 pam@dixon.org.uk Head Coach: Rich Carter 01373 864623 Youth Reps: Tracey Lemon and Stuart Miles Volunteer Rep: Jonathan Howell Kit: Sally and Tim Smiles, assisted by Tracey Lemon
www.frome-canoeclub.org.uk
Follow us on facebook Check out the photos of club events on the website. And refer to the calendar for all the club activities.
This was the first of its kind - a different sort of activity for a Wednesday evening which was more than coffee and chat! It was a good session and we reminded ourselves of some of the key issues, including that all important CPR technique. See Vicky above telling Mark what to do! We had a bit of fun too! Gine right, demonstrates a solution for broken legs? Thank you to Vicky for leading the session and to Neil for the ideas and the teaching resources. Our next refresher in Feb/Mar will be based around scenarios! The next Wednesday evenings to look out for are Quiz on Dec 10th DVD ‘Too High’ on Dec 17th Rescues on Jan 14th
Canoeing and kayaking are “Assumed risk” – “Water contact sports” that may carry attendant risks. Participants should be aware of and accept these risks, and be responsible for their own action and involvement. 16