2014 03 newsletter

Newsletter

Frome Canoe Club

Volume 38

Issue3 March 2014

Shall I play in that weir again?

P8 for Rich’s article about the Frome trip

See p12 to find out.

P13 for details 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 6 7 7 14

Calendar in brief Pool sessions Courses River Frome trip Easter Egg Hunt Sunday morning paddle Future dates Axe Race

REPORTS

8 10 12 13

Shall I play in that weir again?

The AGM How did Jack do that?

Social `

SPECIALS

Committee Members Arthur Belbin Rich Carter Richard Heal Jonathan Howell Tracey Lemon Stuart Miles Kit Officers Tim and Sally Smiles

15 16 17

Advice from our Head Coach Little Jack’s article Bits and Pieces

Send articles for the next issue to pam@dixon.org.uk by 27th March 2

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Calendar 2014 Date

Event

Standard

Contact

7

Polo at the pool - non contact game

All

Jack S

14

NO POOL SESSION

All

Pam D

15/16

Tryweryn weekend

Two Star/Discover cttee

19

Coaches meeting

Volunteers

Rich C

21

Polo at the pool for experienced

Experienced

Jack S

22/23

Level 1 Coach training

Participants

Pam D

30

Sunday morning at Market Yard

All

Rich C

4

LAST POOL SESSION

All

Pam D

6

River Frome Trip

One Star/Passport tbc

12

Scotland trip leaves for one week

Experienced

Neil D

13

Junior Slalom training

Young people

John K

20

Junior Slalom training

Young people

John K

21

Easter Egg Hunt

All

Pam D

23

FIRST WEDNESDAY SESSION

All

Pam D

25

Mini Slalom

Young people

John K

27

Junior Slalom training

Young people

John K

River Frome trip

All

tbc

March

April

May 4

Strict adherence to the Club’s code of conduct is expected at all times on club events .

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POOL SESSIONS Frome Leisure Centre Fridays, 8-9pm Cost £2.80 (young people), £3.30 (adults)



Having fun!



Paddling about



Learning to roll



Practising capsizes



Playing canoe polo



Meeting other club members

You will need to bring swimming costume and towel. (T-shirt is optional.)

We provide the boats, paddles and spraydecks.

There are pool boats, playboats and a Sit-on-Top for you to use.

And when you are not paddling you can mess about in the small pool.

Canoe polo at pool in March: 7th March for the non contact game and 21st March for the contact game.

NO POOL SESSION ON 14th MARCH 4

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CLUB COURSES Courses for OVER-14s One Star £40

Courses for YOUNG PEOPLE Passport £35

An introductory course for beginners to the sport.

An evening course: 6/13/20 May A day course: Saturday 12 July

An introductory 7 week course for the under 14s.

Wednesdays, 7-8pm.

First course starts 14 May Second course starts 9 July

Two Star £55 A course to progress from One Star. A seven week course on Tuesday evenings , 7-9pm Starting 3 June

Discover £48 This follows on from the Passport course and develops the skills you learned in Passport. It is a 12 week course, designed for under-14s.

Wednesdays 7– 8.30pm.

Start date - 21 May

Three Star: £65 A course over two Sundays and three Thursday evenings. The flat water components of this award will be covered in the first four sessions and the white water sections will be covered on the last Sunday in a trip to Symonds Yat. Sunday 15 June Thursday evenings: 19 Jun, 3 Jul, 11 Sept Sunday 21 September

Canoe Safety (FSRT): £35 28/29 June Over two days, the training will be at Langham Farm.

Certificates: £5 BCU members /£10 non BCU members

For more information and an application form, pick up a Courses leaflet from the clubhouse or pool session.

Aquatic First Aid: £30 9 August An 8 hour course focusing on water based incidents, it includes loads of CPR. Certificates: £6 BCU members /£9 non BCU 5

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Calendar in detail River Frome 6th April

EASTER EGG HUNT 21st April Clubhouse Cost £2.50

Meet 9am at the Clubhouse Cost £3 Organiser - Rich Carter This a trip designed for the newer paddlers in the club, but that does not stop you more experianced paddlers taking part.

The Frome is a grade 1 river (flat with a little moving water) and a number of weirs, which you can portage if you do not like the look of. Distance is 4 to 5 miles depending on what section we do.

Come and hunt for Easter Eggs along the banks of the River Frome by our clubhouse!

We will work in teams to find as many clues as we can to locate the Easter eggs!

Paddling kit is supplied by the club all you need to bring is the clothes to paddle in, a packed lunch, yourself and as many friends as you like. Don‘t forget a set of dry clothes for the end.

We will hunt for them in open boats or kayaks whichever your team chooses.

It is a good trip for Passport or One Star paddlers. Remember that at this time of the year the water will be cold and the weather may be cool, so you will need to come prepared with warm clothes (see p15 for more about warm clothes) and energy food.

This event is always good fun and ideal for families to take part in!

The section we will paddle will be decided on the day and will of course depend on water levels. trip.

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Calendar in detail MONTHLY SUNDAY MORNING PADDLES

Calling Coaches and Volunteers

Last Sunday of the month Market Yard 10am till noon, Cost £2.50

A Meeting 19 March, 7pm Clubhouse th

Our last Sunday morning paddle of this season.

To look at the programme for 2013 (Wednesdays and courses). Do come if you are interested in helping.

Sessions are more relaxed than the normal Wednesday club nights and so you get to paddle around and do your own thing.

Previous experience is not a requirement!

30th March Advance notice about some future dates Easter Egg Hunt 21st April (Easter Monday) Grand Team Event 11th May. Working in teams of three, race though the slalom poles at Market Yard. Always good fun.

Try-a-boat day 18th May . A chance to try out some boats which are a bit different Langham Farm Slalom 7th/8th June. Great for beginners!

Biblins 5/6th July. This is a fully catered, camping and paddling weekend. We get to paddle the River Wye on two days.

Market Yard Slalom 20th July. Based at the clubhouse this time.

Summer Barbeque 10th August. We’ll have some fun again - races? Or some other challenge? Give us your ideas!

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Shall I play in that weir again?

Shall I play in that weir again?

Aka The Frome Trip, 9th February

By Rich Carter

swim away so you are not in the way and we all watch as one of the rescuers ends up in the stopper. I’m glad it was you Jack, and not me!

On a mild Sunday morning we huddled in a group at the clubhouse, as we do.

The conversation was about which section of the river to do.

We did reunite the paddler with all of their equipment, eventually.

Should we do Creamery to Langham Farm, or try a lower section – Woolverton to Iford? With numbers down a bit, it definitely made the tricky get out at Iford a possibility. A loud shout went up for the lower section or perhaps it was Rich who said “Let’s do the lower” and others said “Whatever”.

So with Andy V kindly doing the shuttle, we were there at Woolverton. Water was up and flowing fast. “Follow me” said Toad. And Badger went off.

(Sorry, wrong book!). Lead on Jack.

Now as many of you who went on the New Years Day Paddle will know, the first weir can be a bit tricky. In larger water the shoot is on the left. But it is exciting – the thrill of the run up, the whoosh as you go over, the thrill as you come out the other side, the terror as you know that you have stopped paddling and are going backwards, followed by a back loop, then the cold thrill – swim followed by the excitement as two of your fellow paddlers come to your rescue. You are told to

Team work: Alun hangs onto Rich and Rich pulls out the kayak.

All I can say is a lot of us have swum in that stopper, and if you can cope with that, there are not many that will send a cold shiver down your spine.

I was going to end the write up here, but I must mention Richard H who picked up three points at the Zoom Flume. A capsize followed by a great swim. If only it had happened in the Flume and not the run out, but points are points.

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Pictures from the Frome trip Below: Ian comes up after a roll at Langham Farm. Alun is on hand just in case!

Rode Weir was washed out

Now why couldn’t Ian do this at Woolverton weir?

Rich here at Tellisford Weir Paddlers and Points Women: Kath N and Pam D. Men: Alun J, Andrew L, Ian J (4), Jack O, Jack S, John K, Rich C, Rich H (3) and Stuart M.

Above: John here at the Zoom Flume, the place where Rich H got his three points.

The wave was big today!

And finally Andrew Lyall says this:

One of the best river trips ever. Lots of water, plenty of entertainment along the way (from club members), great scenery and all on our own door step.

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The AGM The first thing that needs to be said is thank you all for turning up! It was a in fact record breaking attendance with 27 people there. So Graham’s words at the Social did have an effect!

The 2014 committee, minus Arthur Belbin and Rich Heal who couldn’t be there

Staying with the same crew at the top, we have:

We say goodbye to Sally Smiles who leaves the committee after a two year stint. But she is not leaving us! She’ll be around on Wednesdays organising the sessions for us! Thank you Sally!

Alun - Chair Gareth - Vice Chair John – Treasurer

New on the committee are Tracey and Rich. You will know Tracey because she is the person who helps us every week in the kit room at our Wednesday sessions. Not a very nice job, but she always does it with a smile on her face!

Pam - Secretary The rest of the committee is: Arthur Belbin Rich Carter Rich Heal Jonathan Howell Tracey Lemon Stuart Miles

And the other newcomer is Rich H now will that get confusing at meetings?

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AGM continued T’other Rich continues with his role of Head Coach. Thank you Rich.

The meeting heard from John about the finances and we are still afloat. Pam gave a summary of the year and spoke of the successes of 2013.

We amended the Constitution as requested by our Independent Examiner (auditor) and we voted to increase the membership fees.

Kate raised a point about young people and the difficulty some parents have in paying the trip fee when more than one wanted to go. There was discussion about this and the committee will revisit it at the first committee meeting.

All in all, it was a very pleasant evening. We had some banter coming from the two front rows, a good show of hands every time we had a vote, and there was the most delicious Simnel cake, baked by Andy V. Thank you.

Thanks to everyone for turning up and supporting us. See you on the next paddle!

OUR ACHIEVEMENTS OF 2013     

Another vibrant year with a good programme



Slalom training day for the Region (women and girls)



The Coach course arranged

Some creative new ideas Being supported by so many volunteers Development of open boating in the club Increased participation on slalom and two Div 1 paddlers

New Annual Membership Fees Type

2014 charge

Youth

£20

Adult

£30

Family (2+4)

£50

Bankside

No charge

WEDNESDAY SESSION CHARGE The charge is to increase to £2.50 per member (Families maximum £7.50) Wednesday club sessions start on 23rd April

Anyone wanting copies of the Treasurer’s report, the accounts or the Secretary’s report please email Pam or look on the web site—John will have put them there!

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Jack’s recovery after the epic rescue!

Continued from front page

Without a moments hesitation, Jack went in to rescue Ian and managed to pull him out of the stopper. Then by a cruel twist of fate, the stopper got Jack. Well

Jack held it together, sculled all the way to river right and finally got free. Not many could have done that. It was a monster of a stopper and even Rich said ‘Rather him than me! ‘

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The Social -

with 73 of us, it was the best ever!

From left to right, back row: Ben, Rich, Jonathan, Gareth, John, Ben, and George.

Front row: Summer, Pam, Jack.

Our 2013 winners of the awards: Sumer Vowell Jamie Easton Ben Nicol Jack Overhill Janine Masters Ben Trippick George McGiveron Jonathan Howell Gareth McGiveron

Youth Cup - Most improved young female Youth Cup - Most improved young male Bayman Trophy - Best result in a National Competition Langham Trophy - Best result in the Langham Slalom Ivor Morgan Trophy - for coaching Steve Allen Trophy - Most Improved newcomer Volunteers Cup - Volunteer of the year Editor’s Trophy - Best contribution to the newsletter Copper Noseclip - For the most swims

2013 Social - A really good turn out made the evening one of our best. Thank you to George for organising the IT side of things, to Sam, Jane, Sally and Su for helping with the food, to Gareth for bringing the ergo, to Juliet for selling raffle tickets and to you all for begin so generous: the raffle made a cool £100 for the coffers!

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Axe Race

CONTACT: Axe Vale Canoe Club. Colin Schofield, 07889 842104, email: treasurer@axevalecc.co.uk Ed: Or if you want to speak to someone in the club, John and Andrew are going to be competing in a K2, and can give you more information if you ask them.

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Our Head Coach Speaks Winter clothing ‘It is easier to take layers off’ Paddlers are now going on rivers with much better kit, than say 20 years ago.

With the advent of dry tops and dry trousers, and of course today’s must-have-dry-suit, we are able to keep cold water off us, and so at the finish we are nice and dry.

However this has led to the idea that if you are dry, you must be warm. Wrong! Cold water will remove heat from your body even though you are not getting wet. If you have dry kit on, there must be layers of insulating material between your body and the cold.

What we are finding is that paddlers are not wearing enough layers. One layer will not keep you warm. So I am talking of 3 top layers, and do not forget the legs and feet! In cold weather you will need 2 layers on the legs and a pair of warm socks as well. To finish it off, a thin thermal hat under your skid lid.

Remember it is easier to take layers off, so go prepared to stay warm.

Ed: Thank you Rich, for explaining it to us all. What Rich didn’t say was that the committee is going to help people get an idea of what they need to wear to stay warm. And so we are going to have some samples for you to look at and see!

Megan and Sally have done some research and found the best deals. They will be having some tops and bottoms for you to look at and to purchase directly from us, if you like them.

LOOK OUT FOR THEM ON WEDNESDAY CLUB SESSIONS! Or ask Megan at pool sessions if you want to find out more about the thermals we will be selling.

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Members’ Page Jack Kimber’s picture of Big Jack paddling his SUP.

Little Jack asks if you an you spot the noseclip on the helmet and also Jack’s knife in his drawing?

Ed: And read about Jack’s first three points on p19. We all say well done Jack for staying so calm in water that must have been freezing!

If you have an article for the Newsletter, send it to 16

pam@dixon.org.uk

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Bits and Pieces A small kayak for George Do you have a Dynamo or small Axiom that you’ve out grown and would like to sell?

George (age 9) has been saving for and dreaming of his first kayak since he was six years old and he’s now ready to buy. If you have a paddle and other kit to go with it, so much the better.

If you can help please call Honor or Ben on 01373 836467 or email to honorjolliffe@gmail.com

Three Star: 3/4 May. £135 Four Star training: 2/13 April, 6/7 September. £165 Four Star assessment: 1/2 March, 18/19 October. £150 WWSR: 8/9 Feb, 19/20 Apr, 4/5 Oct. £140

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Bits and Pieces

I am requesting your help.

I am still searching for a Trolley Lock, as used on a supermarket trolley.

I have searched our area and none found, on the internet you have to buy 5 so I seem to remember that we used to find trolleys in the River Frome.

Not sure if they had locks on or not, but if you or anyone finds one, I will give reward for it.

Contact me at gordon.hallett@googlemail.com

We have

.. the wall lights and can you spot the ones high up in the apex?

Thank you to Stu, Mark, Jack, George, Gareth and Rich.

It’s looking good now.

Our new remote terminal makes payments easy!

And you can now pay for sessions in advance using the new Up-front Payments Card.

Ask at a club session for details.

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Bits and Pieces Hi all from Andy at www.escapetoadventure.com As advertised late last year here is a list of my 2014 European WW kayak trips for 2014.

This is ETAs 8th year running such trips and with our excellent reputation, best coaches, low ratios and excellent safety track record you can be rest assured to have the time of your life.

Look out for Megan’s article about club kit.

ALL TRIPS INCLUDE TRANSPORT, ACCOMODATION, AND ALL GUIDING AND COACHING all you have to buy is your food and drink 12th - 20th April (Easter) Corsican Adventure.

Trip of a lifetime. Come and enjoy some of the best low volume steep creeking in the world. 4 places left 3rd - 10th May (Bank holiday) Scotland classics and creeks. Explore the best of Scotland's Classics 6 places 24th - 31st May (Bank holiday) Italy Valsesia.

The famous Sesia vally with its steep tribs a absolute must. 4 places left 21st - 29th June and the 2nd - 9th July French Alps Classics A very popular trip, Fun in the sun. first trip 3 places left, second trip 6 places left.

12th -20th July French Alps improvers Sorry Full.

26th July - 2nd Aug and the 9th - 17th August Austria/Switzerland Big volume fun on the river Inn and the excellent Endindine Swiss Gorges. 6 places left on each trip Please note other trips can be arranged inbetween these dates for group bookings.

See our website or contact me for more info.

Hope to see you this summer - Cheers, Andy 19

Also Megan will tell us about the thermals we are to sell at Club sessions.

And John will give details about slalom training for youth members.

Also next month’s issue will feature the Tavy report with its dramatic swims and rescues!

And we will have the copper noseclip points so far this year!

We mustn’t forget the three copper noseclip points Little Jack got on the Sunday Morning paddle in February.

He was trying out special new seat that his Dad had made for the kayak and over he went. But he did well, followed instructions and was none the worse for the dunking!

CONTACTS Chairman Alun Jones 01373 823513

Do you remember this one?

Ian playing in Woolverton weir on New Years Day.

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 Rep: Stu Miles Volunteer Reps: Jonathan Howell and Sally Smiles Kit Officers: Sally and Tim Smiles

Well, here we go again!

Frome trip 9th February!

Welfare Officer: Pam Dixon

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.

Read Rich’s article about the trip p8, and Jack’s epic rescue, p12

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.

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