Newsletter 2008 - July

Tuesdays

They come and they go – amazing to think we are on the third and final set of six sessions for this season. We’ve had successful 1* folks moving onto their 2*, we’ve introduced open boating as part of the BCU’s new-style star awards. And have a large 3* group. Thanks to all the coaches, and thanks to all members old & new.

Pool Sessions

Next one is Sat 30th Aug - 5.00-6.00 for beginners, 6.00-7.00 for more experienced paddlers. All welcome, learn rescues, rolls and most importantly how to stay upright!

Erme Estuary Trip Sunday 29th June

Chas again arranged the sunshine for this trip, and Totnes Canoe Club was on the move. Despite a stiff breeze, over 30 people got on the water, it was great to see all parts of the Club together for the trip and meet new people. Conscious that we needed to be at the top of the tidal reach by high tide we were anxious to get underway. We launched into a gentle surf coming into the estuary which made for a fun start, then looked for a channel deep enough to paddle in the wide but shallow estuary. We encountered what some thought were hippos but turned out to be floating yet quite solid clumps of seaweed. The estuary then narrowed and changed character with a mixture of lush woodland overhanging or grassy meadows glistening in the sunlight. As we got closer to the small weir by Fleete Castle the river got very shallow as we got there too quickly and the tide hadn’t come in completely – rather scrapey but everyone got through, some portaging as necessary. A nice lunch (great Sushi Chris) and a splash around and we took the outgoing tide back towards the beach. When we reached the wider estuary the headwind became much more noticeable and everyone should feel a sense of achievement as the paddle back was not easy, especially tough for those in small playboats. Back on the beach some of the group fired up rather too many barbeques, one who shall not be named (oh, OK, me) only got to cooking heat as everyone else had finished and was ready to pack up and go home. The most beautiful estuary on the South Coast…

Dart Trip – Totnes to Dittisham Sun 21st Sept

Early notice – this is a one way trip (all down hill), along the most beautiful river estuary on the South Coast. Contact Roger if you want to come (tcc@41.eclipse.co.uk) as we will have to arrange a shuttle back to Totnes. More details to follow.

North Coast Surf Camping weekend Fri 5-Sun 7 July (allegedly)

It was Friday afternoon, torrential rain, 40mph winds…and guess what, we didn’t go! A few of us did convene at Bigbury instead on Saturday, had a coffee, looked at the white foaming maelstrom that is normally the beach, thought about it, nearly got changed, got told by the RNLI that they really didn’t want to have to go out and rescue anyone, would only rescue people and no kit, so we went to Salcombe instead. Had more coffee at the Winking Prawn, looked at the lack of waves of any kind, gave up and went shopping.

Thursday Surf sessions

I am told these have been great fun with reasonably good waves some weeks. Contact Jon if you are interested in joining this peer group before the evenings start closing in. (jon.purdye@nhs.net). Usually at Bigbury, but branching out to Challaborough or Mothercome on occasion.

The Club

All of the club coaches are voluntary and are comprise the Committee that runs the Club on a day to day basis. The money from the Club memberships and fees is used to buy boats, paddles, spray decks, buoyancy aids and kit for the Club. This year we have bought an open boat and ten junior boats and the associated kit. Some replacement pool boats are next in line. The Club makes contributions towards some of the training and coaching qualifications necessary for the safe running of the sessions. Coaches have to attend training courses and assessments with 3* as a pre-requisite. They have First Aid courses every three years, hold safety and rescue qualifications and most have full time day-jobs into the bargain (Doctor, Teacher, Engineer, Publisher as a few examples). We have also been successful in attracting various grants – if this sort of thing interests you then come along to the AGM next Spring and get involved in running the Club!

Peer Trips

General – contact Chas, chasandjaneb@tiscali.co.uk
Sea – contact Jeremy, info@jeremyvanr.com
Surf – contact Jon Purdye, jon.purdye@tiscali.co.uk

These trips are suggested by any of the peer group’s members so if you are wondering when someone will suggest a trip perhaps that someone could be you…

Dare I mention Christmas?

Advance notice that there will be a photographic competition for the Christmas Party. So start sorting those pictures and snap away for anything kayak related. More details to follow. Pictures should be supplied in JPEG format and will be displayed at the party and the winners will be announced. As you know from your calendars, the party is on Friday 5th December at the Riverford Field Kitchen.