CVCC NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2019 MESSAGE FROM CVCC CHAIR THROWLINE THANK YOU

2019 has been another enjoyable year of and experiences for everyone in the club from providing regular Meanders sessions to trips further afield to Wales, Devon, The Thames and rivers in the South East.

I would like to say ‘Thank You’ to all coaches and members who took the time to help run Meanders sessions, trips and training for the club throughout the season. You all help make the club what it is. Congratulations to those who have joined the coaching ranks by completing the training course.

2019 has seen a significant change in the Awards scheme run by British and the club has learned a lot about what we need to do to provide the new awards but maintain the high standards we have always aspired to in the past. Over the winter, the club will put together a syllabus for the Discover and Explore Awards with a view to having them as part of the club programme for 2020.

The club is hugely lucky to have so many talented club members who contribute in many different ways. This includes the Committee and I would like to say another big ‘Thank You’ on behalf of all club members for all their hard work in ensuring the club continues to function in the efficient way it does. Being on the committee is not a huge undertaking and a lovely way to ‘give something back’ to the club to continue the club beyond it’s 40th year.

You are all invited to attend the club’s AGM at the RNLI building in Newhaven on Saturday 9th November at 7pm. We will have our usual popular slide show of all the years antics; our annual awards; a special surprise and the opportunity to discuss what you would like to see the club providing in 2020.

Our Christmas party is this year being hosted very generously by Karen S in Polegate on Saturday 14th December. Tickets are £10 to cover the buffet and available by following the link you have been sent by email.

Thanks again for making 2019 another great year in the history of CVCC and look forward to seeing you all in 2020

Happy paddling. CONTENTS Pat O Thank You from the CVCC Chair CVCC Chair Cuckmere Flooding What’s On - End of Year Events COVER PHOTO: Taken on the Gower surf trip by David Lynch The 2019 Season Review FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR CLUB: https://www.cvcc.org.uk/ Trip and Event Reports C L U B N E W S CUCKMERE FLOODING

P A T O A K L E Y

Unfortunately the club had to close two weeks An initial dredging will cost around £40,000 due early this year due to unprecedented flooding in to the lack of dredging over the last 3 years. the Cuckmere Valley following heavy rainfall and The WLMB do not have jurisdiction over the high tides, exascerbated to a large degree by river mouth and the EA will not make dredging a the lack of dredging at the river mouth. The Barn priority as ‘life and housing’ are not at risk. became flooded and unsafe to access therefore Plans are afoot to continue lobbying the various Sunday sessions became untenable, forcing us authorities to get the permissions needed in to cancel the last two of the year. order for the dredging to go ahead. CVCC will support the Cuckmere Friends in their efforts to A public meeting was held on the 22nd October maintain publicity regarding this issue. at a packed Plough and Harrow in Litlington, hosted by the ‘Cuckmere Friends’ with speakers A final Sunday peer at the end of representing the Water Level Management October brought home the extent of the Board (WLMB) and the South Downs National flooding. The group were able to launch from the Park Authority who are looking to finalise Barn carpark, paddling over the slipway where contracts to take over ownership of the Seven we normally gather. From there Iain and Justin Sisters Country Park from ESCC in 2020. E were able to paddle straight across the bank that is opposite the Barn. Later on Kate, Helen CVCC was well represented and ‘thank you’ to and Miranda were able to paddle straight over those that were able to make the meeting. The what is normally a field between two curves historical knowledge of our older members was of the Meanders. The only clue that the group a helpful part of the discussion. weren’t in the middle of a lake; a water trough rising from the flood plains. There was a universal feeling that the situation was critical – the meanders completely flooded, the barn flooded and closed down, HOW TO HELP livestock moved for safety. The WLMB have offered to complete a ‘one off’ dredging of the A petition to the Environment Agency has been river mouth, but need permissions granted by set up and now has over 700 signatures, but the Environmental Agency (EA) which have not needs a lot more. Please add your support to been forthcoming as yet. this: https://www.change.org/p/environment- agency-help-save-the-cuckmere C L U B N E W S SEASON ROUND UP

It has been a great year both on and off the Those wanting to learn new skills got the chance water. July saw the start of a new tradition with Steve Douch taking three groups to Nene with our family Summer BBQ which was so this year for some white water training, helping successful it will now become an annual event. out the beginners while encouraging the old Another tradition for this month is Paddle Round hands to attempt a circuit without paddles. The the Pier which takes place in Brighton. Once club also did a visit to Lee Valley recently for again a CVCC group took to the water on a a further opportunity to get some practice on homemade raft this time dressed as bees! moving water.

There were several club day trips including Our Sunday sessions have seen several new two Alfriston paddles, Wallers Haven and the paddlers join us this year as we’ve worked on Thames while we also had the opportunity to our skills on the Meanders, had surf coaching join our friends at Bewl on the River Medway. on the sea and explored up river. With a growing We’ve also had the opportunity to join them at group of new junior members there are regular the lovely Bewl Water itself and at Pells pool sessions with fun and games to encourage their this year; it is great to see a strong collaboration interest in the sport. between the two clubs and a huge thanks to Carly Porter for organising these joint activities. Congratulations are in order to our newly qualified Paddlesport Instructors Megan, Carly, Longer trips included the popular annual Wye Ben, Helen F, David and Darren. We look camping trip, some white water activity on the forward to you joining the coaching team next River Tryweryn, a new wild camping trip on the season. Congratulations also to Nick BC who Upper Medway and the popular Gower surf trip. achieved his Sea Leader award this year - There is still a trip to come in a few a lot of work and effort has gone into him getting weeks time as well! this award. Well done to all for a great season!

JOIN US NEXT SEASON

Club members can turn up any Sunday April-October at 09:30 and sign-up to one of the sessions that suit their skills and interest. Typically this will include a beginners session for those just starting out, an improvers sessions which may be a mini-trip or the opportunity to develop skills and then normally a specific interest session such as a SUP, surf or sea group. C L U B N E W S CVCC EVENT CALENDAR RNLI DONATION WHAT’S STILL TO COME

A huge thank you to everyone who has taken a winner, followed by a competitive Beetle Drive The season has ended but there are still two key dates for your diary this year and the first for next!! part and contributed to the club fundraising game which was won by Karen S. This was efforts this season. In particular thanks to Paula followed by our regular Big Splash Event where C V C C A G M for her fantastic organisation of these events. Tony and Carol once again fired up the grill to Saturday November 9th, 7.00pm-10.30pm prepare a BBQ alongside all the traditional fun RNLI Newhaven We had two main fund raising events this year, and games on and often in, the water. with the proceeds from both going towards the The annual AGM will now be Saturday November 9th at the RNLI headquarters in Newhaven. A RNLI in Newhaven. In total we raised £386.35 for the RNLI this year light buffet/snacks and hot drinks will be provided. You are welcome to bring your own bottle if you and Tom Jones represented the club in dropping want some alcohol. As well as being a good opportunity to socialise with fellow members, this is a First was our new Summer Social event which off a cheque to them. good opportunity to join in the discussion regarding the way forward for the club. Please note we are took place on a beautiful evening at the RNLI looking for people to stand for Committee posts. We have four people stepping down so we definitely headquarters in Newhaven. Tony and Carol were Established in 1803, making it amongst the need some new or old faces to step forward Please email [email protected] for any details. at the helm on the BBQ and after some food oldest in the country, Newhaven Lifeboat Station and drink on the lovely terrace we headed inside covers from Beachy Head to Brighton. We are CVCC CHRISTMAS PARTY for a popular raffle, where literally everyone was delighted to offer them our support. Saturday 14th December, 7.30pm-late! Address confirmed on booking, Polegate

This year, we are having Christmas at home with Karen S! Karen is kindly opening up her home in Polegate for us to gather and make merry. The tickets are £10 so we can cater for the food. Please bring your own drinks. There are 40 places available. Open to members and a guest. Age limit 16+ To book please visit: https://www.cvcc.org.uk/index.php/information/christmas-party. Please ignore the use club or bring your own questions. There will be no paddling in the hot tub!

CVCC CHRISTMAS PARTY Wednesday 1st January 2020, 10:00am The Barn at the Cuckmere

Join us for our traditional New Years Day walk or for those with their own kit peer paddle , down to the sea to work off some of that Christmas excess. Bring your leftovers to share on the beach! PEER PADDLING THIS WINTER .

For those with their own kit we have a WhatsApp group for arranging peer paddles which can be any day of the week; to join visit bit.ly/cvccwhatsapp on your phone or just text Nicola Hern, our club secretary, on 07980098652. Peer paddles can also be arranged via our closed Facebook group which can be found by searching for Cuckmere Valley Canoe Club. CVCC EVENTS THAMES TRIP

28 JULY 2019 | IAN POWIS

I had done a recce of this trip twice now so was It’s a long paddle, coming back against the tide really pleased to finally head out with a group but the River Thames is excellent for any level of from Cuckmere. It was an early start from home paddler. Next summer, my plan is to go further but that is normal with lots of trips I do. up-stream, starting at Henley and heading down to Marlow. There is a bit a chance for We met up at 8.30am in Hurley Village parking white-water to play in at a weir – but that is not behind Monks’ Barn so there was a little bit of compulsory! teamwork needed to get all the down to the water. But we set off from at I’d really like to thank Luke T and Nick C for 9.30am. The paddle was from Hurley Lock to being the L2 coaches with me and so making Cockmarsh which took us about three hours to this great trip possible. I am so pleased that the the stop point of Bounty Inn at Cockmarsh, and Thames can be added as a CVCC regular trip. then three hours back.

There are four locks each way which are great fun. We paddled into the locks with really big river cruisers and so went up or down with them, which is excellent as you all negotiate the gates, hold on to the chains on the side walls which are covered with green slimy plants and watch the water rush in around you.

There is lots to see on the trip. We went past weirs, through the centre of Marlow, past the rowing club, under the Iron Bridge, through very rural countryside with lots of cows and ducks around, and past some really posh houses. I told Helen R that one of them was where Daniel Radcliffe lived and she completely believed me but then I pushed my luck when I pointed out one that looked a bit Scottish and told her that was William Wallace’s castle! CVCC EVENTS WYE TRIP

2-4 AUGUST 2019 | IAN POWIS

This is such a fun annual holiday with CVCC. so it works for all ages and abilities. So do bring We all gathered as usual on the (really sunny) friends and family along next year. Friday afternoon. Everyone got set up. Some did it posh sleeping in the campsite pods (Helen This year we paddled from Preston-on-Wye F even had electricity and a TV in her pod!) or down to Hereford (about 11 miles) where most in their own motorhomes and camper vans; people got out and were driven back to the while the plebs camped under canvas. Lots of campsite. About 5 boats paddled the remaining people gathered around with different BBQs, 10 miles back to the campsite and we got I ate at the campsite café that has really good soaked but it was a great sense of achievement home-cooked food. Afterwards there was lots of as we arrived at the campsite jetty. chat and a game of cricket with dodgy rules and some cheating. We will plan again for next year a half-way stop, so people can do 10 miles or the whole lot. It was really nice to see lots of kids and Club families coming along for the camping and We are investigating doing a different route that paddling. With the open it is easy to fit would include Symonds Yat in the second half to adults, young kids, or any combination of that, give people a chance to play in the water.

JOIN US NEXT YEAR.

Our annual Wye camping trip is a family friendly occasion for all members, new and old, from the youngest to the oldest. Whether you are coming alone or as a family group there is great camaraderie, people to pair up in a canoe with or friendly faces for a chat around the BBQ. Normally this trip takes place in early August and is two nights, which are spent at the Lucksall Caravan and Camping Park. Members book their own accommodation which can be a tent pitch, hardstanding for a campervan or a glamping pod depending on the level of comfort you need! We rent the open canoes as a club booking and will try and ensure experienced paddlers are paired with those who may have less experience in an open canoe. Whatever your paddling skill level, this is a great weekend. CVCC EVENTS WALLERS HAVEN TRIP

13 JULY 2019 | KATE WAITE

Wallers Haven is a local slow flowing river, fed we were treated to some impressive acrobat by network of small streams flowing south from displays while we ate our sandwiches and Nick the Ashdown Sands to the sea at Norman’s got the fire going to heat up his Kelly Kettle for a Bay. The river meanders gently between steep very civilised cup of tea. reed covered banks and this peaceful waterway makes for a very tranquil summer’s day paddle We weren’t alone at our lunch stop; Nick’s keen led by Nick Clutton. eye had spotted a grass snake hidden in the reeds. He ushered the group to quietly have Our small CVCC group launched from Boreham a look and we managed to get a few photos Street bridge; several and two opens before it slid silently back into the water. This easing through the reeds and onto the water. stretch of river is fantastic for wildlife and we We set off at a relaxed pace towards the A259 spotted a number of birds of prey circling up bridge. There were no other paddlers on the above, while the usual herons peered at us from river bar us, just a couple of fishermen sitting the banks as we drifted by. There were lots of on the banks, who raised a friendly hand (no pond skaters, dragonflies and damselflies flitting waterway conflicts today). across the water and over the numerous lily pads, the flowers in full bloom. Grace my daughter (aged six at the time) was fortunate enough to join Gordon Almond in his It was a peaceful and slow paddle back up open. I’m not sure he quite realised what he the river to the Boreham Street bridge, the sky had gotten himself into as she talks non-stop growing darker but the threatening rain holding - although was fairly determined not to be just off. Thanks to Nick C for running a great trip. a passenger and managed to keep paddling through fits of laughter and chatter. Huge thanks to Gordon for giving her such an enjoyable day on the water, and to Nick for allowing her to join.

We stopped for lunch near the A259 bridge. The Hastings Model Flying Club (HMFC) own the field opposite to where we stopped and use this for flying model aircraft. The aircraft vary in size, but some are quite large and fast flying so CVCC COACHING WHITE WATER

BEGINNERS VIEW COACHES VIEW K A T E W A I T E STEVE DOUCH

As I sat watching the water swirl in front of I have been using the Nene me I don’t know what was louder, my rapidly Centre as a training ground for introducing beating heart or the roar of the pumps feeding newcomers to whitewater for a number of the Nene Whitewater course. My hands years now. Although an artificial course, it were shaking as I pulled my spray deck on, I does replicate many features of a natural river. fiddled with the strap on my helmet, adjusted As a coach it is easy for me to observe and the tightness of my buoyancy aid. Anything give feedback from both the water and the to delay the moment I’d have to push off into bankside. I frequently use video and photos that water. as a learning aid, which it is not so easy from a natural riverbank. This allows paddlers to Finally I couldn’t find any more excuses view their strokes and see where they did well and eased my boat into the frothing water. and where improvement could be made. Nothing happened. I didn’t get sucked into the pumps or instantly capsize, instead I just The Nene also enables paddlers to drifted round in a circle. experience whitewater during the summer months when most of them probably have Seeing his moment Steve Douch told me to not invested in winter paddling kit. Whilst follow before I lost my nerve again. My first the UK rivers are generally low during the time on moving water. Through the first few summer artificial courses can provide an obstacles; everything was fine. Then the opening into the discipline of whitewater in a biggest drop on the course - I remembered safe, controlled environment that is on most what I’d been told during our walk around, of our visits been warm and within easy reach continued to paddle and dropped neatly over facilities such as coffee and loos! the top. A few minutes later I’d finished and was back at the start. Hair still dry, confidence For me, the thrill of being a L3 coach for many up a notch. years has been the faces of paddlers when they have been introduced to whitewater I did the circuit several more times and also and got the bug to explore it further. The stopped to watch the more experienced smiles as they complete the course having paddlers navigate round, including without stayed upright and hair still dry, is great and paddles! I really enjoyed it and it remains one the motivator for me to carry on coaching. I of my favourite days paddling this year. Huge hope to infect them with the enthusiasm and thanks to Steve for his support. commitment I have to the sport!