Regents Canoe Club Beginner S Course

INTRODUCTION TO WHITE WATER KAYAKING COURSE SYMONDS YAT TRIP

Hi all,

We will be heading away for our full weekend of moving water on Friday. We’ll be staying near Symonds Yat on the River Wye at YHA Wye Valley. http://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/wye-valley

GENERAL Your course fee covers accommodation costs, petrol costs, breakfast, packed lunches, parking and launching fees. The Saturday evening meal and bar drinks are not covered so please bring cash for that.

The plan for the weekend is to leave London on Friday evening having loaded up all the boats and gear on the Thursday night beforehand. On Thursday night we will also match drivers with passengers, as cars may be leaving from various parts of London and at different times to be negotiated with your driver (it may be that you need to get a tube to the outskirts of London or near your driver’s work place to be picked up is the best option). Depending on your driver, you may be stopping for a meal en route, or buying/taking sandwiches to eat on the journey (you can discuss this with them on the Thursday evening). The bar at the hostel will hopefully be open for us on arrival - although will close at 10.30pm. It is worth noting that there is nothing open close to the hostel after this time - if you need midnight snacks or flagons of wine, check with your driver if you can make a quick stop en route - it is best asking before the journey commences and not once you’ve reached the YHA.

On the Saturday we aim to do a river trip on the River Wye, putting all you have been learning into practice, and stopping for a packed lunch along the way. On the Saturday evening we’ll walk to the nearest town and be eating at Hostelrie at Goodrich. The Hostelrie is a good twenty minute walk from the hostel - enough to work up a good appetite. Bring cash (preferably to the right amount) for your food and drinks.

On the Sunday we will make a shorter trip again on the River Wye, this time down to Symonds Yat rapids where we will spend the day working on your white water skills. We’ll be back in London at the club to unload boats Sunday evening. As with the day trip, we would ask you to take away any wet kit (cagoule, buoyancy aid and spraydeck), rinse it and dry it out at home and bring it back the following Monday or Thursday to the club.

Things to bring: 1) Your boat, paddle and kit bundle 2) Several changes of clothes that you don’t mind getting wet. If you have a wetsuit and/or thermal leggings and tops these would be useful to wear. Although YHA Wye Valley has a drying room, there is no guarantee that everything will dry out between sessions 3) Footwear you don’t mind getting wet (you will not be allowed on the river without suitable footwear). Neoprene booties are ideal, or old, thin-heeled trainers / plimsolls 4) Large plastic bag(s) for wet kit (blue Ikea bags often come in use for this) 5) A towel / sarong to change behind- we may be changing in a public car park 6) Sunscreen and water bottle or thermos flask 7) Something easy and warm to change into after the river - including a warm hat in case you get cold 8) Something to wear to the pub on the Saturday evening 9) Waterproofs in case it rains on the walk to/from the pub 10) Money for bar drinks and Saturday night’s food

Any questions?