October 2020

Find out about all the exciting things that have been happening since the end of August. Don’t forget – if you have any stories/articles which you would like everyone to hear about, please email them to me at [email protected]

A Sea Kayaking Trip to - September 2020 Award-winning design, cutting-edge innovation This year’s planned sea kayaking trips were & world-class paddlesport equipment in the cancelled due to the Coronavirus. However, heart of the Derbyshire Dales. after restrictions were eased and desperate Peak UK have always had a close affiliation to get back on the sea this finally happened. with Midland Canoe Club

Three days, two fizzy 'christenings', a maidens READ MORE … first voyage, a birthday, a and several dizzy blondes….

READ MORE…

River Spey 5 Day Kayak Multi-Day Kayak Wild Camping Trip Have you ever fancied going on a wild camping trip and need to know what to take with you? THANK YOU Click here to find out what Simon Taylor, one of As you are aware Midland Canoe Club is run our coaches, recommends you need to take with solely by volunteers who work behind the you…. scenes to keep the club running. This includes Trustees, Committee, Coaches, Membership as well as a lot of many other wonderful people. In this edition, I would like to say a special PERSONAL PERFORMANCE AWARDS thank you to Pete Whitehouse for carrying out the MCC Equipment Inventory 2020 and Iris If you are looking for a fun way to learn to Marles, one of our new members, for painting paddle then you need a Start, Discover, or our benches. Explore course.

FIND OUT MORE… READ MORE…

October 2020

CONGRAGULATONS!

Despite all the restrictions we have had, a number of our members have achieved the following:

Alex Allen Canoe Leader

Gary Chalklin Paddle Explore Provider Andy Clark Paddle Explore Provider Elaine Nicolson Paddle Explore Provider Joe McDermott Paddlesport Instructor and Paddlesport Leader Alan Perkins Paddlesport Instructor Alex McDermott Paddlesport Instructor Craig Govan Sheltered Water SUP Award Mary O’Halloran-Brown Paddle Explore Award Click on the following link to our website to see all our coaches/instructors: https://midlandcanoeclub.com/new/Documents/MCC_coaches_20200929.pdf

POOL SESSIONS General Pool Sessions

2020 28 October 11 November 25 November 9 December

2021 20 January 3 February 17 February 3 March 17 March 31 March 14 April

Coached Pool Sessions Capsize Confidently 14 April 2021

Support Stroke Development 25 November 2020

Learn how to Roll* 11 November 2020 9 December 2020 3 February 2021

Paddle Stroke Improvement 17 February 2021

Don’t forget that you need to book in advance via the booking system on the club website.

https://midlandcanoeclub.com/new/index.html#wednesdays

All sessions can be booked a week in advance and the price is £6 per session.

*NB If you would like to book on the Learn how to Roll, all 3 sessions need to be paid for at the time of booking.

October 2020

'Anyone fancy a weekend paddling in The Lake District?' What could be simpler to organise I thought as I sent out the email, how wrong was I!!! Normally it would be book a rental property to accommodate numbers, job done. Enter stage left Covid19 restrictions! So now we need separate rooms, no communal areas such as kitchens etc., etc., so a hotel is required. Try finding a hotel with four double rooms and two single rooms available in The Lake District in September. Add to that people's availability, budget and secure parking for cars and kayaks and the task becomes near impossible.

After much searching it became clear that The Lake District was a non-starter and eight of us ended up in Anglesey for two nights, Sunday and Monday, at The Gazelle Hotel on the shore of The Menai Straits. The group consisted of Clare and Glen Byram, Teresa and Andy Clark, Karen and John Devonport, Nick Cave and last but not least, John Chamberlin.

We arrived early Sunday afternoon in the hope of doing an afternoon paddle. However as we sat outside the hotel drinking coffee looking at the white caps on the Menai Straits I turned to Andy and said tongue in cheek, 'There are eight of us, seven haven't been on the sea this year and one has never been on the sea. Two are in new untried boats and it's blowing force six gusting force eight, what could possibly go wrong!!' We decided plenty, and that paddling was out of the question. So off we went for coffee and biscuits at Dave and Helen Martin's recently purchased home at Bull Bay.

A full viewing of their recent property purchase took place and without being asked we all offered suggestions where beds could be positioned to accommodate MCC members on future trips to Anglesey!! A short clifftop walk followed, whilst trying to remain upright against the wind. A large seal and dolphins were spotted amongst the white-caps before we returned to the hotel for our evening meal and the odd shandy.

Sunrise from The Gazelle Hotel, Glyngarth onto the shore of the Menai Straits

We woke the next day to a totally different outlook, the sun was shining, there was little to no wind and the Menai Straits looked near mirror flat. In addition to which it was Andy's birthday so after a hearty birthday breakfast we set off for Porth Eilian on the north coast planning to paddle west to the abandoned brick works at Porth Wen.

October 2020

After unloading the kayaks and taking them down the slipway to the beach, together with all the usual accompanying gear, we gathered around the line of kayaks for a launching ceremony for the two new kayaks prior to their first outing on the sea; Nick Cave's Valley Sirona 15.10 and Karen Devonport's P&H Cetus LV. John Chamberlin had spared no expense by supplying the traditional bottle of champagne for the ceremony (actually it was prosecco from Aldi, but the thought was there!!) John resisted the urge to smash the bottle on the bow, instead opting for more of a christening by pouring a little on to each bow whilst wishing well and safe paddling to all who paddled in them. Fortunately, he didn't use all of the fizz in the ceremony, and by chance we all had a glass ready for our own toast to Teresa Clark who, whilst not in a new boat, was about to undertake her first sea paddle.

Once glasses were emptied and stowed we set off for Porth Wen. There was a gentle swell with what wind there was behind us; not challenging, but ideal conditions to get us used to being back on the sea. We paddled close to the shore- line until Llam Carw, a headland just before the entrance to Amlwch harbour, at which point we headed out to East Mouse, a small island some 400 metres out. After paddling round the island we paddled across Bull Bay to the next headland, Ogof Goch, practising using transits, and then on to the disused brickworks at Porth Wen for a sunny lunch stop. Whilst waiting for the tide to turn for our return journey we were entertained by Glen doing his sea otter impression trying to cool off in his dry suit.

At the allotted hour we set off but this time the wind that had pushed us along on the way out had picked up in strength and was against us but made the paddling more predictable. We followed a very similar course back with the exception of a detour into Amlwch harbour at Andy's request to search for ice cream. The entrance to Amlwch harbour is very foreboding with its high, grey concrete walls. However, venturing in further to look around at what remains of the old harbour buildings it's possible to get a sense of what the harbour would have looked like in the past, which in my opinion would have been quite picturesque.

Returning to Porth Eilian we loaded the kayaks and headed back to the hotel for the early evening chat about the next day's paddle helped along by a Dizzy Blonde a rather nice Robinson's golden ale.

October 2020

The Tuesday morning held a couple of surprises; firstly it was calmer than the previous day, resulting in the straits having a mirror surface, and secondly the cars and kayaks were surrounded by a film crew. Obviously we thought they had come to do an in-depth interview about Midland Canoe Club, but alas they were filming an episode of the longest- running Welsh soap opera, Rownd a Rownd.

Following breakfast and checking out of the hotel we unloaded the kayaks and, leaving them on the beach outside the hotel, drove to Moel-y-don where we left the majority of the cars. On returning to the hotel we found the film crew still trying to film what appeared to be a lover's tiff on the beach, with the backdrop of Bangor pier in the distance. They did ask us to let them know when we were launching: fame at last I thought, but no, it was to make sure we didn't spoil the scene they were filming!!

We set off down the Menai Straits pointing out which of the highly desirable properties we would buy if a Lotto win came our way. We soon arrived at , the start of The Swelłies, which John described the water movements 'like a set of dominoes being moved around on a table top'.

Fortunately the dominoes were not being shuffled too vigorously as we made our way through using the current to practice our ferry-gliding techniques. Once through The Swellies it was a gentle paddle to the small dock serving Plas Newydd, the only National Trust property on Anglesey, for a short rest and then on to Moel-y-don.

The boats were once again loaded on the cars and, forming a group elbow-bumping circle, we said our goodbyes and headed for home.

Thank you fellow paddlers for a great few days and particularly to Andy for his trip planning, and John for his paddling tips and guiding us safely through The Swellies.

John Devonport

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October 2020

Hi all,

I wrote this piece to help anyone that may be thinking of a multi-day kayak wild camping trip. So here's my kit list and a few notes of 'lessons learned' gained along the way. I've enjoyed several of these trips now and all have been excellent adventures!

You'll of course add and amend what kit you need. For me I prefer a nice balance of essential kit and optional comfy (who wouldn't need a good night's rest after a day on the river and before the next leg).

The kit list and tips have been honed over the 4 major Scottish rivers; The Tweed, Tay, Dee and Spey. The last trip being the Spey this September.

This particular River Spey trip was planned for a worst case scenario of 5 days. We did it in 4 steady days. I'll list the kit first, then the tips below.

All this kit fits neatly into a Medium Pyranha Fusion with all airbags removed.

CAMP GEAR:

• 1 x Small backpacking tent - Recommend 2.5 kg max. I borrowed a TerraNova Voyager as my small tent (Wild Country Zaphyros). • 1 x Exped Air Sleeping mat (Packs up smaller than a thermarest but is squeaky - might annoy you paddling companions). • 1 x Sleeping bag suitable for the season - packed small. • 1 x Inflatable pillow • 1 x Silk sleeping bag liner - Helps with warmth if the weather's chilly overnight and packs small. • 1 x Small camp stove (1 x burner). I use a MSR which is ace. • 1 x Gas canister 250g Butane/Propane mix - After 3 days I had half remaining. • 2 x Alloy pans. • 1 x Spoon (or spork) for breakfast, lunch and dinner also for stirring soup and cups of tea. • 1 x Head torch. • 1 x Kindle for late night reading. • 1 x Small battery pack to charge mobile phone (switched-off during the day). • 1 x Foldable trowel (Toilet digging) - leave no trace lol. • 1/2 x Biodegradable loo roll. • 6 x Small plastic pegs (for a throw-line drying line once camp set up). • 1 x Small camp foldable stool. • 1 x Insulated mug with lid. • 1 x Small quick dry towel • 1 x Small tube toothpaste and brush • 1 x medium sized flask - I boiled water in the morning for the tea and soup needed at lunch. October 2020

CLOTHING:

• Long sleeve base layer for sleeping in plus base layer long leggings. • Woolly Hat. • 2 x base layers for paddling (swap when smelling funky). • Bin bag for funky smelling clothes. • Quick dry undies. • Quick dry walking trousers for camp and keeping midges off you. • Fleece jumper. • Waterproof sealskinz socks - Around camp I dried my feet, put on these socks then put kayak boots back on. • Midge head net - only used for the first few nights. When in lower altitudes the midges aren't much of a problem.

FOOD & DRINK:

5 days food portioned into 5 x medium freezer bags.

• Breakfast: Instant porridge sachet (made up with powdered milk and water), Instant white tea, Small malt loaf bar • Lunch: Cup a soup with 2 x flatbreads, fruit and nut bar, babybel, peperami stick • Dinner: Wayfayrer Foil Food bag, flat bread, babybel, red wine + salted peanuts (wine decanted into a plastic water bottle to save space and weight, then drank a portion per evening). • Extras: Energy bars tucked into the deck pod. - I didn't need these. • 3 x 2 litre bottles of still water I used about 1.5 litres a day and managed each trip to scrounge water when we got low.

PADDLING KIT:

This is your personal preference of course, but do take a helmet even if the rapids don't seem heavy. I did take cycling gloves to wear as paddling for a few days can give blisters. Main issue is I have brown tanned arms and white hands lol.

LESSONS LEARNED:

Plan for the worst and hope for the best. I never had to roll or take a swim, but it is best to be sure.

All kit in dry bags tied together. You do not want to take a swim and see your dry knickers floating down a rapid never to be seen again!

• 2 Dry Bags: Contained food and water in front of the foot pegs. This balances the boat for the first few days. Afterwards, shuffle bags around to suit when the weight lightens.

(NOTE: Make sure the flat base of the dry bag is at your feet with the fold over to the front nose of the kayak (avoids snagging your feet in the event of capsize.. Ya dont want any of that!)

• 1 Day Bag: Contain that day's food/ flask behind the seat but in front of the dry section bulkhead along with WW rescue kit, pulleys etc.

• In Deck Pod: The fusion has a deck pod, so in there goes your handy trowel and some loo roll, energy bars, spare sling and carabiners. A water bottle in a bag is clipped onto the deck for a swig as you paddle.

• Rear Hatch: Everything else in dry bags. The tent was a little awkward and I ran out of dry bags so this went in a bin liner but tied into the rest in case the hatch came off in a rapid. (NOTE: Ensure you keep the skeg line free in the rear hatch as you’ll be putting this up and down many many times a day and it needs to move freely.

• ALSO NOTE: Even though you may have spare room once all the kit is packed – DO NOT fill it with stuff ‘just in case’. Weight is a killer when you’re muscling the boat through even the smallest of rapids / rock gardens. On my first trip on the Tweed, I did this and on the first day I had to drag the boat for ages over gravel shallows!

October 2020

BEAR IN MIND:

It is legal in Scotland to wild camp. Just be mindful that these rivers are fishing areas where clients pay thousands and thousands of pounds to fish for salmon. The fishing Gillies (Gamekeepers) were quite friendly to us. just leave no trace and be respectful on the river bank.

The kindness of strangers... On all the trips we managed to scrounge water. A few VERY posh houses on the river were only too keen to help and hear our story. Just make sure the person that goes up to knock on the door is the most presentable and least stinky!

On approaching someone fishing down-river, blow your whistle in plenty of time, raise your hand, then the fisherman will point out the riverbank he/she wants you to paddle past. Be mindful that some may not be able to hear you if there's a rapid close by.

Higher altitudes: Some rapids are a pain to scout, but do it. A 'pain in the arse' portage is better than getting yourself and your mates into trouble with zero phone signal.

It's good to keep a carrier bag of dry clothes in both cars on the car shuttle.

I hope that you find this helpful - I'm bound to have missed a few bits and bobs. Take it as my experience and paddle safe and happy!

Feel free to catch me sometime for more of a chat.

Simon Taylor

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October 2020

I thought I had finally finished the equipment stocktake, when Teresa collared me and asked if I would like to do an article for the newsletter? I couldn’t think quickly enough to come up with a reason to avoid it. Who would be interested in it apart from readers of Accountancy Daily (it does exist)? So, if I stray slightly from the main topic, it is to keep myself sane and awake. I had helped out on one or two kayak repairs last year, and also this year. On a visit to the Wooden shed I found a spanking new Mamba, no markings, I thought it a bit dangerous for a member to leave there, as it is the least secure storage. It transpired that it was a club boat purchased some time ago but not yet marked so that it could then be moved to Container Five for use by all. This was partly due to Covid lockdown, but also due to unfilled vacancies on the club management committee. So, the rest of committee has, as one would expect, got a bit swamped with all work needed to run what is now a complex charity organisation. Things don’t get done unless somebody does them, obviously. The jobs need to be spread around as many volunteers as possible. I notice recently that people are getting involved in Club site work, so that is good. Therefore, I thought I would take up the mantle. I last did the stocktake in 2005 when we had a lot less equipment, and probably only a couple of containers. I still had the spreadsheet. At the time, Windows XP was the current operating System, at least it was a huge improvement on Windows ME. Yawn! Eyes starting to feel heavy. I assumed someone would have a great updated version of the spreadsheet with all the bells and whistles. “Yes, we think it was done 2018, not sure about last year”. Who has the digital copy? “Well X will have it, if not try Y”. Unfortunately, there was no sign of it. This was not much of a problem, I could now get my money’s worth back from the Office 365 annual fees for all those Apps that you use only now and again. I could do with refreshing my Excel skills, little used since retirement. I asked for some volunteers to do the physical checks, at least 6 would have been useful, but we initially got 4 lined up (Alan Perkins, Sue Bushell, Viv Glaves, and myself). So, we could do two containers at a time. I started the spreadsheet, and later the team met at the club and made a good start, dealing with all the heavy items first, open canoes, sea kayaks, river kayaks. Heavy work carrying in and out of containers. Then….“Stop everything, we have found the printed copy of last inventory, it’s in the Plant Room”. I knew there were one or two locked doors in the clubhouse. I didn’t expect there would be MCC’s answer to the conservatory at Kew Gardens.

October 2020

Where is the Plant Room, I asked in anticipation? “it’s where the boilers are” Aah! Elaine produced a dusty folder. With the warm atmosphere of the “Boiler Room” (no vegetation to be found there) the inner pages were well preserved, but brittle. Luckily we got to it before Dan Brown grabbed it to track down the Knights Templar. The pages were huge, a couple of sizes up from A4 with minute printing on the top few inches. Last date appeared to be 2016? with some handwritten updates in a later year. After that excitement, back to the inventory: we got some other containers done over next few days, and Craig helped with the paddles, Spraydecks, and cags. It still leaves the pool equipment to do when that reopens. Now and again we came across an unmarked unusual craft…. Is this a club item? ” Company X left it here 20 years ago, I think they said members can use it”, Can we contact them? “They went bust” What about the owner? “He died 10 years ago” Relatives? “His son lives down the road” Can we ask him? “He will not respond; we fell out with him”

Grrr. In the style of Bill Bryson this conversation did not actually take place, but some were similar. Among items found along the way were a coracle, and an OC1 open play canoe, in this category. We have to assume that if we have been storing them free all this time that, with care, maybe coaches can use them for try it sessions, at the clubhouse, but a long lost relative could show up anytime. Anyone know how to service/ overhaul skegs on the Fusions? The job is yours. Volunteers for next year? Post Script: bumped into Steve Culwick at club, who did inventory in 2014, and he probably still had the digital copy tucked away somewhere on his computer! Anyway, I will leave a CD with this year’s inventory spreadsheet on for the next Tomb Raider to discover. PPS... I now know how to service Fusion Skegs, and have managed to look at a couple of them. More to tackle

Pete Whitehouse

October 2020

A huge THANK YOU to Iris for repainting our benches. Iris joined the club just before lockdown and not being able to paddle because of Government guidelines, volunteered to paint the older benches. We are always looking for help within the club and would love for more members to get involved so if you have a spare hour or two and would like to help in any way, please email [email protected]

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October 2020

Peak UK are based a few miles upstream from Midland CC, in Darley Dale, nr Matlock. As fellow River Derwent users we have been working with the club for a few years now, hosting club nights and offering member discounts at our factory showroom.

Our links to Midland CC go back a lot further than recent years however, as Peak UK founder Pete explains:

“Forty years ago, when I was just starting out paddling I headed down with my club mates from Ambleside to the International Canoe Exhibition in Crystal Palace. We caught the train down to London from Windermere which was pretty exciting!! Once we arrived at the sports centre we were overwhelmed by the massive display of canoes, kayaks, paddles and other gear on show.

Armed with a few quid my parents had given me that was burning a hole

in my pocket, I explored the stands looking for something to buy. I stumbled across a company called John Sea, with a really cool logo of a guy in a sea kayak. John Sea, unbeknown to an eleven year old from the

Lake District, was Midland Canoe Club's John Chamberlin!! John Sea took my cash in exchange for a red and white t-shirt, sporting the John Sea logo. Recently John gave me two more of the same shirts that had been in his loft for almost forty years!

Thank's John, you're a legend!"

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic we have had to close our Showroom for the foreseeable, in order to create safe working spaces for our production staff. Midland CC members can still claim their discount by ordering online using the code midland15. Delivery is free, and we are in the process of setting up a click and collect option with which people can order and collect from our secure storage unit, at any time. Give us a call on 01629 732611 or visit https://www.peakuk.com/ for more info. See you on the water! Click to go back to the beginning…

October 2020

If you are a beginner try for your Start. After this take it further by gaining your Discover Award. Then, if you want to start to get serious about your paddling gain your Explore Award. What is the Start Award? The Start Award is exactly what it says on the tin, it’s a place to start your paddling journey. If you’re brand new to the sport and really want to learn the basics to get started, then this is the award for you. You’ll cover everything from getting in and out of the boat, what you need to wear and paddling forward.

What is the Discover Award? The Discover Award allows you to develop your decision making and practical skills for a fun and safe time on the water, as you become a more skilled and independent paddler. Through this award you will learn how to choose and effectively use equipment, whilst developing an understanding of the factors which affect your paddling.

What is the Explore Award? If you want to become independent on the water, go on self-guided adventures and know how to control your craft and stay safe on the water, this is the award for you. If you’ve never been paddling before, it might be worth starting with the Start and Discover awards. In this award you will take ownership of your own decisions and learn to make confidence choices, based on the places you paddle, wind and weather. To find out more about these awards, please contact one of our Explore Providers who can be contacted at

[email protected]

or go to the Go Paddling website:

https://gopaddling.info/category/paddling-awards/

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October 2020