TEIGNBRIDGE CANOE CLUB Affiliated to the British Canoe Union www.teigncanoe.org.uk Welcome To The Autumn 2015 Programme www.teigncanoe.org.uk/tripsevents/programmes/ To assist those of you who have recently joined us we have compiled some notes that will help if you want to participate in club events. Some Key Points Be Aware - Canoeing, Kayaking and Paddle Boarding are “Assumed risk” Water contact sports. Taking part is at your own risk. New members – please read the Beginners Guide on the website. These notes have been produced to help you get started. Pay particular attention to the sections about taking part in ‘Club Weekend’ paddles and ‘Clothing’. Contact the Coordinator on the Thursday before the event to enquire about taking part. This is very important as they need to know your previous experience and ability in order to gauge if the trip is suitable for you. They need to ensure there is a suitable ratio of ‘Experienced’ to ‘Inexperienced’ paddlers taking part. They also need your contact details in case the event does not run and to talk to you about specific arrangements e.g. where/when you will meet etc. Medical Conditions – If you (or any of your group/family) have any medical condition that could affect your ability to complete any event then you must inform the co-ordinator when booking your place plus speak to the trip leader on the day. This must include detailed instruction on what to do in the case of an incident. This is your responsibility. Safety - All paddlers must wear a Buoyancy Aid, be in a canoe or kayak with sufficient buoyancy, wear a helmet and be suitably clothed for the event attended. Car Sharing – A good idea as parking is often limited, it saves fuel and may help with finding the meeting point. Don’t be shy – ask around or speak to the co-ordinator to cadge a lift or volunteer to take someone. Changing weather/water conditions – If you are in inexperienced paddler be prepared to arrive at the arranged meeting point and still be turned back if for example the sea is unusually rough or the river to be paddled is in spate after a few days of heavy rain. Safety must always be the first concern. There will always be another day. Trip Coordinator and Trip Leader – Be aware that the paddle will usually be led by the most suitably qualified person taking part in the event. This is not always the Coordinator. Seasonal Considerations/Clothing - Cold can kill so wear appropriate clothing for the event. If you are new to the sport ask the co-ordinator what is suitable. You will always need a towel and change of clothes. Take some food and a hot drink. Hire of Club Boats and Equipment :– o Available on a first come, first served basis. o You will need to speak to the equipment officer (see telephone list on back page) to arrange this. No boat and/or equipment may be removed from the Clubhouse without prior authorisation. o Collection and return of equipment and your own transport to and from the event is YOUR responsibility. o Cost for the hire of equipment for club members is £3 per person per day, payable IN ADVANCE, for any set of items required. This can be any/all from the following:- Boat, Paddle, Spraydeck, Buoyancy Aid. o For non-club members the cost is £7, IN ADVANCE. o All equipment must be returned in a clean condition. o Club insurance does not cover loss/theft of boat and/or equipment from car roof racks – you will need to claim on your insurance to cover replacement Do your own research – we try to provide a programme that caters for all abilities and tastes. Pick the trips from the programme that best match your abilities/preferences. Look them up on some of the Kayaking sites on the web – particularly the UK Rivers Guidebook here or the BCU (British Canoe Union) here. Feel free to make suggestions for future events or even coordinate one yourself - go on the Facebook page or speak to any Committee member. Surfing - For updates on weekend surfing activities contact Mick Bousfield. River Creeking - If local rivers are in full spate, contact Craig Kelly (01626 888886) for details. Note - this is for expert Whitewater Paddlers only. Stand-up Paddle Boarding – Try Kev 07950025182 if you want to try it. Examples of Trip/Event Categories Throughout the year we aim to provide a programme that covers a wide range of activities and you can expect to see:- o Flat water paddles on Canals/Lakes o Trips on Slow moving rivers o Sea and Tidal Estuary Trips o Surfing (a specialist weekend event is planned every Spring) o Whitewater River Trips o Special ‘Event’ days eg. Instruction days, Star Testing, RNLI Days, Scout Paddles, Accompanying Sea Swims etc Grading of Rivers - Water conditions are graded according to the difficulty/danger that they present to the paddler. Grade 1 is the easiest level and Grade 6 the hardest. Obviously conditions can change and a river can be Grade 1/2 one day and running at grade 4 or 5 the next if torrential rain has been experienced. Also be aware that a river can be classed as Grade 1/2 yet still have some features that are much harder. To get an idea of how different river grades appear it is best to have a look at the article in the UK Rivers Guidebook here. You will see from the photographs that even a grade 2/3 river should only be attempted by a competent, experienced paddler. Grading rivers is a black art so be sure to read the ‘NOTE’ at the bottom of the page. Programme of Events (Subject to Change) IMPORTANT :- 1. Always Ring the Coordinator on the Thursday Prior to the Event. 2. Declare in advance! ANY medical conditions that could be an issue during the event to the Co-ordinator AND Trip Leader before taking part. October Day/Date Event Key Points Saturday Dart Loop. This is the most popular section of this Grade: 2-3 Stamina Level: 3/10/15 classic river, for intermediate and advanced Medium -High paddlers. This trip is aimed at experienced WW Aimed At: Intermediate WW Boat Type: White Water paddlers that need a refresher after the summer. Paddlers Rain Dependant! See: Coordinator: Craig Kelly - 07762162763 http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/rivers/england/sout h-west/river-dart-new-bridge-to-holne-bridge-the-loop Sunday White Water Safety Day. Newbridge. A training Grade: Stamina Level: low/Medium 4/10/15 day aimed at newcomers to White Water, but also Aimed At: Everybody Boat Type: None a useful refresher for all. No boat needed but all other kit to ‘swim’ in the river. Coordinator: Sara Gunn 07886888596 Thursday AGM Jolly Farmer Newton Abbot 7.30pm Grade: Stamina Level: 8/10/15 The Clubs Formal Annual General Meeting. Bar available and free buffet. Aimed At: Everybody Boat Type: Your chance to have your say in the running of Coordinator: Kevin Jones 07970674421 the club. Please be prepared to renew your membership. Fri-Sun Surf Training Weekend. Gwithian Cornwall. This Grade: Stamina Level: Medium 9-10-11 weekend is intended to introduce newcomers to Aimed At: Anybody Boat Type: Any Boat kayak surfing. However there are other options available in the area as well. Coordinator: Lawrence Doyle 07837487940 Sunday Lower Dart. An introduction to real moving water. A Grade: 1-2 Stamina Level: Low - Med 18/10/15 beautiful river, ideal for learning the fundamentals of WW paddling. See: Aimed At: Novice WW Boat Type: Short http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/rivers/england/s Paddlers outh-west/river-dart-buckfastleigh-to-staverton Coordinator: Ian Johnson Tel. 07879414492 Sunday Middle Dart. Still classed as an Easy WW river, it has a Grade: 2 Stamina Level: Medium 25/10/15 few features that need a bit more concentration. See: Aimed at: Low experience Boat type: Short WW Paddlers. http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/rivers/england/s Coordinator: Tel. 07808710121 outh-west/river-dart-holne-bridge-to-buckfastleigh Alex Bittlestone Fri –Sun Usk Weekend. A weekend of easy to moderate WW on Grade: 2-3 Stamina Level. Medium 30-31-1 the river Usk and possibly another river. Staying in a self catering bunk house. Aimed at: All paddlers Boat type. Short See: http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/rivers/wales/sou Coordinator: Tel. 07701089757 th/river-usk-sennybridge-to-aberbran-bridge Cass Woolner November Day/Date Event Key Points Sunday Dart Loop. Our favourite local river section, See Grade: 2-3 Stamina Level: Medium/High IMPORTANT :- 1. Always Ring the Coordinator on the Thursday Prior to the Event. 2. Declare in advance! ANY medical conditions that could be an issue during the event to the Co-ordinator AND Trip Leader before taking part. 8/11/15 previous description. Aimed At: Intermediate Boat Type: Short paddlers Coordinator: Ian Johnson 07879414492 Sunday River Barle. Withypool to Dulverton. Grade: 2-3 Stamina Level: 15/11/15 Medium See: Aimed At: Intermediate Boat Type: Short http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/rivers/engla nd/south-west/river-barle-withypool-to-tarr-steps Coordinator: Kevin Jones 07950025182 Sunday River Exe Bolham to Bickleigh. A nice easy flatish Grade: 1- 2 Stamina Level: 22/11/15 river, with several weirs to liven things up a bit! Medium See: Aimed At: Boat Type: Short http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/rivers/engla nd/south-west/river-exe-bolham-weir-to- Coordinator: Alex Bittlestone 07808710121 bickleigh Saturday Night Paddle.