Trips and Training

The Basic Skills for Young People started Tuesday 28th April and runs every Tuesday (Pool) and Thursday (Outside) until June 30th. Last Thursday was an intoductory session at Craigendoran which ended with a game of Polo. This Thursday we are again at Craigendoran at 6pm expecting to experience the joys of surf. The forecast is sun, a westerly wind F4 and an ebb tide which should,be low enough for the sand.  Anybody interested is very welcome to join us.

There have also been a number of trips, some on the Clyde and some on the Loch. Last Thursday Hugh, along with Tim, Adele and Gregor took a training paddle out to the wreck. It was suprisingly choppy and cold in the northerly wind. All coped well with Gregor carying out his self rescue assessment.

Next week the Basic Skills are at Luss for an introduction to Canoeing. Meanwhile the Sea Paddlers are off on a trip to the far North West for 4 days. Email riddington89@hotmail.com for information on club, courses and trips.

 

Programme Spring 2014

Helensburgh Canoe Club

Programme, Spring 2014

 

April

W/E 26th/27th  2 Star Assessment (includes training sessions). 2 days of action for £20.

Email grant.dolier@gmail.com ASAP for details.

Tue 29th Start of Young Persons Basic Skills Course                                                (Euan)

Thu 31st Start of club evening sessions

May

Sun 4th May Sea Kayak Open Water Safety Test   RNCYC                                 (Hugh)

TBA River Trip

W/e 24th/25th/26th Staffa and Treshnish Islands                                          (Hugh)

June

w/e 7th/8th Garvellachs and Grey Dog                                                           (Geoff)

TBA River Trip

Tue 24th End of Basic Skills Course and Pool Sessions for summer

w/e 27th/28th Loch Lomond Canoe Camp                                                     (Geoff)

July/August

w/b 5th  Around Jura                                                                                        (Hugh)

Every Tuesday:  Canoe Polo, 7pm, Craigendoran                                          (Geoff)

Every Thursday:  Club Canoeing 6.30pm                                                        (Various)

TBA    Introduction to Family Paddling (aimed at parent and child 8-12)    (Mark)

September

Tues 2nd Pool Sessions Resume

All trip dates are subject to change of location, postponement or cancellation  in the event of bad weather

 

Programme, Summer 2013

CLUB ACTIVITY BASIC SKILLS FOR YOUNGSTERS SCA TOURING
04-Apr Thu Committee Commodore 8pm
06-Apr Sat Beginners Trip Aldlochlay 10am
09-Apr Tue Open Access Pool 7.30pm
16-Apr Tue Beginners Course Pool 7.30pm
18-Apr Thu Beginners Luss 6.30pm
19-Apr Fri Round Bute (B)
20-Apr Sat Round Bute (B)
21-Apr Sun Round Bute (B)
23-Apr Tue Beginners Course Pool 7.30pm
24-Apr Wed Midweek Trip Surf Day or
25-Apr Thu Beginners RNYC 6.30pm
27-Apr Sat Erskine to Glasgow A
30-Apr Tue Beginners Course Pool 7.30pm
02-May Thu NO OUTDOOR SESSION
04-May Sat 2 Star Assessment
05-May Sun 2 Star Assessment
03-May Fri Sound of Arisaig
to from
06-May Mon Glenuig (B)
07-May Tue Beginners Course Pool 7.30pm
09-May Thu Evening Trip A Gareloch 6.30pm Beginners Kidston 6.30pm
10-May Fri
11-May Sat Islands of the Forth
12-May Sun Day Trip A Loch Eck A/B
14-May Tue Beginners Course Pool 7.30pm
16-May Thu Beginners Luss 6.30pm
17-May Fri
18-May Sat Weekend Arduanie &
19-May Sun Trip B+ Garvellachs
21-May Tue Beginners Course Pool 7.30pm
23-May Thu Evening Trip Loch Long 6.30pm Beginners Loch Long 6.30pm
24-May Fri
25-May Sat Sugar Boat (A)
26-May Sun River Trip (Awe or Orchy)
28-May Tue Beginners Course Pool 7.30pm
30-May Thu Beginners Luss 6.30pm
31-May Fri Barra
to Expedition B+ &
05-Jun Wed Uists Skye (B/C)
04-Jun Tue Beginners Course Pool 7.30pm Skye (B/C)
06-Jun Thu Evening  Trip A/B Sugar Boat 6.30pm Beginners Craigendoran 6.30pm Skye (B/C)
07-Jun Fri Skye (B/C)
11-Jun Tue Beginners Course Pool 7.30pm Skye (B/C)
13-Jun Thu Beginners Luss 6.30pm
14-Jun Fri
16-Jun Sun Day Trip B Round Ardlamont
18-Jun Tue Beginners Course Pool 7.30pm
20-Jun Thu Beginners Balloch (Leven) 6.30pm
22-Jun Sat Canoe Loch Beginners CANOE CAMP 12pm
22-Jun Sun Camp Lomond Beginners CANOE CAMP 12pm
29-Jun
to Expedition A/B Lismore
30-Jun
07-Jul Sun L1 Coach Course Lochgoilhead
to L1 Coach Course Lochgoilhead
10-Jul Wed L1 Coach Course Lochgoilhead
13-Jul Day Trips from Oban
14-Jul (A)
20-Jul Cumbraes (B)
28-Jul Round Mull
to from Tarbet (C )
04-Aug Up R. Cart (A)
04-Aug
17-Aug Solway Coast (A)
to Expedition B Arnumurchan Solway Coast (A)
18-Aug Solway Coast (A)
September Expenditon B+ Treshnish
14-Sep Corryvechan &
15-Sep Grey Dog (C )
28-Sep Skye Devpt
29-Sep Weekend
October Expedition B Turkey
2nd week

Club Programme: Early Winter 2012/3

Helensburgh Canoe Club

Programme: Early Winter 2012/3

 

December

Thurs 6th:  Midweek Paddle. Meet Cove 10am. Contact Geoff (674966) or email for further information.

Sat: 8th : Lower Orchy. Grade 2 river. Contact Grant if interested.

Sunday 9th: Beginners Sea Paddle. Meet RNYC 10am.

Wed 12th: Xmas Social. Meet Commodore 7pm for meal or join group at 8pm plus for a couple of drinks.

 

January

Tues  8th: First Aid for kayakers. Pool at 7pm.  Instruction/Discussion on what can happen and how to deal with it. Covers topics like Hypothermia, Asthmatic Shock, Hyperventilation, Heart Attacks, Breaks and Dislocations. Practical sessions in pool on dealing on water with unconscious casualties, exhaustion, broken or dislocated arms.

Sat 12th: White Water Safety and Rescue Course. Location tbc

Tues 15th: Adult Basic Skills (Start of 10 week course). Pool

 

February

W/E 2nd/3rd: Sea Kayak Bothy Weekend. Grade B plus. Location tbc

Training and Trips, Autumn 2012

Training Autumn 2012
We are intending running the following three courses starting October 13th in the Pool
1. Safety and Planning for Sea Kayakers (Hugh): This involves 3 pool sessions developing rescue skills followed by 3 instruction sessions on hazards (tidal flow, over-falls, wind etc), gear and passage planning.
2. Basic Safety and Rescue (Grant): 6 weeks in the pool developing rescue techniques for both kayaks and canoes and one outdoor consolidation session. If there is demand this will be followed by a BCU Foundation Safety and Rescue Assessment. 
3. Greenland Rolling (Myles). For those who want to progress from the Screw/Pawlata Roll
Grant will also be running an Intro to White Water Safety and Rescue soon
Each course costs £20 and includes pool fees. Places are limited and we need to ration pool time so please let me know of your interest ASAP.
Trip Programme
Thursday 27th Sept. River Awe (Grant) or Clyde-Toward (Geoff), Email if interested
Saturday 29th Loch Long and Loch Goil (Geoff). Meet Finnart 10am
Wed 3rd October- Wed 10th October: Sea Kayaking in Turkey
Saturday 13th October: Oban Demo Day. A chance to paddle Valley, North Shore and TideRace boats from Oban
W/E 27th/28th October: Scottish Canoe Show and Tay Descent www.canoescotland.org for details
15th-17th November; Skye Weekend (Bunkhouse Accommodation)
Myles will be leading some night paddles on a Tuesday or Thursday when conditions permit. There will also be day paddles midweek and weekends. Watch this space for further info.
Club Meetings will take place on the last Wednesday of the month . Next meeting:  31st October 8pm Commodore

Sea Kayak Trip Programme

Helensburgh Canoe Club

Sea Kayak Trip Programme Summer 2012

 

Date                                    Location(Grade)                             Leader

W/E 5th/6thMay             Round Lismore(B)                            Contact Myles

Thursday 17th May            Loch Craignish & Dorus Mor (B)  Contact  Geoff Riddington89@hotmail.com

Week 3rd-9th June             Round Jura (A)                           Contact Hugh isentropical@virgin.net

W/E 23rd/24thJune            Beginners Camp, Loch Lomond(C)Contact Geoff Riddington89@hotmail.com

3 or 4 Days 1st July            Ulva, Staffa &Treshnish Ises (B+) Contact Hughisentropical@virgin.net

W/E 21st/22nd July            Loch Spelve (Mull) (B+)                 Contact Hugh isentropical@virgin.net

Week 12th-18th Aug          Minch Crossing and Shiants(A)      Contact Hugh isentropical@virgin.net

Sun 2nd September            Bass Rock(B)                                     Contact  Geoff Riddington89@hotmail.com

Week 8th October             South Turkey (Kos, Kevlova)(B)     Contact  Geoff Riddington89@hotmail.com

There will be paddles most Wednesday evenings throughout the summer.

 

Grade A: For experienced Sea Kayakers. Involves strong tidal streams and/or exposed water. Weather/risk assessment and passage planning familiarity essential.

Grade B: For anyone who has completed club Sea Expedition Training (3 Star Sea) or equivalent.

B+: As above but who have completed at least one Grade B exped.

 

Grade C: For anyone, including youngsters and families

There will be planning/briefing discussions for trips where necessary.

NB: As ever these trips are weather dependent and locations may be changed to more sheltered areas or, if the worst happens, trips cancelled.

 

Committee Minutes Dec 2011

Helensburgh Canoe Club

Minutes of Committee Meeting, Sun 4th December 2011

Present: Geoff (Chair), Grant (Chief Coach, River Co-Ordinator), Hugh (Sea), Euan(Coach), Willie (QM)

Apologies: Ken (Treasurer), Mel

Financial Report:

Club has healthy balance of £3050 with the pool fees paid until 17th Jan 2012

Equipment: 

Spraydecks: The pool chlorine is wrecking the neoprene decks.  Agreed to purchase 12 nylon decks and make up the number of useable neoprene decks to 12, including 3 for the sea kayaks. Use to be made of balance at Brookbank.

Kayaks. There is a shortage of sea kayaks for new members interested in trips. Grant will investigate the purchase of quality second hand boats from Glenmore Lodge with a maximum budget of up to £1500 for 3.

Clothing. Willie to investigate cost of Tops incorporating club logo (courtesy of Euan)

Training:

It was agreed that the pool time is most effectively used in structured courses, with individual practice using any remaining time (normally the second half hour). The Pool is primarily useful for Basic Skills and Rescue (incl. self-rescue and rolling). Grant was worried that Basic Skills do not have enough skills for fast successful rescues. The following Pool programme was agreed:

a)      6th/13th/20th December: Enhanced Basic Skills (using new coaching techniques)

b)      10th/17th/24th/31sth January: Foundation Safety and Rescue Training (FSRT) Cost £15

c)      7th Feb to 10th April: Adult Basic (minimum number 6) £30

d)      17th April to 26th June: Young Persons Basic £30

The FSRT course will require a classroom session and a half day practical at the end of Jan. Together with Basic Skills, beginners should be ready for a 2 star assessment in early February. Members in previous Basic Skills cohorts who have not done the 2 star are urged to get along to the pool and outdoor sessions in January.  The FSRT is complementary to SEA Touring Training.

Club Meetings:

We are instituting a club meeting on the first Wednesday of the month. The meeting will provide an opportunity for speakers, films and discussion of trips, training etc.  It will also be useful for registration. Location to be confirmed.

Trips:

This Thursday (8th) weather permitting. Paddle on the Clyde followed by Xmas lunch. Dep Craigendoran 10am. Please join us for paddle, lunch or both. Contact Geoff for details

Weekend as soon as weather permits: Sea Trip for Touring Course. Contact Hugh for details.

Jan  14th/15th: Great Glen Paddle. Either Open or Sea Boats staying Sat night in YH. Contact Grant for details .

Registration and Membership.

Our membership list (52 strong) will be submitted as required by the SCA. It is unfortunately neither comprehensive nor correct and a membership secretary is urgently required for the coming year.  We also need urgently someone to “check in” people on courses at the pool and collect the money from individuals.

Summer Programme 2011

Training

Grant is offering two programmes over the summer in the Pool and on Open Water on 23rdJuly, 6th August, 20th August and 3rd September.

1)      Coaching Skills.  This is aimed at those who are or would like to do some coaching.

2)      Skills Development. This is aimed at those who have completed a Basic Skills course.

The intention is to run these in parallel with the aspirant coaches doing one to one work with Developers.

Members interested should email Grant at grant.dolier@googlemail.com

 

Assessment

There will be a 2 Star/PaddlePower Assessment next Saturday (9th) if there are enough people available. Suitable for all who have completed Basic Skills. Pleas email Grant if interested and available.

 

River Trips

There will be river trips on the 16th/July, 30th July, 13th August, 27th August and 10th September. Contact Grant for more details

 

Sea Trips

8th to12th. July. Sea Trip is planned, location dependent upon weather. Join in/out by arrangement. Contact Myles for further details

Mid August. : Contact Hugh is.entropical@virgin.net if interested

6th-13th October Ionian Islands (Greece).  Contact Geoff Riddington89@hotmail.com if interested

 

Flat Water/Loch  Trips:

 

Sunday 31st July: Kayak on the Loch with the National Park Rangers (Myles). Luss 12.30 see

http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/component/option,com_jcalpro/Itemid,99999999/extid,2313/extmode,view/ for more details;

Thursday 4th to Sunday 7thAugust:  Canoe/sea kayak trip along the Caledonian Canal. Suitable for All except complete beginners.. Contact Geoff Riddington89@hotmail.com if interested

Sun 11th September; Support for Charity Swim;  Luss to Lomond Shores

 

Ionian Islands, Greece, October 2011

The club is planning an unguided but supported  trip to the Ionian Islands (west of Greece) in October this year. The planned route is within the protected waters of the region which is bounded by the mainland to the east, and includes the large, mountainous and green Ionian islands of Lefkada, Kephalonia and Ithaki. Sprinkled in between are dozens of smaller, uninhabited or seasonably inhabited islets which remain unaffected by commercial development. Amongst them are Meganisi, Kastos & Kalamos -all within a few kilometres of each other. They present the ideal island hopping circuit for  kayak tours, which begin and end in Vasiliki port, on the south coast of Lefkada Island. More details can be found at http://www.i-explorers.com

The region’s stable climate is also favourable for kayak touring. Almost year-round the central Ionian sea is characterised by calm seas, clear and still waters. Perfect for  sea kayaking.

Because of restricted flight options we are provisionally planning a 7 day/6 paddling day trip between October 6th and 13th. The cost is expected to be around £680 made up as follows:  Boats etc (240 euros =£210), Taxi to/from Prevaza Airport (£60), Air: Manchester-Prevaza (£240), Transport to /from Manchester (£50), Living Expenses in Greece (£120).

If you are at all interested please let Hugh or Geoff know by end of May as we need to book air flights.

Planned Trips Spring 2011

Saturday 19th March: Basic Skills Day Paddle on Loch Lomond 10am . Experienced members required to give that bit of advice.

Weekend 2nd/3rd April: Sea Kayak Weekend

Weekend 16th/17th April: Open Canoe Weekend

Weekend 23rd/24th April: Sea Kayak Training Weekend, Arran. Training for Minch Crossing and Harris Week in May

Sunday 15th May: Geoff’s Celebratory Paddle and BBQ, Loch Lomond