Author: GeoffR

Posted on

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.

 

Posted on

Round the Islands April 22nd 2012

Paddlers: Geoff, Mel, Anne, Tracey, Jim, Martyn, Eileen, Steve, Frankie, David, Lee

Group on beach: second lunch break

Weather: Bright but mostly overcast, with no wind.

 

The Route
Leaving Aldlochlay

Heading North from Inchmoan

Meeting with Hostellers at narrows: Derek displays paddle used on first Kilda trip
Always

 Video of group paddling available at

Posted on

Clyde, Sunday March 25th 2012

Paddlers: Miriam, Lena, Hugh, Mel, Geoff, Derek, Euan (C-M), Callum, David, Jamie, Myles

Weather: Flat Calm, Hazy Sun (Perfect)

Route: Craigendoran, Sugar Boat, Estuary Control (Greenock), Royal West (Gourock), Peninsular near point, Craigendoran

Report: The trip was targeted at novices and proved to be a gentle and extremely pleasant afternoon on the water.

From Left: Back Row; Jamie, David, Miriam, Hugh, Lena; Front Row, Derek, Myles, Mel, Geoff, Callum, Euan
Posted on

Loch Etive, March 3/4 2012

Paddlers: Ruth, Alan, Sue, Hugh, Geoff

 

Weather: Very breezy and Cold. Dull Saturday, Bright (some Sun) on Sunday. Rain and Snow overnight.

SPOT Plot of Route

Saturday: We met John Campbell at Taynuilt Pier to collect Bothy key shortly after 10.30. Paddled up East of Loch making excellent progress in strong southerly breeze.  

Our original intention was to explore rivers but that was thwarted by sandbanks.  As day progressed squalls developed and loch turned white.  One was so strong that it lifted and drove the spume along the loch. Wind speed well in excess of 30mph but too busy to calculate! Any of us could have had a cold bath.  After that the next time we heard the roar of the next squall  we rafted up. Eventually made a surf landing at Barrs just after 2pm.

Looking down loch from Barrs beach in quiet period

The Barrs Bothy is owned by Argyll Scouts and is almost completely hidden. It provided excellent shelter on a wet and windy evening.

Morning after night before

After trailing the gear up to the bothy and lighting a reluctant fire, there followed a good walk till dusk, a good meal and an evening of excellent conversation and libation (whisky and drambuie, whisky and honey, cointreu, whisky and whisky). Sleep followed (and apparently some snoring but I never heard any).

Morning broke bright with snow on the hills.

Looking west from Bothy

 

Looking East. Ben Cruachan is just visible

 

A leisurely breakfast, clean up and wood store replenishment led to a lateish departure heading south.

 

 

 

We had a brief stop to inspect the MBA bothy (excellent) which was occupied by 3 youngsters cooking breakfast over the open fire. A stiff southerly breeze slowed progress but periodically the sun emerged and all was well in the world.

Looking into the sun towards Cruachan

We arrived back for lunch just after 2pm.

The loch is one of the wildest and most beautiful areas of Scotland and a wonderful paddle on a breezy winters weekend. Barrs proved an excellent refuge and the beach is an excellent camp site in summer. Thoroughly recommend the trip.

 

 

Posted on

News and Training Feb 2012

Adult Basic:

Pool Sessions. Tues 14th Feb to Tues 6th April(Easter)

Open Water: 1. Sun March 11th Luss 10 am, 2. Sun March 25th (provisonal) RNYC 10am 3. TBA

Sea Kayak Weekend. Sat/Sun 3rd/4th March.  Suitable for those who have completed training but need trip experience. Camping.

Club AGM Weds 14th March  .John St 20:30

Posted on

Loch Lomond Jan 13th 2012

Paddlers: Geoff, Lee and Ian P.

Route: Inverbeg, Firkin Point Car Park, Across Loch, Rowardennan, Inverbeg.

A hastily arranged midweek paddle to make use of good forecast. Weather turned out to be fantastic and the Loch looked at its best. Glorious day trip.

Posted on

Training and Pool Sessions to Easter 2012

Foundation Safety and Rescue: Pool 10th,17th,24th,31st Jan and 7th Feb. Theory: 12th Jan, John St. Outdoor: 18th Feb Luss. 2 groups occupying all pool

Adult Basic Skills. Pool 14th, 21st, 28thFeb. 6th,13th,20th, 27th March, 3rd and 10th April. Outdoor Sessions TBA. 1 class max 8

Rolling.Up to 8 from 14th Feb

Posted on

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.