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.

Loch Lomond Nov 20th 2011

Paddlers: Dee, Geoff, Euan, John D., Ian P., Hugh McN, Jamie

Report: A lovely, calm, misty morn  for this Basic Skills Training Paddle.

 Route took us out to InchConnachan to see Wallabies (actually seen!) then back to Ardlochlay for personnel change. From Ardlochaly round to InchGalbraith (castle) and Inchmoan for lunch. Gentle paddle through islands and back home by 14.00. A lovely restful day.

Training Session Dates in November

Sea Kayak: 

Navigation and Planning Sessions: These will take place on Thursday evenings at the Cottage, John St Scout Halls on Thursdays 10th/17th and 24th November at 8pm, There will be a small charge of £10 (for the 3) to cover the room hire. The sessions are open to all interested, for new information or revision.

Open Water Safety: Saturday 5th Nov at 2pm. Location TBA (probably RNYC). You will be required to demonstrate two rescues 1. Group(both as rescuer and rescued) and 2) Self Rescue. It is essential that you come properly equipped with dry suit or thick wet suit. Let us know if you need to borrow gear.
Adult Basic:
Re-arranged Canoe Session Saturday 12th Nov 10am RYNC.  (Euan says he will remember key)
Paddle Around the Islands  Sunday20th 10am Ardlochlay (Luss) . Note re-arranged date.

Basic Skills Training, Luss, October 2011

Paddlers: Euan, Geoff and new guys: Bella, Dee, Ian and Tom

It was one of those days; cloud almost touched the water and the rain bounced off the surface. And yet. Dead calm, quiet beauty and a great group. The loch was over 1m higher than normal which allowed us up the river further than ever before, made the landing and seal launch from Fraoch Eilean (the little island off Luss) easy, and the drop from the pier acceptable for beginners. The session was completed by a capsize and swim ashore. Well done to the participants and thanks to Willie for bringing out the gear. Wet is not an obstacle to  a great time kayaking.

 

Demonstrating how to get into a kayak
The Group: Euan, Dee, Tom, Bella, Ian and Geoff

Training Programme Oct-Dec 2011

1. Basic Skills, Adults.

Pool: 7.40-8.10  Tues  Sept 27th- November 29th

Outdoor: Sat Oct 8th  Luss  Main Car Park 10am, Sat Oct 22nd :RYNC 2 Groups 10-12, 12-2 Open Canoeing, Sat Nov 26th: Trip around Islands Luss 10am, 14th                             Dec TBA

2. Sea Touring

Pool: 8.10 to 8.40 Tues Sept 27th to Oct 25th    Navigation Training: Tues Nov 1st to Nov 22nd. Outdoor: Sat Oct 8th, 2 other sessions TBA

3. Rolling Clinic: Tues Nov 1st until Xmas

 

 

River Leven 8th June 2011

A flotilla of 19 made the trip. The water was high and the river fast. The barrier at the rowing club was raised and a number managed to squeeze round/over the floating barricade.

Weather was dry and pleasant if rather cold towards the end of the evening.

The speed of the river meant a fast trip but nowhere to stop. The one capsize (trees) was dealt with on the water. Thanks to Wendy Hamilton for the photos

 

 

Training Courses Spring 2011

The club starts two new training courses next Tuesday (26th April) at the Pool: Basic Skills Training for Youngsters; Sea Kayak Expedition Fundamentals.

The Basic Skills Course is aimed at youngsters aged 12-18, and consists of Pool Sessions on Tuesdays and Open Water Sessions on Thursdays. It is essential that participants are available for both. The course ends with a canoe camping trip on the Loch. The cost is £30 for pool charges, equipment and training plus Junior Club membership at £20. If interested please contact Riddington89@hotmail.com, phone 01436 674966 or register at the pool next Tuesday.

The Sea Kayak course is designed for those with some knowledge and skills (e.g. Support Strokes) who want to explore the islands of the West Coast. The emphasis is on safety and covers Equipment, Navigation and Planning as well as Rescue Skills including Self Rescue (Rolling). Participants will be expected to take part in a day and overnight trip.

Meanwhile the Club doubled its pool hours allowing more experienced members time to develop their rolling skills, and the Thursday night open water sessions resume next Thursday (25th) at Craigendoran 6.30pm for a play and a trip out to the Sugar Boat.

Adult Basic Skills Course; Winter 2011

Basic Skills:

Pool Training Programme

Week Pool Side
25/1or 1/2 Forward & Reverse Paddling Star & Coach Awards: Structure & Syllabi.  The SCA.Club Activities & Sea Kayak Training
8 or 15/2 Sweeps & Rudders Equipment and Safety
22/2 or 1/3 Draw  Strokes Wind and weather
8 or 15/3 Support Strokes Ideal Locations, Info & Transport
22 or 29/3 Deep Water Rescues Camping
7/4 or 14/4 Eskimo Rescues Review

Outdoor Sessions:

Sat 5th Feb: Both groups (Kayak)

Sat 19th Feb Group A (Canoe)

Sat 5th March Group B (Canoe)

Sat 19th March Both Groups (Kayak)

Sat 16th or Sun 17th April 2 Star Assessment