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.
Training, Craigendoran 28th April 2011
ARRAN April 23rd-26th 2011
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.
Luss Islands April 2011
AGM 2011. Minutes and Reports
Helensburgh Canoe Club
A.G.M. Thursday 24th March 2011,
Scout Halls, John St
MINUTES
1. Welcome and Apologies
Apologies from Keith Davies, Willie and Grant Dolier
2. General Report
Attached
3. Treasurers Report
Attached
4. Election of Committee
a) Chair
Because of pressure of work and family Keith had retired, Geoff Riddington was nominated by Hugh Murray, seconded by Sue Smith and duly elected
b) Treasurer
Ken White
c) Secretary
Vacant. Committee to seek a replacement for Geoff ASAP
d) Quartermaster
Willie Dolier
e) Coaching Organiser
Grant Dolier
f) Convenor; Sea Trips
Hugh Murray
g) Convenor, River Trips
Vacant. We are still looking for someone to look after this important post.
h) Ordinary Members (Up to 6)
Sue Smith (Gender Issues)
Euan Forrest (Coaching)
Neil Walden (Social and Fund Raising)
5. Plans for the Coming Year
Pool time doubled after Easter. Youth Coaching course Easter to Summer.
Sea Trip plans for near future presented including Minch crossing.
6. AOB
After a short break for Tea and Biscuits, Sue Smith gave an entertaining and informative illustrated talk on her (and Alan’s) 8 week expedition to the Dalmatian Coast
HELENSBURGH CANOE CLUB
Income and Expenditure Account (Year Ending 28th February 2011)
2009/10 2010/11
INCOME £ £
Membership Fees 605.00 730.00
Profit on pool and coaching activities (67.40) 339.42
Bank Interest 0.07 0.38
——— ———
537.67 1,069.80
EXPENDITURE
Scottish Canoe Association Affiliation 50.00 50.00
Venue rentals for meetings 0.00 0.00
Ancillary Equipment 245.00 531.00
Equipment Repair 0.00 188.00
Miscellaneous 0.00 50.00
Depreciation 545.69 545.69
840.69 1,364.69
SURPLUS/DEFICIT FOR YEAR (303.02) (294.89)
Balance Sheet as at 28th February 2011.
Notes £ £
Fixed Assets 1 1,637.09 8,368.25
Current Assets
Bank 10,482.72 1,578.22
Creditors 162.00 0.00
Current Liabilities
Debtors (157.40) (350.70)
Cash in advance 0.00 (420.00)
Net Current Assets 10,487.32 807.52
£ 12,124.41 £ 9,175.77
Represented by:
Capital Account: 2,124.41 9,106.37
Awards For All Grant 2 10,000.00 69.40
£ 12,124.41 £ 9,1755.77
K. White
Treasurer
20th March 2011
HELENSBURGH CANOE CLUB
Notes to the Accounts as at 28th February 2011
1. Fixed Assets and Depreciation*.
Asset Purchased Cost Depreciation Value 29/02/11 Yr Total
10 Kayaks 08/12/06 3,274.16 545.69 2,182.76 1,091.40
Trailer 07/06/10 1,991.99 0.00 0.00 1,991.99
3 Canoes 07/06/10 2,073.63 0.00 0.00 2,073.63
3 Sea Kayaks 28/09/10 2,116.23 0.00 0.00 2,116.23
Trailer 20/10/10 1,095.00 0.00 0.00 1,095.00
545.69 2,182.76 8,368.25
* Fixed Assets depreciated over 6 years.
2. Awards For All Grant.
Grant awarded January 2010 £ 10,000.00
Expenditure in 2010/11:
2 trailers 3,086.99
3 Canoes 2,073.63
3 Sea kayaks 2,116.23
Ancillary canoe/kayak equipment 2,653.75
9,930.60
Balance in bank £ 69.40
Helensburgh Canoe Club
A.G.M. Thursday 24th March 2011, Scout Halls, John St
General Report
I think we will probably look back at 2010/111 as the year that the club moved to maturity. For the first time we have a membership data base, a comprehensive kit list and even insurance. We now have a home for our gear and an up to date web site. We have established pool time which is about to be doubled. We are developing and running training courses with qualified coaches that have come through our club. In the case of our Sea Expedition Training we are almost unique in providing quality training.
At this stage I think it appropriate to thank a number of people;
Firstly our past chairman Keith Davis, who got the club going, did the initial paperwork and got us the funds for our excellent equipment. We all owe a great deal to Keith.
Secondly the club is indebted to the Dolier clan; Grant for his role as Coach in our training programmes, Natalie as our membership secretary and pool fund collector and Willie for getting to grips with the equipment side. To you all, our thanks.
Finally I would like to thank Hugh, not only for his efforts with the Sea Kayak training over the last few years but also for stepping in on the teaching side over the last few weeks. His support has been invaluable.
Activity wise we possibly may not have been quite as active as last year. Looking through the website we had 4 overnighters
1) A long weekend trip from West Loch Tarbert up the west coat to Tayvallich
2) A 5 day trip on West Skye
3) A long weekend on Loch Awe
4) A training weekend on Loch Lomond
We had lots of day trips e.g.
1) Loch Striven
2) Fog on the The Clyde
3) The River Awe
4) Loch Lomond.
5) Rough Water training at Ardrossan
We had lots of evening trips e.g
1) Loch Long at Finnart
2) River Leven
3) Loch Long at Ardentinny
4) Clyde
5) Loch Lomond
For the first time, this year, members became competitors when Sue and Ruth entered the Round Lismore Sea Race; Sue becoming Veteran Ladies Champion and Sue and Ruth claiming second and third places in the Open Ladies category.
Finally this year cannot be allowed to pass without comment on our Open Day at Loch Lomond and our stand at Helensburgh 2011. Looking around, these appear to have been highly successful in introducing people to this great sport/recreation.
For the future I think one of our key problems is going to be remaining solvent. If we double pool time we must fill the sessions. We will have insurance and maintenance bills that we have not had before. We will have to ensure our membership is fully paid up. So possibly sadly today we are waving goodbye to our youth
Geoff
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
AGM Thursday 24th March 8pm. Scout Halls, John Street
AGM, Cup of Tea then
Illustrated Talk: Kayaking down the Adriatic. Sue and Alan on thier month long paddle from Rijeka to Dubrovnick




















