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*** Training Opportunity ***
Hello everyone,
I will be around between 19 January and 1 February. I am willing to offer 3* training and/or assessment for a group of up to 6 paddlers in one or more of the following:
White Water Kayak
White Water Canoe
Kayak Touring
Canoe Touring
However, you might prefer to go for the white water options while there is water in the rivers? We can do the touring ones any time I am around....
You can find the syllabi here http://www.canoe-england.org.uk/tests-i-awards/personal-performance-awards/paddlesport-start-i-1-to-3-star/
If you want to be assessed, please make sure you have been trained or have otherwise gained the skills on the relevant syllabus as well as having logged the required number of trips in the appropriate craft and environment!
If you are looking for training, you should have consolidated your 2* skills and have some experience in the appropriate craft and environment!
Either way, you should have either your own or borrowed boat and kit with which you are comfortable and familiar.
While I understand many of you will be working or studying on the weekdays, we will have more flexibility if you can make them rather than filling up the weekends?
Locations will depend upon the syllabus we go for as well as conditions.
Nearer the time, I'll know who is available when and what they want to do so I'll fix dates. Locations are likely to remain flexible until I know the likely conditions.
We will need to start early in the morning and be out until dusk so bring lunch and plenty of snacks and hot drinks.
The only costs will be the usual travelling ones plus BCU fees for successful assessment candidates.
Any questions? Ask here....
Happy Christmas,
Brian.
Hello again everyone,
I'm sorry, this is a bit long but there is essential information in it so please read and react to all of it!
So, it looks like there are at least 4 of you looking for 3* white water in kayaks (Rachel, Mike, Helen and Therese), with the possibility of one more (Martyn). This leaves one or two spaces. Looking at your responses, how does the weekend 24-25 January sound? Now we need some water in the rivers!
My plan is to meet at a river location at 9am on the Saturday for a day of refresher training and to iron out any particular problems you might have. We will then do the assessment on the Sunday. My preferred location will be the Dart meeting at Holne (the BCU owned get in I think you all know?) and paddling down to Buckfastleigh, probably on both days. I think you will all know this section of river? However, I will announce venue(s) here a day or two beforehand when I have a good idea of the likely conditions.
I will meet you at the river, unless anyone is near or passing through Moretonhampstead? You may need keys to the boat shed between you...
WARNING Expect the river and the weather to be COLD. You must be prepared and equipped for rolling and swimming in the river, whatever the temperature! However, if I determine rolling or swimming other than where dictated by conditions and events would be dangerous, I will abort the assessment. With this in mind, a dry-suit worn over warm clothing is ideal. Failing this, a long john wetsuit with other insulating clothing and covered by a good dry top and some form of water proof/wind proof trousers will be adequate. Anyone attending without at least walking over-trousers will not take part in the training or assessment. Pay additional attention to hands and feet. This leaves your head, many helmets are well insulated, that's fine but don't forget your ears, you need to keep cold water out of your inner ears, either by using ear plugs or covering them with a neoprene skull cap under your helmet. These do impair hearing but that's better than damaging your ears!
Top Tip: try washing your dry suit/dry top/waterproof trousers in "Nickwax" "Tech Wash" and then "TX Direct", this will restore much of their original ability to repel water so when they get wet they will drain of quickly rather than staying wet so your body heat is used up in evaporating the retained water.
You are preparing yourselves to paddle on grade 2 water as part of a led group. At this level you should be contributing to the kit the group needs to have with it. As a minimum, you need:
A white water kayak, paddle, spray-deck, buoyancy aid, whistle and air bags!;
Your own food and hot drink, with spares;
First aid kit and any personal medication;
Spare/Additional clothing;
Basic repair kit;
Dry bag(s);
Tape and karabiner;
Throw line; and
River knife you can quickly extract and operate one handed.
Of course, I'm expecting all of you to pass on the Sunday so now is the time to begin to collect your kit and thoughts together and you have 3 weeks to practice any skills you might not be too familiar with. Re-read and digest the syllabus, training and assessment notes and we'll all have a great weekend.
Therese, as long as there is someone else to make up a minimum party of 3, I'm happy to spend a day or two in canoes during the week before or after. This will need some moving water but it can usually be done from the club. Most of the above applies to canoeing as well as kayaking....
Any questions? Ask here....
Happy New Year,
Brian.
I will be around between 19 January and 1 February. I am willing to offer 3* training and/or assessment for a group of up to 6 paddlers in one or more of the following:
White Water Kayak
White Water Canoe
Kayak Touring
Canoe Touring
However, you might prefer to go for the white water options while there is water in the rivers? We can do the touring ones any time I am around....
You can find the syllabi here http://www.canoe-england.org.uk/tests-i-awards/personal-performance-awards/paddlesport-start-i-1-to-3-star/
If you want to be assessed, please make sure you have been trained or have otherwise gained the skills on the relevant syllabus as well as having logged the required number of trips in the appropriate craft and environment!
If you are looking for training, you should have consolidated your 2* skills and have some experience in the appropriate craft and environment!
Either way, you should have either your own or borrowed boat and kit with which you are comfortable and familiar.
While I understand many of you will be working or studying on the weekdays, we will have more flexibility if you can make them rather than filling up the weekends?
Locations will depend upon the syllabus we go for as well as conditions.
Nearer the time, I'll know who is available when and what they want to do so I'll fix dates. Locations are likely to remain flexible until I know the likely conditions.
We will need to start early in the morning and be out until dusk so bring lunch and plenty of snacks and hot drinks.
The only costs will be the usual travelling ones plus BCU fees for successful assessment candidates.
Any questions? Ask here....
Happy Christmas,
Brian.
Hello again everyone,
I'm sorry, this is a bit long but there is essential information in it so please read and react to all of it!
So, it looks like there are at least 4 of you looking for 3* white water in kayaks (Rachel, Mike, Helen and Therese), with the possibility of one more (Martyn). This leaves one or two spaces. Looking at your responses, how does the weekend 24-25 January sound? Now we need some water in the rivers!
My plan is to meet at a river location at 9am on the Saturday for a day of refresher training and to iron out any particular problems you might have. We will then do the assessment on the Sunday. My preferred location will be the Dart meeting at Holne (the BCU owned get in I think you all know?) and paddling down to Buckfastleigh, probably on both days. I think you will all know this section of river? However, I will announce venue(s) here a day or two beforehand when I have a good idea of the likely conditions.
I will meet you at the river, unless anyone is near or passing through Moretonhampstead? You may need keys to the boat shed between you...
WARNING Expect the river and the weather to be COLD. You must be prepared and equipped for rolling and swimming in the river, whatever the temperature! However, if I determine rolling or swimming other than where dictated by conditions and events would be dangerous, I will abort the assessment. With this in mind, a dry-suit worn over warm clothing is ideal. Failing this, a long john wetsuit with other insulating clothing and covered by a good dry top and some form of water proof/wind proof trousers will be adequate. Anyone attending without at least walking over-trousers will not take part in the training or assessment. Pay additional attention to hands and feet. This leaves your head, many helmets are well insulated, that's fine but don't forget your ears, you need to keep cold water out of your inner ears, either by using ear plugs or covering them with a neoprene skull cap under your helmet. These do impair hearing but that's better than damaging your ears!
Top Tip: try washing your dry suit/dry top/waterproof trousers in "Nickwax" "Tech Wash" and then "TX Direct", this will restore much of their original ability to repel water so when they get wet they will drain of quickly rather than staying wet so your body heat is used up in evaporating the retained water.
You are preparing yourselves to paddle on grade 2 water as part of a led group. At this level you should be contributing to the kit the group needs to have with it. As a minimum, you need:
A white water kayak, paddle, spray-deck, buoyancy aid, whistle and air bags!;
Your own food and hot drink, with spares;
First aid kit and any personal medication;
Spare/Additional clothing;
Basic repair kit;
Dry bag(s);
Tape and karabiner;
Throw line; and
River knife you can quickly extract and operate one handed.
Of course, I'm expecting all of you to pass on the Sunday so now is the time to begin to collect your kit and thoughts together and you have 3 weeks to practice any skills you might not be too familiar with. Re-read and digest the syllabus, training and assessment notes and we'll all have a great weekend.
Therese, as long as there is someone else to make up a minimum party of 3, I'm happy to spend a day or two in canoes during the week before or after. This will need some moving water but it can usually be done from the club. Most of the above applies to canoeing as well as kayaking....
Any questions? Ask here....
Happy New Year,
Brian.
Comments
I'd be keen for some training and assessment of my 3* white water kayak if possible. I did some 3 star training last year but have done only a little bit this year as was getting into sea kayaking. I never got my 3 star assessment so would be keen to work towards that. Sadly I can't take anytime off work during the week but can try and fit into what ever you may be doing at the weekends.
Many thanks
Rachel C
Like Rachel done my 3* training (trying to get more practice in) may be able to get some weekdays off but would be nice to do more training and hopefully an assessment.
Cheers
Mike
I'm interested in the kayak touring but as you say that might be better left till later in the year.
Susan
Cheers,
Rob
Shame, maybe another time?
Brian
I did wonder why Patrick wasn't showing up as interested!
Of course, he's welcome to join us, 'though I suggest he doesn't bring his play boat. While there is a great deal of fun to be had in a play boat, experience does suggest that, at this level, more of a white water boat will allow him to progress in the syllabus areas rather than being held back by an inappropriate (for what we are trying to do) craft. Best to sort through the club kayaks and select one that fits him, he's comfortable in and he gets some practice in before the training and assessment. After assessment, he'll return to his play boat with renewed skills.
While I don't think it's normal to book a boat to the exclusion of other people using it, I doubt anyone will mind if it's short term for training towards an assessment?
See you all soon,
Brian.
Yes, it does sound like Matt might be nearly ready for assessment. Ordinarily, I'd say come along and we'll see but I am only allowed to assess 6 candidates at any time and he's number 7, so first reserve in case anyone else drops out. Of course, if another leader or coach steps up, Matt will be welcome on the Saturday for training and to tag along during the assessment, all of which should be fun and will be good practice for him...
Sorry,
Brian.
Rachel,
Mike,
Helen,
Theresa,
Rob, and
Patrick
with Matt as first reserve in case anyone drops out.
All systems go! By now, you should all be fully conversant with the syllabus and all the skills contained in it, the trainer and assessor notes.
I am looking forward to being impressed by a well equipped and trained team, in line with the briefing I have included at the top of this forum. You should know your kayak and kit, whether your own or borrowed, and you should at least be able to perform all the skills in the syllabus as part of a journey on Grade 2 water. We will interrupt the journey for you to show me some of the skills that don't crop up naturally. Expect to roll and, separately, to swim....
You might find me on the Dart loop on Saturday 17th or the Teign on Sunday 18th where I'll be paddling with Kent Scout Leaders. If you do, please say hello and ask any questions you might have. Otherwise I'll see you at 9am on Saturday 24th at the river, probably the Dart at Holne but do check here on Friday evening in case the location changes because conditions dictate....
Brian.
Thought you had it? 07982241730
How was today?
Brian.
Yes, Chris is talking about open boats, I saw him over the weekend. Looks like Chris and Erika want to work upon moving water skills ather than the whole 3* syllabus? Therese looks keen to do that as well, 'though I was under the impression you seek 3*? We could have a day on the middle Dart or Teign between Fingle and Steps bridges, both of which are ideal for moving water skills. I think you are all available on weekdays? Just need to decide when, next week is marginally better for me....
Assuming all are available all next week, let's see what the weather has in store for us and decide upon a day at the weekend?
Would need to meet at the club as I don't have a canoe with me and will appreciate help to put a club one on the car, please!
Thanks,
Brian
Cheers, Rob
Like Rob I was also hoping to try and secure a lift over the weekend if possible for the training? (again in exchange for cash or beer!)
Many thanks
Rachel
I have heard from Therese and Helen this morning, they both have to drop out due to unforeseed circumstances which is a shame but may be good news for Coilin and Matt who can now join us in their places.
Colin knows about this but if anyone has contact with Matt or Christine other than here, please do let them know Matt has a place after all!
So, our party now comprises:
Rachel
Mike
Rob
Patrick
Colin and
Matt
Looking at the above, Matt, Patrick Rachel and Rob are all looking for help with transport so I'm hoping Colin and Mike will be driving and can take everyone and their kayaks?
If not, Maybe Matt's parents might step in to help?
See you all on Saturday morning, I'll post the venue here tomorrow when I've decided it!
Thanks,
Brian.
Patrick will be with Colin, (1 space if needed).
I can give Rachel and Rob a lift.
Not sure if Matt is needing a lift or will go down with his parents? (can you let us know Christine?)
I don't have contact numbers for anyone (bar Patrick). Mine is 077six7 48seven887.
Will be at club for 8.
Don't forget the kit Brian has listed (reposted to save everyone scrolling back through)
A white water kayak, paddle, spray-deck, buoyancy aid, whistle and air bags!;
Your own food and hot drink, with spares;
First aid kit and any personal medication;
Spare/Additional clothing;
Basic repair kit;
Dry bag(s);
Tape and karabiner;
Throw line; and
River knife you can quickly extract and operate one handed.
You can find the syllabi here http://www.canoe-england.org.uk/tests-i-awards/personal-performance-awards/paddlesport-start-i-1-to-3-star/
The club do have some throw lines but i dont have access to these as they are locked away but will speak to Jane later to see if we can use them.
Water levels are intermediate to low at the moment but some rain is forecast this evening so they should at least stay where they are, maybe even rise a little.
This is ideal for our needs and a sunny day is forecast!
Meet at the BCU get in for the Dart, by the 'broken' weir. For any of you who don't know this location, it's just below the bridge at Holne. From the A38, take the road signposted to the Dart Country Park, pass the Park and keep going until you see my car (a red vectra estate without roof bars) on the left at the bottom of a hill. If you reach the bridge over the river, you have gone too far! I'll be there for 9am and there are likely to be other vehicles unloading kayaks and canoes.
I think some of you will be at the pool session this evening so I'll see you there.
Looks like we have some throw lines, I'll bring some more. In case anyone is struggling with kit for tomorrow, I'll take all I have with me and we should end up with enough between us.
Don't forget your water proof and wind proof tops and trousers.
See you ar the river,
Brian.
As mentioned earlier, many thanks again for doing this weekend. Yesterday was a good reminder and helped bring back to mind some skills we don't use very often.
Both days great and informative.
Well done everyone on passing your 3*.
Mike
I said at the top of this thread and on Saturday morning that I was looking forward to being impressed by your abilities and you all came up with the goods and impressed me. Thank you and well done, it was a pleasure to paddle with you all.
Get out there and paddle!