Trips

River Crake, Sun 23rd Feb 2014

The next trip is scheduled for the River Crayke.  This is a short stretch of grade 2/3 river running from Lake Coniston to Greenod.  It is approximately a 6 mile trip with the first mile down the lake before entering the river.  This part of the trip can be shortened but includes a short walk to the lake, Whereas the normal putin I use the walk is about 50 yards.  The river is narrow and consists of mainly grade 2 sections with 2 grade 3 sections.  The first Grade 3 can be inspected but the last one Bobbin Mill cannot be inspected and as such you need to be competent in your ability in the boat as the only safety is at the start and at the end.

The shuttle will take about 45 mins so I therefore suggest that we meet at 9.00 am at the putin indicated on the rainchasers site.  This should enable us to be on the water about 11.00.  With about 2/3 hours for the trip we should be off about 2.00pm.  Please bring a warm drink and something to eat.

Will you please let me know before Friday if you intend to paddle.  The distance from Dewsbury is approx.115m and will take about 2 hours using the motorway. If anyone wants a lift me please get in touch.

Link to rainchasers site: http://rainchasers.com/river/crake/blawith-common-spark-bridge#viewport

Regards

Mike Robson

Trips

New Years Day paddle – River Ure

A reminder that the New Years Day club paddle takes place on the River Ure, meeting for 10:30 at Slenningford campsite.

The organiser, Mark Wilbond, is happy to arrange to meet up with anyone between Xmas and New Years Day at Batley or Pugneys if anyone would like to borrow kit. Please contact Mark via email at mark_wilbond@btconnect.com

There will also be the possibility of a raft for those who want a slightly more relaxing trip down the river.

Hopefully see you there!

Trips

Re-scheduled: Wharfe Wharfe!!! Sun 20th Oct

This is the re-scheduled trip from two weeks ago, the much talked about Wharfe-Wharfe that has been in the making for over a year 🙂 The plan is to do both the Upper and Lower sections of the river Wharfe in a single run. This river includes Conistone Falls (a 1m river wide drop), Ghailstrills strid, Linton Falls (a grade 4 2m two-tier drop) and Appletreewick falls.

To make things easier, meet up is at the bridge over the river near Kilnsey (where we get in for the Upper Wharfe trips), drop off kit, take cars to the get out at Barden bridge and shuttle back in a couple of cars.

Meet up time is 9am.

This paddle is LONG and definitely not for beginners – please make sure you bring along something to eat and drink as it is a long time on the water. I imagine you will all ache after this paddle 😉

If you plan to come along, please let Tony know via email (tonythompson@pobox.com), on Facebook or via text to 07590 567652.

Trip is club members only. The trip can only take place if water levels are sufficient so please ensure you let the organiser know you are coming in case plans change. If the levels are low, we’ll end going to the Washburn instead which is only round the corner…

Announcements

Foundation Safety and Rescue course

For those that want it I will run a Foundation Safety and Rescue sessions over 2 consectutive weekends (Saturday/Sunday). The course is 8 hours minimum but I feel that 10 hours is more realistic (5 hours each day). I could run this any day between now and 23 Nov when I am away. If you are thinking of going on to coaching you need to complete this course to an acceptable standard. The course consists of 2 hours of theory and 8 hours of rescues covering swimmers, boat to boat rescues.

The purpose is to provide the paddler with all the necessary skills which will enable them to ensure the safety of themselves and others, also to equip each person with the appropriate rescue skill which can be used to help themselves and others.

This award will be registered with the BCU and is open to all persons over 14 years of age. You need to be 2 star paddling standard as you will be using a variety of craft. You also need to be able to swim in your normal paddling clothing.

For those younger than 14 I will run a junior version.

For those wishing to participate please contact Mike Robson. Tel 07721 362529 Email mike.robson23@ntlworld.com.

Regards

Mike Robson

Announcements, Trips

River trips added to the calendar

The schedule of club river trips for the new season has now been published on the Calendar.

Each trip has been classified as Beginner (generally Grade 2), Intermediate (Grade 3) or Experienced (3+). If you would like further info, e.g. you are unsure if a trip is suitable, please contact the organiser listed for the trip in question.

We would encourage our newer members to consider attending some of the beginner paddles as they provide a good introduction to river trips, get you some experience on the river and are most importantly, good fun!

General trip guidelines/tips

  • Club trips are only open to members.
  • If you would like to attend a trip, please ensure you let the organiser know by the last Thursday at the latest before the trip starts – this gives the organiser time to ensure sufficient safety cover is available.
  • If you need kit for a trip, let the organiser know well in advance of the paddle – we’ll try to accommodate a request where possible or arrange for you to collect kit.
  • You must wear suitable clothing for paddling and appropriate for the weather conditions – many of the trips are held over the winter months when it can be cold.
  • A change of clothing is a necessity (for the winter months, this also includes hat/gloves and possibly hand warmers).
  • On long trips in particular, it is a good idea to take food and drink (in cold weather, a hot drink).
  • Consider taking a dry bag (you can purchase suitable dry bags from RoHo) with personal medication, first aid kit etc – you can store your food, gloves etc in the dry bag too.
  • For the advanced trips, a throwline is a necessary item. Additionally, consider taking a knife in your bouyancy aid pocket.
  • Boats should be fitted with inflated air bags at all times – not doing so makes the rescue of boats particularly difficult.
  • If in doubt, ask the organiser or other experienced paddlers for advice.
  • Trips can change venue on the day due to last minute issues such as the weather or river levels – again, it is important to let the organiser know you are attending.
  • A lot of the previous trips have videos on our YouTube channel – check them out for an idea of what to expect.
Announcements

Club membership renewal is now due

Please note that club membership fees are now due from 1st October for the coming 2014 year.

Club membership entitles you to attend river trips, club holidays and lower fees for pool/Pugneys sessions. It also provides the opportunity to vote at the AGM in November, to help influence the direction of your club.

2014 Membership fees for the club are as follows:

£30 family
£20 individual

Membership fees should be paid as soon as possible and within 1 month of the renewal date.

Please ensure you fill in a new membership form with the payment (see below). Once completed, please hand the form and payment to a member of the committee at either Pugneys or one of the pool sessions. Alternatively, you can post payment along with the membership form to the address on the form.

If you wish to make payment via a Bank transfer, please contact Natalie Wilbond for further details.

Cheques should be made payable to West Yorkshire Canoe Club.

The updated membership form is available to download here.