Canoe with a View : : Canadian Open Canoe forum

Many, Many Moons ago I tried to get my stepson (Fil) and stepdaugter (Jen) into paddling...After a few baths sessions on the Wirral, a trip to Chester Sailing and Canoeing Club put paid to any aspirations with a curt...."We don't do Slalom here any more..!"....and there it ended.....

Last weekend (Retford), Chris and I managed to persuade Fil and Toby (his mate) to come join us for the weekend, I think the solomn promise of NO mothering did the trick, and they "say" they had a fantastic time....

I was due to meet up with Gill today for our first C2 training session ready for Marple this weekend........and invited Fil to come and join me...to check it out...(oh and bring a change of clothes, just in case you feel like having a go..... )...

Without much persuasion...it was a bit of a result.....







Yep...First time out for real, first time in a Slalom boat, first time on moving water and even managed some confident Ferry Gliding...













And he's up for trying out a C1 tomorrow.....

...I think he may have seen the Light.....

....I may have to find funding for another Open and Slalom boat.......

Well done tonight Fil, well impressed mate....

A HUUUUGGEEE Thank you to Mark for spending time with Fil.........

Cheers
Red.

Yep he certainly looks happy enough back in a boat another late entry for the weekend

Better start saving

(02-09-09 09:28 PM)redframe Wrote: [ -> ]....I may have to find funding for another Open and Slalom boat.......


Cheers
Red.

And a bigger car................

Cheers
Tim

Don't we know someone with a trailer to convert?

i thought i recognised the river/boats well done fil hope to c u soon iain.

p.s. good luck red and gill for the weekend at marple gauntlet.

Its nice to see Fil get out and look as thought he is enjoying himself in a boat well done Red and Chris so will we be seeing him at Marple competing??? and is the next mission to get Jen in a boat???

Well done Red, on your Perseverence with the Children, its so rewarding when you can see the look of delight on their faces. Pleased for you mate,
Best Regards Bill

Top stuff Red. well done fil, looks like you're thoroughly enjoy yourself in the pics.

So much so, he was back for more today !!!

The river was a lot higher, so Mark took him in a plastic kayak, he seemed to enjoy it.

You need to put him off paddling, otherwise it will cost you

Must have missed his entry card for this weekend

Thanks for all the encouraging replys!!

Definatly something i want to keep up, i think the bug Red mentioned may of actulaly been a gargantuan, bloodthirsty shark (of metaphor)...

At twenty i fear the bill is mine to bare but, a boat is undoubtably worth saving for.

The water was also great today, higher and faster with more waves to play around in but on the whole both days were equally enjoyable. I was surprised at the weight difference between slalom and plastic kayaks, initialy thinking i'd prefer to paddle a play boat, but after trying one out i actualy prefered the slalom boat.

Thanks very much to Mark and Gill, who are amazing instructers and Si & Mum for two great days on the water!! And hopefully many more..