Over the last few years, I have been trying to learn how to paddle an OC1. At the time I new no one else who paddle these craft, so I kind of had to try and learn things myself. this took a long time and a lot of swimming. I found out a lot along the way, like my outfitting was all wrong ect. But What I'm trying to get at, is that it would have taken less time and I would probably be a better paddler now If I'd had other Canoes to paddle with rather than Kayaks. I struggled on untill I eventually got some lessons from Ken and Kelvin and I had a bit of a Eureka moment, I found out that it was all about staying in the boat rather than swimming beside it. Then I went on the Tees meet last March and I found out there was a small secret society out there that paddled these strange craft, I learnt a lot from watching others paddle the same craft as me, infact I probably learnt as much in one weekend as I had in a whole year. I'm sat here wondering if there are many others like myself who are struggling to learn how to paddle on white water by themselves and I don't just meen in strange little boats, but in trad boats as well. Then I started thinking, I wonder if anyones ever thought of putting a club together, specialiseing in WW canoeing. Now I've vever been one for clubs as I work strange days and hours and find it hard to commit to regular days. But maybe if we could get together once a month and club together to get coaching or just arrange trips, like I want to go to the alps next year. I went this year but with kayakers, so it would be lovely to get a load of open boaters out there. So, anyway I'm waffling on a bit, I would just like to see what the general consensus would be, do people feel it would be a good idea or would it be just to much hassle to get off the ground. Let me know what you think.
Cheers.
Dave.
(oh and before anyone says anything, I know I can't spell)
Hi Dave,
I think it's a great idea, it does already exist though....
Here
, this section of the forum, was created for exactly that reason, to provide a means of contact for those of us that like the bumpy stuff...
It just needs to get used more..
Cheers
Red.
(16-11-09 05:02 PM)redframe Wrote: [ -> ]It just needs to get used more..
That would be the bumpy stuff then
As the water levels rise the WW Club should spring into action again, but yes good idea Dave, need to encourage some more OC1/C1 paddlers to the forum
i wouldn't mind having a go,
but have next to no experience, and no banana boat either...
canoes dont come cheap...
Ye. I realised trips could be organised through the forum, But because WW canoeing is such a minority sport, I figured it maybe good to spread the word beyond this forum, I don't quite Know how and I'm open to suggestions. I mean It would be nice to be able to promote WW canoeing to a level where the BCU actualy recognise it and we may even get a star scheme just for specialist white water canoes, so we don't have to try and fit in with the Kayak star awards. I mean Graeme, Heather, Kelvin and Ken to mention a few, have done there best to promote WW canoeing, but I figured if we all got out together a little more it might help things. Plus on a personal level I want to get out with others so I can learn from them and maybe try differant boats, to see witch one I would like to buy, as there are very few shops that demo, if any. The fact is if we get more people into this activity. then the shops may start supplying more boats, that would be great. I mean has anyone ever seen many kids doing ww in open canoes, there must be some, but I bet not as many as there are Kayaking, perhaps we could do demo days with clubs, to show them that open boats can be as much fun as kayaks.
Quote:i wouldn't mind having a go,
but have next to no experience, and no banana boat either..
Well BB, I don't think you need a banana boat, just a canoe thats fitted out for white water, I don't think a club needs to be that exclusive, I have a inflatable and have enjoyed useing that in the alps for the last 2 years. So I think club should be more about the activity rather than the craft involved. as long as it's single blade, so C1 could be part of it as well. we can all learn things from each other
corrected quote - BB.
I think the idea is good of forming a club, I can see some problem of getting people together for meets, as the North East, Yorkshire, the Lakes or Scotland are ideal WW venues and the majority of paddlers are fairly spread out over the country.
Looking at the 'Do you padlle an SWWC' on SotP there is probably about 30 that have put their hand up and I do know of a few more, so it would be quite an elite club if restricted to SWWC/OC1/C1.
But if it was a WW club then this would open up the door to a lot more paddlers, there were a lot of trad boats out on the Tyne Tour this year.
Hmmm food for thought?
I do realise that if there was a club started it would be very small to start with, but if it started with just 1 meet every month. then people could get togeter share ideas, try boats and maybe get some money together to pay for group coaching sessions. As I say It's just an idea and I wondered how many people would be interested. Do you think the idea should be put on other forums as well.
(16-11-09 07:16 PM)notsooutraged dave Wrote: [ -> ],, I wondered how many people would be interested. Do you think the idea should be put on other forums as well.
Maybe worth a punt?
The thought of constitutions and committees spring to mind
(16-11-09 07:54 PM)Graeme @ YC Wrote: [ -> ] (16-11-09 07:16 PM)notsooutraged dave Wrote: [ -> ],, I wondered how many people would be interested. Do you think the idea should be put on other forums as well.
Maybe worth a punt?
The thought of constitutions and committees spring to mind
and insurance.....and risk asssessments for participants under 23........formal norification and permission off parents for those under 19 before hitting the water.
Cheap insurance starts a 40 years old
Insurance would not be a problem if it was a BCU affiliated club that covers anyone that would be a member and the club itself.
Risk Assessments would be done in any case by the coaches, so that is not a problem.
Juniors would be covered for normal day trips as long as there was a consent form signed. Weekend trips away without parent/career would be a different kettle of fish.
Quote:Cheap insurance starts a 40 years old
Can't wait to get there
Go for it............
I think a few meets need to be put together before we start talking commities and things
. So we can see what interest there is and wether people would be into forming a comitee, But if you can have a national club for open boaters and canoe camping. Then why not a canoe club for WW. It only takes a few like minded people, a forum like this and maybe a little motivation.
Like the sound of this...the only difficulty being the dreaded admin if a club was set up.
Perhaps a few meets could be arranged through this forum and SOTP to gather interest and things taken from there. Bizarrely enough I have PM'd Red tonight about taking the inflatable I have (my only single bladed boat at the moment) out on a Sunday in the New Year to have bit of swimming on the Mighty T. Perhaps this could be a starter? If you have a good date in mind (Sunday please) it could be posted and more folk with throw lines pursuaded to come along and throw them.
Cheers, Windy
perhaps then we need to encourage people to post their trips on here to start with and see how many we get along. I'm hoping to do some stuff in the Lakes in the begining of December and again between Christmas and New Year. I'm also going to Scotland the Last weekend in November but thats for a week and with Kayakers. but if people want to join us up there, they are more than welcome. Although you will have to find your own accom. as the place we're useing is full. Oh and Windy is that the TEES your on about, if so and it's the right date then I would like to join you.