REGENTS CANOE CLUB NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2006 · REGENTS CANOE CLUB NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2006 ... , Paul J, Doug, ... To Stuart and Tracy Jagot who

Indian Expedition

REGENTS CANOE CLUBNEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2006

Karen Shaw‐Wilson Six Regents members joined a trip to India arranged by Glenmore Lodge.

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The first week was spent staying at a comfortable fixed Camp Silversands on the banks of the Ganga (Ganges) (01). (02) shows Ralph, Wath, Tipu, Christine, Debs, Doug, Dickie, Bruce, Paul J at Camp Silversands.

Contents:

Indian Expedition – page 1

My favourite rivers – page 5

Congratulations – page 8

Psychobabble corner – page 9

Beginners trip to the River Wye – page 10

Keeping the Equipment Officer happy – page 12

French Alps trip – page 13

Organising a trip – page 14

Dates for your diary – page 15

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RCC Newsletter December 2006

The Ganga offered some big water rapids, with time to relax in‐between. (03‐05)

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Midweek we went up to the Alaknanda to get ourselves blessed by the holy men (06) at the confluence with the Bagarathi ‐ what they consider to be the start of the mighty holy Ganga. We also “test out” free camping ‐ not bad! (07)

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At the end of the week an overnight train and long bus journey brought us to our half‐built hotel in Pithoragarth (08), where we spent two nights, took in the local market and played a bit of cricket. (09) Then, the more adventurous paddlers among us started on the Gori Ganga (10), collecting the rest of us and our rafts at the confluence with the Kali River, which was to be our home for the next 5 days.

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The Kali forms the border between India and Nepal. Five days on the Kali of “wee bouncy waves” (and I always thought “wee” meant small – must brush up on my Scottish) and some flatter bits, camping on the white sands of the banks each night. (11, 12)

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We stopped off at a Nepalese temple along the way and had highland games (13, 14).

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Team photo (here we are with our raft oarsmen, cook and helpers) (15). Standing: Anvish (kayak guide), Tipu, Ralph, Christine, Debs, Dickie. Seated: Karen, our 2 helpers for the week, Bruce, Wath, Kansing (gear raft oarsman), Paul J, Doug, Chicago (gear & passenger raft oarsman), our cook.

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And finally, back to Delhi for two nights. A little bit of sight seeing – Qutb Minar, Humayan’s Tomb (16), and a mini Taj Mahal! (17) and on home for the rest of the group.

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Ralph & I stayed on another week in the comfortable Kipling Camp, Kanha National Park to take in some wildlife (18), and play with an elephant called Tara (19).

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My favourite rivers/paddling places around the world Paul Wathan So if that didn’t make you jealous enough, Wath now tells us of some of the rivers he has paddled… Austria River Isar: Fast flowing alpine‐type river with clear blue water running through two scenic gorges in private forestry park. Interesting mandatory shuttle service provided by local taxis – cuts down on the faff! Weir at bottom. (Grade 3‐(3)). Australia Penrith White Water Stadium: Venue for the Sydney 2000 Olympics slalom competition. Simply the best artificial white water course in the world – it is even equipped with a conveyor belt to take you back to the top. (Grade 3+). 5


Belize Macal River: Picturesque touring river running through the Mayan town of San Ignacio, close to Guatemalan border. Ideal for open canoeing. (Grade 1‐2). Canada The Lakes of Algonquin National Park: Situated in the heart of the Canadian wilderness but only a couple of hours drive out of Toronto. Great place for camping but watch out for those bears! When in Canada paddle a Canadian. (Grade 1). Costa Rica Rio Pacuare: A beautiful tropical river, ideal for a two day expedition including an overnight camp in the jungle. It offers fantastic scenery, warm water and some challenging rapids too. My favourite river to‐date. (Grade 3‐4). Ecuador Rio Napo: Scenic river flowing from a volcano backdrop into the jungle where you are always guaranteed a welcome from the children of the local villages. Kayak hire available from Rios Ecuador in nearby Tena. (Grade 3+). England River Dart: Running through Dartmoor National Park in Devon, the Loop Section is a classic river for intermediates (grade 2‐3) with a harder Upper (Dartmeet) Section (continuous grade 3‐4, one possible 5). France River Claree: Beautiful clear blue alpine river with snow capped mountain backdrop. Split into 3 sections. Upper: continuous grade 3‐4, Middle: continuous grade 3, Lower: grade 2‐3. Germany River Ammer: Scenic river with clear water running through a high sided gorge in rural Bavaria (very close to picturesque castle country). Good weir shute at bottom. (Grade 3‐). Hungary River Danube: Flat but high volume and fast flowing river. Watch out for the enormous industrial barges. There are some nice beaches just to the north of Budapest where you can hire canoes and kayaks. (Grade 1‐2).

India Upper Ganges: Big volume river in the Indian Himalayas. Lots of flat bits interspersed with big wave trains, big holes and big swirly boils. Great scenery and nice beaches with permanent campsites. (Grade 3 (4)).

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Mexico River Zimitan: High volume river with jungle backdrop. Nice warm water and some good pool / drop rapids. Trips organised by AguaAzul. (Grade 3‐4). Morocco Ahansal River: High volume river in the Atlas Mountains. Breathtaking scenery through several gorges. Water By Nature organise a range of kayaking and rafting trips out of Marekesh. Do not go in spate conditions! (Grade 3). Nepal Mandakali River: Big volume river forming the border with India. Fantastic scenery, very unspoilt (watch out for leopards). Take a 5 day expedition paddle with Aquaterra Adventures, wild camping on white sandy beaches overnight. (Grade 3‐4). New Zealand Buller River: High volume river with some big rapids. Close to Murchison on the South Island – ideal location for a kayaking holiday. Kayak hire available from the infamous Mick Hopkinson’s New Zealand Kayak School. (Gade 2‐3‐4). Portugal River Minho: Nice river forming the border with north west Spain. Very friendly locals but be warned, not much English is spoken so a good opportunity to brush up on your Spanish or Portuguese. Excellent local food and wine. (Grade 2‐3). P.S. Don’t mention Shaun Baker. Scotland River Findhorn: Dulcie Bridge section is always good for a few carnage moments with plenty of stoppers and holes to catch the unwary. Perfectly safe though as there is a large flat area below the rapid for picking up the pieces (grade 3‐4). Slovenia River Soca: A very paddler friendly river with all get‐ons and get‐offs clearly marked on roadside with maps showing gradings together with signs along the river. Absolutely fantastic scenery with amazing colour water flowing into numerous gorges with snow capped mouintain backdrop. Various sections graded from 1 to 5. Spain Noguera Pallaresa: Lovely dam realease river running through the Pyrenean mountain town of Sort. Camping available next to river or cheap hotels in town. Venue of world championship rodeo competitions (grade 2‐3, one 4). Sri Lanka Kelani River: Excellent dam release jungle river with seven named grade 3/3+ rapids. Paddle through the section where they filmed “Bridge over the River Kwai”. Kayak hire and white water rafting available through Borderline at the Plantation Hotel, Kitulgala. Thailand Koh Phi Phi: Hire a “sit‐on” sea kayak and paddle out to find your own deserted desert island beach. Wales River Tryweryn: Home of the Welsh Canoe Association. Dam release river flowing into Lake Bala. Good facilities including changing rooms, showers, café and a campsite next to the river. Upper Section: continuous grade 3, possibly reaching 4 at high release. Lower Section to Bala (restricted access): grade 2‐3, one 4‐ (Bala Mill Falls) easily portaged.

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Congratulations!

To Stuart and Tracy Jagot who married on 30th September.

To Claire Emery and Mike Lancaster who have announced their engagement.

To Pete Stephens and partner Jess on the birth of Archie Thomas Anthony Stephens on 22nd October.

And finally, to Carla Gibson and Gus Jackson who are expecting their first child.

The Committee Chair – Karen Shaw Wilson Secretary – Katie Cordell Treasurer – Steve Hatton Safety/Training – Christine Dove Equipment – Claire Taylor [email protected] Membership Secretary–Thomas Desodt [email protected] Social Secretary – Claire Emery Newsletter – Caroline Robson [email protected] Website/Publicity – Ian Tokelove [email protected] IBC Liaison – Emma Watts

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mailto:[email protected]





Psychobabble corner (this month’s alternative to “Katie’s kit column”) Ali Reardon Generally whilst paddling I like to pass the time by annoying people with vast amounts of psychobabble.

Firstly, I think there’s nothing like a good motivational song on the river. The following are useful for moments of fear or apathy alike – e.g. you’re a) wishing you were back at home in bed watching “Saturday Kitchen” or b) so terrified that you’re making a bit of a scene, the motivational chats have failed and you’re on the brink of a big vomit. Don’t stop me now – Queen (the idea being to convince yourself that, yes, you really are ‘having such a good time’ and that you just ‘don’t want to stop at all’). One Moment in Time ‐ oh come on! Don’t tell me you don’t remember this Whitney classic; the inspirational soundtrack to the 1988 Olympics. Who amongst us could fail to be spurred on by the line – “Give me one moment in time, when I’m more than I thought I could be”. Brilliant. They should bottle that. Pass the Dutchie on the Left hand side – Musical Youth. Hilariously reworded “pass the Eddy on the left hand side” ‐ for those out of control moments when you just can’t seem to manage a break. Living on a Prayer – Bon Jovi. For when you are. Bat Out of Hell ‐ Meatloaf. No meaning, just on the list because I love soft rock and I’m not ashamed to say so.

If all else fails, listen hard….somewhere out there will be Liza yelling “paddle, paddle, paddle” in a supportive, but slightly out of control fashion.

Slightly annoying sayings

Comfort zonezzz

Fear zone

New comfort zone

“You didn’t fail. Failure would have been not trying” – useful for when someone has just fallen in (best said with your head cocked to one side, accompanied by as patronising a smile as you can manage). “Did we learn something today, did we have fun and were we safe?” A club favourite. “What was good about that do we think?” Useful when there was nothing good and you’re just trying to be annoying.

A diagram

Finally, no psychobabble corner would be complete without the comfort zone diagram. I can’t be bothered to describe it, so work it out for yourself – the rewards are high. Believe me.

Anyway, I’m off now, I have to go to my happy place.

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Beginners trip to the River Wye – penned by the East London ladies writing society aka Corrine, Katrin and Sandra

The weekend got off to a good start with all the cars making it to St Briavels before closing time. Those who hadn’t had a misspent youth downed bottles of Magners or the local cider…everyone else stuck to beer. White water was the talk of the night. Our medieval accommodation was very impressive with highly musical dorms (snoring, creaking and maybe a ghost or two). Steph made a handsome profit on her spare earplugs. We joined a large group celebrating a family birthday (more of that later) and a lovely family of four who got a bit more than they bargained for with their fellow hostellers. I would love to be able to write that Saturday brought a beautiful sunny day but actually it was grey…and drizzling. We set off eagerly, a convoy of kayak‐carrying cars. Unfortunately, this convoy didn’t include Ian, who headed speedily off towards the Severn. It was only when his passengers spotted a well‐known bridge that they realised something was amiss. Those at the Wye were cursing the lack of phone signal and wondering where on earth he was. Some time later (despite the forgotten buoyancy aid) we all finally made it onto the water. The three groups paddled off serenely. Mark and Pam’s group found something very unusual in the river that morning but none of the other groups managed to work out what it was. We all perfected our ferry‐gliding and low brace turns. We broke in/broke out into every available eddy including ones that didn’t exist. Families in canadian canoes paddled past in awe. About halfway down the river Christine’s group demonstrated beautifully how to break out into an eddy. Mark and Pam’s group then shot past and ably demonstrated everything that could go wrong in moving water. Sandra became stuck on submerged branches and had to be valiantly rescued by Mark. In the meantime Lindsay

capsized but recovered beautifully with a swift flick of her hips. And then disaster struck. Ed got out of the water to find that his car keys had disappeared, an offering to the river gods. There then followed a lot of searching, more cursing of the lack of mobile signal and eventually calls to the AA and local locksmiths. Dave and Ed were left (happily settled in a pub in front of the footie) waiting for help. Everyone else returned to our medieval abode to change for dinner.

That evening saw us attend a medieval banquet. Princess Christine was looking fabulous in flowing brown robes. All the instructors had made an impressive effort to look the part (after seeing Ian’s pirate outfit Johnny Depp had better watch out, although we’re not sure how many pirates there were in medieval times). Most of our fellow hostellers were in a family party celebrating a sixtieth birthday. They provided the Lord and Lady of the Manor and called upon us, their guests, for entertainment. We were all out‐classed at this by the under‐tens and Paul and Christine’s relationship may never be the same again after that joke about washing up….and then it was back to the pub. The next morning was sunny. Collecting our damp and smelly kit and nursing the odd hangover we ALL headed off in search of white water. A cunning plan was in place to regain the

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use of Ed’s car later that day and things were looking good. After a brisk game of polo we hit the rapids. Several people swam but Dan the Man stayed in for a rescue. There was great excitement about seal slides down the riverbank chutes (one hero even managed to do it backwards). This was what it was all about, those weeks of hard work on the Islington canal and in the pool paid off. Several of the group managed to roll including a first time successful effort by Kerryn (don’t try it in a Dragon Boat though). Dave sustained the only injury. His wrist was carefully bandaged by Mark and checked by the


GPs in the group (we know you got it x‐rayed though Dave). After packing our things in the muddy parking lot at Symonds Yat the group split up. Most headed back to London, some had cream tea in the sun by the river. The remaining few went back to the parking lot where Ed’s car was still waiting to be unlocked….it remained unlocked for a while….and finally they made it back to London at about 1am. The weekend was a great introduction to moving water. Roll on Mile End Mill! All that remains is to say a big thank‐you to all the instructors/drivers in particular Christine.

ScotlandEmma Watts ([email protected]) is organising a club trip to Scotland (Fort William) over the Easter holidays from Sunday 8th April to Saturday 14th. The trip is aimed at intermediate/advanced kayakers padling grade 2/3 and 3/4 rivers. Examples of rivers that may be paddled (depending on water levels) are the Arkaig 2+(4), a bit like the Lower Tyweryn and the Upper Spean 3+(4) a bit like the Upper Tryweryn. Check out UK Rivers Guide website or the Scottish White Water Guide Book for detailed descriptions. There are only 16 places available. Please email to express an interest in the trip. Confirmation of place on the trip will be confirmed when a deposit is recieved (£65 ‐ the accomodation cost) payable to Regents Canoe Club. Monday Skills SessionsNeed practice on your draw stroke or your stern rudder? If youʹve just started paddling and want extra practice or have been paddling for years and would like to share good paddling tips, come down to the canal on the 1st Monday of the month. Meet at 6:30pm. All welcome, both new and old members of Regents, for a laugh and some helpful hints! Starts 5th February 2007. For more info contact Emma on [email protected] Can’t get on a trip? Don’t forget there are plenty of organisations out there who coach kayaking professionally. Plas y Brenin (www.pyb.co.uk) in North Wales and Glenmore Lodge (www.glenmorelodge.org.uk) in Aviemore being two of the most popular. Courses are always more fun if there are a few of you, so if you’re planning anything don’t forget to mention it to your paddling mates! Pool sessions The pool sessions are continuing every two weeks at Highbury Grove School in Islington. Dates for 2007 are January 10th and 24th, February 7th and 21st and March 7th and 21st. The sessions run from 7‐8.30pm and are open to RCC members only. Sessions cost £4. No need to book – just turn up. Newsletter contributions This newsletter if for all members of Regents Canoe Club and if you’ve got something you want to share with us please let the editor know ([email protected]) . Competitions, canoe/kayak holidays, day outings or anything not even canoe related. All contributions are gratefully received.

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http://www.pyb.co.uk/

http://www.glenmorelodge.org.uk/


Keeping the Equipment Officer happy Claire Taylor It is great to have so many new members at the club, both paddling on club nights and going on trips. However, this has made the task of keeping kit in good working order a bit of a challenge. This is a reminder of a few things that we can all do to make sure the club runs smoothly. Using club facilities • Put boats back in the cage properly. If you take footrests or foam out, put it back in the boat for the next

person. • If you notice something is broken – let Claire know – either leave a note in the signing in book or contact

her on [email protected] or 07768 752 635 Hiring out kit • You can hire kit as far in advance as you want. • Kit can be hired out between 8 and 8.30 on club nights. If Claire Taylor or Dave Pennington are not

around, there is usually another committee member who can help. • Kit can only be reserved if paid for in full. Part payment is not sufficient. • If you want to cancel a booking and want a refund – let Claire know by Wednesday so it can be offered

to someone else on Thursday. This is your only hope of getting your money back. • Be patient. Sometimes there are lots of people going away and booking out takes time. • Do not help yourself. Access to the cupboard is limited to Claire, Dave and Committee members. • Ask if you want something. If no one is there to help – come back a bit later. It is not possible to keep the

cupboard in order and manage the club’s stock if everyone dips in the cupboard. • Check any kit you are hiring is in good condition.

• Does the boat have a bung? • Do you need footrests or foam? • Do you need any other padding? • Does the boat have airbags?

The last thing anyone wants to be doing is making footrests just as everyone is about to get on the water. Come to the club early so you have time to fit your boat out how you like it. We will now sell foam for padding. Hopefully this will lead to less waste. Ask Claire for details. Returning Kit • Kit that was hired for a weekend needs to be returned by the following Thursday between 8 and 8.30.

Other people may want to hire it. • Late equipment needs to be paid for. All information is on the club website. • Any problems–contact Claire at [email protected] or phone/text on 07768 752 635 • Return kit to Claire, Dave P or a committee member. It needs to be checked back in – otherwise you

continue to be responsible for it. • You are responsible for kit you hire – if you leave it in your driver’s car, check it has been returned. You

are responsible for your kit, not your driver. • Returned kit must be dry and clean. • If you damage a piece of club kit, or notice it is broken/needs repairing, please let Claire know so it can

be repaired. Depending on what happened, you may be responsible. See website for details. Finally, the cupboard is not big enough for you to store your things in for any length of time. Please come and get your stuff quickly – before it finds its way to a new home. Thanks very much and happy paddling!

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French Alps Trip 2007 Wath gives us the low‐down

With the first big snowfall to hit the Alps earlier this week what an apt time to start thinking about a kayaking holiday in the French Alps for next June. Unfortunately Pam is unable to organise the annual Regents’ trip to Briancon in 2007, so I have taken on the mantle. I intend to go a couple of weeks later than Pam’s usual half‐term break in order to take advantage of the warmer weather and lack of brats, sorry kids. So here’s the plan:‐

Friday 15th June Morning ferry from Dover to Calais and then drive down through France to east of Lyon for an overnight stay in a Formula 1 hotel (or something similar). Saturday 16th June Morning paddle at Isle de la Serre, being an excellent grade 2‐3 slalom site off the river Rhone. This will be a good warm‐up before we hit the fast flowing alpine rivers. In the afternoon we drive on to Briancon (approx. 4 hours), where we will be staying for the next 7 nights at the Hotel Residences de la Guisane ski apartments. Sunday 17th to Friday 22nd6 days of paddling a variety of grade 2/3/4 alpine rivers being a mixture of high and low volume. Briancon is ideally placed with all rivers being within 1 hours’ drive from the hotel. There will be something for everyone with a typical day comprising of an easier grade 2‐3 river in the morning followed by possibly a harder grade 3‐4 one in the afternoon (water levels dependant). Saturday 23rd June Drive back up through France and either get a late Saturday night ferry back to the UK or stay on for an optional last night of the holiday in northern France (e.g. St Quentin) and then catch a ferry back on the Sunday.

Cost of trip Difficult to be exact, but total cost of return ferry, fuel, motorway tolls and 8/9 nights accommodation should be in the region of £250. You will obviously also need to bring spending money for food and drink.

Other info. The trip should be suitable for most abilities and all members who have some white water experience (e.g. have completed the beginners course plus a couple of white water trips under their belts such as to the Barle & Exe, Dart, Lower Tryweryn, Wye & Usk etc.) and who are looking to move on to that next stage. For those that have not been before, Briancon is a lovely mountain town in the French Alps, quite close to the Italian border. The new town has a lively atmosphere and there is a charming old town quarter at the top of the hill. There are plenty of bars and restaurants to relax or eat in, alternatively the apartments are self‐catering and people can chose to eat in if they so wish. I intend to book 6 no. 4 person apartments (actually 6 berth so will be fairly spacious), which means a maximum number of 24 on the trip. For those interested in joining me (and Christine), please send me a deposit cheque (made payable to “Paul Wathan”) in the sum of £20. Please also let me know if you are a car owner/driver and how many passengers you are able to take. Please feel free to contact me if you require any further information. 82c Queens Drive, Finsbury Park, London N4 2HW Tel: (h) 020 7503 8166, (w) 020 7974 1675, (m) 07768 441 368 E‐mail: [email protected]

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Organising a trip Christine Dove Recent trips have been hugely popular and in many cases over‐subscribed. As a club we try and run as many trips as we can – anyone can help by running their own trip. You don’t need to be an experienced paddler as there will always be people who will be more than happy to lead groups down a river. A detailed guide to organising a trip is on the RCC website, but here Christine gives us the outline of what’s involved.

1. Decide what sort of trip you want to run – surf, white water, to a slalom, other competition or event, or just a social outing or other sporting gathering. 2. If you already know where you want to go – well & good – go to point 4. 3. If you don’t know of suitable locations, rivers or events,

• talk to any Committee member • talk to any other Club members • search the internet (www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk is a good source of general river info,

www.bcu.org.uk for events & competitions) • look at past newsletters / RCC website www.regentscanoeclub.co.uk

4. You will need to consider • arranging accommodation – camping, bunkhouse, B & B • the numbers on the trip (may be dictated by a) and/or d) • any access or tickets required (see BCU website for Local Access Officers or ask advice from

Committee Members or more experienced members) • arranging transport – link car drivers with people needing lifts etc – don’t forget transport for

boats too! • Arranging food / catering – e.g. book a pub for a meal out, take food for communal self catering

or leave everyone to fend for themselves! 5. Advertise your trip. This may come before, or simultaneously with 4. “to test the water” and ascertain numbers / interest. Send details to Ian [email protected] to put on the website and send to Karen [email protected] to send round on Notes from Canalside. Include

• Date of trip / event • What & where it is / who it is aimed at / river gradings etc • Proposed accommodation / catering arrangements • Approximate cost • Your contact details • How to secure a place on the trip e.g. deposit of £‐‐ to X by certain date.

6. Collect money and names. Co‐ordinate transport / accommodation.

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http://www.guidebook/

http://www.bcu.org.uk/

http://www.regentscanoeclub.co.uk/




Important notes:• It can be a right hassle organising a trip – people keep changing their minds / arrangements / requirements / transport etc • You can’t please everyone all the time • You should aim for the trip to break even /cover all costs. The Club does not subsidise trips, so ensure you collect all monies. • Only Club members can hire equipment (and go on Club trips) • A camping trip is often easier to organise as numbers are less important for accommodation

• Even if you only have a core of 3 or 4 people wanting to go, you can still have a good trip (less than 3 should never be on the river) • You can of course delegate some of the organisation to others • Don’t let any of this put you off – you will have a real sense of achievement after you’ve all had an enjoyable trip. Enjoy your trip!

Dates for your diary

December 25th, 28th and January 1st

Club closed

10th January Pool session 7‐8.30pm, Highbury Grove School

13th/14th January River Dart trip. Contact Ralph on [email protected]

24th January Pool session 7‐8.30pm, Highbury Grove School

27th/28th January Rivers Wye and Usk trip. Contact Caroline on [email protected]

7th February Pool session 7‐8.30pm, Highbury Grove School

17th/18th February River Dart trip. Contact Katie on [email protected]

21st February Pool session 7‐8.30pm, Highbury Grove School

3rd/4th March River Tees trip. Contact Mark on [email protected]

7th March Pool session 7‐8.30pm, Highbury Grove School

21st March Pool session 7‐8.30pm, Highbury Grove School

8th – 14th April Week long trip to Scotland. Contact Emma on [email protected]

15th – 23rd June Alps trip. Contact Paul on [email protected]

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Documents

REGENTS CANOE CLUB NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2006 · REGENTS CANOE CLUB NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2006 ... , Paul J, Doug, ... To Stuart and Tracy Jagot who