All,
I am looking at going to the WW Course this Saturday. If you have done one of the recent river paddling sessions with me you are welcome to come (However please contact me first)
If you would like to come and have not been paddling with me recently please ring me to discuss.
See you on Saturday
Cheers
Richard
For those of you who have not been before the course is running at a level of 2.4 this is an ideal level for peoples first time. At this level the drops are not too big and more dificult section at the bottom of the course is quite friendly.
Regards
Scott.
Thursday, 29 November 2007
Thursday, 15 November 2007
Christmas Meal
Hi All,
Des had been trying to find us a venue for this years Christmas meal but has no luck for the previously published date of the 15th December. He has however managed to provisionally book space for 20 people at the Golden Lion on Friday the 21st of December. If you are interested please contact him as soon as possible so the booking can be confirmed.
Thank you.
Des had been trying to find us a venue for this years Christmas meal but has no luck for the previously published date of the 15th December. He has however managed to provisionally book space for 20 people at the Golden Lion on Friday the 21st of December. If you are interested please contact him as soon as possible so the booking can be confirmed.
Thank you.
Saturday, 10 November 2007
More Tyne tour
First of all thanks must go to Richard for doing the organisation of the weekend.
It was a great weekend, the weather was fine and the paddling was a real pleasure. The North Tyne valley was looking fantastic. No one took what could really be called a swim although there was a lot of discussion over me getting water in my open canoe and Scott seeming to prefer to take a closer look at the river bed on one occassion.
The standard of paddling was grade 2/3 throughout with a couple of optional grade 4 sections for those who wanted it. Wardens gorge was dealt with without incident, although having seen some photos elsewhere on the web, I think I missed the biggest waves, don't know what line the others took as I had other things to think about at the time.
Although the campsite was noisy untill about 3 am on the friday night I still enjoyed being on the site. During the night there were groups standing around pools of light drinking and chatting and it was a nice atmosphere.
I will try and post some photos but I seem to be struggling with that at the minute. In short - a great weekend, will definitely go next year (with better ear plugs) and would reccomend it to others.
It was a great weekend, the weather was fine and the paddling was a real pleasure. The North Tyne valley was looking fantastic. No one took what could really be called a swim although there was a lot of discussion over me getting water in my open canoe and Scott seeming to prefer to take a closer look at the river bed on one occassion.
The standard of paddling was grade 2/3 throughout with a couple of optional grade 4 sections for those who wanted it. Wardens gorge was dealt with without incident, although having seen some photos elsewhere on the web, I think I missed the biggest waves, don't know what line the others took as I had other things to think about at the time.
Although the campsite was noisy untill about 3 am on the friday night I still enjoyed being on the site. During the night there were groups standing around pools of light drinking and chatting and it was a nice atmosphere.
I will try and post some photos but I seem to be struggling with that at the minute. In short - a great weekend, will definitely go next year (with better ear plugs) and would reccomend it to others.
Friday, 9 November 2007
To Mutti and Vati...
Guten tag! I am on the computer in the hostel in Krakow... we went to Auchswitz today... it was sad:( nearly all the girls were crying...and a few guys...lol
Anyway... this has nothing whatsoever to do with kayaking. but I am writing to tell Mum and Dad that a new item on my christmas list is GHD hair straighteners... they are amazing and make my hair really straight in like 15 minutes! they're amazing!! So please can i have some for xmas?! lol
Anyway... byebyebyebye... c u 2moro
p.s. if u dfo get me straighteners, get me proper GHDs coz they are much bettr than ne other make... please...:):):)
p.p.s.... I won the Biggest Hair award for the trip! yay! lol
xxxx
Anyway... this has nothing whatsoever to do with kayaking. but I am writing to tell Mum and Dad that a new item on my christmas list is GHD hair straighteners... they are amazing and make my hair really straight in like 15 minutes! they're amazing!! So please can i have some for xmas?! lol
Anyway... byebyebyebye... c u 2moro
p.s. if u dfo get me straighteners, get me proper GHDs coz they are much bettr than ne other make... please...:):):)
p.p.s.... I won the Biggest Hair award for the trip! yay! lol
xxxx
Thursday, 8 November 2007
Tyne Tour 2007 Report
Everygood trip requires careful planning, Have i got the beers - yes - well we can go then!!!!!
Scott and myself arrived at 2.15ish on the Friday, and the first thing we did was get some tape from the organisers to mark off the Hambleton Campsite (and Parking bay!)
We placed the caravan, in part of the parking bay, and promptly spent 20mins trying to decide how/ where to park all the cars that would be arriving. And not to blow our own trumpets too much.....I think we did an excellent job (thanks to Steve, who arrived and helped in this planning). - For those on this weekend, you will understand how important this is!
Then we set up the caravan, and opened the beer (although not in that order).
Shortly after Andy, and then Tom & Ron arrived, every got set up then we went off to look at the stalls......and get registered for the weekend (insurance and all that).
Andy, Tom & Ron, cooked at the campsite, whilst Steve, Scott and myself (along with Dave - First Aid course) went off in search of pub food. We found it in the form of Roast Hog sandwich and chips! - of which we each had 2 portions - to soak up the beer. At eating in this pub ... we then went off to Weatherspoons, meet Andy, Tom, Ron, and the late arriving James, and continued to drink until later....... going via Tescos on our return some of us then sat and drink in the caravan until throwing out time (not too late this year!)
In the morning, breakfast was bacon, eggs & sausage sandwiches (although some people complained about how bacon should still be pink after cooking), we then loaded the cars, and got ready for day 1's paddle - see the picture! Wark to Barrasford.
Wark get on point is a sports club in the middle of nowhere...... the shuttles were run, and we all piled on, ourselves and probably another 100+ paddlers in a 20- 30 minute window
The water was at an ideal level, approx 2 inches higher than 2006, but not in the flood levels of 2005. Which meant that rapids were doable without either losing half your boat through scratching the bottom, or your whole boat because you have capsized and its gone!
Once we had spaced out abit, for the benefit of a few we went back through breaking in and out and some ferry gliding, partucularly useful for day2!
The river on this section is flat, short rapids, flat...for the majority of it, apart from 1 weir, which goes round a corner (and we had just seen an open canoe capsize in it whilst playing). For this, i went first, to check it, and from half way down signalled Scott to bring the group through. All made it down effortlessly.
We then carried on down to Barrasford, stopping for lunch for about an hour, looking at the wildlife and watching fish jump out of the water around you (Bird - feathered variety, fish - scaled vareity; somebody else can say what they were)
At Barrasford everyone got and went to look at the main drop there, I think, from memory, it is called "Serpents Tail" - but i know there is one on the Dee with the same name. After identifying the route and watching a few other paddle it Scott, Tom and myself went off to paddle it. The lead up to it was blind (ish) as you had to go over a small drop just before it. The water at the top of the "tail" was, from memory pushing you firstly into a rock (which you didn't want to hit), and then across to the other side into another rock, before you had to pick your point between a sharp rock, causing a fantail, and a very large rock on your left (with a gap of about 2ft between them!) - FUN
Scott went first - i think he was eager to get it over and done with! I was about 100m behind him, and as i lost sight of him, as he went over the first drop, the nxt moment i see his boat pointing skywards as he slammed a rock! - I accelerated to help him, but there was no need....he got it back under control and scraped the fantail rock as he dropped the last part.
I set off, after slowing down realising i wasn't Scott chasing, and the beginning part was a pain - because i received a face of water as i objected to my boat doing the same as Scott's had, and i promptly hit the 2ft gap!! Piece of Cake - NB last year i ran it backwards in my S6!
Tom set off, And was almost a mirror image of Scott, although i dont think his boat went quite so vertical.
That finished and off back to the campsite.......I think we were back by 3pm, where we had a bacon sandwich, and beer, after managing to park in the exact same places we had left in the morning......probably because of the use of tape, and some very bad parking when we left. ;))
That evening Scott, Steve and myself madfe our way back to the pub, this time for Scampi, or Chilli and chips £3.50 - bargin! Although due to bad timing we arrived just after a group of thirty students, and so we missed the fireworks display as we had to wait longer for food.....not to worry more time for beer!!!
We then proceded onto the Sports Centre for the Ceilidh! and managed to arrive early enough to get a table for all of us....the others trooped in about 15mins later, just after the second "dance". A good evening was had by all and afterward it was back to the caravan to try to finish off the beers that were left.
I understand it was very cold that night!!!!!
The next morning was another early ish start, and we had had breakfast, and all but packed up by 9.30...... so we were on the water by 11ish, after doing the shuttles etc. Steve, unfortunately wasn't too well, and so did not paddle on the Sunday, but did a great job of sorting out the bits left to finish back at the campsite - A big thanks.
So onto the water and throught the first set of rapids, at teh opposite side to Serpents Tail, at which point realised i had left my watch resting on the front of the boat! So if anybody sees it next year, please try to pick it up from the bottom of the river....
At this point i will leave the story and set somebody else pick it up, as they may wish to defend their pride!!!!! (Scott)....
And prehaps if somebody else would like to talk about the trip down, and the feared Wardens Gorge..................
Please feel free (as i know you will) to add, and expand on any area here in, particular your views on different parts on the trip, the evenings, and anything else
Anyway a great weekend, and organisation wise it has given me much more to think about for next year, eg. Team BBQs, T-shirts, Car stacking (thats boat stacking on cars), or taking a club trailer.
PS. Des - where were you?
Scott and myself arrived at 2.15ish on the Friday, and the first thing we did was get some tape from the organisers to mark off the Hambleton Campsite (and Parking bay!)
We placed the caravan, in part of the parking bay, and promptly spent 20mins trying to decide how/ where to park all the cars that would be arriving. And not to blow our own trumpets too much.....I think we did an excellent job (thanks to Steve, who arrived and helped in this planning). - For those on this weekend, you will understand how important this is!
Then we set up the caravan, and opened the beer (although not in that order).
Shortly after Andy, and then Tom & Ron arrived, every got set up then we went off to look at the stalls......and get registered for the weekend (insurance and all that).
Andy, Tom & Ron, cooked at the campsite, whilst Steve, Scott and myself (along with Dave - First Aid course) went off in search of pub food. We found it in the form of Roast Hog sandwich and chips! - of which we each had 2 portions - to soak up the beer. At eating in this pub ... we then went off to Weatherspoons, meet Andy, Tom, Ron, and the late arriving James, and continued to drink until later....... going via Tescos on our return some of us then sat and drink in the caravan until throwing out time (not too late this year!)
In the morning, breakfast was bacon, eggs & sausage sandwiches (although some people complained about how bacon should still be pink after cooking), we then loaded the cars, and got ready for day 1's paddle - see the picture! Wark to Barrasford.
Wark get on point is a sports club in the middle of nowhere...... the shuttles were run, and we all piled on, ourselves and probably another 100+ paddlers in a 20- 30 minute window
The water was at an ideal level, approx 2 inches higher than 2006, but not in the flood levels of 2005. Which meant that rapids were doable without either losing half your boat through scratching the bottom, or your whole boat because you have capsized and its gone!
Once we had spaced out abit, for the benefit of a few we went back through breaking in and out and some ferry gliding, partucularly useful for day2!
The river on this section is flat, short rapids, flat...for the majority of it, apart from 1 weir, which goes round a corner (and we had just seen an open canoe capsize in it whilst playing). For this, i went first, to check it, and from half way down signalled Scott to bring the group through. All made it down effortlessly.
We then carried on down to Barrasford, stopping for lunch for about an hour, looking at the wildlife and watching fish jump out of the water around you (Bird - feathered variety, fish - scaled vareity; somebody else can say what they were)
At Barrasford everyone got and went to look at the main drop there, I think, from memory, it is called "Serpents Tail" - but i know there is one on the Dee with the same name. After identifying the route and watching a few other paddle it Scott, Tom and myself went off to paddle it. The lead up to it was blind (ish) as you had to go over a small drop just before it. The water at the top of the "tail" was, from memory pushing you firstly into a rock (which you didn't want to hit), and then across to the other side into another rock, before you had to pick your point between a sharp rock, causing a fantail, and a very large rock on your left (with a gap of about 2ft between them!) - FUN
Scott went first - i think he was eager to get it over and done with! I was about 100m behind him, and as i lost sight of him, as he went over the first drop, the nxt moment i see his boat pointing skywards as he slammed a rock! - I accelerated to help him, but there was no need....he got it back under control and scraped the fantail rock as he dropped the last part.
I set off, after slowing down realising i wasn't Scott chasing, and the beginning part was a pain - because i received a face of water as i objected to my boat doing the same as Scott's had, and i promptly hit the 2ft gap!! Piece of Cake - NB last year i ran it backwards in my S6!
Tom set off, And was almost a mirror image of Scott, although i dont think his boat went quite so vertical.
That finished and off back to the campsite.......I think we were back by 3pm, where we had a bacon sandwich, and beer, after managing to park in the exact same places we had left in the morning......probably because of the use of tape, and some very bad parking when we left. ;))
That evening Scott, Steve and myself madfe our way back to the pub, this time for Scampi, or Chilli and chips £3.50 - bargin! Although due to bad timing we arrived just after a group of thirty students, and so we missed the fireworks display as we had to wait longer for food.....not to worry more time for beer!!!
We then proceded onto the Sports Centre for the Ceilidh! and managed to arrive early enough to get a table for all of us....the others trooped in about 15mins later, just after the second "dance". A good evening was had by all and afterward it was back to the caravan to try to finish off the beers that were left.
I understand it was very cold that night!!!!!
The next morning was another early ish start, and we had had breakfast, and all but packed up by 9.30...... so we were on the water by 11ish, after doing the shuttles etc. Steve, unfortunately wasn't too well, and so did not paddle on the Sunday, but did a great job of sorting out the bits left to finish back at the campsite - A big thanks.
So onto the water and throught the first set of rapids, at teh opposite side to Serpents Tail, at which point realised i had left my watch resting on the front of the boat! So if anybody sees it next year, please try to pick it up from the bottom of the river....
At this point i will leave the story and set somebody else pick it up, as they may wish to defend their pride!!!!! (Scott)....
And prehaps if somebody else would like to talk about the trip down, and the feared Wardens Gorge..................
Please feel free (as i know you will) to add, and expand on any area here in, particular your views on different parts on the trip, the evenings, and anything else
Anyway a great weekend, and organisation wise it has given me much more to think about for next year, eg. Team BBQs, T-shirts, Car stacking (thats boat stacking on cars), or taking a club trailer.
PS. Des - where were you?
Tuesday, 6 November 2007
NEXT YEARS TYNE TOUR 7th-9th NOVEMBER
Hi All,
Just had a great weekend........ Please ensure that you make the 7th to 9th November free in your diary for next years Tyne Tour.
This will be open to all those who attended this year or have done WW training with me and are training for their 3* award.....
For any person under 18 who wishes to go please ask your parents to discuss the weekend with me.
Thanks to all who attended. I'll post more comments later
Just had a great weekend........ Please ensure that you make the 7th to 9th November free in your diary for next years Tyne Tour.
This will be open to all those who attended this year or have done WW training with me and are training for their 3* award.....
For any person under 18 who wishes to go please ask your parents to discuss the weekend with me.
Thanks to all who attended. I'll post more comments later
Monday, 5 November 2007
Photos from the Tyne Tour
Just a few pictures from the Tyne Tour. I'm sure other people will post more. Everyone had a good time and we all survived.
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