April 2023 Club Update

In this update, we announce the start of our summer club session schedule and a host of paddling refreshers, training, and events. 

The warmer weather means our discover courses begin later this month with new members arriving in droves throughout the next few months. I’m sure you’ll all join me in providing a warm and supportive welcome to paddlers starting their journey. 

New club website

Our new website is now live. As well as information for new members, it now includes most of our club documents and activity sessions. We want to make this more useful for you, so please share your ideas for how we can do that. 

Club sessions

Starting on the 11 April, we move to our summer club session schedule. For the first time, we’re running Thursday evening sessions!

The schedule will be:

• Marathon Mondays – for those who like paddling fast in sleek sporty boats
• Club Tuesdays – general club session for everyone, usually with a playing down the weir group and a Hurley/Bourne End group. We usually end up in the pub afterwards – all welcome!
• Club Thursdays – informal coaching sessions and paddles. We’ll probably end up in the pub again. 
• Club Saturday – general club session for everyone, probably going downstream
• Club Sunday – the classic club session for everyone, paddling to the Hurley tea shop and back. 

Weekday sessions are on the water for 19:00, finishing by 21:00 or sunset.

Weekend sessions are on the water for 10:00, finishing by 13:00.

We offer pool sessions on the first Saturday of each month. These are the perfect opportunity to practice capsizes, rolling, and rescue skills in a clear, warm pool.

• Venue: Chalfont Leisure Centre, Chalfont St Peter, SL9 9LR https://goo.gl/maps/pyzfhisgnW3SYyuy6
• Time: 18:30 – 20:00
• Price: £7 adults / £3 juniors
• Book and pay: Membermojo Store  
• You need to bring your own clean boat and equipment or arrange with others in advance.

Duty officers

Our duty officers are vital to running all these sessions. If you’ve received DO training or have done it before, please consider volunteering for a future session by filling in the spreadsheet.

Get back into paddling sessions

Eager to get back paddling, but not been on the water since the Autumn? Join us on a get back into paddling refresher session as we take a gentle meander along the river with a bit of coaching thrown in. 

No need to book, just come along during these sessions:

• Tuesday 18 April on the water by 19:00, finish by sunset
• Thursday 20 April on the water by 19:00, finish by sunset
• Saturday 29 April on the water by 10:00, finish by 13:00
• Sunday 30 April on the water by 10:00, finish by 13:00

If you can’t make these dates, you’re very welcome on any club sessions. Our friendly duty officers can make sure you’re paired up with someone. 

Freestyle coaching

Our resident freestyle star, Abi G, will be running a series of open freestyle coaching sessions on some Tuesday evenings this summer using the flatwater freestyle award syllabus and freestyle award skills-including talies and pops! The dates are:

• 25th April
• 9th May 
• 23rd May
• 6th June
• 4th July
• 18th July

There may also be some opportunities for weekend sessions or day trips to other locations e.g. Chertsey, HPP, Hurley, Dee, so keep your eye out for updates on Facebook!

Trips and social events

Touring – touring@marlowcc.org.uk 

If anybody has a paddle that they would particularly like to do please email touring@marlowcc.org.uk and we will see what we can do to make it happen.

Keep your eye on the MCC Members Facebook page as that is where any planned paddles will be advertised.

River cleans

Contact: touring@marlowcc.org.uk 

The high flows have certainly dislodged a fair amount of flotsam and jetsam into the river. So we’ll be organising a river clean to do our bit to tidy things up a bit on Sunday, May 28th and (if there is sufficient interest) May 27th. The Saturday may be a later finish than usual, especially if “lunch” is involved.

More details will be shared on the MCC Members Facebook page 

Whitewater

Contact whitewater@marlowcc.org.uk

Dave has planned a series of monthly whitewater trips throughout the year. You can sign up on the whitewater spreadsheet – ask Dave for access if you’ve lost the link. New whitewater paddlers are always welcome – get in touch with Dave if you’re keen to get started.

This summer we’ll be running introductions to whitewater and opportunities to achieve the White Water Award. 

Nene Whitewater Centre trip

Wednesday 12 April 19:00 – 21:00 £12 each

An evening trip up to a friendly artificial course with waves, slalom, and a small drop. Suitable for all!

Meeting at 17:30 for those who need to pick up boats and kit from the club.

Bookings and forms at https://northamptonactive.com/whitewaterpaddlers/

Alex can sign on up to six inexperienced/unqualified paddlers – email chair@marlowcc.org.uk if you want to be on the list.

Defibrillator fundraising

Thank you to everyone who donated towards the new defibrillator at Hurley Lock. We met our fundraising target and the defibrillator has just been delivered. We are now working on getting a plaque made up with wording to thank the donating organisations and are finalising arrangements with the Environment Agency for the installation.

Updated risk assessment

We’ve updated our general risk assessment for club activities. Coaches and leaders are responsible for further risk assessments specific to the activity, venue, participants, and environment.

New committee member

At our last meeting, the committee voted to appoint Charlie Reston as Media Officer for this year to help us improve how we market our club and activities.