May 2023 Club Update

In this update, we have a host of trips, events and courses to share with you, how to share the river with others, NEW BOATS!, and a reminder about insurance and licenses.

Club sessions

We’re on our summer schedule of club sessions with weekday evening and weekend morning sessions on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Pool sessions run on the first Saturday of the month for those who have pre-booked.

Trips, events, and courses

Discover courses

Our introductory courses have kicked off with the first intrepid seven joining us last month. If you know someone who wants to join us, send them to our website for more information.

Introduction to canoe

13 and 14 May. £20 per person.

A two-day introduction to the joys and pitfalls of paddling open canoes for paddlers who are used to kayaks but have yet to build any experience in open boats. Run by Andy M. Book on membermojo.

Explore courses and other coaching

The Explore Award aims to develop skills to a level that will allow independent paddling based on sound judgement and skills (instead of blind hope and luck). This is the British Canoeing award above the basic Discover award and is designed to build on the foundations laid during the Discover award and some experience and practise following the basic qualification. The next course is already sold out.

If you’re interested in this course or any other coaching, email Chloe (coaching@marlowcc.org.uk)

Paddlesport Leader Training

18 and 19 November. £20 per person.

This is the two-day training course for the Paddlesport Leader award. To gain the award after participating in the course paddlers need to acquire some experience and then be assessed as they demonstrate competence in all aspects of the expected skills.

Book on membermojo.

Whitewater trips

20 and 21 May, 10 and 11 June, 22 and 23 July, 26 and 27 August, 23 and 24 September.

Club trips open all members interested in paddling whitewater. We’ll be camping out in North Wales near Bala and paddling the Dee and Tryweryn. Hopefully in glorious sunshine!

Introduction to whitewater trips

22 and 23 July, 23 and 24 September

An opportunity for people new to whitewater to go on their first trip for a more gentle introduction with coaching, support, and encouragement. We’ll be camping out in North Wales near Bala and paddling more sedate rivers to get you started. Hopefully in glorious sunshine!

Forward paddling masterclass

15 and 22 June at 7pm.

Tim Ward’s signature coaching session is aimed at anyone who would like to improve their forward paddling. You’ll use marathon boats as they offer the most freedom of movement to develop good technique.

We paddle forwards for more than 99% of our time in a boat so any improvement pays big dividends. It is also the most difficult skill to master well.

There will be 6 places for two evening sessions.

Email Heather (marathon@marlowcc.org.uk) to book.

River clean

27 and 28 May.

The high flows have dislodged a fair amount of flotsam and jetsam into the river. So we’ll be organising a river clean on Saturday 27 May (upstream) and Sunday 28 May (downstream) to do our bit to keep our home waters tidy.

Email Ian B (touring@marlowcc.org.uk) to sign up.

Solent sea trip

28 May

Andrew is planning to run a sea trip on Sunday 28 May in the Portsmouth area. The start location is the car-park at Gosport Lifeboat Service (also known as GAFIRS) (What3Words ///become.curvy.sports; OS Grid Ref: SZ 601 981) near Gilkicker Point. The intention is to paddle to Hillhead and back, which is a round trip of about 17km – about 3 hours total paddling time with a lunch break at Hillhead. The trip is intended for paddlers who are new or relatively new to kayaking on the sea but who are confident paddling a sea kayak and capable of maintaining a steady pace for 2 hours.

Contact Andrew H for more details and to sign up.

Ahead!

We’re heading into the time of year where there’s going to be lots of boats on the water. Some of whom may not be very experienced or may be coming back to the river after a winter break. We often experience near misses with our neighbouring rowing club.

Rowers rely on other boats being where they expect them to be, i.e. following the agreed rules of the river, because they cannot easily see them. Please keep to the edges of the river when you’re sharing the water with rowers, usually the right hand side. If there is a danger of collision or you need to warn a rower about a hazard, shout “Look ahead” early and loud.

You can find out more by reading the joint guidance from British Canoeing and British Rowing.

To report a safety incident (including near misses), you need to complete a British Canoeing Incident Report Form and send a copy of the confirmation email to safety@marlowcc.org.uk

Ripping it up…

The first of our new boats for this year have arrived.

The Pyranha Ripper 2 is an supremely manoeuvrable, exceptionally quick (downhill) riverplay boat that loves to stern squirt and surf waves.

Lots of fun down the weir on a Tuesday and in bigger water for the brave (or daft!).

The boring stuff

A reminder that your club membership includes third party liability insurance and waterways licenses for club boats during club activities.

You need a waterways license to paddle your own craft on many waterways in England and Wales, including the River Thames. Each waterway has its own licensing arrangements.

When you’re not taking part in club activities, you are not covered by the club third party liability insurance. Your own boat is not covered by club insurance at any time, including when it is stored at the club or used on club activities.

The easiest and most affordable license for most waterways is provided as part of British Canoeing membership. You can add boat insurance for a reasonable extra fee.

Defibrillator fundraising

The new defibrillator is now in pride of place on the lockkeeper’s hut at Hurley Lock and ready for use. You can find it and other defibrillators on the defib finder website. A plaque will appear shortly!