🚣 May-June 24 ☀️

Soon we’ll have dates for our Get Back Into Paddling Sessions, an opportunity for you to hone your skills – no pressure to paddle at a certain speed! Thanks to your feedback in the surveys, we’ll also be sharing some advice on how to improve your paddling skills, regardless of your current ability.

Keep an eye out too for details on our pre-season Bounty trip: a paddle, a pint and cheesy chips – what’s not to love?!

You can always familiarise yourself with scheduled upcoming events in the dropdown calendar at the bottom of the newsletter.

As an MCC member, you’re automatically an associate member of Paddle UK (formerly British Canoeing). This means:

– you’re insured to paddle/volunteer during club activities

– you can use the club’s waterways licenses to use club boats on the Thames

– you can upgrade membership for a license for your own boat(s) without paying an additional a joining fee

– you can order clothing with the MCC logo via PaddleUK’s clothing partner, Hummel (email Charlie for a high-res version)

RIVER QUALITY – As the poor river quality gains attention in the media, this should serve not as a deterrent to paddling, but an opportunity to practise good river hygiene (yay!). Get in the habit of using hand gel after paddling and before eating, showering as soon as you can if you’ve been in the water, and storing your closed cap water bottle inside your boat/a drybag.

Should you need to report a safety incident, click here. It’s worth saying we now have a large number of happy, healthy play-boaters, who willingly throw themselves upside down in the water – none of whom have reported feeling ill after paddling.

HYDRO INITIATIVE – Bridge Hydro is a community based project aiming to generate funds from the sale of hydropower electricity, generated by harnessing the power of the Thames at Marlow. Worryingly, the proposed solution would be located under the water close to Marlow Weir and the river bank by the Compleat Angler, meaning we’d no longer be able to shoot the weir.

We need lots of eyes and ears on this! If anyone sees or hears any info from now on please bring it to the attention of the committee immediately.

BRIDGE DEVELOPMENTS – …no news here… (quelle surprise!)

Outdoor Pursuits 16 Hour First Aid Level 3 (VTQ) – This course is open to all our coaches, leaders, existing DOs and aspiring DOs (who have booked or completed DO training and/ or assessments).

The club are subsidising the course fees, and only charging £20 for the full course, as a way of saying thank you for volunteering your time to help us keep our club sessions running smoothly. You will need to attend both days.

In this course you will learn how to deal with accidents and medical emergencies. It is tailored to our paddling environment and will include application in different scenarios. Sign up on membermojo.

This practical course (you will get wet!) is packed with safe practical solutions, whether you have limited paddling experience or have been a member for a while, this course supports your knowledge and raises your awareness of your personal safety. Contact Chloe to sign up.

Tim’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. Drop Tim an email to reserve your space: timwardcoach@gmail.com

An introductory course to kayaking which – upon completion – means you’re welcome to join us on future club paddles. If someone you know is interested in signing up to a future Discover Course, get in touch. Existing member keen to assist with coaching? Contact Chloe.

New to whitewater? Get in touch with Dave if you’re keen to get started. Frequent paddlers, sign up on the Spond App and email our equipment officer to reserve a club boat.

This practical course (you will get wet!) is packed with safe practical solutions, whether you have limited paddling experience or have been a member for a while, this course supports your knowledge and raises your awareness of your personal safety. Contact Chloe to sign up.

Surf trip and camping on the beach at Hillend Camping Park. Sign up on the Spond App and email our equipment officer to reserve a club boat.

An introductory course to kayaking which – upon completion – means you’re welcome to join us on future club paddles. If someone you know is interested in signing up to a future Discover Course, get in touch. Existing member keen to assist with coaching? Contact Chloe.

An opportunity to learn some of the skills you’ll need on the sea, from the comfort of the Thames! Andrew and David will take you through wet exits, manoeuvring/toeing the boat, amongst other skills. Keep an eye on your inbox for sign up details.

Grade 2 – 4: Suitable for people comfortable on the Lower Tryweryn and Dart Loop. Speak to Alex and sign up on the Spond App – email our equipment officer to reserve a club boat.

An introductory course to kayaking which – upon completion – means you’re welcome to join us on future club paddles. If someone you know is interested in signing up to a future Discover Course, get in touch. Existing member keen to assist with coaching? Contact Chloe.

New to whitewater? Get in touch with Dave if you’re keen to get started. Frequent paddlers, sign up on the Spond App and email our equipment officer to reserve a club boat.

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. 

New to whitewater? Get in touch with Dave if you’re keen to get started. Frequent paddlers, sign up on the Spond App and email our equipment officer to reserve a club boat.

New to whitewater? Get in touch with Dave if you’re keen to get started. Frequent paddlers, sign up on the Spond App and email our equipment officer to reserve a club boat.