Mon 17 Apr 2023 Summer Training

This will be the first of our weekly summer training sessions, which will continue throughout the spring and summer terms.

Our first ‘block’ of training will be for 6 sessions (interrupted by two bank holidays!):

• Mon 17 April
• Mon 24 April
• NO SESSION on Mon 1 May (Steve is away over the Bank Holiday weekend)
• Mon 8 May – we will run a session on the coronation Bank Holiday
• OPTION: Sun 14 May Canal Trip, recommended for all participants working towards the Explore Award
• Mon 15 May (focusing on rescues, including the Paddle Safer Course)
• Mon 22 May
• NO SESSION on Mon 29 May (we have an expedition over the Bank Holiday weekend)
• OPTION: Sat 27-Mon 29 May 2023 Bank Holiday Weekend Camping Expedition, come for one or more days to hone your skills
• Mon 5 Jun (recap and skills assessment)

We can now confirm that we’ll have the following groups for this block of 6 sessions. We do have space for a few more – so please Buy Tickets or RSVP below (or e-mail us) if you’d like to attend the whole block or just this individual session.

• Adult Kayak Beginners Course, working towards the British Canoeing Paddle Discover, Paddle Safer and Paddle Explore Awards (with the option including some ‘transferable’ canoe and/or SUP skills) – led by Steve, assisted by other coaches as available:
  • Dani (from 24th), Jack, Lily (from 24th), Stuart
• Adult Kayak Developers Course, working towards the British Canoeing Paddle Explore Award (with the option of including some ‘transferable’ canoe / SUP skills) – led by Dave:
  • Huw (not 15th), Katie (from 24th), Lee, Mel (from 8th)
• Youth Developers Course, working broadly towards the British Canoeing Paddle Discover and Paddle Explore Awards in kayak, canoe and SUP – led by Olly and Sam C (when available) or joining with one or more adult groups:
  • Fleur, Lauren, Sam Ho [plus Edith, Natalie]
• Polo Skills / Fitness Training – led by Jess (except 8 May): NB we’re intending to use polo or slalom boats predominantly for these sessions, so that everyone can keep up at a similar pace – so if you’d prefer to use your own plastic boat you might need to be prepared to work just that bit harder than everyone else!!
  • Suspended pending further interest – paddlers currently appended to youth / casual groups
• Casual Paddling, self-led or tagging-along with another group
  • Mike B, Pete J [plus Chris D, Sam Ha from 24th]

Venue

Brecon Promenade – meet by the Club’s store adjacent to the toilet block in the ‘upper’ car park (https://what3words.com/tigers.loitering.bandage) – NOT in the car park next to the river / boathouse (although some of us might end up operating from there).

Times

Meet at 6.30pm, ready in your paddling clothes. We want to have everyone kitted-up and getting on the water by 7pm, so late arrival has quite a disruptive effect!

We’ll aim to be getting off the water around 8.30pm, before it gets dark.

Parents or other adults must be available at the start and end of the session to help under-18s with kit and to carry boats; and throughout the session in case they need to get off the water early.

Facilities

There are no indoor changing facilities on site, so it’s a case of changing in the car park. Toilets may be open but only until 7pm – they cost 20p to get in.

Cost

• Courses: £36.
• Polo / Fitness Training, Casual Paddling
  • using Club boat: £8 per session or £36 for 6 sessions booked in advance (no refunds for missed dates).
  • using own boat: £3 per session.
• We’ll usually collect fees by Direct Debit through our membership system, unless you make other arrangements with us (no cash!).
• All existing Club members must also have up-to-date membership of both the Club and Canoe Wales – we’ll send separate reminders for those of you who need these! Any new members will need to join formally after their first three sessions.

Equipment and Clothing

• We’ll provide boats, paddles, buoyancy aids, helmets and spray-decks for those who need them – but if you have your own, please bring them along
• Although deliberate immersion isn’t always part of the plan (and even when it is, it’s usually towards the end of the session) there’s always a chance of accidental capsize, so kit should take account of this (and the general weather conditions).
• At the very least, wear clothing layers of the type you might wear to go walking – ideally synthetic materials that stay warm and don’t get too heavy when wet. Most people wear swimwear underneath. And a waterproof jacket (to keep off the rain and wind, rather than keep you dry if you capsize!) – we do have a limited number of canoeing cagoules, but not enough of the right sizes for everyone.
• Footwear that you don’t mind getting wet, not too large (chunky trainers don’t fit well in kayaks; neoprene wet-shoes are ideal; sandals or crocs no good as they fall off!).
• If you want to be assured of staying warmer if you fall in, a wetsuit is the next step. Ones made specifically for paddling are called Long Johns (or Long Janes) and don’t have sleeves, for maximum mobility (worn with e.g. rash vest beneath and/or fleece above). But a standard surfing-type ‘full’ wetsuit is also fine as a starter. Again, we do have a very limited number of wetsuits, which you’re welcome to check-out on the first evening in case we have one that fits you…
• Don’t forget a towel and complete change of clothes for the end of the session, in case you do fall in!!
• We’ll be sure to talk about kit on the first couple of sessions so you can get an idea of what’s out there before you commit to spending £££, but if you do want some ideas…
• Good local(ish) stores to look at are Up and Under and Canoe and Kayak Store – both will offer discounts for club members on request…

We are still trialling our new online booking process with this block of sessions, giving you currently 3 options for booking:

• if you have one of our new website-based membership accounts (which you’ll have received a separate e-mail about), you can now ‘buy tickets’ direct via PayPal using the ‘tickets’ section below (you’ll be asked to login to your account – please try this out and let us know if you have any problems;
• or you can still use the ‘RSVP’ section below to ‘express interest’ in attending individual sessions or the whole block;
• or you can drop us an e-mail at mail@breconcanoeclub.org.uk to let us know you’d like to come along to one or more sessions (or if you have any questions!).

NB our plan is to gradually extend and improve the direct online process once we know whether it works!