Mon 6 Jun Summer Training

***NB no session on Mon 30 May (half-term)***

This will be the first week of our next block of weekly evening training, which will continue throughout the summer.

We’ll also be doing some litter-picking this evening as part of The Big Paddle Cleanup!

We can now confirm that we’ll have the following 3 groups for this block of 4 sessions (6, 13, 20, 27 Jun) AND we’d love you all to BRING A FRIEND for one or more sessions (no charge for their first 2 sessions, but we do need to know they’re coming in advance). Please RSVP below if you’d like to attend all 4 sessions; or let us know if you or a friend would like to come just for individual sessions.

• Beginners (if you bring some friends who fit this category!)
• Adult improvers, with the option of working towards the British Canoeing Paddle Discover and Paddle Explore Awards
• Junior improvers, working towards the British Canoeing Paddle Explore Award
• Teen / adult performers, fitness and skills with a bit of polo training and some safety skills and introductions to coaching

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 8.15-8.30am, 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 possibly only until 7pm – and they cost 20p to get in.

Cost

£8 per session, or £24 for 4 block-booked sessions (6, 13, 20, 27 Jun – no refunds for missed sessions) – we’ll collect this by Direct Debit through our membership system.

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 register with us but don’t need to join formally for this first block of 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 mind, 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…