NEWSLETTER ISSUE No 73 SPRING/SUMMER 2011

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~STOP PRESS * STOP PRESS

SWIMMING POOL EXTENDED We will not be closing the pool sessions

but carrying on until the end of the July term.

Due to popular demand

C H A IR M A N ’ S C H A T I w as d e li g h te d t o se e th e t u rn o u t fo r o u r 2 1 s t p a r ty w e h a d m o r e t h an 9 0 p e o p le th e r e t o h elp u s c e l e b r a t e . A t th e p a r t y T e r r i L e a dle y p r e se n te d th e R o b L e a d l e y M e m o r ia l S h i e ld f o r t h e m o s t i m p r o v e d y o u n g p a d d le r , i t w a s d e s e rv e d l y w o n b y A b b i e C res sw el l w ho w i l l be go ing on to t ra in t o b e a n in s tr u c to r in t h e e a rl y su m m e r . T h e r e a re a lo t o f p e o p le to t h an k f o r t h e o r g a n is a ti o n o f t h e p a r ty I f I t ry to s ep ara te th em I w i l l on ly f o rg e t s o m e o n e s o it w a s g re a t e f fo r t b y a ll w h o h e l p ed a n d it g o e s t o p r o v e w h a t a s u c c e s s f u l a n d f r i e n d l y c l u b w e a r e , w e l l d o n e a ll . W e n o w h a v e a n o t h er ju n i o r b o a t f o r t h e B la c k r o o t f lee t , i t i s a R e b e l , a sm al le r v e r sio n o f m o s t m o d e r n b o a ts , i t h a s b e e n a g r e a t s u c c e s s a m o n g s t th e k i d s . W e h a v e a l s o h a d a v e r y k in d o f fe r fr o m P a u l R y d e r ’ s em plo ye rs , F inn ing s (C ate rpi l la r d i g g er s ) w h i c h w i l l g o a lo n g w a y t o u s b e in g a b le to b u y t w o m o r e R e b e l s, th a n k y o u P a u l a n d F i n n in g s . O v e r t h e w inte r A nd y & I h a v e b e e n c o a c h in g a g r o u p o f m e m b e r s in th e a r t o f r iv e r l ea d in g , t h e y a r e d o i n g v e ry w e l l. I h o p e to s e e th e m l e a d i n g lo ts of t o u rs in th e fu ture . T a l k in g o f to u r s w e h a v e a v a r ie d c a le n d a r o f to u r s & ac t iv i t ie s f o r t h e s u m m e r an d o t h e r c o m m i tm e n t s s u c h a s P e l s a l l B o a t R a l l y w e r e w e a r e d o i n g “ T r y i ts ” o v e r t h e w e e k e n d a s w e l l a s t h e L i o n s R a f t R a c e . W e h a v e b e e n a sk e d to v i si t S t a n to n T o w e r s D a v e ’s c o u n t r y s e a t a g a i n f o r t h e A n n i v e r sa r y t o u r I h o p e to s e e y o u al l t h er e w i t h y o ur b u r g e rs . M ik e

*************************CLUB GEAR

POLO SHIRTS £8.50FLEECES £17.50

CHILDREN’S T SHIRTS £ 6.50CAR WINDSCREEN STICKERS £1

RING TIM ON 01543433562

C L U B S ES SIO N S F O R 20 11 B L A C K R O O T PO O L E V E R Y M O N D A Y 6 -8 P M E X C E PT B A N K H O L ID A Y S E V E R Y T H U R S D A Y 6 -8PM S T A R T IN G M O N D A Y 4 th A P R IL U N T I L 2 2nd S E P T E M B E R E V E R Y S A T U R D A Y 10 .00am UN TIL 12 .00pm A LL YE AR R O U N D (ex cep t Ch ristm as h olid ays see later n ew sletter )

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R U S H A L L O P E N C LU B S E SS IO N S W E D N E S D A Y 6-8pm f rom 6 th A PR IL u ntil 2 1 s t S E P T E M B E R S A T U R D A Y 2 -5 pm ( O R D U SK ) A LL Y E A R R O U N D E X C E P T B A N K H O L ID A Y S

B A R R B E A C O N S C H O O L P O O L T H U R S D A Y E V EN I N G 9 UN TIL 10PM E V E R Y W E E K U N T IL T H E EN D O F S C H O O L TE R M IN JU L Y S T A R T IN G A G A I N IN S E P TE M B E R

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B L A C K R O O T O P E N D A Y S S A T U RD A Y M A Y 7 th 10 UN TIL 4 S A T U RD A Y J U LY 1 6 th 10 UN TIL 4

S A T U R D A Y S E P T E M B E R 1 0 th 10 UN TIL 4

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SPONSORED PADDLEWE WANT REPEAT THE VERY SUCCESSFULL SPONSORED PADDLEWE HELD A FEW YEARS AGO THIS TIME WE ARE HOPING TO RAISESOME MONEY TO GO TOWARDS A NEW TRAILER AND AS LAST TIMEWE WILL BE SPLITTING THE MONEY WITH THE RNLI.

THE EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE ON SAT/SUN APRIL30th AND MAY1st AT RUSHALL, VARIOUS DISTANCES WILLAVAILABLE FOR YOU TO PADDLE YOU CAN PADDLE

ONE OR BOTH DAYS USE ANY CLUB BOATS OR BRINGYOUR OWN. £5 ENTRY FEE. SPONSOR FORM INCLUDED

WITH THIS NEWSLETTER

Abbie Creswell pictured with the Rob Leadley

Memorial Shield just after receiving it

at the club’s21st birthday party

at Rushall in January

ONE STAR COURSE (PADDLEPOWER PASSPORT FOR UNDER 14’S)

AT BLACKROOT & RUSHALL STARTING ON THU RS 14 th APRIL

WE WILL BE RUNNING THIS COURSE FROM 6pm UNTIL 8pm OVER SEVEN WEEKS ( INC JOURNEY ON CANAL)

PRICE WILL INCLUDE BOAT HIRE

ADULTS £30 & CHILDREN £25 DATES W ILL BE APRIL 14/21/28 MAY 5/12/19, RUSHALL MA Y 25

RING TIM ON 01543433562 TO BOOK AND FOR MORE INFO

R i v e r Ta m e : N e w to n R o a d – P e r r y B a rr , S u n d a y 1 6 th J a n u a r y 2011 T h e f i r s t t r ip o f 2 0 1 1 w a s w e l l a t t e n d e d , a n d a s u s u a l , h a d ple nty of little f e a tu r e s t o k e e p e v e r y o n e ’ s a t t e n ti o n . S a r a h starte d o ff feelin g q u i te i l l , b u t p e r k e d u p d u r in g t h e paddl e , a i d ed b y h e r u s u a l R e d B u l l! W e w e r e j o i n e d b y coach K ie ra n f ro m B i rm i n g h a m C a n o e C l u b , p lus reg ula rs s uch as Gra ham and M eg an, Andy and Liam, Dave, and A lison w ith G e o r g e a n d K a t ie . W e a l l s e a l l au n c h e d s u c c e s s f u ll y , a n d s e t o f f. M e g a n w a s p r o u d ly , albe it caut ious ly, paddl ing he r new pi nk boat . A ll the r a p id s w e r e s h o t , a n d s o m e p l a y w a s e n c o u r a g e d , l o o k in g a t b r e a ki n g o u t a n d b r e a k i n g i n t ec h n i q u e s . G e o r g e a n d L i a m did very well, tr ying severa l t imes. Graham needed no encouragemen t, and D ave conti n u e d t o i m p r o v e h i s t e c h n i q u e s . K i e r a n a s s i s t e d w i t h s o m e a d d i ti o n a l c o a c h i n g . T h e w a te r l e v e l w a s v e r y s h a ll o w , u n u s u a l f o r J a n u a ry . T h i s m ea nt th at r ive r rea din g sk i l ls w ere also im po rtan t , look ing f o r r o c k s , a n d s h a l l o w p a t c h e s . A l l w e n t w e l l u n t il 5 p addle rs were t oo engro ssed in c hat ti ng to no ti ce t he sha ll ows they were about to h it . Alis on, Geor ge, Kati e and Li am w ri ggle d t h e m s e l v e s t o d e e p e r w a t e r , a n d a f t e r s o m e s t r u g g l e s , M e g a n c a u g h t u s a l l u p . I t w as K atie’s f i rs t r iv er t r ip an d s he co pe d v e r y w ell . W e s h o t t h e r e n o w n e d O n e S t o p We i r a n d c o n ti n u ed t o o u r exi t poi nt. Kati e and Alis on near ly ov ers hot, but we got ever yone out saf el y, rea dy for a phot o shoot befor e we went home.

R i v e r T r e n t : R u g e l e y L o o p , S u n d a y 1 3 th

F e b ru a ry 2 0 1 1

O n a c o l d , d a m p and unpromis ing morni ng, we set out for the

Ash Tree Pub near Rugeley , hopi ng th e for ecas ted rai n would

hold of f . O n t h e f i rs t s e c ti o n o f c a n a l, the wind bl ew str ongly

fr om behind t o hel p us on our way. G r a h a m c o l le c t e d a

v a r ie t y o f b a l l s f o r o u r e n t e r ta in m e n t .

D e s c e n d i n g f ro m t h e c a n a l a q u e d u c t to th e r iv er w as

i n te r es ti n g a n d m u d d y . Good t e a m w o r k e n s u r e d a l l t h e b o a t s

and paddl ers got d own safel y. Simon fol lowed Pet e and Sar ah

down the r ive r b a n k , d o i n g a n i c e s eal la u n c h to s ta r t his f i r s t

r ive r t r ip w ith u s . D a v e , B a r b a r a , S i m o n B , A n d y & L i a m

t o o k t h e m u d d i e r ‘ b e a c h ’ rou te .

T h e w i n d b l e w h a r d a g a i n s t u s d o w n t h e r i v er , m ak ing i t ha rd

w o r k f o r A n d y i n h i s o p e n b o a t . T h e r i v e r w a s moving quit e

fas t t hough. W e al l pa ddle d down to t he get out p oint withou t

inc ide nt , co llectin g y ello w pla stic d uc ks o n th e w ay . B arba ra

m a n a g e d t o g e t o u t o f h e r b o a t w i t h o u t g e t t i n g w e t , e v e n w i t h

S a r a h a s s i s t i n g ! ( H e h e ) .

After a chocola te break, boa ts w e r e c a r r i e d u p t o t h e c a n a l a n d

w e p a d d l e d b a c k to th e s ta r t . L iam hi tc he d a r ide w ith h is

f a t h e r o n t h e l a s t s t r e t c h . D a v e a n d G r a h a m l e a d t h r o u g h t h e

t u n n el , w i t h S a r a h , B a r b a ra a n d S i m o n B a t t h e b a c k . The rai n

s tar te d i n e a r n e s t j u s t a s w e l o a d e d c a r s u p , s o w e r e t r ea t ed t o

the pu b for a well -earne d dri nk.

FOR SALE GENUINE FORD MONDEO ROOF BARS

£25 ono ring Mike on 360 2136

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~FOR SALE

RED YAK KONTOUR HELMETSIZE S/M ALSO MEDIUM LONG JOHN WETSUIT £20 EACH ONO

CONTACT MATT RYDER 01453 458204

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After unloading the equipment the cars

were shuttled down to Bewdley car park.

By this time the sun decided to show its self

and by the time we went through the

A,B,C,D,E checklist prior to the journey

spirits were high and everyone was looking

forward to the paddle.

Once the group had cleared the few

fishermen at the start, we hit a very flat

and quite spot where we could practice a

new skill – stern rudders.

We moved down the river, much to

Mike’s disappointment, as he had struck

up a conversation with a couple of train

enthusiasts waiting for ‘The Hogwarts

Express’ to cross the Victoria railway

bridge spanning the river.

A short distance on the team took advantage of a ledge (short d rop ) in the rivers

level to have a go at surfing which everyone enjoyed. It was now just after twelve

and much to Ben Cross’s relief we stopped for lunch on a shingle beach bathed in the

warm autumn sunshine.

Straight after lunch it was on to Eyemore rapid (grade 1). Mike went to inspect and after a few minutes called the team down one by one to break into the eddy on the left bank. Once everyone had successfully made the eddy everyone started to practice breaking in and out, or ferry

gliding across the rapid.

A short distance on, we came to the old railway pillars and in the distance Bewdley

We arrived at Bewdley at around 2:30pm.

After a brief review and discussion Kevin,

Andy and Emma decided it was time to get

wet. In order to complete their 2 Star

assessment they performed their peer

rescue, (which had been practiced in Barr

Beacon swimming pool previously), followed

by capsize and self rescue, both drew a small

audience.

All w en t w ell, e v e n th e s m a l l c r o w d g a th e r e d o n th e b a n k s h o w e d t h e ir a p p re c ia t io n

o f th e ir sk ills g ivin g K e v i n, A n d y a n d E m m a a r o u n d o f a p p la u s e .

A f te r a m u c h a p p re c ia t e d cu p o f co f fe e , l o ad i n g o f th e b o a t s e v e ry o n e s e t o f f f o r

h o m e .

W e l l d o n e t o D a v id C r o s s, Jo C r o s s, B e n C ro s s , K e v in S t e ve n s , A n d y W o o l l ey , an d

E m m a H a y n e s in s u c ce s s fu l ly p a s si n g t h e ir 2 st a r a s s e s s m e n t .

M y t h a n k s g o to :

K a t i e C r o s s a c t i n g a s s u p p o r t c r a f t f o r t h e r i v e r t r i p

A b b i e Cr e sw e l l f o r s u p p o r ti n g a ll th e t ra in i n g s e ss io n s a t B l a ck r o o t P o o l

A n d M i k e N i ch o l ls fo r m e n t o ri n g m e th r o u g h th e 6 s e ss io n s a n d th e r iv e r t ri p , h i s

e x p e ri en c e a n d k n ow l e d g e w a s in v a lu a b le .

A n d n o t l ea s t o f a ll to t h e g u ys th a t tu r n e d u p e ve r y w e e k an d p u t u p w it h m e !

DON'T FORGETTHE CLUB IS ON FACEBOOK

LOOK AT EVENTS TO FIND OUT THE LATEST NEWS ON THE CLUB’S TOURS

RIVER TRENT Wolsley Bridge to Yoxall bridge 13th March 2011 Staggering into the kitchen at just after 7am hearing the rain beating on the windows didn’t start the day well for me. Grouchilly arriving at Rushall I just couldn’t make up my mind Kayak or open boat but when we tried to get the open boat onto my car I gave up and got my kayak out. By the time we got to Wolsley bridge it was looking better, then by the time we had done the ferry and got on the water it had actually stopped raining. Seven of us braved the rain to start the tour just north of Rugeley but as the day wore on the clouds went and we were bathed in sunshine for most of the trip. It was a memorable trip we paddled and chatted, floated and chatted. We stopped at Mayvesyn Ridware footbridge to have a coffee and snack, Sarah managed to get me out of my boat after I got stuck with my knees up in the air try to get out. Sarah kept informing us about the birds and bees (no not that) we watched trains zip past, chatted to anglers and an IWA party doing a canal clean up. We got to Yoxall bridge glad we had done the whole stretch (and not got out at Handsacre), the nine miles went really quickly as we had good company and what turned out to be a really nice day. Mike

T O U R IN G C A L E N D A R S P R IN G / SU M M E R 2 01 1 A L W A Y S C O N T A C T T H E T O U R L E A D E R B E F O R E T H E T O U R A N D T A K E H I S O R H E R A D V I C E A S T O Y O U R F IT N E S S F O R T H E C O N D IT I O N S P R E V AI L IN G O N T H E D A Y O F T H E T O U R . P L E A SE T R Y T O B E P R O M P T A T T H E M E E T I N G P L A C E A S W E D O N O T A L L O W M U C H T I M E F O R W A I T I N G A B O U T . W H E N W E M E E T T O S H A R E C A R S F O R T H E J O U R N E Y A N D T O S H A R E C O S T S F O R T H E T O U R . P L E A S E O F F E R TH E D R I V E R F U E L M O N E Y A S I T IS S O M E T I M E S E M B A R R A S SI N G T O A S K . A N Y E N Q U I R I E S , A L T E R A T IO N S T O P R O G R A M M E O R S U G G E S T I O N S F O R F U T U R E T O U R S P L E A S E RING MIK E ON 0121 360 2136 . O R S E E F A C E B O O K F O R L A T E ST I N F O Y O U M U S T R I N G T H E M E E T L E A D E R I N PL E N T Y O F T I M E A N D B O O K Y O U R P L A C E , T H E C U T O F F T IM E F O R B O O K I N G W I L L B E F R ID A Y E V E N I N G .

S A T /S U N 9 /1 0 th A p r il 2 0 1 1 F A M I L Y F U N W E E K E N D M A L V E R N H I L L S O E S A T /S U N 3 1st A pr il 1 st M a y S P O N O R E D P A D D LE R U S H A L L S U N 8 th M A Y 2 0 1 1 R I V E R T A M E T O U R N E W T O N R O A D T O P E R R Y B A R R

T h i s riv e r w i ll s u rp r i se y o u , su i ta b l e fo r m o s t g ra d e s o f p a d d l e r, b u t c a n b e s h al l o w . M e e t a t Rushal l a t 9 .30 am for New ton Road a t 10 .00am. W ater levels permit t ing S U N 2 2nd M A Y 2 0 1 1 R I V E R SE V E R N , I R O N B R ID G E T O C O A L P O R T T h i s is a to u r fo r th o s e w h o a re competent padd lers and want to t ra in for whi te water sk il l s we w i l l be s tart ing a t Dale End park and sp ending a l o n g t im e o n J a c k fi e ld r a p id s g r ad e 2 Meet a t Ru shal l a t 8 .15 am . Rin g M ike

SUN 22nd MAY DOGGY PADDLE, River Avon, Leamington to Stratford You may go on this as a group or individually and get sponsorship. Grade 0/1 18 miles so be prepared for the distance it is mostly flat with 3 weirs. Those who want to go organise on facebook. And contact the organisers direct at rlscc.org.uk .

SUNDAY 5th JUNE WHITEWATER MASTERCLASS at Mile end Mill Llangollen Andy Nicholls will be coaching whitewater skills here for the day competent paddlers only There is a £5 vest charge, pay on the day To book ring Mike on 0121 360 2136. SAT 11th & SUN 12th JUNE PELSALL BOAT RALLY We will need lots of help at this IWA event so please come along and help ring Mike for details.

SUN 19th JUNE 2011 RIVER AVON “RAFT RACE” the another opportunity to

paddle this section of the Avon this year. We require a number of paddlers who wish to gain rescue experience, we will be providing safety cover for the local “Lions” raft race. We will be splitting the trip into three parts, a group will sweep after the rafts from the start then we will have two teams on the two weirs to provide safety cover who will then join the sweepers as they pass. Ring Tim for details.

SUN 10th JULY 2011 ANNIVERSARY TOUR RIVER SEVERN BEWDLEY TO LINCOMBE Easy 5 mile paddle in the sunshine (hopefully) grade 0/1 suitable for most paddlers We will be ending the tour at Stanton Towers (his country seat) where drinking and bar b queuing will take place (bring both with you ) meet at Rushall at 8.15am for Bewdley at 10.00am ring Mike for details or to rent a boat. SUN 26th JULY 2011 RUGELEY CIRCLE Nice easy canal/river paddle, grade 1 suitable for most paddlers meet at Rushall at 9am for Rugeley at 10.00am. see face book. SUN 7th AUGUST RIVER WYE GLASBURY TO WITNEY TOLL BRIDGE This is a classic tour grade 0/1 with maybe a few little nice bits suitable for most skill levels and great for open boats. Meet at Rushall at 8 am for Glasbury bridge at 100am bring lunch.

SUN 21st AUGUST 2011 RIVER SEVERN WM REGION “GO PADDLIN” TOUR This is a nice 10 mile tour from Hampton Loade to Bewdley, suitable for all skill levels, also will be the opportunity to play on Eyemore rapids. Meet at Rushall at 8.15, Ring Mike for details. FRIDAY TO MONDAY 26th to 29th AUGUST BLACKROCK SANDS TRIP There may be a few places left contact Tim/Alison on club facebook page

SUN 11th SEPTEMBER 2011 RIVER TRENT, SALT TO WOLSLEY BRIDGE

This will be a new section to some of you but a very nice grade 0/1 with some moving water to train on. Meet at Rushall at 8.30am.