The Canoe Club shared with us an overview of their first trip of the academic year with both existing members and new members!

"On the 12th and 13th October, 10 of our new members joined 3 instructors and a returning member on the first overnight kayaking trip of the academic year. This was many members first time out on white water, so it was an opportunity to learn not only basic kayaking skills but also boat control and safety, as well as being a great way to meet other new members. We aim to run this as an annual event, the feedback from participants has been resoundingly positive, as well as instructors enjoying sharing their knowledge and watching everyone progress their skills.

I loved getting to know everyone and seeing everyone progress from the start of day 1 to being pros by the end of day 2! - Hannah (Club President:)

Day 1: We paddled a flat-water section of the River Dart in Totnes lead by three of our instructors, Hannah, Ben and Jack. Our new members took part in many games, team challenges, races, paddling skill practice and enjoyed socialising with our other members on a nice, gentle paddle back home. Once back at the bunkhouse, we had a club quiz and enjoyed pizza together before heading off to bed ready for the next day.

Day 2: We left the bunkhouse early and made our way to the river. We paddled a grade 1 sectionn of the River Dart (the lower lower) run by qualified and experienced white-water coaches. They taught our new members the basics of boat control on white water, the safety aspects, how to navigate the rivers and how to have fun!

Highlights of the weekend:

• Organised chaos with a kayak obstacle course – in pairs, one would shut their eyes and the other would guide them round an on the obstacle course!
• Club quiz night – pizza along with a friendly, funny and educational quiz.
• Competitive racing and games between our members!
• A few capsizes where members took a swim (it wasn’t too cold!)"

Watch a video of the trip on YouTube (video created by Ben Hart).

Feedback from the tip from new and existing members:

"I loved getting to know everyone and seeing everyone progress from the start of day 1 to being pros by the end of day 2!" - Hannah (Club President:)

• Favourite part: Getting to know all our new members!
• Learned: How cool our new members are!

"It’s a great trip that gets you out into the beautiful southwest countryside." - Charlie

• Favourite part: Meeting and having fun with everyone and getting experience with white water and nature.
• Learned: How to balance and start working on kayak skills.

"It was an all-round blast suitable for all abilites. The white-water rapids were good fun and I felt more like I was paddling with friends than strangers. - Phillip

• Favourite part: Going down the white-water rapids.
• Learned: How to enter and leave an eddy.

"This was a good opportunity for new kayakers to get some experience before doing more difficult sections of river. It was just nice to get to know some of the other members of the club while paddling as well." - Alex

• Favourite part: Improving my ferry gliding.
• Learned: Kayaking was invented in Greenland.

"Awesome fun and very educational. A great way to make new friends while having fun." - Laurie.

• Favourite part: Meeting new people and going on the white- water rapids, they were really fun.
• Learned: How to cross the river whilst going against the flow.

"Great fun!" - Ben

• Favourite part: Playing on the waves on the river.
• Learned: How to recover a boat down a rapid.

"The trip was really fun, a great introduction to white water and has led me wanting to do more!" - Tim

• Favourite part: Going down the weir. I hadn't expected to do that on the first trip let alone as our first obstacle. also going down backwards made it even more fun!
• Learned: How to better control the kayak, such as leaning to change direction.

"The trip was a really friendly introduction to whitewater with lots of chance to learn and practice new skills. If you’re well prepared to get a bit wet and cold it’s loads of fun!" - Ash

• Favourite part: Getting out on the River Dart and getting to know other club members with games!
• Learned: How to “ferry glide” was a fun skill for someone brand new to whitewater kayaking.

"Amazing experience! I am so glad that I was able to be a part of that. Not only to improve my confidence in the kayak but also to explore parts of the river Dart. Really thankful that I was part of the weekend!" - Freddy

• Favourite part: My confidence has increased. White water seemed scary at first in my head, and I was wondering if I could really do it, but it turns out I really enjoyed it. It was a great experience. 
• Learned: Keep paddling and everything will be fine.

Get in touch!

Email: Plymcanoeandkayak@gmail.com

Instagram: @plymouthunicanoeandkayak

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