Talking with a few folks, we’re looking at a ‘tidy up’ session this week at Bridge End. Even if it’s a beautiful evening we’re going to try and get everyone to the point of 1* certification, though it won’t stop us doing some paddling if conditions are good.
Additional details on the Forum
It might have been a foggy evening, it might have been a bit breezy at the put in point down at Quarff. It didn’t stop 16 paddlers taking to the water on another Thursday night club beginners trip!
The individual organisational aspect of going on a trip were tested as cars drew up at Quarff, boats came off trailers and gear out of boots, cags pulled on and the multiple portages down to the sea commenced. The put-in itself proved trickier than many had encountered before – rocks, seaweed, mud, a low tide and a heavy boat aren’t a great combination. However, everyone made it safely onto the water without incident, and once round the corner we were in the lee for the rest of the trip.
While the cloud was down on the hills and almost to the road, we had a lovely evening paddle in very atmospheric lighting conditions and the sea seemed to get calmer and calmer the further we went. Caves were entered, gullies paddled through, cliffs passed under as we made our way north into almost still conditions at Gulberwick.
A classic easy trip in some of the best conditions encountered this year (so far), much nicer afloat than ashore.
Chris Watt 07795 465120
Angus Nicol 01595 840272
Monday evening saw the planned exercise with the Lerwick Lifeboat kick off in Gulberwick bay.
Club members started running the first scenario, a heart attack victim, while the lifeboat made it’s way out from the harbour. After less than five minutes, the lifeboat flew across the mouth of the bay and the rafted paddlers (with victim) could see help was well on it’s way! Watching the bow approaching at speed was quite a sight. The small boat was dropped over the side and the recovery of various victims ensued. It must rate as one of the most accident-prone trips ever conducted in Shetland by the club with heart problems, dislocated shoulders, lone paddlers in difficulties, swimmers and exhaustion-overcome bodies appearing as if from no-where.
No problems for the lifeboat crew, each scenario dealt with with calm professionalism.
By this point conditions had gone from a bit blustery up to “interesting” as the wind came up, it was almost 8.45pm and paddlers started to head back to dry land. Once ashore there was the odd tired individual, a lot of discussion, and a bit of a buzz from all those involved.
General consensus – a great learning exercise for the club.
A big thank you must go to all the members of the Lerwick Lifeboat crew, and to Iain Derbyshire for arranging the evening.
Iain D has now confirmed, an evening out with the lifeboat crew will take place on Monday 8th July
If you’re at all interested please please please get in contact so we can arrange boats and trailers for everyone!
Iain
Despite it being another evening of strong winds with Force 6 plus gusts, last night saw thirteen paddlers on the water at Bridge End. Heading into wind, they set off to Banamin and, to quote one of the coaches, took the opportunity to “focus on their forward paddling technique” before turning for the ride home.
Any club paddlers interested in an evening working with the Lerwick Lifeboat please let us know ASAP. Could be as soon as Monday 8th and would be between 7pm and 9pm. Details on the forum.
Thursday saw a large turnout of paddlers again, and the evening was shaping up to be a stunning one with winds due to fall away as the evening went on. With one thing and another, it was decided to split into two groups. One group of seven did some canoe sailing down from Bridge End, the other 20+ paddlers went to Hamnavoe and a trip round the isles.
Turned out a lovely night!
Normal Thursday, meet Bridge End. Coaches will confirm what’s happening at 6.45pm
Check out the forum, there’s a link on the left side bar of the website or just go here and sign up. It will take a little time after that for us to catch up with you and activate the account. It’s still early days in it’s use, please bear with us and help it become as useful as possible. If you try signing in after a day or so after you set up your account, email me back and I’ll try and sort it.
There’ll also be a heads-up on the website and facebook pages if I know about it. If it’s me, there’ll also be details on the forum.
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