Shetland Canoe Club

There will be no training on Thursday 1 July or on Thursday 8 July.

Training starts again on Thursday 15 July

If you did some pool training but haven’t got round to coming outdoors yet come along on July 15^th and make a start. We will be very happy to see you. There will be another 7 training nights before the season ends in September.

Congratulations to the 23 people who achieved One Star Performance Award during the first 7 weeks of training.  Get yourself on to a few club trips and aim to do some more training on Thursday’s to reach Two Star by the end of the season!

Trips

Tuesday evening trips and longer trips on Saturday or Sunday are open to everyone with a One Star. Try one or two evening trips to build up your fitness before going on a day trip.

For details see the website www.shetlandcanoeclub.co.uk or contact Craig Lobban on 07795674053 day or 01950477644 night, email:craig@cragden.plus.com

[simage=85,max,n,center,] There’s a new photo album in the Gallery page, from the club trip to Ronas Voe on the 6th June.  Check out the Gallery to see them all.

On Thursday (17 June) a group of 15 intrepid paddlers went to play at the outflow of Strom Loch. New paddlers were able to learn  “breaking in” to the current from an eddy and “breaking out” again. Some mastered a “ferry glide” across the river too. Our river experts, Jonathan, Steve, Jim and Paula did a great job in passing on their skills and Arthur and Mark struggled manfully against a Force 6 wind in sea kayaks to rescue those who went for a swim.

Most of us sampled the water temperature at some point in the evening! “Paddler of the evening” must go to Gregor for persistence leading to success! All of us had fun. Some have been inspired to join Jonathan on a trip to some real rivers later in the year.  If you missed Thursdays event we plan to go again as soon as there is a low tide at a convenient time. The next Thursday evening when that happens is in early September,

CHOICE OF VENUE

Normal training will still be at Bridge End Centre.

If you would like to try some river paddling follow details below.

Meet at strom bridge as soon after 6:30 as you can.

The loch empties out under the bridge into the sea and while the tide is low the flow of water creates a very short length of “river”. The flow will be enough to create gentle river conditions till about 8:30pm that evening.

This is a good chance to try river paddling and be introduced to some of the skills. It might inspire you to go on the club river trip in October! Come along and have some fun.

Getting there from Lerwick

Travel north out of Lerwick, at the Brig of Fitch bear right, take the A971 to the west towards Tingwall airstrip. Pass the airstrip with the airport on your RIGHT. Pass Wormadale and continue to the Whiteness shop. You are nearly at the bridge.

Parking could be a problem. Try to share cars or go on to Whiteness school and come back in fewer cars.

Nine paddlers took part in a half day trip at Westerwick on Sunday 30th May 2010. With a Fresh Northerly wind this provided a sheltered location in the lee of the banks. The route followed the coast East to Silwick and its off lying stacks, then North past Giltarump to Fografiddle and Drongi Taing. There are numerous passages and caves on this coast which commence within a few hundred metres of the starting point. We even had sunshine, a great afternoon. Thanks to those who took part.

Westerwick 8

Westerwick 7

Westerwick 6

Westerwick 5

Westerwick 3

Westerwick 2

Westerwick 1

Westerwick 4

Trip Leader: Tam

Location: To Be Decided ( Weather permitting)

If anyone is interested in coming along on Sunday please call Craig on 01950477644 (night) or 07795674053 (day)  to register interest and advise what equipment you require.

This trip is not eligible for beginners.

A great turnout for the first outdoor beginners session of the year, despite the breezy conditions. Numbers were good enough that all the sea kayaks were used and couple of GP boats too. The southerly chop made for a nice extra challenge for beginners across the voe but all managed fine and handled their boats well.

It’s time for the great outdoors again. First beginners session at the Bridge End Outdoor Centre tomorrow (thursday). Forecast isn’t perfect but it’s not too bad: 1900hrs

7 °C SSE 22 mph Gust 33 mph Vis – Very Good/No rain.

Remember to take a change of clothes and a warm drink, just in case.

Shetland Canoe Club coaches Ian Cummings, Arthur Robertson and Angus Nicol all achieved their new 4-Star Leadership Awards. Well done to them all and thanks to the “guinea pigs”they accompanied on the assessment trips, Yolande, Katrina and Deborah, and to the  the trainers/assessors Roy Henderson and Martin Rickard.

Angus on the Nibon trip

The assessment trips took some spectacular coastline, from Nibon to the Drongs off Eshaness and the second day took in the ever-amazing coast of Muckle Roe. Both trips took place in relatively challenging conditions and the club leaders were asked to perform rescue manoeuvres and safety exercises in awkward condtions to justify the title of a 4-Star Leader.

Photo by Roy Henderson

From this previous post (click)

New date available from Dave & Julie for those interested that have not yet registered.