Agm coming soon…..

items for discussion

safety training – Safety and white water training, leadership training.

Scotland trip

Bench marks for progression / star awards or other awards/ assessments.

i agree with an increased fee for non members. although does the club need to generate an extra income ?

Hi,

I have mentioned the safety aspect before and fully endorse this, my personal opinion is we all need to be honest with ourselves and do a rigorous self assessment then discuss with the club any areas we feel specific training, guidance or help is required. We can then arrange some of our own group sessions.
Jackfields is a really local spot for practice in some areas especially when the
weather warms up for the more basic stuff, the Dee at Mile End and of course the Tryweryn for some more technically challenging sessions.

Another coastal camping weekend would be nice if any fancy it ?

Club fees, increase to non members I agree with, mainly on the basis of insurance cover, this will help ensure the Club is safe and covered. Documenting the visits is a great way of ensuring we are on top of the situation.

Mr Chairman, may I say on a personal note how sad I am to hear about your intention to step down as Chairman of WKC. However I respect your decision. 🙁

• This reply was modified 9 years, 11 months ago by Nigel.

All I can say to that Tim is at present club trips need to be assessed on ability of group weather safety trained or not as you’ve said, adequate safety ie guys who can deal with most situations need to be there as well.All club members need to able to rescue but its a fine line from quik thinking and blasting across a river.If trips are to suit certain members then problems should become less.

It’s a difficult call whether to experience something that perhaps beyond your ability or not, how do you make that call or know that judgement without “Trying”. The “Pace” and the amount of “Portages” effected everyone in more ways than one, yes this was a new experience for all but as we gain more knowledge of different rivers, then we maybe more susceptible to errors. However, this practical experience “Logs” in that knowledge and appreciation of those risks and adapting to changing situations but remembering your own limitations and abilities. In many ways we have progressed whilst the last trip reminds you there are still many things to learn. Could we have dealt with situations and made the right decisions in most of the “Portages” and rescues, which we made, whilst a couple caught us out but we dealt with it as a group. When you learn there are always mistakes nothing is perfect. I hope this helps to the discussion.

In the back of my BCU folder I have a list of quotes that maybe help explain why we get out and enjoy paddling. See if you recognise them or think they may apply to you. They are certainly worth a moment’s thought !!

“There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. In or out of ’em, it doesn’t really matter, that’s the charm of it”.
Ratty to Mole, Wind in the Willows,
Kenneth Graham 1908.

“Once you have dabbled at paddling for a while you will start to get restless when you are away from the water for any length of time. Before you get serious about canoeing, you must consider the possibility of becoming totally and incurably hooked on it ” What first starts out as fun can quickly become addictive.
Bill Mason, The path of the paddle.

To quote a jet fighter pilot ” Never put your body where your mind hasn’t been first. Franco Ferrero ( BCU Level 5 coach ).

“Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes. Better to learn by the mistakes of others than try to find out everything for yourself”.
Ray Goodwin. Canoeing.

To venture outwards and upwards is to accept an element of risk, that can be reduced by knowledge, skill and planning; but never eliminated.
John Allen, Cairngorm John.
( Leader of the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team ).

It’s not because things are difficult that we don’t dare; It’s because we don’t dare that things are difficult.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca ( Advisor to the Emperor Nero ).

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than exposure.
Helen Keller.