Agm coming soon…..

[Tim]

We need to arrange a date for our Agm. I am looking at possible dates during January and February and will post up a definite time and date shortly. We need as many people as possible to turn up to this meeting.

Please tell us the items you would like placing on the agenda and don’t be shy! If there is something you feel passionate about and want it discussing please raise the issue here or give me a call.

All of the committee positions are up for re-election and therefore nominations are required for Chair, Deputy Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Welfare Officer and Equipment Officer. We need to discuss raising the pool fee for non members and another area of importance is river safety.

After a lot of thought I have decided to step down from the committee at the next Agm. I will continue to be a member of the club and look forward to being part of a successful 2015.

[Chucky]

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 ?

[Tim]

Thanks for replying Chucky. It is not really about generating extra income. Placing a surcharge upon non members will hopefully encourage people to join the club rather than generate extra income. Also remember the BCU insurance only covers a non member for four sessions and that is why we record names every Thursday. Individual BCU members and members of other BCU affiliated clubs are covered by the insurance. Is it fair that some people use the pool session having paid £24 annual membership and some people haven’t? I would recommend charging an extra pound or two and after 4 sessions evidence of BCU membership needs to be produced.

[Nigel]

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.

[admin]

Agree with Chucky on point 1.This hasn’t been set in stone as yet but as a club the guys are on the case for nxt spring.

Another point club boats as discussed plus maybe a small amount of kit ie: 2/3 throwlines,and maybe splits.Just for groups who may even just do jackfields etc,get them doing it on a regular basis.

I also agree the point about fees Tim.

Going back to safety,rescue courses are ok but need to be put into practice situations occasionally like the 4* we did.Its no big deal in warmer weather to have a couple of hrs say mile end every few months so people can still be familiar with it.You may need them to rescue you!!

[Tim]

I like your thoughts about self assessment Nige. I like your thoughts about club throwlines and splits Dave. A throwline and splits are as important as a helmet and bouyancy aid in my opinion and cant believe people havent got them already. It would however be very hard to keep track of a club throwline and splits.

[Tim]

Having safety training in April is fine but we have nearly four months to go before then. Anything could happen.

[admin]

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.

[Tim]

The more I think about it Dave we all need to meet up asap and discuss safety aspects at the club in a seperate meeting to the agm. It may be a long evening!

[admin]

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.

[Tim]

Well done to all those that have expressed their views and some interesting points made John. There is plenty of discussion on rivers guidebook about pushing your grade and there are lots of different views on this. I’m of the opinion that the only way to get good at something is to do it. A coach like Simon Westgarth would take you to a single grade 4 rapid and run it a dozen times looking at video footage and improving performance. This is the way to improve skills. Ive done this at Bala Mill, Serpents Tail and Ski Slope. There is a great rapid on the Irfon which would be great to use to improve technique. Failing on one grade four and moving to the next challenge isn’t the best way to do things. Who would be up for a session at Bryn Tail falls at some point running it over and over again? This would demonstrate competence on that rapid which can then be transferred to new situations. The fact that we are having these open discussions shows that as a club we care about our members! I have got loads of points to make about safety, reflecting, pushing your paddling skills…….far too many to bore people with here. We will set up a group discussion after Christmas.

[Richard D]

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.

[Tim]

Great quotes Rich but if we are to follow quotes and guidance from the BCU its worth noting that nobody from the club is qualified to take a group on a grade 4 rapid like Bryn Tail falls. We need to look into what formal training is available, i.e 5 star training, advanced safety and rescue etc……

Should club paddles only be on grade 2 water? Another issue that needs addressing after xmas.

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

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