[Tim]

Good spot Rich!

[Tim]

Thanks for the kind words lads!

[Tim]

Ive been watching paddling on youtube for 8 years now and have seen some hilarious and dangerous videos posted by clubs all over the country. After heavy rain search kayaking and look for videos posted In the last 24 hours. I saved the videos and would then try to view again at some point in the future. Most of them have been removed. We put stuff up and then think twice about it. No big deal. One thing i do like to see on our vids is a throw line being used early when someone is out of their boat.

• This reply was modified 10 years ago by Tim.

[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 10 years ago by Tim.
• This reply was modified 10 years ago by Tim.

[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.

[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!

[Tim]

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

[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]

Hindsight is great of course and video footage shows only part of the story. I would really like to conduct a debrief/reflection session looking into this trip. Not a finger pointing exercise but a discussion based on experiences and ideas. I do it at work every week. We need to make sure that lessons from the
Vrynwy last year, Rhiw, Upper Dart and now the Clywedog are learned before moving on. Im just not being filled with hope at the moment. Im also of the opinion that this footage should not be put on public forums. We are looking like clowns on a weekly basis. Paddlers looking for a club are looking at this footage, my brother is looking at this footage, people ive never met who use the so called wombourne facebook site look at this footage. I look at the footage and giggle and then pinch myself that its our club.

[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.

[Tim]

Good to see everyone looking out for each other. Line of sight is so important.

[Tim]

I looked at it once and the river was going over the road! Too high. Sounds like a fun river.

[Tim]

Cheers Mick

[Tim]

I’ll be round in a minute John.

[Tim]

A large mamba it is then. Thanks for checking out different boats. I think its important to maintain the level of variety we have in the stock of boats. We will order the mamba shortly.

[Author]

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