Welcome
Welcome to the Club's Web site. This is becoming a vital communication
tool as we all lead busier lives than ever before. We hope that you not
only
find it useful but that you will actively contribute and let everyone
know
when you are paddling or organising a trip that others might join. A
club is
exactly that - it is there to help people of like minds and interests
to get more from their sport and from life. It is down to each of us to
help
run the Club and to stay in touch. We do not have professional support
- although the contributions made by many people are of course highly
professional in their quality. If things are missing I urge you not
only to point that out but to explain how you can help to put things
right. We
can only work within the realms of available time and energy, if
everyone
does one thing well each month then we will have a thriving Club that
is fun
and safe to be part of.
Having said that we have a very strong Club that is well respected
nationally. We have tremendous facilities and a range of equipment to
help all members. Better though is that we have great experience across
the membership that, combined with an open culture where everyone is
prepared to help, means newcomers can learn quickly and become fully
involved.
Canoe and kayak sport is truly wonderful, as relaxing as you wish or as
challenging as any extreme sport can be. Find your level and then maybe
just stretch
your limits a little. Whatever is good for you can probably be
encompassed,
be it just chilling out on the river on a balmy summers evening or
striving to represent your country - perhaps at the London Olympics.
Yes we do have athletes working on that plan as well as paddlers who
prefer surf or sea canoeing and those that just tour.
Our sport is growing fast, so fast in fact that it's a struggle to
provide the introductory courses we need to. Sign up early please but
don’t be
put off if you have to wait. If you do have to then try an introductory
week perhaps at one of the National Water Sports centres - see the
links on
our web site for details. If you are already a paddler and would like
to
help with coaching we can support your development at the Club with
allocation of a mentor and qualification costs re-imbursement. If you
are a
competition paddler then do get in touch with the appropriate committee
member for Marathon, Sprint or White Water or better still come along
on a
Wednesday evening to paddle at 6.30 or to join the Club evening at 8.30.
It can seem a very busy Club and initially it may be a little bit
daunting to try to get to know everyone but it really is a very
friendly place
and we will give you the warmest welcome we possibly can, if you get
stuck in
any way let me know and I will do my best to help.
Matt Brown,
Chairman,
Worcester Canoe Club.
|
 |
News
 Booking Club facilities
There is a new system for groups using the Club facilities. If you want to book please email Stuart at Worcestercc@yahoo.co.uk. Bookings will be on a sheet in the corridor upstairs near the lounge, and will be on this website (current bookings).
 New Photos
page
Worcester Canoe Club,
Winter Paddling and Training Arrangements
As
the cold weather and dark nights arrive we need to change our Club
sessions. The note below outlines arrangements for the winter but if
you want to know more ask any committee member or better still come
along on a Wednesday night at about 8.30 and enjoy meeting up with
other Club members. Arrangements are as follows;
Beginners
(new paddlers who have not attained the Club sign off level or has not
gained BCU 2 star qualification).
We
do not run beginner courses through the winter as conditions are not
pleasant. You are welcome to attend pool based sessions and winter
training based in the Club or local gym’s. If you want to get to 2 Star
standard there are a number of coaching centres near Worcester where
you can enrol for courses. Further away the national centres at Plas-y-Brenin and Plas Menai are
superb. You will be able to find details on the internet.
Intermediate
paddlers (those new to paddling but have been signed off
at the Club competency level or have 2 Star or above qualifications).
We
are working hard to provide you with opportunities to join into club
paddling. On Saturday mornings John Talbot leads a session on the water
– river levels permitting. Meet at 10am sharp and bring warm kit.
On
Wednesday evenings Matt Brown and Julian Harris will run a paddle
session by the club using plastic rough water and play boats or
introductory White water racers. You MUST bring a light, a small bike
light or head torch. You will not be allowed to paddle without that or
without adequate warm clothing. We are to fit new flood lights (no pun
intended!!!) so that the area by the Club will have a degree of
lighting. The sessions will be skills and fitness orientated and will
be in essence a water based circuit training. Meet at 6.30 for a land
based warm up and paddle 7 until 8.
Please remember intermediate
levels of paddlers CANNOT paddle at night or in flood conditions (river
above the bottom concrete path) unless led by a more experienced
paddler.
Race
and Fitness Training
For
paddlers who are ready to race train for full sessions paddlers will
meet at 3.30 on Fridays for a daylight session, 5.30 for a night paddle
and on Sunday mornings at 9.15 for a K2 and K4 session when paddlers of
differing abilities will be paired to try to find equal K2’s and K4’s.
Each week a member of the committee will organise the session and we
appeal to established members to try to help out and be flexible with
paddling arrangements. It is vital everyone is on time and we intend to
run a short land based warm up session and be on the water for 9.45. As
usual tea and coffee and cake will be available after the training
session at approximately 11.30. Bring warm kit, a full change of dry
kit and an energy drink to take out whilst paddling.
Also on
Wednesday’s there will be a Core Fitness session run by Nick Fowler/Tim
Phillips, a Road Run (bring bright clothing) and resistance training as
well as paddle machine training. Meet as soon as possible to 6.30.
Mountain
bike sessions on the Malvern’s continue with Jon Bird, Adrian Trickett
and James parker leading. Please see the notice board for details.
(Yes, in the dark!)
Experienced paddlers will of continue to train as and when they wish in
line with usual Club policies.
Technique
development and Training schedule assistance – all levels
of paddlers interested in improving their race paddling.
Nick
Fowler and Stuart West are to run sessions once a month through the
winter on Sundays to drive improvement across the Club. These will be
half day technique development and training on both land and water.
Nick and Stuart both have very high credentials to undertake this –
both having represented GB for many years. Do make use of their skills
and lets set a great winter programme in place to ensure individuals
and the Club maximise success next year. Simply all sports now place
huge emphasis on resistance and core training, top paddlers of all
disciplines, sprint, marathon and rough water spend more time in the
gym through the off season than on. In this way the develop a power and
aerobic base that will allow them to reach higher levels the following
season.
Preparing
for Cold Weather
If
you are new to winter paddling you will find you need a warm hat, very
good thermal tops a paddling cagoule (bargains can be found at the Peak
Factory shop at Nottingham and also on Ebay but get some advice before
buying). Absolutely essential kit and for about £8.50 a pair are
paddling mitts – called Poggies and we recommend the ‘Granny Moran’
brand available at the Club from Mick or Jayne Moran. Just the best and
cheapest bit of winter kit you can find (er – you will still need some
thermals!!!)
Safety
A
reminder that all paddlers MUST use lights when paddling at night.
Buoyancy jackets are mandatory for all junior paddlers at night or in
flooded conditions. Beginners may only paddle when coaches or
experienced paddlers are present and of course buoyancy jackets are
mandatory for all beginner and intermediate paddlers. Adult experienced
paddlers may make their own decision but buoyancy jackets are strongly
recommended by the committee for all paddlers when the river is above
the bottom concrete path or at night. Stuart and Dave were second in
the DW wearing BJ’s and Jonny won the Junior international in Denmark
wearing a BJ – they just are so good these days there is no excuse for
not wearing one when conditions merit.
Locking-up
Please
remember also to lock up the Club, unless people are directly by the
Club or in the boat house the doors should be locked closed using the
number locks. If you are upstairs the doors must be locked – there
have been a number of incidences of people training on the
paddling machines but having left the doors downstairs open. Sadly this
is a problem these days with dubious characters around the river area
so please ensure for you own and others safety you close the
doors whenever possible.
Winter
Races and Trips
Racing
continues – somewhere all year. In addition we will be organising more
trips away from Worcester – to surf, sea and try white water paddling.
Please watch the club web site for details.
We are also trying to book swimming and rolling sessions at the New
Blind College, details to follow.
Enjoy your winter, do get fit and be ready for 2009,
Best wishes,
Matt T Brown
|
|
Worcester were at
the
Hasler
final in force on Sunday 28th Sept with 23 entries. |
|
Well done to
those returning from the World masters marathon
championships. Worcester Paddlers managed a number of Medals
this year.. John Talbot - Gold in Over 69's, Stan Smith -
Silver in Over 69's. Sue Hawthorn Bronze in the Over 44
ladies K2 with a Russian partner. Pictures will be put on the
club PC shortly. |
A big WELL DONE
to Jonny Tye who won the U16 Tour de Gudena in Denmark. after
finishing 10 seconds behind the two leaders on the first day he managed
to drop them on the second day and pull out a 20 second lead, winning
the race by 10 seconds. Well done again Jonny.
|
National Marathon Championships
"TV" programme.. Have a look at Outdoors TV
|
|
National
Marathon Championships
in Worcester, 23 - 24 August (Bank Holiday weekend)
A
big thankyou to all of those that came to worcester to compete and
watch, seeing the mass of people at the event made the hard work of
organising the event worthwhile.
See
Results here:
|
|
|
