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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:

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Copyright Worcester Canoe Club 2008
Last updated 12 October 2008
Contact us at worcestercc@yahoo.co.uk