A fun canoe and kayaking club based at Chiswick Pier
Another week’s teaching open boating for me, whilst the club ran two Sunday sessions. Our Sunday sessions were led by Coach Leon group one and Coach Dean group two. There was a beginners group which went out at about two o clock with our beginners and first timers. These guys were led by Coach’s Sarah and Michelle with youthful backup from Julius. Sunday and a high tide at approx 11:30am not the best time to … Read more
I had been told I was teaching two people to paddle a canoe, however there was a problem. I had a need of four canoes and the FSRT people needed another two and the club only had five. Solution stall the start time of MJ one of my open boat paddlers and handily one of the students needed to leave early. In the end it all worked out and we had enough kit for everyone to enjoy … Read more
My Fellow coach Young Michelle contact me during the week and asked the question could we? Well of course we could, but not without the help of Young Julius and his Mr Fix it skills. Happily Julius was able to help and fit a kneeling thwart into the forth of our open boats, so we can now teach two students. Thanks Julius as that was the exact number I was asked to teach. Next issue … Read more
A very brief review of CPCC’s Taster Training Session with Andy Course Leader and Tudor and myself (Steve). Six people were signed up for the course and on Saturday they each arrived at the pier house some more apprehensive than others. but all willing to give this kayaking malarkey a try. We all gathered outside the pierhouse and chatted about what experience our attendees had. We were very pleased to hear the several had paddled … Read more
A simple Sunday paddle with Hammersmith Bridge closed indefinitely, our only option is to paddle in the Richmond direction. So looking forwards to some tough paddles in that direction for the future. It was a flood tide as we got on the water, so a float and boat Sunday. Our pod of two MJ and myself bobbled into the middle of the river, leaving a suitably large gap such as the rowers could approach and … Read more
Hammersmith Bridge has been closed to all traffic including boat and pedestrian traffic after cracks in the structure have worsened following the recent hot weather. BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-53767214 TFL: https://tfl.gov.uk/status-updates/major-works-and-events/hammersmith-bridge-closure
The lesson plan was to teach poling, however when the flow is right as it was on this day then a quick practice of S turns on the wave. We followed this up with canoe poling and then how to sharpen our turns. It was then a quite paddle and a bit of larking about and then a sail back to the pontoon. With a low tide at the get on for the club’s Sunday … Read more
Another Lovely day on the river Thames. Whilst the club went in the direction of Putney Julius and I headed in the opposite direction with goal of reaching Richmond. An easy paddle out with the tide, so were paddling towards the Surrey Bank to keep out of the way of the Rowers. We very quickly made Chiswick Bridge and recrossed to the Middlesex side. In passing under Chiswick Bridge we had a nice conversation with … Read more
Sunshine and a welcoming tide well who could resist. Two intrepid coaches and with our our Mr Fix it, we three headed out for a midweek gentle paddle on a very calm ebb tide River Thames. We had one sea kayak, one day cruiser and one canoe. Yes, I was in the club’s Novacraft again. Now I know what you are thinking how can a canoe the slowest boat keep pace with the fastest a … Read more
The Thames is a fantastic spring board to do training, trips, planning, checking ideas, equipment and group dynamics. We always aimed to test our skills at sea – with a little wind, a few waves, sun and salt.After studying weather and sea state, we called it a ‘rough water handling session’ and went to Lulworth Cove where the sea was rough, the wind blowy and the water salty. Unfortunately, my sea co-workers consisting of Jules, … Read more
