2 Course plan
The course is planned to run over a series of evening sessions and two weekend trips. The plan will, of course, be flexible to take account of weather and other unexpected events.
2.1 Evening sessions
Our evening sessions will be held on Tuesday evenings 6:30-8:30 at the clubhouse. We’ll try to get there a bit earlier than that in case people want to use the kitchen/kettle/microwave to grab some food before we start.
Our plans for the evening sessions will be somewhat flexible depending on the weather. The plan is outlined below (*=club committee meeting, so we may need to be on the river):
| Date | Likely topics to cover |
|---|---|
| 21 April | (Classroom) Introduction, weather and (non-tidal) planning |
| 28 April | (River) Personal kit, forward paddling, turning, towing |
| 5 May* | (Classroom) Buoyage, charts, tides and planning |
| 12 May | (River, wet session) Navigation, turning, rescues |
| 19 May | (River, wet session) Boat handling skills, braces, self-rescues |
| 26 May | (Classroom) Planning exercise, safety kit, dealing with mishaps |
| 2 June* | (River, wet session) Boat handling skills, more complex rescues |
We’ll confirm whether we’re planning a classroom session or a session on the river (and whether we expect to be getting wet) by email ahead of each session.
We anticipate that some people may need to miss the occasional evening session. Please let us know if you won’t be able to make it along. We’ll make a plan for you to catch up on whatever we were planning to cover (hopefully these notes will help with that!).
2.2 Weekend trips
2.2.1 First trip - Dorset
Our first trip will leave on the evening of May 15th and return on the evening of May 17th. We’ll head to Dorset to explore the Jurassic coast. Depending on conditions, we’ll likely focus on:
Planning trips
Map/chart reading on the water
Working around other water users and large vessels
Maintaining direction in wind
We will be staying at Cumulus Outdoors in Swanage, using their self-catering bungalow.
The address is: Cumulus Outdoors Residential Centre, Cobbler’s Lane, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2PX. Swanage has a one-way system, so I suggest using a satnav.
If you arrive after 9pm, the gate to the site will be locked. We have the combination to open it, but please close and lock it after you have come in. The bungalow is just after the entrance to the center site, on the right. It has it’s own parking area adjacent to it:
The key is located by the front door in a lock box.
A few notes / rules for this accommodation:
The center is located in a residential area and they ask that we don’t make noise outside after 9pm
No smoking
Linen & towels are not supplied - please bring your own. Pillows & single duvets are supplied
Toilet paper, soap, washing up liquid and sponges are supplied
We need to depart by 10:00 on Sunday (although we’ll likely plan to leave somewhat earlier!)
We are asked to use only the car park at the bottom of the site (I think this is the closest one to the accommodation)
We are welcome to use the grass area opposite the accommodation, but not the football field adjacent to it
We should leave the key in the lockbox when we leave the site, rather than taking it with us
Gates to the site are locked at 9pm. We have the code to the gate lock, but should lock it behind us if we do open it.
The Site Manager can be contacted on 07881 794931
2.2.2 Second trip - Anglesey
Our second trip will leave on the evening of June 5th and return on the evening of June 8th. On the 8th June we plan to cover Paddle UK’s Sea Kayak Safety & Rescue Award. This is optional, but included in the course fees, and is a great way to deepen your knowledge of safety and rescue skills.
We’ll head to the island of Anglesey - a truly world-class sea kayaking venue, which gives us many options. Depending on conditions, we’ll likely focus on:
Planning trips - we’ll be expecting participants to be coming up with their own plans by this point in the course
Rockhopping - the art of exploring rocky channels close to the shoreline
Paddling in more demanding conditions
Rescues and towing
We will stay at Anglesey Outdoors in the Ty Pen Annexe. Anglesey Outdoors is on the Porthdafarch Road out of Holyhead, postcode LL65 2LP.
Driving directions are as follows:
Arriving at the last roundabout from the A55 you will see McDonalds and Asda supermarket on the left hand side of the road.
Take first left off the roundabout (signed to Trearddur Bay B4545).
Immediately take the first right turn between the Angel Chippy (red Building) and an old Pub, currently being refurbished. There is a white road sign for Porthdafarch Road. This turning is before the pelican crossing you see ahead of you.
Continue out of Holyhead along this road for 1.5 miles.
There is a tarmac road on the left called Mill Lane. Immediately after this, there is a track to the left signed to Anglesey Outdoors and the Paddlers Return Bar.
The track runs past a camping area on the right to the main centre building. The Ty Pen Annexe occupies the far end of this building.
Here’s a map of the Anglesey outdoors site:
If you arrive late and can’t find us at the accommodation, it is most likely that we will be in The Paddlers Return Bar.
2.3 Kit list
There’s more information on equipment later in this handout, but here’s a basic kit list for weekend trips:
Sea kayak - we’ll allocate club boats. Please check that your boat is in good repair and has a working skeg. If you let us know ahead of time, we’ll be more than happy to help you fix it!!
Paddles - find a set that’s a good length for you.
Towline: We have several club towlines to lend out (if you’d like one, the Peak 15m is a good option). If possible, you should have a knife in you buoyancy aid in case the line gets tangled (e.g. the Palm one).
Spraydeck: Neoprene, the club has them
Helmet: from club
Buoyancy aid: from club. You may find a pocket useful.
Wallet, phone + charger, keys etc.
Guidebook, maps - we’ll hand these out ahead of the trips, roughly one per car (if you’d like your own, we’ll be using the SW Sea Kayaking and Welsh Sea Kayaking guides from Pesda Press).
Paper and pen/pencil - you’ll find it helpful to make notes of forecasts, tides and the trip plans that you come up with. Thin tipped permanent marker (OHP pen) for marking up maps.
Wind+waterproof outer shell: top and bottom: The club has cagoules and a pair of walker’s waterproof trousers will suffice for bottoms to keep the wind off
Warm layers: Plenty of warm layers to wear on the water and to carry as spare layers in the boat. Avoid cotton. We tend to wear close fitting tops (e.g. rash vest) and bottoms (leggings), with fleecy warm layers if it’s colder. Take a complete change of clothes in the boat, unless you’re wearing a drysuit.
Towel: for changing, drying if you get wet
Good paddling shoes: Trainers can work if they fit in the boat. Neoprene boots are great - Lomo sells cheap and durable ones.
Water bottle + thermos flask.
Sunglasses and sunblock
Warm hat + sunhat
Drybags: At least one for lunch+snacks and one for spare clothing. Also dry bags for phones / car keys / inhalers if you need these on the water. Fairly inexpensive from Decathlon or (better) Lomo. 10 liters is a good size.
Food: Lunches, snacks and anything special you want to eat at other times
Linen & towels: (Linen not supplied for Dorset trip