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Welcome to the September edition of BCCC Matters! 


In this month's edition:
  • Annual General Meeting - Urgent Committee Vacancies 
  • Annual Shindig
  • Sloe Paddle - Sunday 11 September
  • In search of water
  • An evening on the Way - Bowers Lock,  4 August 
  • Hare & Hounds
  • Course Graduates - August 2022
  • Keep Paddling 
  • Sponsorship for future Coaches, Leaders & instructors
  • And finally.....Spooky Paddle - Saturday 29 October

Annual General Meeting - Committee Vacancies

This year's AGM will be held on Friday,18 November (venue to be confirmed). We are now urgently seeking nominations for the following committee roles:
 

  • Chairperson.  This role has a maximum tenure of three years.  Our current Chair, Bill Hansell completes three years at the next AGM and is therefore required to step down. This role includes:
    • Co-ordinating and leading the development of the BCCC.
    • Upholding the rules and constitution to ensure that the BCCC follows the standards set by the National Governing Body.
    • Supporting and monitoring key volunteers.
    • Chairing regular committee meetings.
    • Representing BCCC at a national level and with other organisations.
    • Acting as one of the main authorised signatories.
  • Quartermaster./Boat Manager This position has been held by Zoe Griffiths for a number of years. Owing to work commitments, Zoe needs to hand over the reins as soon as possible.  This role includes:
    • Supporting the effective management of the boat house.
    • Producing and maintaining a list of equipment and its condition.
    • Developing the BCCC boat/equipment replacement policy.
    • Attending regular committee meetings.
    • Acting as one of the main authorised signatories.
  • Health & Safety Officer.  This is a new role which includes:
    • Developing and maintaining policies on Health & Safety.
    • Undertaking Health & Safety inspections and maintaining records.
    • Supporting coaches on the development of risk assessments
    • Advising the Committee on issues relating to Health & Safety.

In addition to the above, the Club has a number of committee and non-committee roles which are key to the day-to-day running of the Club as well as the organisation of individual events for the benefit of all members. We currently have a number of vacancies across a range of activities. For more information, please go to the Key Club Members page of the website. 

If you are interested in any of the vacancies or just want to be more involved,
 please contact the Club Secretary 

Summer Shindig

The Annual Shindig held on 6 August, jointly organized by Zoe Griffiths, Sarah Francis, Brian and Anne Biffin, was enjoyed by many and was lots of fun.

Joe and Benji did a brilliant job of running the BBQ, and we were blessed with the weather.  It was lovely to catch up with people and have a good natter.  For the games, first of all we had kayak ballet, a masterpiece from Brian Biffin.  We practised on land first to get the moves honed, which was fun in itself, then we took to the water in our kayaks, and it went really well, very relaxing too. 

After that we played world domination, followed by relays in teams of 4.  One of the biggest challenges was getting people on and off the water as the levels were so low.  Everyone had fun whether they joined in the games or watched from their picnic chairs.

Sarah Francis 

Sloe Paddle - Sunday, 11 September 

This year's Sloe Paddle will take place at 3pm on Sunday, 11 September at Colt Hill Wharf, Odiham. Googlemaps reference 

All craft are welcome, however canoes are more spacious for collecting your Sloes, Blackberries, Mirabelles etc. If you would like a canoe taken to Colt Hill, please contact Brian,  who can pick up craft on Saturday morning 10th September. 

Brian and Anne Biffin

In Search of Water 

Undeterred by the lack of water in "our" bit of the canal, BCCC members have looked for new opportunities to paddle.

On the first Tuesday after the closure, five intrepid paddlers went in search of water in far flung Fleet! After a short walk with canoes in hand, they found some water and had a very nice paddle!

On Saturday, 27 August we held our first off-site paddlesport morning. Doug, Jaed, Annabelle, Louise and Alfie set off from Holland Moorings, just opposite the Runway's End wharf.  We explored Ash Lock, squishy-balled, and practised a few paddling techniques.

On Sunday, 28 August ten paddlers set off from Crookham Wharf for a 5.6 mile (according to Strava) delightful round trip to Barley Mow.  A quick pit stop for lunch in the sunshine before returning to re-stack the trailer for the return journey to the barn.

Anne, Brian, Rick and Zoe

 

An Evening on the Wey - Bower's Lock, Thursday 4 August

This was going to be the last of this year’s mid-week trips organised by Rick to explore away from the canal - because after a wonderful evening on the River Wey, it was clear the summer solstice was far behind us.

Our evening started at the barn with some testing of new roof racks, ready for some members of the group to explore other parts of the canal or further afield with new-found freedom. Rick took the club’s new Dagger Stratos 12.5 out for its first spin while the other eight of us picked a selection of our own or club boats.

We weren’t the only ones out after work that day, as a couple of paddleboarders were busily pumping up their craft when we reached our starting point near Burpham. The first section was over in a flash, being just 250m to Bower’s Lock itself and another fairly short paddle up to the weir to the natural river. On the first portage around the lock, we had our only capsize as a heavily loaded boat immediately went in and flipped - thankfully without anybody aboard!

Near the weir, we all clambered out again and a kayak conga line formed to move the kayaks the 100m across the field to the river, probably a strange sight for the locals. The river was stunning in the evening sun, and full of life with damselflies and birds overhead. A heron was spotted perched ahead of the group at one point, though it only gave us a brief chance to get a photo!

The drone of the A3 had disappeared by this point, and we passed a few riverside houses on the outskirts of Send before disappearing downstream into the countryside. From here, the river started to narrow and the journey became more interesting with tight turns, narrow gaps and willow trees growing across the river, forcing the group into single file and presenting enjoyable challenges. We ducked and weaved through all of the natural obstacles, then the river opened back out with reeds and grassland, reminiscent of the Odiham, and headed towards our half way point at Triggs Lock.

A quick snack was needed outside the lock keeper’s cottage as we portaged, but then it was back on the navigation towards Guildford again. It felt much quieter on this part of the trip as the evening set in and there being no river traffic or obstacles to overcome. A church steeple could be seen ahead now, which turned out to be Send parish church - a landmark we must have passed close by on the journey out.

After portaging back around Bower’s Lock, it was the last short stretch again to the starting point at the Riverside Nature Reserve. As we came back for the last of the kayaks, the sun was setting on the other side of the navigation - a beautiful end to a great evening.

Dominic Cleal

 

Hare and Hounds

Unfortunately, due to the lack of water in the canal, August's Hare and Hounds (the last of the season) had to be cancelled and so the final results for the season are unchanged from July. So congratulations to:

    Mike Oliver for winning the 6 mile K1;
    Ian Fox for winning the 4 mile K1;
    Tina & Neil for winning the 6 mile K2;
    Brian Biffin & Brett Jones for winning the 4 mile C2;
    Liz Murnaghan for winning the 6 mile C1;
    Paul Jeffs for winning the 4 mile C1;

The fastest time this season was Joe Hansell's K1 time of 46.13 while the fastest lady was Hannah Gallagher with a time of 52.39. The fastest K2 was Mike and Jonny Oliver with a time of 56.24.

Hopefully we'll be able to start the new season on Saturday, 17 September.

Tony Gallagher

Course Graduates - August 2022
 

Since the last edition of B3C Matters, six members have successfully completed their BC Discover course. Congratulations to the following members on their achievements:

BC Adult Discover Course (Kayak)
Lesley Adamson
Phil Adamson
Cosette Davey
Nigel Davey
Adele McPherson
Sarah Shrubsall

The course was held at the recently developed Holland Moorings slipway, which is opposite the Runway's End Aquatic Centre, where the A325 crosses the Basingstoke Canal. Carparking is good with a 1.96m height barrier.

Our courses continue to in high demand.  With the help of our coaches, leaders, instructors and helpers, we have held a total of ten courses this year and have welcomed many new paddlers to the Club as a result. Thanks again to everyone who has made this possible.

Brian Biffin

Keep Paddling

At the end of a course one question always comes up - "What do we do next?” The answer is always the same: "Get some roof racks, j bars, BA, paddle, try a different boat, accessories, practice" - in that order. 

This is sound advice, especially now Mytchett Pound is closed to all boating.
Rick and myself have been deliberating over the best way of ensuring everyone has the opportunity to keep paddling. 

Rick will continue to arrange trips both locally and further afield as follows:
  • Tuesday 10am
  • Thursday 6pm
  • Sunday 10am

Please arrive at the barn before the allotted times to help with loading the trailer.

I propose, in the short term at least, to arrange trips on the Fleet Pound, and perhaps a little further afield on Saturday mornings, with an RV of 09.30 at Mytchett to load up a trailer. You will need to contact me first to confirm your interest and either choose or learn where we are going.

On Tuesday mornings, a shorter paddle, if there is demand, either RV at my house in Fleet at 9.30am,  paddle  towards Crookham Village and back, or, if he is available, RV with Rick, to load a trailer at  Mytchett and drive to Fleet Wharf, meeting up with the  "locals" and paddle towards Crookham Wharf. There are several other trips possible on the Fleet Pound.

In all cases it is essential to contact either Rick or myself if you want to come paddling. This is in order to avoid pointless journeys to Mytchett  or leaving club boats unsupervised on a trailer in a car park, due to "no shows". This has happened in the past!

Brian Biffin

Sponsorship for future Coaches, Leaders and Instructors
 

Have you ever thought about becoming a Coach, Paddlesport Leader or Paddlesport Instructor?  If so, the Club is prepared to fund development courses for members who are willing to give up their time to support future courses, trips and taster sessions.  Information about individual qualifications and awards is available on the British Canoeing website. Expressions of interest for sponsorship should be sent to the Club Secretary for consideration by the Committee. 

And finally ......


Spooky Paddle

We propose to hold this year's Spooky Paddle on Saturday, 29 October.  Meet at the barn at 6pm spookily dressed and chosen craft decorated.  There will be a short paddle In the dark accompanied by suitably spooky music.  Once everything has been returned to the barn there will be a themed supper in the Canal Centre function room. 

If you are interested in attending, please contact Anne Biffin.


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Thanks  to everyone who has contributed to this month's edition.  Sharing your BCCC stories is easy, just email B3C Matters.  The deadline for the October edition is Wednesday 28 September.

Don't forget, you can find out more about club activities on the website and on our Facebook page.

Happy Paddling!


Kelly Knight
B3C Matters!
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