We submitted the following article to SCA Paddler Magazine. Our hope is it will be published in the January edition along with some photos of the event.
Paddle Festival 9th September 2012.
Photos
On Sunday 9th September 2012 Drumchapel & Clydebank Kayak Club held a Paddle Festival at The Boat House Pier shore in Balloch Castel Park on the Bonny Banks of Loch Lomond. The Festival was part of “Get Active Loch Lomond” & West Dunbartonshire Councils “The Great Outdoors Festivals”
What an amazing day, the weather was good and the public response, especially from kids was beyond our expectations. They just kept coming! All boats were on the water the whole day which was very challenging for all our coaches/water safety cover, catering and changing room staff. Fitting in a cup of tea a hotdog or a pee were major challenges! There was likewise a great response to the land-based activities with good attendances at the Throw bag target; Kit-Up Challenge; Fitness Testing; EGRO Kayaker and Club information Stalls. The inter-schools and Sea Scout races were also a hoot!
Hopefully the spinoff from this event is that many local children and adults were introduced to this amazing healthy sport that we as canoeists and kayakers love. We hope we also highlighted/ encouraged participants that water sports require to be learned in a safe environment with appropriate safety equipment and cover via joining an SCA registered club, not just buying a boat and going out on the water on your own.
We have already seen a big response at our club pool evenings more kids than boats and several new adults are in the process of joining the club.
The event involved considerable effort from all our Club support team volunteers.
We would like to thank the Lottery Fund for contributing £500 funding towards the event; Stirling Canoes, Tiso Glasgow, GO Outdoors Clydebank for contributing race prizes; West Dunbartonshire Council Active Schools Team & Anniesland College for their support and SCA for the loan of the two EGRO Kayaker machines.
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