Author: graham

Firth of Clyde Four Star Training

18/09/2014 By graham Comment Closed

An intrepid team of Lori, Antje, Colin, Misha, Graham and Tony met early on the Saturday after the club ceilidh the night before, ready for a weekend's paddling and learning with Calum McKerral, the coach for the weekend. The four star course was partly subsidised by the West Dumbartonshire Sports Council grant we had received to help develop the clubs trip leading skills and a £25 contribution from the attendees was the contribution cost of the 2 days coaching. First things first - an equipment check...maps? - only 3 of us had brought some, compasses - only 2 of us; - fortunately Calum had brought spares. Next a planning check - who knew the high and low water times... just Lori, Antje (who had copied Lori's answers) and Tony. Finally a dry suit check - everyone but graham who had 90% of a dry suit - one foot missing but craftily sealed with electrical tape. During the Saturday we practiced / learnt .... towing...

Ayrshire Coast Trip Report

09/06/2014 By graham Comment Closed

The planned route was to paddle from Ballantrae in South Ayrshire, down to Portandea, then back. The weather forecast was easterly winds averaging 15mph, gradually moving to being from the south later in the afternoon. This suited the location perfectly as this stretch of coastline is very high, providing shelter from any easterly winds, then providing some assistance on the return leg north from Portandea back to Ballantrae. Andrew, Michael & Colin set off from Ballantrae Harbour, heading south across Ballantrae Bay to reach the more dramatic rocky coastline beyond. Conditions were perfect with a gentle swell from the west but not breaking on the coastline. Rain had been forecast for the afternoon but materialised as drizzly showers throughout the day. The coast consists of small coves and deep crevices in the rock. As the swell was so light we could get in close, allowing plenty of exploring. We turned into Portandea which is a small south-west facing bay with...

Ten Swims in 110 metres – Pinkston Club Night – Wednesday 4th June

04/06/201404/06/2014 By graham Comment Closed

Just back from a Wednesday evening club session at Pinkston in Glasgow. An eventful "trip" for completing just 110 metres of white water. Between the seven paddlers there we had.... ten swims. The water was fairly powerful with two pumps on (6 tons of water a second), and even more powerful (but deeper when upside down) with three pumps on (9 tons of water a second). We were lucky to have an enthusiastic crowd of supporters ready to point at laugh or offer encouragement at every piece of excitement. We even managed to lose a paddle (for a few minutes during Richard's final swim of the night). All in all a great trip with everyone wearing huge smiles by the end. The Wednesday at Pinkston will be a regular club event through the summer - please watch the calendar for dates and details. We hope to include both the white water session and possibly a "tide race simulator" or canoe...

River Ayr in Open Canoes, April 2014

03/04/2014 By graham Comment Closed

Last Sunday with just two of the open canoe coaching course guinea pigs fit, there was a change of plan. Rather than a day on Loch Lomond practicing canoe sailing as intended, we headed to deepest darkest Ayrshire to canoe the River Ayr. With Graham Roy, Scott Anderson and myself never having paddled the river we only had the guide book to rely on. The mandatory faff to find the best get in, do the shuttle and for one of us to buy lunch meant we headed off just before midday. Being a chance for Graham S to practice his coaching styles this meant every question asked was greeted with......"that's a good question - off you go and find out" - in the olden days the coach may have even answered a question or two... not any more! After lunch we played with CLAP... for those in the know this is what paddlers should I think about if they are...

Trip reports needed .. this should be in the forum!

24/03/2014 By graham Comment Closed

The website changes are over... this section is for trip reports. Please use the forum for updates from now on! Please feel free to forward any trip reports to be added! Graham...

Safety Cover for Open Water Swimming Events

14/03/2014 By graham Comment Closed

Very early notice, however one of the clubs we are working with for the Community Watersports hub project (to build a multisport clubhouse and store on Loch Lomond) have a couple of big swimming events are keen to find some willing volunteers to provide kayak safety cover. The events are: · Loch Lomond Highland Games Triathlon 19th July 10am start – swim location is from the jetty in Balloch park out and back along beach line numbers approx 200 although we should also be running a junior event this year · Scottish championship Aquathlon 6th September 10am start location and swim as above If this is of interest please get in touch with Graham grahammswanson AT gmail.com...

Female Sea Kayak Festival

12/03/201412/03/2014 By graham Comment Closed

I'm one of the organisers of the Women's Scottish Sea Kayak Festival, Boost your summer paddling plans and book your place at the Women's Scottish Sea Kayaking Festival. This is a 3-day sea kayaking event on 23-25 August on the Isle of Bute, now in its third year. All details at the http://womensseakayakfestival.co.uk/wsskf/ Festival website Dear all, we received the following info: Female Sea Kayakers Festival I'm one of the organisers of the Women's Scottish Sea Kayak Festival, Boost your summer paddling plans and book your place at the Women's Scottish Sea Kayaking Festival. This is a 3-day sea kayaking event on 23-25 August on the Isle of Bute, now in its third year. All details at the http://womensseakayakfestival.co.uk/wsskf/ Festival website Open to female sea kayakers of all levels, this is a great way to meet other paddlers, develop skills and build confidence in a sea kayak, learn from the all female coaches, and enjoy the friendly and supportive atmosphere at the festival, The island location gives the coaches great options for paddles and...

Current Newsletters Now Available

27/02/201429/03/2014 By graham Comment Closed

The feb and march 2013 newsletters are now available at http://dckc.co.uk/posts/newsletters/. A big thank you to Sandy for pulling them together. We normally email them directly to club members, if you didn't receive yours please let us know and we can check your email and membership info is correct....

KariTec Sea Kayaking Symposium

18/02/201429/03/2014 By graham Comment Closed

We received the following email: "We are holding our 4th Mid West Symposium at Tayvallich (near Oban) on Saturday 3rd May to 5th May and would like to invite club members to join us for a fun packed weekend. Our previous symposiums have been very popular and well received. For 3 days coaching including a ceilidh and a fantastic quiz night, we have managed to keep our price at £160 per person. We have excellent coaches and with one coach to six participants, you can be assured of friendly and helpful advice. We have sessions on forward paddling, close quarter manoeuvring, edging & turning – and of course trips to explore the beautiful scenery and wild life in the area. Places on the symposium are filling fast with only a few places remaining, so if any club members would like to book a place for this enjoyable weekend, why not give us a call or email us to avoid any disappointment. Please visit our website:...

Anyone Feeling Adventurous

31/12/201329/03/2014 By graham Comment Closed

Any sea kayakers feeling adventurous and got £60... we were sent this.... Loch Shiel Viking Challenge 2014 In Aid of Macmillan Cancer Support Dear Kayaker Our committee of volunteers is organising two days of kayak races on Loch Shiel, Glenfinnan near Fort William, to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support who provides such an invaluable service for communities around the U.K. There will be two main races on the Saturday of 10 to 20 kms for touring and racing kayaks to suit experienced sea paddlers, the shorter course for those who are less experienced but want to be competitive. If there is sufficient demand there may also be a Surf Ski category which will be announced on the website. The courses will start and finish at Glenfinnan monument and race down Loch Shiel and back. Competitors will wear chipped wristbands and swipe marked waypoint posts on both sides of the loch along the way, which will test navigation as well as paddling skills. To add a fun element while...

Volunteer Open Canoe students wanted…

31/12/201320/01/2014 By graham Comment Closed

Dear all, Hi, Graham here. The main part of a coaching course I am working on is to work with some “long-term” open canoe students and run a number of coaching sessions for them. It is likely to be a total of 6 Sundays starting in Febuary. The sessions would be based initially on the loch and progressing onto up to Grade 2 (gentle) rivers. Shoudl suit someone who is looking to add open canoeing to your existing kayaking skills, or maybe you can already canoe and want to develop your open canoeing skills further (up to perhaps 4 star level or beyond). If you are interested then please drop me an email at grahammswanson@gmail.com or catch me at the pool. Happy new year when it comes too! Graham...

Club Coach and Volunteer Conference 12-13 April 2014

28/12/201321/12/2013 By graham Comment Closed

This is an enjoyable event and a great way to get some coaching or do some 3 star or other courses at a subsidised rate . It is highly recommended for the clubs coaches, committee members and helpers. If you woudl like to go you can book directly but also chat to sandy or Graham for more info as they have been before and can help with any questions. We will probably arrange a lift share too. SCA Club and Volunteer Conference - 12-13 April 2014 This highlight in the calendar is a action packed weekend to support club members from across Scotland. We have workshops suitable for complete beginners, aspiring coaches, club officials and committee members. Previous events have attracted around 70 volunteers from clubs throughout Scotland. The conference takes place over the weekend of Friday 11th - Sunday 13th April 2014. Residential delegates arrive on Friday evening with bar meals are available until approx 9pm. The main conference takes place all day Saturday...

Furthest Travelled and Photographed Club Member?

27/12/201329/03/2014 By graham Comment Closed

Just received by email : "Hi,Please find attached a photo of one of your members (Nathan Brodie) enjoying the views on Sydney Harbour, During his stay Nathan has been able to go out through the Sydney heads into Open ocean and head North into Manly and Shelly beeches, He has also taken part in our club (NSW Sea kayaking club )outings as seen on this photo our Xmas party at Shark Island, Regards Bill Brodie " Can anyone beat that? - please login and leave a comment with a photo to compete....

New Canoe Polo Equipment put to Good Use….

12/12/201329/03/2014 By graham Comment Closed

Kitting Out, Glasgow's newest young canoe polo players! Gerry, Glasgow's elder canoe polo player... in charge! Top class polo referees! [vsw id="oQB8F8B6350" source="youtube" width="425" height="344" autoplay="yes"] With thanks to: West Dumbartonshire Council: "Sustainable Sport, Strong Communities" project and the 2014 Communities Big Lottery Fund for their support....

AGM Agenda and Proposed Changes to Constitution

11/10/201329/03/2014 By graham Comment Closed

The AGM agenda and 3 proposed changes to the constitution are attached below. Please feel free to send any apologies to info@dckc.co.uk or any comments or items you would like brought up at the meeting, or even better - come along! DCKC_AGM_Agenda_2013.doc Please remember the date: Monday 28th October at 7.30pm in the Playdrome....