Newark Kayak Trip

12 club members arrived at the River Trent in Newark bright and early to kayak along the river and gain white water experience on the weir. Peter joining us after launching from the Marina. Many of the participants were using this experience towards achieving their 2* award.

Trevor instructed us all in launching off the bank – the river was a long drop from here. Jools, with Christine in his open canoe, and 10 small kayaks made their way up the River Trent meeting rowing 4’s and 8’s and single sculls as well as narrow boats and large cruisers on the way. Turning back at the weir just before the power station, manoeuvres were practised on the return– moving in and out of a narrow space, turning and edging. After a lunch break, we limboed under the wooden railings in our craft to the weir.

Richard set the example and took the weir confidently, followed by the rest of the pack – for some: Charlotte, Rosalyn and Ed –a first experience of shooting a weir – and for Jools, his first experience of shooting a weir in an open canoe.

Trevor then coached us all in ferry gliding across moving water, using bow rudder, remembering to lean downstream!!, low brace turns and breaking into eddies. After a lot of practice and a couple of capsizes (Ron and Martin performed these to make sure rescue techniques were practised as well), we finished the session with another shot at flying down the weir and instruction on using a throwline.

A thoroughly enjoyable day, a lot learned, with good weather too. Many thanks to Trevor for organizing the trip and coaching on the day..