RCC Matters - Summer 2010

The first issue of the new club newsletter has been distributed by e-mail today. For those who don't use e-mail copies are available in the club hut.

It includes a diary of forthcoming events, trip reports from the Nene River and Doggy Paddle trips and the Menorca luxury expedition! RCC Matters - Summer 2010 is also available on this link.

River Nene

The first of the regular club paddles away from Rutland was well supported with seven members braving the forecast as we set off from Wansford downstream.

We made our way to Water Newton where Howard developed an interesting technique for getting out of his kayak. Not to be outdone Lynette showed us all how to 'wedge' a boat while seal launching after the break! Needless to say Rod, Barry and Pau all made it look very easy.

 

By now the sun was out and a fresh breeze made it 'interesting' for Jools in the open as we headed back upstream. The 'Wansford Flyer' made a perfect appearance as we came back under the railway bridge.

Tales of Tutbury weir

Viv, Stewart, Matt, Ben (in open canoes), Mike, Lynette ( in a double kayak), Trevor and Christine (in single kayaks) took the opportunity to paddle 11 miles of the River Dove normally closed to kayakers. The event, expertly organised by Burton Canoe Club, takes place only once a year when landowners and anglers allow access. A minibus and club members cars were on hand to make the car shuttle easy.

After a briefing we launched just above Aston Bridge near Sudbury. The river meanders through open fields until we reached the first weir near Tutbury. Watching others take the weir there were different ways to tackle the drop. Kayakers could take the weir almost anywhere but canoes had to either find a narrow concrete channel in the featureless lip or take the fish ladder to river-left. Lining up using a tree trunk lodged upstream Ben and Matt took the channel (video above, please note it's not me wearing the pink helmet!). Trev and Christine dropped over the middle while Viv took the fish ladder. Mike and Lynette portaged around not wishing to damage their glassfibre.

Although it rained for much of the remaining miles and two furthur weirs a good time was had by all. The get out was just north of Burton after the Dove passes under the A38. Thanks to Trevor and Viv for organising.

Merry Christmas to all

Another Juggins masterpiece used on this years Christmas card! Any resemblence between Pau and the man in the water is entirely accidental!!

Water levels - Rutland Water

Where has all the water gone? Our raw material is becoming more scarce. The above picture shows the Limnological tower south east of Whitwell Creek in February 2008 and today, mid December 2009. The platform on the right of the tower shows the water level after the wettest November in years.

Rumour is that to enable the construction of the wildlife reserves at the end of the south arm the water level is being kept low. The result is the exposure of tree stumps and banks of freshwater mussels around the lake shore. Getting in and out of the boats can get muddy. Increasing demand for water could mean that this becomes the norm.

Sarah Outen talks about her row across the Indian Ocean

On 21st November at 7:30pm Sarah Outen will give a presentation about her row across the Indian Ocean at Exton Village Hall, which is just off the Green in the centre of the village. Entrance will be £5 per person and all proceeds will go to the Arthritis Care charity. Refreshments provided by the members of the club.


'Twenty-six club members and guests enjoyed an enthralling presentation of video and pictures on a rainy Saturday evening at Exton Village Hall. Trevor performed the introduction and reminded Sarah of previous club trips to Mull when exam revision was forgotten and early challenges met.

Sarah's talk was inspirational, woven with the romance of the open ocean, the heroism of being capsized five times, the hunger for the next chocolate bar, an obvious deep respect and love for her craft, 'Dippers', a large amount of skill and courage and much more. She brought along examples of the vacuum-packed porridge and rancid dehydrated food, a carbon fibre oar broken by a huge wave that flipped her, rescue flares and drowned satellite phones used in the final drama when she was thrown onto the reefs of Mauritius. I would recommended anyone who can to enjoy her presentation at other venues. See her website for details.

As a small token of our admiration Sarah was presented with a life membership of the club and we hope to see her down at Whitwell Creek whenever she is home from her adventures.

Thanks go to all who provided a great spread of food and wine plus raffle prizes. £200 was raised for Sarah and Arthritis Care plus several club members will be modelling Outen team polo shirts.'

Firework display paddle

On the night of Halloween 11 paddlers set off from just downstream of Ferry Bridge on the River Nene. We paddled downstream and then up into Overton Mere where we rafted up to enjoy the Peterborough Firework Fiesta.