Activities

Pool sessions       Lake sessions       Trips       Notes for Parents of youth members

Pool sessions
Thameswey holds canoeing sessions in a swimming pool for paddlers to practice their skills in a warm, safe environment. Whilst these sessions have something to offer paddlers of all abilities, they are particularly suitable for beginners and children. Sessions are held from 11:45am until 1:15pm on the first Sunday of each month (except August), at Milton Road swimming pool (the “Health Hydro”) in the centre of Swindon.

Your first pool session
All you need to bring to pool sessions is your swimming gear and possibly a T-shirt. All equipment is supplied, and is included in the session fee (£4 adults, £3 children). When arriving at the swimming pool, go upstairs and along the corridor to the “large pool” entrance. Here there will be a Thameswey desk where you pay your session fee. You can then go down to the changing rooms and out to the poolside. There is a viewing balcony for guests; parents are encouraged to stay (NB this is a requirement for under 12s). Please do not get on the water until the coach in charge of the session gives you permission. If the session is busy, you may be asked to change over and let someone else have a turn in your boat.

Identity Cards
Members should present their identity cards, which provide details of emergency contacts, to the marshal at the beginning of all sessions and reclaim them at the end.

Helping at sessions
All paddlers are asked to help either at the beginning or the end of pool sessions with the getting out or putting away of equipment. Please allow a few minutes at either end of the sessions for this. Your help is appreciated, and means that there is more time available on the water. All the coaches and helpers at the sessions are volunteer club members. Even if you have no qualifications in kayaking or life-guarding, you can still assist as “diligent eyes” or “pool marshal”.
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Lake sessions
The club holds regular sessions at Lake 12 at South Cerney, part of the Cotswold Water Park between Swindon and Cirencester. Sessions are normally held all year round on the third Sunday of each month from 10:00am until noon check the Events page for confirmation). These sessions are suitable for all paddlers, and include organised tuition at a range of ability levels. Sessions are also held in the summer (May to early September) on Tuesday evenings (times vary with daylight hours so please check website).


What to bring with you
When attending a club lake session, please ensure that you have suitable clothing with you. The list below is intended as a general guide, and should be altered depending on season and weather conditions.
Don’t worry if you don’t have your own equipment, you may hire a boat, paddle, spray deck, buoyancy aid, and helmet from the club for £3 per lake session.

·        For most of the year, a wetsuit is desirable, as the water temperature is always on the chilly side. Otherwise, wrap up well in lots of layers (synthetic fabrics are better than wool or cotton). A windproof outer layer is a good idea, as wind-chill can markedly affect your body temperature, especially when wet. A normal waterproof or cagoule is sufficient – a dry cag. or suit with sealed neck and sleeves is a bonus. Wetsuit boots or trainers should be worn to protect your feet – Wellington boots are not suitable. In Winter you will need windproof, wetsuit/dry suit and layers. It may look sunny, but cool water and a slight breeze can cool you down really quickly and cold=miserable or even dangerous.

·        Expect to get completely soaked – this can happen even to the best paddlers. Don’t wear anything that might get spoiled, and avoid jewellery and watches. A complete change of clothes and a towel is essential. A Thermos flask of hot drink is also very welcome when getting off the water.

·        Warm headgear is useful, as it prevents heat loss. Use a woolly hat, or a neoprene skullcap. Gloves are good, but may compromise your grip on the paddle.

·        As a rule of thumb, you should always wear more rather than less, and if in doubt, secure extra clothes in your boat to put on if you get cold.

When arriving at a lake session

1. Find the “Beach Marshal”, who may holding a clipboard. The beach marshal will collect your session fee, identity card including any equipment rental charges (correct change is appreciated), and will allocate you to a group, based on your previous experience.
    
2. Get changed into what you will be wearing on the water (see above). There are changing rooms available.
    
3. If you require any club equipment, the beach marshal will show you where to get it from the shed, and will try to ensure that you get something suitable. It is your responsibility to return the equipment to the right places in the shed after the session.
    
4. The beach marshal will point out the leader of your group, who will tell you when it is OK to get on the water – please do not get on before told to do so. Ensure that your group leader knows of any medical condition that may affect your paddling.
    
5. Have fun!

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Trips
Your first trip
Going on river trips is one of the most enjoyable elements of canoeing, be it a tranquil paddle on flat water or an adrenalin-filled blast on white water. However, before going on your first trip with Thameswey, we recommend that you attend a pool or lake session, or contact the trips officer (see website).

Arranging to go on a trip
Look through the published trips list (see website) to find trips of interest to you. Contact the trip organiser and indicate whether or not you will need to borrow any equipment, (see below). YOU MUST CONFIRM WITH THE TRIP LEADER 2 OR 3 DAYS BEFOREHAND THAT YOU ARE DEFINITELY GOING. Ensure the trip leader knows of any medical condition that may affect your paddling.

Borrowing club equipment
Basic equipment (boat, paddle, spray-deck, buoyancy aid and helmet) can be hired from the club for a small charge. To arrange this, please contact the trip leader or the equipment officer well in advance. Please be considerate when asking someone with a key to come and let you in to the shed. If a hired boat becomes overdue, extra charges will be incurred. A boat becomes overdue after the next opportunity for it to be returned to South Cerney, or on the next occasion when it may be needed for a club activity. Hirers may be expected to take boats to or collect them from South Cerney or other users’ houses as necessary.

Identity Cards
Members should present their identity cards, provide details of emergency contacts, trip leader at the beginning of all sessions and reclaim them at the end.

Equipment you may need
Equipment required on trips varies greatly depending on the type of water and the time of year. In addition to the basic equipment outlined above, you should take some lunch and a drink (in winter a hot drink), as you can become dehydrated very easily on the river. Spare clothes to change into should also be carried. A sunhat and sun block may be useful. These should be in a waterproof container or bag, which can be tied into your boat. If you wish to try more advanced white water rivers, the club can advise on safety training and additional equipment.
Clothing should be suitable for the conditions. As a rule of thumb, you should always take more rather than less. For placid water trips, a cag. or waterproof is a good idea, even in summer, to keep off the wind. For white water, prepare to get wet, as you may end up taking a swim. A wetsuit or dry suit is a good idea, as is something to keep your head warm.

Grading system
Thameswey trips are graded on the trips list under the following system:
FW = Flat water (possibly with portagable weirs or small rapids).
MW = Moving Water (Grade 1/2 on international system).
WW = Whitewater (Grade 3/4 on international system).
It is almost impossible accurately to grade a river, as conditions are constantly changing. These grades are only a rough guideline. Consult the trip leader about the level of difficulty if you are in doubt. River conditions can change very dramatically in short periods of time. Trip leaders have to consider your safety on the water, and the safety of the group as a whole. They may not allow you paddle on the day if they feel it necessary.

Transport
It is common practice on trips to share cars for driving there and back, so even if you do not have a car, you can still go on trips. However, you may be asked to contribute towards the cost of the petrol. Ask the trip leader about this, and indicate lifts needed / offered on the form when you sign up. Roof racks are required to carry kayaks by car, up to a maximum of 3 or 4 – make sure you have room for the number of boats as well as the number of bodies.
Most trips last for several hours, and if driving, changing, and arranging a shuttle is required, can take up a whole day.

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Notes for Parents of youth members

Keep safe
Among the strengths of Thameswey Canoe Club are its family atmosphere and its responsible attitude to safety. We are affiliated to the national body which oversees the sport, the British Canoe Union, and follow their guidelines. We encourage children to take up paddling and try to make it enjoyable for them, as well as safe. However, there are inherent hazards in kayaking and canoeing which make it necessary for us to set a number of restrictions relating to children.

No children under 7
Children may belong to Thameswey Canoe Club from the age of 7 years. For reasons of liability, we are unable to take younger children. (Younger children of experienced paddlers may be present where club activities are taking place, on the understanding that they must be accompanied by and supervised by a parent or guardian who shall take complete responsibility for their safety, well-being and behaviour, both on and off the water.)

7 to 12: Stay with your child
For children between seven and twelve, parents must stay to take care of and supervise their children off the water. Children may become wet, cold and tired part way through a session, and may need support from someone with a dry towel and change of clothes. There are also considerations of the appropriateness of others giving this kind of attention to children.

How do we contact you?
For over 12s, while parents may not need to stay with the young person, it is important that on each occasion that the young person attends a club event, we know who to contact in case of emergency, and how to do so. Leave contact details with the beach-person or trip leader.

Illnesses and medical conditions
Please let us know of any illnesses and medical conditions that may affect your child when paddling.

Sometimes we may say no
The leaders of club activities are responsible for the safety of their entire group. They thus have discretion to decide who may participate on a particular occasion. This applies particularly to river trips where the hazards are greater. In doing so, they take account of the skills and stamina of the individuals concerned, the composition of the whole group, and the prevailing conditions. (The difficulty of a particular river may vary substantially, depending on flow.) Consequently, there may be occasions when individuals, adults as well as children, cannot go on an arranged trip.

Hazards of kayaking and canoeing
There are hazards inherent in water-sports. Club activities are led by experienced paddlers, and the club and its leaders endeavour to minimise the risks involved as far as possible. However, all members of the club who take part in club activities do so at their own risk, and neither the club nor its officers can accept liability for any loss or injury of any kind sustained at any club activity or meeting place. If your child develops an illness following a canoeing session, please ensure that you mention the fact that they have been canoeing to the doctor

Any questions?
Any member of the committee will be glad to help.
Child Protection Issues: Sue Smith or any member of the committee.
Youth participation and enjoyment of activities: Will Stone.

These notes have concentrated on negative aspects. Please don’t let this put you off. By acknowledging and allowing for hazards and difficulties, we keep risks under control and make it possible to have a lot of fun whilst participating in this very rewarding sport.
 

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