“On 27th Sept. 10 novice paddlers and 4 coaches took to the water in glorious sunshine. The Leven’s slalom course was the venue for this river skills training session. Although the water level was low there was sufficient flow for basic training. The weir at the top of the rock garden provided more exciting water for the more experienced and a final adrenaline rush for the beginners!  “ by John. Great pictures and videos by Sue, Fran, James & John who captured some great memories for folk to look back on of their achievements.

Over the years we have had many a club trips to Thirlmere. The conditions are always unpredictable and can change in the blink of an eye. This was a good day to circumnavigate the lake. It was calm and sunny most of the day but a stiff breeze built up as we reached the dam wall near the end of the trip - just to let us know we had been lucky this time!! 
John organises these weekday tours once or twice a month on lakes or canal - if you would like to join his contact list for these outings send him your details. Pictures by Fran and John

At 1.30 pm on Saturday afternoon 11 novice paddlers and 3 coaches started to get boats on the water at between the 2 bridges at Greenodd. There was a lot of water coming down the Crake - especially over the weir! High tide at Barrow was at 2.00 so about 2.45 at Greenodd. There was a good sized tide at 9 .08 M and by the time we were all on the water the waves had calmed and the weir was no more.
It was a hard paddle up the river with the tide as there was a fair flow to push up against - the younger members of the team found this hard work but managed it well. Due to the volume of water we were able to paddle a good way up past Penny Bridge and practice a few moving water skills. 
On the way back down the beginners soon realized that it is more difficult controlling your direction when going with the flow - some low hanging trees had unexpected visitors but all survived the run back to Greenodd. 
At this point some tired youngsters (and mothers) landed while other went out into the Levens estuary where there was a fast ebbing tide and waves to practice ferry gliding on. Powerful eddies behind the foot bridge pillars proved a bit tricky for some.
We returned to the Crake where the weir was beginning to reappear and so some real keen souls went for a play on it.
All did really well and a couple pushed the envelop so far that they fell out of it!! (we like to see this as it's the fasted way to learn)
A comment from one of the beginners is, I suppose, what we all get from working together in a family club.
 
“Thanks for organising the trip today. It was just the right conditions and right level of challenge for us. Some of us and I am speaking for myself would have never dreamt of doing it had it not been for such good support available. 
All the three coaches were amazing- it all worked out well, I am sure it was just because it was thoroughly planned and meticulously executed.”
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