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Hi all,
I am the lucky chap who is running the first trip of the new PPCA white water season on Sunday 1 October. As is traditional this will be a beginner’s trip but you experienced paddlers are more than welcome to come along, wash off the cobwebs and help to inspire our budding new river paddlers.
In previous years we have met in the former B&Q car park at Coypool but this is no longer available to us, so instead we will meet at the Co-op car park in the Ridgeway ready to leave at 09:00. If you go to the old B&Q car park you will be dry and lonely.
Parking at the river is a bit limited so we like to take the fewest number of cars possible to the river. Please be at Co-op car park in time to swap boats over etc and be ready to depart at 09:00.
To get to the Co-op car park leave the Marsh Mills roundabout and head towards Plympton. Keep going until you eventually reach a mini roundabout. Take the second exit. (Turn right into the Ridgeway). At the next mini roundabout take the first exit. The car park we will meet in is then on the right.
For those who need such things the postcode of Plymco is PL7 2AW.
I will post again on Saturday evening to confirm trip details but at time of writing I am expecting to run the Lower Dart from Holne to Buckfast.
Can I ask that you let me know if you are intending to come along please so that I can make sure that we have sufficient staff to make this a safe and enjoyable trip.
As it’s early in the year we will stop for lunch so bring along something suitable.
Open boats.
Because this is the first beginner’s trip of the season I don’t want to be responsible for any open boats on this occasion. You will be welcome to join us on trips later in the season.Apologies for putting up such a long post but hopefully I will see all you white water warriors on Sunday.
Clive A.
Tel 01752 344425
Mob 07854 648584
E-mail cliveandjoy01@gmail.comGeneral white water info.
If you are new to river paddling here is some info that you may find useful.Whitewater paddling is exciting and gives the participant new and interesting ways in which to entertain their coaches. The season starts on Oct 1st and finishes on 14 March and the PPCA run trips on most Sundays during the season, all trips being dependent on water levels.
We are not talking rocket science here. October to March means that we are paddling through the winter and whitewater means that we are paddling on the rivers. Gentle readers, by using the words “winter” and “river” in the same sentence you should be able to make the connection to the word “cold” without any prompting. Dress accordingly.
You do need to approach whitewater paddling with the right attitude. It’s not really a gentle day out on the water but instead needs some commitment from the paddler. With river paddling you only get out what you put in and if you don’t put anything in you get out cold, wet and miserable.
Whitewater paddlers need to be close to 2* standard, particularly with respect to low brace and edging. If in doubt have a chat with one of our marvellous coaches.
The PPCA categorise trips into two classes, beginners and intermediate, which sort of define themselves really. Again if in doubt talk to someone.
In order to participate in whitewater paddling you will need a boat, paddle, spray deck, buoyancy aid and helmet. Failure to comply with this list will result in you not paddling.
If you want to borrow a club boat etc these can be hired for the season. (There is a small charge to cover wear and tear). To hire a boat you will need to contact our equipment officer, Pete Anderson, either on 07958 694434 or e-mail equipment@ppca-canoe-club.org.uk You will need to be able to transport this boat. (Roofrack and straps). Please note that no-one goes to Mount Batten prior to attending a river trip so these items will need to be collected before the trip at a time to be arranged between yourself and Pete.
Trip details, including where and when to meet, will appear on the club forum. It will help the session leader to get the staffing levels right if you can indicate that you are going to attend. Posting on this forum is the best way of indicating your intention but phone calls, text & e-mails are OK. Please don’t put messages on Facebook or any other kind of social media because I won’t see it.
Parking at the river is usually a bit limited so we like to take the fewest number of cars possible. Please be at the advertised meeting place allowing plenty of time to swap boats over etc and be ready to depart at 09:00.
Final trip details are posted on the Saturday evening before a trip, so it’s worth having a look at the forum then to check exactly what is going to happen.
See you all somewhere cold and wet.
Clive A
Tel 01752 344425
Mob 07854 648584
E-mail cliveandjoy01@gmail.com
Hi Clive,
I’ll be there too.
Thanks
Felix
Hi Clive,
I’ll be there too!
SteveTo save anyone else asking…
There is both long and short term parking at the co-op car park. We will make sure that any cars left at Plympton are parked in the long term section of the car park.
I am aware that the raft race is being run on Sunday. We will be creative with our arrangements.
Will post again on Saturday evening with final details.
Clive A.
A couple of naive questions from some one who’s only been paddling from Mount Batten 🙂
What’s the normal practice for changing into (and out of) kit? What usually gets done at home, in the first car park, at the river? And the reverse on the way back? Normal practice for carrying gear – the ubiquitous plastic tubs are not very space efficient I imagine?
I’m sure all this is completely obvious to anyone on their second trip but in the interest of avoiding unnecessary stupidity, I thought I’d ask!
Thanks,
Kevin
Kevin
There’s no such thing as a silly question so I’m glad that you have asked. No doubt others are wondering the same thing.
The logistics of river paddling bear little resemblance to a Tuesday evening at Mount Batten. Here is how it works.
1) We arrive at the Co-op car park dressed in whatever kit you want. Most of us arrive in ordinary clothes and change into paddling gear later. We then transfer boats etc so that we can take the least number of cars to the river. Some cars will be left in the Co-op car park.
2) We drive to the bottom of the river, that is the place where the trip is going to end.
3) We get changed into our paddling gear, leave our dry kit in nominated cars that will be left at this location, and drive to the top of the river remembering to take all our paddling gear with us.
4) Lunch and any spare clothing etc should be stowed in the boats using flexible dry bags. (Available at 15% discount from that well known kayaking emporium Kayaks and Paddles). Keys should be carried about ones person, in waterproof bags if they are of the electronic type. (We all have embarrassing key stories; try not to acquire one of your own this early in your paddling career).
5) We paddle the river and end up at the bottom with huge cheesy grins.
6) Relive the experience as we get changed back into our dry clothes.
7) Re-unite drivers with their cars and go home for a well earned snooze followed by an equally well deserved couple of beers. (I speak from experience, snoozing and beers are not compulsory).
Hope this helps. As you can see there is plenty of scope to get this wrong but the experienced paddlers will help you to get this right.
See you on Sunday.
Clive A.
Clive,
I am planning to be there. This may depend on whether or not I take my Grandson to his rugby.
I will know more on Saturday evening.
Cheers
AlanWell boy and girls,
The river level should be good tomorrow so we will paddle the Lower Dart as planned. Meet at the Ridgeway Co-op car park ready to leave at 09:00.
There are a fair number of beginners coming along. If any experienced paddlers are dithering about turning up your presence would be most welcome
As the raft race is taking place on the same day we will probably have to be a bit flexible about setting up the shuttle etc, expect a few changes of plan on the day.
Hopefully we will use the car park adjacent to the Salmon Steps cafe at Buckfast. We are welcome to use this car park free of charge but please be aware that it belongs to the cafe. Consuming your own food is frowned upon.
Splash splash.
Clive A.
Tel 01752 344425
Mob 07854 648584
E-mail cliveandjoy01@gmail.com
Hi Clive , looking forward to tomorrow,it’s been along 6 months. Gus.
Many thanks to Clive for running this and all of the experienced paddlers who put up with someone on their first river trip.
Not quite a swimming session interrupted by sessions in a boat :-). But tremendous fun over all and clear incentive to get better at this 😀
And next time at least the logistics will be familiar and I won’t be standing next to my car with my dry gear locked in the car next to me!
Thanks all,
Kevin
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