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June 2010 June 2010 NewsletterNewsletter

Open Canoe Open Canoe

AssociationAssociation

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Open Canoe Associationwww.opencanoe.info

Founded by Frank Luzmore in 1956

President Colin BroadwayVice PresidentsPaul WarburtonPercy Blandford

Council Officers

Chairman Ian Richards

Vice-Chairman Mark Gittoes

Secretary Allan Mellor

Events Secretary Vacant

Membership Secretary Alan Jones

Treasurer Eileen Jones

Member Sid Warburton

Member Tim Storr

Member Mark-jan Dielemans

Regalia Jo Sindrey

Web Designer Ian Stevenson

Editors Mark & Ali Housley

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Contents

4 Welcome5 I don’t Know The Difference Between a

Stream and a Drainage Ditch!8 Thankyou for a rally to remember…10 Introduction to White Water 12 The OCA Events List13 The OCA Website14 Useful Contacts

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Welcome to the Open Canoe Association Newsletter for June 2010!

A note from the editor….

I hope that everyone is in good spirits now that the summer is finally here and we seem to be enjoying some fine days.. For our part we haven’t managed to get out nearly as much as we hoped – isn’t that always the way? I have been bogged down with a new job, which is reaping rewards in many areas except paddling!

Still, we look forward to the rest of the year and the opportunities to come as I hope you all do.

I would like to thank those who have submitted articles for the newsletter, but many more articles are needed. The forthcoming yearbook in its printed format really is in jeopardy unless people send me their articles.

Please don’t feel afraid to put “pen to paper” and send in your stories, anecdotes, photos and reviews to me at: -

markthousley@googlemail.com

The more articles we get the better. All will be published at some point in time so here’s your chance to get your name in print!

The boys enjoying their hot chocolate on a chilly April morning at ShiffordLock

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I don’t Know The Difference Between a Stream and a Drainage Ditch!

Wednesday 10th of March 2010, left “Home Alone” on the Caravan and Camping Club site at Oxford I decided to go and explore the waterways around Oxford. On the map a loop looked entirely possible and as I had walked most of the possible route the night before I set off with confidence that it would not take me more than 3 hours.

My plan, to paddle up the Hinkseystream to North Hinksey then take the Bulstake stream across to the Thames, where I would then paddle down stream to Iffley, portage the lock using the Punt rollers continuing down stream to the confluence with the Hinksey Stream where I would paddle back up to my starting point. Seemed simple enough.

I set off from the site on the Hinkseystream and proceeded downstream, looking for a way to cross under the railway and paddle upstream to North Hinksey, according to the map upstream from the site is a dead end. After passing under the railway I found myself on a much narrower stream, but as it appeared to be heading in the right direction I was undeterred.

I soon came to a low bridge/tunnel, but no problem I was able to get my boat through with relative ease.

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But once through the bridge the stream had narrowed considerably and when I met the next obstacle it became clear that I had taken a wrong turn.

Retracing my steps to the previous bridge I tried a different arch and although the stream appeared a little narrow it was just about navigable and I proceeded upstream toward North Hinskey (or so I thought) using a combination of paddling and poling.

The further upstream I went however the more narrow it got and my progress became slower and slower as the difficulty increased. Not to mention the fact that I was also being scratched by Hawthorne and getting covered in sticky smelly mud.

I was definitely not on the stream I had walked down the night before, but where wasI?

And how could I get back on course?

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After taking two hours to get to this point the prospect of retracing my steps again was not one I cherished so I climbed out onto a bridge to take a look around. Consulting my map and looking at the landscape I was able to establish that I was actually going up a culvert that led from South Hinksey down to the main Hinksey stream and that the stream I wanted was a hundred metres or so to my right. Nothing for it I would have to drag my boat out and portage.

After hoiking my boat out and carrying it across the field to the correct course the rest of the day was very pleasant indeed and apart from one fallen tree to negotiate there were no other challenges on route. In total it had taken five hours to do the trip I had estimated to be about three. When I got back I was curious to see where I would come out had I gone upstream initially. Yes you guessed it! Not a dead end after all and would have been a straight forward loop. Please note if you are planning to do this trip that due to Health and Safety rules launching at the Camping and Caravan Club is not permitted, however there are several other possible access and egress points on the route.

By Joanne Sindrey

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Thankyou for a rally to remember…

With our departure to Canada fast approaching, we loaded the car full of gear we thought OCA members might be persuaded to buy/take off our hands, and put the last remaining boats from our fleet on the roof (pre-sold). We could barely squeeze in the loaf of bread we bought on route, stuffed to the roof as we were.

With the boats sold, and Chris recovering from surgery to his shoulder, we had no real expectations of paddling – we just wanted to enjoy our last OCA rally, our first having been Glasbury in 1998, and having been involved in organising the last five!

Our thanks to Zoe, who very kindly cooked for us on Friday night, and fed Becky Mason and Reid McGlachlan (our Canadian guests) – kicked the evening off nicely. It was a cool night, but the beer and cider soon started flowing from the bar.

On Saturday, with the help of Sid, I ran a cookery workshop. Twelve of us made different sorts of breads using different methods, which we ate with hummus, olives etc, and portions of stew, followed up with pancakes with jam/maple syrup (thanks Lizzie). AJ was a championpancake tosser, and Alan showed his talents too (don’t believe his claims he can’t cook Eileen). All of this was cooked on a BBQ – so long burgers and sausages! The day was unsettled by an incident which resulted in two small girls getting hurt elsewhere on the shore on which I am sure others will write. I hope they both get well soon. The lake was busy with boats dodging the occasional showers. After a very successful used gear sale (hope you all enjoy your purchases!), we were entertained by the Mangled Wurzels that evening. You had to be older than me to know the words to the songs, but they were an entertaining act, and the dancing kept folks warm!

It rained overnight and the wind came up – we managed to huddle under tarps for breakfast. The days paddling looked a bit doubtful as we collected in the barn, but the Council is very resourceful, and a series of indoor workshops were soon pulled together, whilst Becky had a reduced class out on the lake.

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That evening we had a full agenda. A short council meeting before dinner, then the AGM which was over in record time, and all members were then invited to enjoy cheese and wine in honour of our departure (which made us feel very special, thankyou). Ian presented us with lovely personalised hip flasks, a card full of signatures and vouchers to spend at MEC when we get to Canada, and as we hugged our friends we struggled not to cry.

Becky and Reid then entertained us with a slide show and video clips, which was really enjoyable – I can’t wait to get our new boats and get out there!

Monday was a much warmer day although still windy and I was really glad to get out for a short lesson with Becky – thanks for the loan of a boat Paul! Then we all started to hit the road.

We tried to say our goodbyes to folk, but I know we missed a fewpeople. So to all of you – thankyou for making our last rally so special, thankyou for your friendship and company paddling over the years, good luck, and do come and visit some time – great paddling in Manitoba and nearby Ontario and Minnesota.

Selena Randall

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Introduction to White Water 14th/15th November , River Dart with the Open

Canoe Association

Philip Sowden and Ian Jones went on the OCA Intro to White Water weekend in mid November which certainly had its highs and lows! Using Phil’s lightning reactions to change the trim of the van, we survived the strong crosswinds and made it to Buckfastleigh Caving Centre late Friday night. Survival, however, didn’t stop there as sleep depended on blocking out the monumental snoring of one of our instructors. After a hearty breakfast, all had one eye on the crazy weather conditions that had followed a day of torrential rain and strong winds. We all prepared to go on the water, but once at the riverbank, it took only half a nanosecond to persuade Phil and I that a long life depended on taking a rain check. To me a novice, the water was humungous and the wind biblical! There followed a day spent sat in the car reading “The Times” and the

“Farmers’ Guardian” further down river, waiting for the experts to make their way down to us. Trees featured highly in their trip with one falling in not far from the group and one chasing them down the river. They all made it and that night we enjoyed the usual pub meal together, although Phil and I felt we’d not really deserved it.

Sunday fared a lot better and with the wind and water much calmer, we ventured forth, ferry gliding front, back, sideways, all ways, with style and mostly without style. We took in the rock garden as a mere ripple as the water was so high, and Phil and I cruised the broken weir, although I baled 30 times once through it, whilst watching a riderless canoe pass by……. It was hard work at times and certainly kept the ticker going, and as always, the instruction and organisation was excellent – thanks to Pete, Neil, Clare, Steve and all the other instructors – and yes one of these days I’ll get the hang of ferry gliding. Phil even got chance to do some poling which always makes his day.

Ian Jones

One final note: as difficult as it is to sit out a trip – the final decision to go on the water is yours - & it could one day prevent a tragedy…

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The OCA Events List

Please contact the organiser directly if you are interested in attending any of the events below.

Keep an eye on the website for more events when they become available along with invitations to join paddlers from other clubs for more trips and coaching. Help us fill the gaps with YOUR events. Contact the Events Secretary with your ideas.

ian.richards@lincolnshire.gov.ukOCA Rally Venue TBAOCA Paddlefest29th Apr –2nd May

pete@fourboats.clara.co.ukA weekend of open canoe training for paddlers wishing to take the BCU 1 to 3 star assessment.

Canoe Skills Training8th – 10th

Apr

pete@fourboats.clara.co.ukRiver Barle fun grade two whitewater. Camping at Bridgetown.

Whitewater & Camping6th – 7th

Mar

neil@lowerlangford.me.ukUsually held on the R. Torridge in Nth Devon. As with all these events dependant on conditions.

Keith Thompson Memorial Paddle & Bivvy

12th – 13th

Feb

robinsonrapids@btinternet.comA chance to paddle sections of the Wye and Usk with different options available on each day

Mid Wales Whitwater15th-17th Jan

pete@fourboats.clara.co.ukFor solos or doubles based on the Dart

Improvement to White Water Skills

26th-28th

Nov

pete@fourboats.clara.co.ukFor solos or doubles based on the Dart

Introduction to White Water Skills

12th-14th

Nov

pete@fourboats.clara.co.ukFor solos or doubles based on the Dart

Introduction to White Water Skills

29th-31st

Oct

neil@lowerlangford.me.ukCamping at Bridgetown, paddling grade 2 on Exemoor

R. Exe & Barle15th-17th

Oct

neil@lowerlangford.me.ukAdvanced paddling skills in DevonMoving & Open Water Skills

1st-3rd Oct

pete@fourboats.clara.co.ukDevon based skills training1-3 star training18th-19th

Sep

chris@opencanoe.infoCamping nr Monmouth with paddling and coaching on the Wye

Frank Luzmore Weekend18th-19th

Sep

rachelpaton@aol.comCamping at Stoke GabrielDart Estuary Weekend3rd – 5th

Sep

SidoniaWarburton@aol.comOur annual paddle on the River Nene and return by Nene Valley Railway

John Pearton Paddle10th July

val@vottley.orangehome.co.ukIntroducing Open Canoeists to open water paddling

Bob’s Axmouth Weekend2nd – 5th

July

ContactDetailsEventDate

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The OCA Website

Ian Stevenson had been holding a steady helm at the tiller of the website and it continues to improve all the time.

Please refer back to the website frequently for all these services: -

www.opencanoe.info

• The OCA Cinema – a collection of canoeing related films ready to view online.

• The OCA Bookshop – order your books (or anything else) from Amazon via the OCA link and you will contribute a percentage of your purchase to the subsidising of events without costing you a penny more!

• Bubble Street – a cartoon written by Paul Mason updated regularly.

• The members area now sports email links for all the members who permitted their email address to be published.

• All the latest Events

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Useful Contacts

OCA Membership Secretary

12 De Verdun Avenue

Belton

Leicestershire

LE12 9TY.

Membership

Mark & Alison Housley

Orlando

Main Street,

Norton Disney,

Lincolnshire

LN6 9JU

Email: - markthousley@googlemail.com

Editors