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Pool sessions
Regents
Canoe Club organises weekly pool sessions at Britannia Leisure
Centre, 40 Hyde Road, N1. Each session lasts from
7.15pm to 8.15pm. Cost is £5 per session - members only. Please do not attempt to pay with loose change - we only accept pound coins or notes.
Nearest Tube is Old Street or buses
along New North Road or Kingsland Road will take you there.
Parking is available at the centre (give the receipt to reception and you can get your money back). Bikes can be locked outside but MUST be locked securely (preferably double locked) as this is a very bad area for bike thefts.
Boats and paddles are available at the pool and it is also
okay to bring your own boat and paddle as long as they are
clean. Helmets are also available if you wish to use one. If a session is popular you may have to share equipment
with other members. Experienced members of the club will be
attendance and will help and advise those looking to improve
their skills, but if the session is busy we cannot guarantee
we will be able to help everyone. Due to the limited
space in the pool this is not the place to practice 'extreme'
play moves.
If you get to the pool before 7.15pm, please give any cleaners room to do their jobs and please clear the pool promptly at 8.15pm as the lifeguard needs to be elsewhere.
Click
here for a map showing Britannia Leisure Centre. You can
zoom in on this map using the controls in the top left of
the screen.
For those
seeking liquid refreshment after the session there is often
a trip to a nearby pub.
French Alps 2010 trip information
When?
The French Alps trip this year will be 19-26 June. There will be an optional add-on day at the start, on Friday 18, for those wanting a warm-up paddle on the way there.
Who?
The trip is open to all members, for about 35 people, on a first come first served basis, subject to a minimum level of experience and ability. For people who started paddling last year, you probably need to have already completed at least three or four weekends away since then, e.g. Mile End Mill, the Dart Loop, and one or two other trips on grade 3 water, and maybe more, depending how well you’ve progressed. However, if in doubt, please do ask, since depending on the precise make-up of the group, there will probably be plenty of people willing to help and therefore allow you to come along despite your being a bit unsure. Paddling snow-melt rivers in the French summer sunshine suddenly makes those winter blues in Britain all make sense.
What?
We aim to paddle a range of rivers from grades 2/3 (think UK grade 3), up to grade 4 (for some of the group), i.e. something for everyone. If we have high numbers, we will split into at least two groups each morning, and head off to different sections. Less experienced paddlers will be guided by kind generous more experienced ones who will appreciate the beers you buy them afterwards for rescuing you and your kit (note: the rivers tend to be faster over there, which takes a bit of adjusting to). In the afternoons, those more experienced paddlers who want to will go and paddle some of the harder sections; and there are plenty of other distractions – even things like relaxing – for everyone else to do as they choose. Assuming there are enough people, if a few want to go off on some whole days to do their own paddling thing, then that will be fine too. All veterans will be expected to help the Alpine virgins on at least a couple of days.
Where?
We will be based on the outskirts of Briancon, in the southern French Alps region known as Serre Chevalier in the skiing world. This attractive historic city is at the heart of a wonderful selection of rivers. Our accommodation comprises two nice-looking old style houses five to ten minutes walk apart, each taking 15-20 people, and about twenty minutes walk into the downtown area containing bars and restaurants. Both houses are self-catering, and have nice gardens. One of the properties has a camping option as well. Bedrooms are mainly twins and doubles, with one 4-6 person dorm, and if needed a couple of single bed add-ons to double rooms (which would not be used without the full and voluntary agreement of those involved).
How much?
Accommodation costs will work out at between euros €100 and €130 per person, for the week, depending on exact numbers and who gets to stay in which room. Camping may be available for a lucky few at a price dependent on how many takers there are for the houses, to be confirmed. On top of accommodation costs you should budget for a share of food, drink, ferry and transport costs.
How?
If you would like to come, please email ralph1wilson@gmail.com and also send a cheque for £80.00 made payable to Regents Canoe Club, for a non-refundable deposit, posted to: Ralph Wilson, 28 Church Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1UA. Your place is then subject to confirmation (we need to ensure a suitable mix of abilities, car drivers, etc) but your money will not be banked until then. The balance will be payable during the holiday week itself. If you would like to ask any questions, call Ralph on 07813 784 533. Please note, this trip usually fills up very quickly, so don’t delay.
What else?
There is expected to be a follow-on week, i.e. 26 June to 3 July, for advanced paddlers, aimed at grade 4, either in the same area or possibly relocating to the Engadine area of Switzerland to paddle the gorges of the Swiss Inn. If you are interested in the follow-on week – either as well or instead – please let Ralph know asap.
What next?
Once the trip has filled, confirmations will be sent out, along with requests for room-sharing and paddling preferences, and car arrangements.
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