Ok... seeing as I am asking lots of questions of you guys, I thought I would ask this one too...
I was having a discussion with my little brother (hmmm I use the term little loosely, he's closer to 6' than I'll ever be), about kayaking... it's something I did years ago (actually I think I probably went canoeing lol) a fair bit, but without any formal training, and it's something he used to do a couple of times a year through his teenage years (although he did have professional instruction as he started out doing it in scouts etc).
It has kind of been decided that a weekend/week at some point this year will be spent buggering off somewhere to do that sibling bonding type thing.
We'd need somewhere that can provide all the equipment, and instruction for me cause it really has been years, but I think he wants to do it "together" and is happy to do a course type affair too.
Any personal recommendations (or keep clears), was thinking Wales might be a nice destination, again, am open to suggestions for anywhere in the UK really, would probably err towards Wales more because there is so much to do there we could maybe make it a bit longer than any course and go hiking etc.
Also there are the ones you can do through the YHA CLICKY anyone done anything like that through the YHA before?
Hi there Captain Tweeky, how's your Magic Band, by the way? OK, do'nt worry about that Magic Band reference, as it was probably much too before your time you see! It was in fact actually Captain Beaky anyway, that I slightly corrupted there, to try a jokey greeting. But then I realised you would never get the original reference worked out! Apologies!
As for Kayaking and Canoeing being off the subject for OM, you could not be more mistaken! Plenty of canoeists and kayakers on here! Loads of us have mentioned such trip outings in the various posts on the message threads here on the forum!
Can't remember exactly who does the canoeing/kayaking now in East Grinstead, as it has been a time since I was last up there to do just that pastime at Weir Wood Reservoir, but that locally to you is definitely a good place to go. I shall look out my notes on the place for you directly and post later on today!
The kayaking on Symonds Yat gorge always looked appealing to me when I was there for the rock climbing. (I've only kayaked a handful of times so wouldn't know if it's a good spot). Plenty of websites for the Wye valley if you google.
Hey Tweek, Surf Lines in Llanberis N Wales will let you hire all the gear you need and you can get out on the lake. Its a good spot for begginers are there are some interesting lagoons there or oyu can go out on the open lake. There is no moving water though but as you say your a begginer I imagine thats alright. And if you fancy doing soem hiking too your at the foot of snowdon and all the other bigguns in the area. Google surf lines llanberis.
OK, I'm back-took me ages as my computer is running just so damn slow, while it downloads some new Adobe stuff to update with-and the above link is Girl Guiding I know, but I illustrate it for you here as they're locally trying to recruit just such ladies as yourself there Tweek, for getting the kids out there canoeing and walking etc!
The link above features Blacklands Farm, which has their own website I think as well, which I will try to get you the link for as well in a minute. It is Blacklands that run lots of the canoe stuff at Weir Wood Reservoir you see! Their name before, was on the tip of my tongue!
OK, not having so much luck there with locating their website, but there in the above link is their East Grinstead phone number to ring to ask for more details!
There appears to be a document that you can download here on the above link page for Blackland Farm in East Grinstead too! THEY DO CANOE AND KAYAK INSTRUCTION THERE, AS IT IS THE LOCAL AREA INSTRUCTION CENTRE FOR ALL THE VISITING SCHOOLS GROUPS AS WELL AS SCOUTS, GUIDES ETC. ALL CORRECTLY QUALIFIED-BCU BRITISH CANOE UNION-CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS THERE, LAST TIME I CHECKED, TOO! THEY WILL LIKELY DO A GOOD SAFE INTRODUCTORY TASTER COURSE FOR YOU!
Kayaking (and canoeing) covers a range of disciplines, so first thing to do is decide what exactly you want. Could be sea touring, white water (rodeo or descent), flatwater touring or surfing. Or possibly polo... You can try several of those in canoes too which is a case of different rather than better/worse, but canoes typically require a bit more skill, instruction and teamwork to get going whereas you can get on with things on your own much more readily in a kayak.
Once you've decided what sub-discipline(s) interest you then you can start thinking sooner about where. Though I'd guess PyB has most of the bases pretty well covered.
..... canoes typically require a bit more skill, instruction and teamwork to get going whereas you can get on with things on your own much more readily in a kayak.
BTW Tweek, That's Plas Y Brenin (Not Play Y Brenin!) sorry for the typo.
The point I am making is don't assume you can simply hire kit and go paddling without a suitably qualified BCU Coach present. A PyB course would set you off on the right foot. If you want to take paddling more seriously, join a local club and the BCU Coaching Scheme will give you all the instruction you want or need at any level.
I've been a paddler for over 42 years, one-time BCU Level 3 Coach (kayak & open) and will carry on paddling for as long as I am able to hold a paddle. Some of the best friends I have are paddlers, it's brill!
LotC, while I'll grant you I could and should have been more careful with my wording, please note that while I said get on with things on your own in a kayakmuch more readily than you can in a canoe, that's not the same as "anyone can hire a kayak and get on with no bother at all in perfect safety".
So to clarify my point, with a kayak you can be instructed to a point where you can look after yourself to a useful degree in less time than is the case with a canoe, especially if white water is involved.
So to clarify my point, with a kayak you can be instructed to a point where you can look after yourself to a useful degree in less time than is the case with a canoe, especially if white water is involved.
Pete.
OK, Peter.
Since you raise the prospect of coaching novices on moving water, I'd be interested to know the basis of your opinion.
We'd need somewhere that can provide all the equipment, and instruction for me cause it really has been years, but I think he wants to do it "together" and is happy to do a course type affair too.
I was in fact after somewhere I could go for a week/weekend with my brother for instruction where all the kit was provided
I already have the Plas y Brenin brochure, as I am looking at it for other things, but I was after personal recommendation (I think I know where your preferences lay ) for somewhere to go on said course, biggest isn't always best, someone may have been on a course somewhere with a smaller company and enjoyed the extra attention you get with somewhere that caters for less people etc.
Peter... again, I just want to go get the basics under my belt before thinking about anything else, like I said earlier, all the canoeing I did years ago was without instruction, just in boats that were available to me at the time, I have never been taught to roll etc or anything like that, and I am using it as an excuse to go somewhere with my brother and take some time out.
Trevor... thank you ever so much for all your research into this for me, it really is appreciated, thank you.
John and Smeg, thanks I will google them
*edit* oh and I'm not THAT young thank you Trevor I do remember Captain Beaky, and batty bat and hissing sid et al
If Wales is to be the destination then I would go with the others here who are suggesting PYB. If you fancy somewhere a bit further afield and also fancy getting some salt in your eyes then try Gordon Brown at Skyak Adventures, www.skyakadventures.com. Mind you, only try this if you don't want to go hillwalking again, kayaking is seriously addictive.
If you go to PyP then sometimes they offer cheap sessions for those willing to be willing victims when they are running coaching courses. Oh, and the bar is quite nice.
Since you raise the prospect of coaching novices on moving water, I'd be interested to know the basis of your opinion.
LotC, you seem to be intent on misinterpreting everything I type... What I said was you can get to the point of being independent on moving water quicker in a kayak than a canoe. Nothing more, nothing less...
The basis of that opinion is having learned to do both, with SCA qualified coaches, starting on static water.
Whilst we are happily all chatting about canoes and kayaks, can anybody at all tell me the current advice for canoeists etc on Weil's Disease or Leptospiriosis. This used to be thought of as a very big threat to low-level water users, especially on stiller waters like large ponds and lakes.
I recall this being a very big issue in the media in the early nineties in particular. That followed some deaths of people who got the infectious disease transmitted via infected rat urine. Surely with the increase in the rat population that everyone is currently complaining about, the chances of getting the condition are increasing for water users like canoeists and fishermen, who were previously identified as being in the biggest at risk group of infection.
It used to be common to see the big wooden warning sign hoardings put up by boating lakes and other large still ponds, where canoes were being used. It occurred to me earlier that I cannot recall having seen one of those now for some good time! Anybody know what exactly the current advice is regarding this issue please?
Before it was always to not ingest water, even accidentally, and to ensure one covers even small cuts, spots and grazes with a medical dressing to cut down on risk of infection, while engaging in watersports activities. The symptoms I think were a very acute bout of flu like symptoms followed by a heavy fever. The condition often requiring full hospitalisation, if the disease began acting upon the internal systems of the body, resulting in organ failiure in extreme cases. I seem also to remember that this was much in the media spotlight years ago back as a good few people were actually dying of the condition, and some of those I think were kayakers.
LotC, you seem to be intent on misinterpreting everything I type...
You're wrong. I'm trying to understand your opinion, which is really all it seems to be: an opinion.
Having been a kayak and open canoe coach in the past, I disagree completely with your assertion that a kayaker can become a proficient paddler more quickly than an open boater can.
People learn at different rates on different levels. A good coach will adjust their tuition style accordingly. A bad coach can destroy a novices confidence on water irreparably. Some novice paddlers discover they have an innate fear of capsize whilst having their lower body enclosed within a kayak, others are unaffected. Some people have a better sense of balance and co-ordination than others, some people prefer kneeling with a single blade paddle rather than sitting with a double blade paddle. Some people are more flexible than others. Some people are more receptive to tuition than others. Some people are terrified of paddling on moving water, others live for it. These are just a few reasons why I disagree with your opinion, nothing personal.
Moving on.......
Tweek, wherever you go paddling, take care & enjoy yourself!
TDG - The best advice for Lepto weils disease is ... DO NOT GET IT!!
As a long time paddler I have met people who have had it and it takes you out of action for a long time. We are talking about stuck in bed not being able to get up. Completely wiped out.
People who work in the water supply and wastewater treatment industry and other water related workers such as British Waterways get a card about it. It explains the symptoms and the one I have seen is meant to be given to the doctor you see if you show the symptoms to make it clear that you have been exposed to the risk.
It is a notifiable desease so I think you would get questioned about where you could have caugtht it. The main thing is if in doubt go to the Doctor's as soon as you get the symptoms after being exposed to the potential risk. If you wait for the test to be done before being treated you could end up in a serious state as I believe it takes hold quickly. The symptoms are flu or cold like and one person I met who caught it said it was not a particularly bad cold or flu, so it is very much a case of if in doubt err on caution. Doctors prefer not to give out anti biotics for colds and flu symptoms but for Weil's I would insist on it if in doubt.
The risks are greater when there has been a lot of rain and the rivers are in spate and when the rivers are low and the water is moving slower (stagnent addies, etc.). In over 20 years of paddling I have nbever caught it so I still think it is a relatively low risk. More likely to get dislocated shoulders, bruises, cuts, split lips and black eyes than Weil's disease. At least that's my experience of paddling.
As far as LotC and PC's discussions over canoe or kayak is concerned different people take to different craft. some people find sitting in a kayak is uncomfortable and find it easier to learn to paddle a canoe. One thing to point out it is easier to fall out of a canoe than a kayak, especially if you have a kayak spray deck on. you should always have some degree of training (from a course or local club / experienced paddler) no matter what discipline you choose. I would suggest the original poster sees his local club to get a bit of practice in so they can get more from the trip. Just an idea. The main thing is to give it a try, it is the fastest growing water sport in the UK.
PYB is probably the best all round place to try different disciplines. I think Glenmore lodge might be similar. There are a few excellent sea paddling companies in Scotland on the West coast and the Shetlands. Similarly in the North Wales / Anglesey area.
There is a very good canoe and kayak magazine in WHSmiths that has classified ads of companies offering courses and trips. Clearwater is a company that has a good reputation up in Scotland, especially for sea paddling. The Isle of Jura is supposed to be an amazing trip to do.
.jpg)
cause it really has been years, but I think he wants to do it "together" and is happy to do a course type affair too.
) for somewhere to go on said course, biggest isn't always best, someone may have been on a course somewhere with a smaller company and enjoyed the extra attention you get with somewhere that caters for less people etc.
