Wednesday evening – coaching night

[stuart]

If you are a beginner or are unsure of your abilities, or do not own your own equipment then you would benefit from attending the Wednesday evening coaching sessions at Milton Ferry.

Time: 7.00pm to 9.00pm
You need to be changed and ready to collect equipment at 7.00pm so it would be advisable to arrive at about 6.45pm.

Location: Milton Ferry Bridge, Ferry Meadows Country Park
Park in the car park and walk down through the gate to find the person who is collecting money – this will probably be Julie Hustwayte. She will give you the key to let you in – please lock the gate once you are through it, park properly so as not to block the road and return the key to whoever is on duty.

Equipment hire
Boats (a range of kayaks and open canoes), paddles, spray-decks, buoyancy aids and helmets are available for hire (£5 per session to borrow whatever equipment you need). Non-members paddling for the first time with the club on a 'come and try it' basis will be charged a further £2. This covers our BCU additional third party liability insurance

Clothing

• You are likely to get wet so make sure you have a towel and a change of dry clothes with you.
• A bathing costume makes a suitable under-garment.
• Avoid cotton tee-shirts and jeans - they hold water and so are heavy and cold when wet. A tee-shirt and shorts of man-made fibres such as polyester or lycra are better. Thermals and light-weight polyester fleeces are ideal.
• Even when the weather (and the water) are warm in the summer, you can still get cold if there is a breeze. Wear a wind-proof outer layer such as a light-weight waterproof coat or cagoule. A purpose made cagoule is ideal.
• Thin-soled trainers or plimsoles are fine, but purpose made wet suite boots are ideal.

Coaching
A rota of duty coaches is in operation so there will always be a coach available to assist. Beginners are always welcome and training and assessments in BCU star tests up to 2 star in either kayaks or open canoe may be available depending upon demand.

Try it session for non-members
If you would like to try it out, you are welcome to come along for a session with no obligation to join the club. The cost will be the normal £5 for hire of any equipment you need + £2 insurance per person. If you would like to continue coming, you would then need to join Packers on the second occasion.

Activities
The River Nene provides calm, flat water which is ideal for beginners to learn the basics of balance and boat control. Few Wednesdays are complete without the odd game which, although designed to keep the younger paddlers amused, can become quite vigorous when twenty or so adults join in!

A circuit of the Ferry Meadows lakes, or a paddle up to Castor backwater, provides a pleasant longer paddle on some evenings. We sometimes organise a trip further afield for a longer paddle. For example, to the backwaters of the Nene or the Ouse, or even to the Nene Whitewater Centre at Northampton.