Editorial

Mary Wood

First of all I must apologise to you all - especially the contributors - for the long delay in getting this issue out (pressure of work combined with my natural tendency to hibernate).

I'm pleased to say the last issue has brought some responses - for one, we have enough interest in a beginners' sea paddling trip that we should be able to run one in the spring, though for various reasons it might not be an "official" club trip. See also Roy Bradshaw's letter in response to my last editorial. I entirely agree with Roy that a bit of slalom skills practice can only improve your river paddling (though don't try a bow rudder in a sea kayak!)

We are as always at the mercy of the weather (and what suits one might not suit all). Whatever the weather brings, now is a good time to support our baths sessions, and practice rolling skills (or whatever) in safety and warmth.

Brian Moxon, an MCC member, is actively promoting a proposal to build an artificial white water course on Brookbank's back doorstep (see later in this issue). This has been met with scepticism by some of our senior members, who have seen similar plans get nowhere in the past, and are realistic about the difficulties. But things do seem to look more promising this time - Brian is happy to discuss it with anyone who's interested.

Please note Peter's final plea below: we must all be grateful to Peter for the loyal work he's put in as Chairman over the last year, but we can't expect him to carry on. Please, consider whether you could take it on (or take over a less demanding job to free up someone else to do it). (NB it does not have to include writing half the newsletter for me, but someone has to!)

The next issue will - definitely - come out in early January, with notice of the AGM. I'll need to get it to the printer before I go off sea kayaking in Mexico, so contributions must reach me by 22/12.

Chairman's Chat

Peter King

(Note: Peter wrote this longer ago than I care to admit or remember... ed.)

At long last Foot & Mouth seems to be abating if not yet over. Its certainly taken some of the summer paddling but lets hope we have a nice wet winter to make up. Somehow the summer seems to have sped by and another year passed without getting more than half of our plans activated. There have been some highlights both personal and for the club.

Ever the optimist, I see some signs of regenerating our youth membership. We have had visits from scouts and guides to the site and hopefully next year without the threat of disease we will be able to look further ahead and achieve more. Trevor at Ridge College has a fair crop of hopefuls this year after virtually none last year. The first few sessions at the Baths are nearly always well attended but this year there seemed a real flood of youngsters all anxious to learn. As ever the problem is to move them on from having a good time at the Baths to enjoying the great outdoors.

This depends entirely on the willingness of members to help them make this step. In this day and age of "responsibility" there is a lot to be said for having a formal qualification. I am occasionally asked about whether members are insured while teaching beginners. The answer is fairly simple. You can teach club members and are insured. With a qualification you are insured to teach anyone depending on the level of qualification. To help we have agreed that when a non-member hires a club boat, the extra we charge will include membership for the session, so you are safe teaching anyone in a club boat. Both at the baths and on the site we do need a steady flow of instructors both for formal sessions and to give help casually.

I don't like going on at this, but as we get closer to the AGM, we have to look for a new chairman. Hopefully in a dark comer people are already worrying about this: if any potential candidate wants to have a chat. I'm very willing to tell them just how little one actually has to do!

CONGRATULATIONS

To Mark and Lorna on their wedding

22 September 2001

Future events

New Year Weekend

Saturday 29th December 01 to Tuesday 1st January 02 (3 nights)

I realise that it's only October and many people have not yet considered Bonfire Night (oops - late again - ed.), Christmas or the Boxing Day Race let alone "New Year" arrangements. So if you have not yet made plans join us for a weekend away.

The venue:- Humphrey Head Out Door Ed Centre, the accommodation is self-catering and has dormitory style bed rooms with adequate drying facilities and games room.

The location:- The centre is at the end of Humphery Head near Grange Over Sands on the South and West of the Lake District.

Activities:- Although in previous years this weekend has been billed as a walking trip there are a few members who still actually paddle and we intend to take boats. Local rivers include the Crake, Leven, Esk and Dudden. Excellent mountain biking can be had from either the centre or just a short drive away and there are plenty of local less well walked fells to explore.

Social activities:- As has become the tradition a mass meal is on the cards and plenty of drinking will be had. There is a pub within staggering distance across muddy fields but a longer road walk can avoid these.

Accommodation cost:- will be approximately £40 per person for the entire weekend for those people who book before the end of November and £45 for those that book after. Don't delay book today.

For further Information contact Angus Lord on 01625 858980 Please send a £10 deposit per person. Check preferred payable to MCC-to Angus Lord, 9 Trafalgar Close, Poynton, Stockport SK12 IRY.

Reports

September Slalom

Peter King

This was both a mini and a ranking event I've only included the Mini results which show a small growth in numbers possibly made to look better by the number paddling in more than one boat. At last the Vets were not the biggest class, but it would be nice to see numbers up to 50. Lets work on it.

The nice bit of the ranking event was our virtual wipe up of Div3 getting the first three places. Not so nice was the very small number of Div 4 entries from the club.

September 2nd 2001

An Up and Down Weekend

Peter King

Over the last few years we've had the odd problem at the Tail. This year we arrived nice and early on Thursday evening to find the water high (covering the triangular rock) but quite possible to find a way out over the rocks. By Friday morning it had dropped and by the time we started to put the course up was at a level that we thought would be nice for a slalom. Plenty of flow but no nasties. Dave's course was a bit different with 3 breakouts in the first four gates and a straight (well not quite) run down the tail. Quite a nice day till late on with the level low enough to throw the lines across for the bottom gates (2 breakouts out of 3). A bit late finishing so nobody paddled that night as most were going home and travelling back or like Mary, Alan and Paul had only come to help.

It rained pretty heavily in the night but we felt smug having made sure that all the poles were a good 2 feet from the water, mostly more. About 7.30 (small entries make for relaxed slaloms) on Saturday the gates were still out of the water - except for the odd one or two.

It seemed that the level was still rising quite quickly so Janet, Roy and I pulled the top gates (all the ones we could get at) in to the side. By the time we got down to the tail the rocks were well covered and we couldn't get to the pullers. Oh! About this time things brightened up. The rain eased off then stopped and reinforcements arrived. We also took a break for breakfast. Dave admitted that we'd done the right thing especially when he found that the river was still on the way up. With mini heroics (by Dave) both in wading waist deep and later paddling down with scissors in hand to cut the last couple of pullers we managed to get the lot in except for a couple of judges lines left well under water.

Well the course went Up and Down but the Dee went Down then Up. Our apologies to those who came to paddle and our thanks to those who put it up on Friday and took it all down on Saturday without as far as I know a single paddler going through a gate.

A Marvellously Mad Adventure

Angus Lord

Easter 2000, me, Viv and four other bods I managed to press gang engaged in a marvellously mad adventure. The aim was to do a trip sea kayaking style along Loch Shiel out down the river to the sea and around the island of Shona, Scotland at its best. The trip is easy enough for beginners/ intermediate paddlers as there are plenty of get out clauses and no complicated tidal streams to work out. However, you can only egress Loch Shiel and the estuary at high tide. The intrepid explorers met at the Glenfinnan bunkhouse, a converted railway carriage which provided a welcome bed after the long evening drive. On arrival we discussed the planned route and car shuttle over a few beers before retiring for a coma induced sleep, awaiting the dawn of the expedition with excitement, anticipation and the inevitable hangover.

A New Day Dawns

The party awoke not so much bright eyed and clear-headed as bloodshot eyes with a banging headache. After the compulsory grease feast we started to pack for the trip. Pete and I organised a car shuttle remembering to leave a change of clothing and a beer in the waiting car. Then back to the loch head to pack the boats.

How do you pack a sea kayak? Stern low, bow high or even keel? What will you need first when you arrive at the campsite and will it all fit in? It's just a question of priorities, beer in first, followed by the wine and whisky, the rest just sort of goes in and if it doesn't - leave it in the car!

Eventually by late afternoon we finally set off. Just a few Ks down the loch. I prefer to use Ks when paddling as they're shorter than miles and always buy beer in litres as they're bigger than pints. This fits with the old adage:- you only have to paddle half as far to drink twice as much!

The Creation of the Cheesy Monster

I had given everybody a comprehensive kit list thus ensuring all essentials would arrive at camp. After all Annette was one of our team. Each pair had the same food and the same ingredients, however three entirely different substances were produced for supper. That evening Viv and I had an excellent cheese fondue accompanied by a bottle of plonk. Pete and Ali invented a new type of epoxy resin ball suitable for repairing anything from sea boats to space shuttles. Lee and Annette on the other hand produced an entirely new life form swimming in a trangia of toxic waste. The latter had men in black popping up and a call from Spielberg to check its availability for his next movie. After a nightcap and a gaze at the stars we retired to bed.

Land of Deer and Eagles

Day 2 was beautiful, sunny, dry and not a cloud in the sky, a phenomenon normally only experienced on winter white water trips to Scotland. After breakfast we packed the boats to the tune of, "It all went in yesterday so why won't it fit now"? Eventually we departed, the wind had dropped, the loch was calm and the sky clear. The only sound was the splash of the paddle and bow ripples as the boats sliced through the water.

This poetic paddling was short lived however as Annette's wrist started to play up so a towline was fixed and we continued. We lunched at the water's edge overlooked only by deer and eagles before continuing, stopping to look at the chapel ruins on an island en route to the evening's camp. Tent up, tea on and enough time to take a swim. Ali stayed in the longest proving that she's not all human or perhaps the cheesy monster had done away with her and was currently metamorphed into her body.

A Rude Awakening

6 am day 3. I'm not sure Annette really believed me that we had to get up early but as time and tide waits for no man or woman not even she could have a lie in. Up, coffee, biscuits, pack and paddle.

From the wide open valley of Loch Shiel to the stark contrast of a wooded gorge we followed the river to meet the sea at high tide stopping for breakfast at Tioram Castle. Half way through a bacon butty 30 or so beard bearing (even the women!) sea paddlers arrived, said hello, changed and followed each other lemming style into the sea. We never saw them again perhaps falling prey to the cheesy monster of Loch Shiel. Once bacon buttied up we continued. This is a beautiful bay and on previous trips I have seen dolphins and otters. Although they weren't about there were plenty of seals basking on skerries in the spring sun. They allowed us to get really close before melting into the water with neither splash or sound. Onward to a top wild campsite on the end of Shona island. Tents up and gear unpacked, we then had the opportunity to take a short trip round a headland to the next bay.

Return to Paradise

It was not until we all arrived back, that we realised that this was not so much a return to paradise as a return to parasite. The camp was alive with ticks, which provided much sport and an unhealthy interest in margarine as we stripped and applied liberal quantities to suffocate the suckling insects. Top score was Ali with about 45, Pete came a close second and only Viv remained unticked at the close of play. After the ticks had gone to bed we enjoyed a hearty curry and copious quantities of ale before watching sheets of heavy rain fall everywhere but on our campsite - amazing!

High Tide and Home

Day 4. Breakfast, pack, compulsory margarine fetish and tick removing session before catching high tide and circumnavigating Shona island to return to the car.

A FANTAS TICK TRIP ALL ROUND!

Best of Danish

Mary Wood

I had to go to Ålborg for work - where? Five minutes on the Web revealed that it's an attractive old town on a large inland fjord in northern Denmark, with a lively kayak club. 24 hours later, an exchange of email brought an invitation to paddle with them. Good - take a couple of days holiday while I'm there.

Ålborg Kajakklub owns a substantial two-story building, which only looks modest in size because its neighbours are the huge, sprawling local rowing club on one side, and the merely very large women's rowing club on the other. No wonder their address translates as "Sea Sports Road". There's a kitchen and social room upstairs, changing rooms downstairs, including a shared sauna. There's an idea for our new hut...

Facing the lake is a grass yard, with boathouses on two sides and a substantial dock on the fourth. There are two sets of long parallel bars, maybe two-and-a-half feet high and five apart, where you rest your boat to adjust it before going out, and to clean and dry it before putting it away again. (That really is an idea we could adopt.)

I don't know how many boats the club owns, but I counted 50 in the larger boathouse, most of them gleaming white fibreglass in very good condition. Only about half the members own their own boats. The club boats are colour-coded with stickers on the bows. Blue and green are "easy" boats; red and yellow are trickier, and not allowed to beginners. I saw two adults taking two children out for a lesson in a beautiful K4.

The club has some 200 members, about 50 of them active: touring, polo, and marathon seem to be the favourite activities. (The fjord has a barely perceptible tidefall, the only local hazard is the cold in winter - when the water temperature drops too low, only experienced paddlers are allowed out.) It's an easy walk from the town centre, so someone is there almost all the time (in summer, some people come out at dawn to paddle before going to work). Their hospitality is open and warm. I needn't have bothered with the email: just turning up was enough to be made welcome.

Jesper volunteered to come out with me, and got out an "easy" boat - help! - basically a racing boat, which one more or less perched on top of. Fine for a sculling shell, but without the stability of a pair of sweep oars (spot the former rower). After patiently watching me wobble around the dock for a few minutes, he changed it for a "more difficult" boat which I could actually get into. We paddled along the shore and back - the surroundings are too flat to call "scenic", but, even among the many cheerful paddlers and rowers on the water, the restfulness was profound, with many kinds of sea birds calling, and only the occasional ripple from the tiny local ferry to make one consciously aware of paddling.

The perfect way to relax after three days' hard work, and a wonderful genuinely local contact, and insight into the local community. My thanks to Jesper and the club. I hope MCC can be as hospitable to any travelling paddlers who find themselves in Manchester!

Greece - the Return - part 2

Chris Davison

Thursday 19 April was a very cold early start. The inside of the tent was very wet which was strange because it had not rained. All became clear when we found frost on the outside of the tents, lovely clear nights in this part of Greece. We had always planned an early start but not 7.00am, the beeping of the car horn and shouts gave us the impression that this campsite was actually someone's field and so we hurriedly de-camped.

The river we planned to paddle was the Krikellopotomas and the level appeared to be just below ideal flow rate. The upper kilometre was very tree lined and had the level been any higher serious problems would have ensued. The river then changed to a constant grade III with bits of IV, low flow, very technical and very pinny. The first grade IV bit we caught up with the first group, half had portaged and half ran it. Next was a long extremely pinny rapid, I got stuck a couple of times but worked my way loose, learning the infamous rock hug pivot (I'm sure it's in the BCU handbook somewhere). Steve got a potentially bad pin but luckily in front of Alan who was assisted quickly by Angus and Jason, who yanked him out still in his boat.

One rapid was particularly fun very committing though, it was basically a chute with no breakouts. A spectacular waterfall came in from the side (although there were a few along the way, confusing when you use them to indicate how far along you are). Another set of rapids consisted of a series of small drops, I ran the middle drop backwards after looking at it, as I did not want to see it. After the waterfall came a scenic gorge with overhanging vegetation like being in the middle of a tropical rain forest, after which the river got slightly easier with the odd difficult section thrown in when least expected. The end of the river was character building, light was fading and every one was tired. We had overtaken the first group when they stopped to mend Steve's boat (which failed and he paddled the rest full of water). Half past eight we arrived after 20 km and 8hrs 10 mins on the river. Damage report: 1 boat, 1 paddle and 1 seat. We all slept well that night on the banks of the river.

Friday 20th April, started nice and warm, we had breakfast by the side of the river and packed up early. The start of today's river was only two minutes down the road but after that we had a long drive. The Trikeriotis was definitely a short sleeve cag river although the water was on the cold side. The river was at a good level and not too difficult in the main. One rapid was a bit technical and needed a good line to avoid the rocks. Mark was already down and I was following Ruth who did the first tricky bit very well but then got off line and got pinned on a rock. She came up still holding paddle and boat despite cut lip and swollen cheek (this was to develop into a really nice black eye).

We all had a chocolate break while scouting the next rapid and set up rescue for. As it happened only Viv swam and she got herself into the eddy despite my throw, Lorna and Roz rolling and Dave walking. Despite what must have been a mighty headache Ruth carried on down. Later someone else capsized and as it was shallow could not roll up. Unfortunately while upside down they were being washed on to a tree in the middle of the river, Angus pushed them away and promptly got stuck on the tree himself. Coming unstuck was not a problem, doing so without breaking a paddle was not - paddle number four. The rest of the river was a mixture of surfing and squirt turns.

Fed and washed we then made our way further. We made the campsite by 3.00am, definitely a long drive after paddling

Saturday 21st April, at least we were already at the get in for the Aliakmon, the Fish River soon to be called the no fish river (last year there were so many fish they were hitting your blades as you paddled - this year was not quite the same). The day was again hot. The level was definitely lower than last year, the bridge at the bottom we paddled over last year, this year we paddled under it. Still the river was bigger volume than the rivers so far. Most of us portaged the first grade IV as it was horrible. Most people shot the grade V one after it. Ian in the big EZ (not big at all) got a bit worked at the bottom tried to roll three times and got sucked to the bottom before being sucked out of his boat, (he has now decided to get a larger volume boat for running rivers). We stopped at the play wave for lunch but had to move on as Lorna and Alan had to catch a plane. 6hrs and 20 mins later we were at the get out. Relaxing with beer we said good bye to half the party, got the van unstuck from the tree that it was parked in and went to eat.

Sunday 22nd April, At last a rest day, well kind of. 7.30 saw two very drunk Greeks parting on the campsite/riverbank, they were actually very friendly and stayed all morning. The day was cloudy but warm, it did rain but it was warm rain. The paddle was pleasant but not taxing, some good play waves though. We paddled down to the campsite, had some lunch and set off sight seeing in Meteora, where the Greeks had built monasteries on the top of large columns of rock. Many kilos of wine later we travelled back to the campsite. In the mini bus the wine was cracked open, in the van Mark and Rachel set out on the Ouzo. Back at the campsite a bonfire was built to carry on partying. The van missed the turning and joined us later. FUN FUN FUN.

Third and final instalment in the next issue - ed.

General

Goyt Activity

Peter King

Tuesday evening sessions under floodlights are now in being. Provided the water level is fairly low relatively inexperienced paddlers can take part but should have someone to look after them for the first (couple) of times. Sunday mornings we will try to keep going but again it would be helpful to have a rota set up of people who will let out club boats and spend time looking after beginners. Any offers?

Currently slalomists are using the middle pool pretty heavily on Tuesdays and hopefully later in the winter Thursday sessions will be started up.

Again later on there will be either one day or weekend slalom training run at 2 levels, one for beginners (to slalom) and the other for those around Div2 standard and above. Even if you have no intention of ever competing, most beginners (and some experienced paddlers as well) have found that some hard work round the gates has improved their general moving water skills. If you are interested in moving water general courses or slalom courses please get in touch with Dave Bradshaw or myself.

Hazel Grove Baths

The season has started (although with rather a whimper). Sessions start at 7.30 but you can arrive early to get changed and actually be on the water at 7.30. To get over difficulties we have agreed that helmets will be worn until we have got it sorted out. Certainly there is some risk of injury but we think that perhaps the Baths are seeing it as much worse than it is. If you are bringing your own boat don't forget to rinse out the mud, sand, grit and leaves.

We hope this year to provide our own LIFEGUARDS. The training is free and if you are already experienced boils down to learning the emergency procedures at the baths. If you can help please contact Dave Bradshaw as soon as possible as he is currently arranging training and testing.

Broughton Baths Polo Training

Carole Dean and Tracy Cropper are running juniors' training sessions at Broughton Pool - the last remaining date is 6 December (8:30-10:00pm), but they're hoping to put on more in the New Year. Their aim is to run two teams in the Under 18 North West Canoe Polo League. Call Carole if you're interested: 0161 456 6748, mobile 07798 867779.

Unfortunately there are no adult training sessions booked at present. Volunteers to book and run sessions or look after loaned-out kit would be very welcome - contact the polo representative, Dave Higson.

An Artificial White Water Course for the Northwest?

Brian Moxon

Please take a moment to read this proposal to build an Artificial White Water Course (AWWC) in South Manchester on the edge of the motorway network.

We need your feedback.

An AWWC is a condensed series of whitewater rapids. Their inspiration arises from mountain rivers and streams - an artificial course will bring the white water of the mountain rivers to the edge of the city allowing people who may not normally be able to try such an extremely exciting sport to participate in.

We believe there is a need to service the population of the North West (Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside). We would intend to build a course suitable for use by as wide a range of canoeist as possible, from Slalom to Play-Boat, Creek to Polo. This is an opportunity to build a course that will challenge the expert, yet be slow enough and safe enough to encourage newcomers to the sport. A course that can host slalom championships and a course that can teach people the techniques of canoeing, to obtain their next level of competence, by a qualified instructor. The course will attract schools, colleges, universities, youth and community groups, scout/guide groups, families, disabled individuals and companies throughout the North West. The overall theme will be enjoyment, learning and sport for all, in a safe and pleasant environment.

It will be similar to the Nene White Water Centre in Northampton, a 300 metre international slalom course with a 5 metre drop, capable of pumping some 6 - 12 cumecs of water via a series of pumps. These courses are for all levels to participate in, but especially for the general public who want to 'give it a go'. If they're keen, this would create the perfect opportunity to get them paddling the wild waters and introduce more people to the sport.

Being close to the city makes it accessible for:

- General Public, for WhiteWater Rafting

- Canoeists, for recreation, 'rodeo' competitions and instruction

- Slalom Canoeists, a 300 metre International level course

- Schools, for safely teaching outdoor adventure activities

It will give the North West a floodlit, all year round whitewater course where skills can be learnt in safety regardless of the rain in the rivers.

Although the course is being designed and pushed by kayakers who are keen to have this resource built in the North West, it has to be remembered that the income required to make the course economically viable will be largely due to the public visiting to experience rafting.

How will it be funded? The project should be eligible for large contributions from Sport England, Foundation for the Sports and Arts, Landfill tax credit scheme, and private investment. The Nene AWWC and other UK courses have been successfully funded in the same way. The BCU have an AWWC schedule for the country (eg Padiham Weir near Burnley, Exeter, London etc) and offer their support for such schemes which is vital for obtaining funding.

This is a brief outline of our vision for what facilities the course would bring to the North West, and it doesn't stop here. We are already quite advanced and have identified a suitable site to build such a course, with the backing and support of the local council who own this piece of land requiring re-development. In addition, we have also presented to BCU North West (arranged by Chris Cleaver, Access Officer) and some local canoe clubs and gained unanimous support and enthusiasm for such a facility.

We are now at the stage where we have been asked by the council to obtain as much support as possible from North West canoe clubs, schools, colleges etc to see if a course in the North West would be commercially viable. Therefore, if you would be interested in such a facility, please write to me with your feedback, and most importantly your support to help make this happen.

Kind regards

Duke of Edinburgh's Award

Peter King

Some time ago I met Simon Devenport who is The Stockport Award Officer. From time to time we have questions about the award and knowing that over the years the rules have changed I thought it was time to get an update.

Any instructor or senior experienced canoeist can act as an assessor. You need to know by monitoring and recording that the person assessed has made a steady effort and improvement over a period. The usual area that people approach about is Physical Recreation. The period for Bronze is 3 months, for Silver either 3 or 6 months, and Gold 6 or 12 months. In general if a sport is used for Bronze and Silver something else should be tried for Gold. The essential is not how good the candidate is but the progress that they make during the monitored period.

There is no set level and assessors make allowances for any problems that may make an expected level of progress difficult for an individual to achieve.

It is also possible to use canoeing for the Journey. For Bronze 2 days and 1 nights camping is required, Silver 3 days and 2 nights while Gold looks for 4 days and 3 nights. It is possible to link the journey with some degree of exploration. The snag is that our local rivers would be stretched to provide sufficient length, but there are known campsites along canals that could be used. Assessment must include the preparation and planning phases, a practice journey, some supervision of progress, safety etc. and review of the journey.

Less well known is that the Skills sector can be met by Sports Officials. For instance a good (practical) knowledge of slalom organisation though course design, erection, Judging, control work, maybe organising a mini would be a fair progression for Silver. Again bear in mind it's what changes between registration and assessment that counts, not what has been done before.

Simon and I also discussed whether becoming an Instructor and putting this into practice should be assessed as an advanced Skill or as Service. He pointed out that teaching Cycle proficiency is specifically listed as a Community Service.

Incidentally they have access to Mile End Baths on Friday evenings. They are short of people to run courses there over the winter. If you can help, ask Mark or myself for the contact.

Moratorium

Peter King

Not a notice of death but a beg for the return of Bibs, Spraydecks and Helmets that have over the years gone mostly from Dale Road but also from the Baths.

Its so easy to get changed and sling all the wet stuff into the bag and back of the car and only realise when you get home - we've all done it! So please don't feel shy about bringing it back - even if its been festering for ages.

If you have had a change in your image which has resulted in having a helmet the wrong colour or a spray deck that won't fit the new boat, the club isn't too proud to accept them!!

A View of the Club

Roy Bradshaw

The August Newsletter and its plea for articles has finally prompted me to put fingers to the keys.

Mary's comments on comparing our Club with that of a Sailing Club she visited - "its Committee and Centrally Organised activities were dominated by the Competition Section. Sound Familiar?"- provides the spur for what is my view of the Club and its possible future.

I well remember attending a meeting, shortly after we joined the Club, where the Touring Secretary was saying that there were few people Touring at the moment. I suspect now, looking back on it, that what he was really saying was that no one was touring during the summer.

Although the Club was formed to cater for those who enjoyed White Water it only really took off when Slalom came around. This gave the members something to do in the summer when the water levels were low. Touring never really stopped but the summer emphasis was on developing paddling skills that were later used on touring rivers during the winter. Certainly in those days as many members were out touring then as there are now. Of course running events etc. required a great deal of organisation and it was obvious that many of those involved in Competition would become the mainstay of the Club's Committee. The high priority was to have somewhere to paddle regularly, to provide the opportunity of running events and the provision of equipment in order to do so. The outcome was the finding and eventual purchase of the Club Site and the creation of its equipment through the funds raised by efforts of those running competitions.

It could be said that the Competitive element "dominated" the Committee, and by this the inference is the Slalom and River Racing Competitors, but it was not a single minded approach. Boat moulds were purchased and many were well suitable for touring, albeit old Slalom designs - general tourists were still only getting out of the wood and canvas era at that time. Then Polo came on the scene and, although it is obviously a competitive sport, in many instances it attracted a different group of paddlers. However the Club purchased at least the first couple of sets of Polo boats through the income raised by the efforts of the Slalom orientated committee and their supporters.

Since then practically all the boats that have been purchased by the Club have been Touring or General Purpose Boats, and now there is a plea to purchase Sea Boats. Whilst this may appear to be similar to the Polo situation and we could create the same success in this area, unfortunately the income we have been able to rely on through running Slalom events is quickly drying up. Granted the Club has additional funds through Maurice's bequest, however, although he was probably the first to step forward in his earlier days to support the Club and its up and coming paddlers, it was not in the form of buying boats for Club members to use.

There is also in the magazine a survey of likely interest in Sea paddling. Having attended an initial course at Plas Y Brenin, courtesy of Pete & Helen, I came away with the opinion that for me, and I suspect many others, a Sea Canoe is not what I want. My pleasure was in rock hopping and pottering in and out of caves etc. A General Purpose canoe was far more suitable for this purpose. I had no interest in going on long voyages for which a sea canoe is intended, but if I did then I realised I needed to know much more about navigation and all the possible problems that can occur. For this sort of thing you need to be in the company of experienced sea paddlers. MCC cannot expect to have expertise in every field and it seems far more sensible to join another Club, such as the North West Sea Kayakers, in order to get the support you need. I have no problem with this. With my cycling I belong to three clubs . The CTC - the equivalent of the BCU but which is far more member oriented, Duckinfield Wheelers - the equivalent of MCC for my general cycling, and the Tandem Club for my specialist cycling. Many other cyclists have similar allegiances.

Manchester Canoe Club is based at Dale Road Marple. It says so on our notepaper. Many of our members started their serious paddling on the River Goyt at Marple. It may not be the most exciting of rivers for most of the year, but the skills that were first learnt on the Goyt enable Club members to progress not only to International Competition but also to be able to paddle much more demanding rivers that can be found abroad.

It is hoped we shall get better premises and perhaps the Club's emphasis will have to change. Personally I hope Slalom will cease its decline as I am still convinced this is the best way to learn those initial skills that can be used almost anywhere - even sea canoeing once you have realised you seem to have to lean the other way. However simple good house-keeping says that we cannot spend money on extending the Club's interests unless more money is raised to support it. Buying boats for anyone to use and not creating the funds to maintain them is far from sensible in my view.

The successful clubs have a permanent base from which new people are introduced to the sport. I think I have shown that the Committee in the past, though mainly consisting of Competition paddlers, has always put the Club first and not their own personal requirements. Whatever the Committee's constitution in the future I would hope it would have the same sense of responsibility. As I said at the beginning - many of our members started their paddling career on the Goyt, and I would hope more will do so. The Club was formed in 1933, I would like to believe it will still be here in 70 years time.