Welcome to the May Newsletter
 
Firstly I'd like to welcome all the new members to the club. The lake sessions have been going really well with lots of paddlers on the water, either on coaching courses or social paddling, and plenty of non-paddlers coming along to watch and for a chat. The bar is open on the club evening if anyone fancy's a chat and a beer after the session.

As you all know if your turning up without a boat, please park in the main car park and walk round to the HCC area, changing and showers are on the outside of  the main building for us to use.

Well done to Martin Stretton, Sam Stretton, Row Bashforth and Sam Pateman who are  our new level one coaches and great to see you using your new skills on the water, helping others to  improve their skills.

After the lake session on 15th May we are holding a special general meeting in the meeting room (at Stanton Lakes). The reason for this is that we want to change a couple of things on the constitution and  don't really want to wait until the AGM in February. It would be great if members could stop and attend this if possible to enable us to do this. Martin Stretton will be chairing the meeting due to my work commitments.

As you will see on the calendar we have plenty of trips, events and coaching planned to suit everyone, including a few weekends away, any newer members please ask if you need any more info. A few of the more experienced paddlers organise "peer paddling" trips at short notice, so keep your eyes on the HCC facebook page for these.

See you on the water Dave Clarke

TOMORROW!!! Thursday 15th May at 8.30pm.

The club needs to make a few minor changes to the HCC constitution, so we need to hold a Special General Meeting (SGM) and give members the opportunity to vote on the changes.

This meeting is in the function room next to the restaurant at Stanton Lakes and we've tagged it on to the back of the usual lake session so no one has to make a special trip.

We need your help in publicising the HCC Open Day so we can make it a big success and attract new members.

If anyone can put up a poster at work or elsewhere to help, please see a committee member at the lake for a printed poster, or you can download a PDF and print it yourself here.

Poster PDF

We still have places available on the HCC FSRT Foundation Rescue Course.

The perfect course for novices to learn how to rescue themselves and keep safe on the water. See a member of the committee for details or to make a booking. Course details can be found on the link below.

FSRT Details

Upcoming Trips

You're spoilt for choice this weekend with 3 trips running, River Washburn, Burton Trip and the Doggy Paddle! We've also got a Llangollen camping weekend soon and we're planning an Alps trip for 2015.

For full details of all trips this week and in the near future use the link below to go to the trips calendar and pick which trips you fancy, or contact a member of the committee for details.

Check out the Trips

We're still looking for volunteers to help with safety cover for the open water swimming sessions on Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings.

We don't need a regular committment, just as many people to help out whenever they can. You'll gain valuable experience and learn how to protect others on the water.

Suitable for most paddlers, contact Stuart Ritchie on 07966 318 305 or email him at newsletter@hinckleycanoeclub.co.uk.

Scottish White Water

A few of the more intrepid HCC club members had a trip to Scotland recently.

Thanks to Dave McGeachie-Clarke for this video showing some of the thrills and spills of the trip.

http://vimeo.com/m/94557647

Sad news again this week with the death of another 3 kayakers in Northumberland. This highlights the dangers of novices paddling without experienced paddlers in support.
Northumberland Kayak Deaths

Also in the news again this week was the inquest of Leamington kayaker Gareth Lockyer who became trapped underwater on his own safety equipment.
Gareth Lockyer Death
Our condolences go out to all the families.