Club River Trips
PADDLING WHATEVER THE WEATHER
The main kayaking season is now at an end, with most rivers closed due to access agreements for the fishing season. We will endevour to keep paddling where possible with limited access available on such rivers as the Ouse at Slenningford and Washburn on release days and Tees Barrage, so keep your eye on the site and if any opportunities arise we will let you know. We will also try to organise a few other opportunities to paddle such as the weekend below but we do need people to get involved to make these a real club event.
Ellerton Lake 3/4th July
Family fun weekend, last year we ran a successful weekend of fun and games for all shapes, sizes and abilities using boats of all types for people to try, the emphisis is on enjoying yourselves and maybe even learn some new skills. Oh and bring your BBQ kit.
Costs are, £6per unit/nightpetertazdodds@hotmail.com that's for tents, caravans or motorhomes regardless of people, lake access is £4.50per adult & £3.50 per child each day.
Contact Peter Dodds at peter.stcc@stccweb.org.uk to register your interest as we need to confirm numbers.
Second Ray Mears weekend
September 11/12th Paddling the river Tweed between Peebles & Kelso through some wonderful scenery with an overnight camp at Fernilee rapids (small camping fee payable).
This is an open boat trip, not for novices but easy grade 1/2 water with possibly one portage, paddling 4 or 5 hours each day.
the club has a limited number of open boats available so let me know if you are interested.
Contact Trevor Keay trevor.stcc@stccweb.org.uk 01325264906
Whitmuir Hall weekend 8/9th October
We have made a provisional booking with Whitmuir Hall close to Selkirk in the scottish borders, easy access to the river Tweed and it's tributaries. For those who have been before you know what to expect but for those who have never been click ths link to visit the Hall's website, great accommodation in an old victorian house with use of pool and sauna. Fees are £25 per person per night, £25 deposit by end of May to reserve a place with full payment by Sept. Contact Joan Robinson to show interest.
IMPORTANT NOTES FOR RIVER TRIPS
A number of river trips are organized throughout the year, on a variety of rivers, with each one presenting their own degree of difficulty. These events are planned for both beginners and experienced paddlers alike depending on their individual skill level. Juniors of fourteen years old and above will be allowed to participate, under 14yrs we would ask that they be accompanied by an adult or talk to the trip organiser. Parents please note it is your responsibility to transport juniors wishing to participate on any river trip. Transport arrangements will require your attendance at the start, and at the end of the trip. Other Club members maybe able to assist with transportation in some circumstances, however this cannot be guaranteed, please consult with any member of the Committee should any difficulty arise. Information about the trips will be published on the website or announced on a Club night.
ESSENTIAL CLOTHING
Personal clothing must be of a type that will keep the wearer warm even when wet! 1. Wool or fleece Jumpers (2 thin layers are better than one thick one). 2. Thermal vest/long johns. 3. Tracksuit bottoms – Jeans are not allowed 4. 0ld training shoes (not boots), warm socks. 5. Woollen Gloves with washing up rubber gloves "Marigolds" over the top. 6. 0ver trousers if owned/wet suit if owned
Spare clothing to be carried in boat.
1. Jumper.
2. Tracksuit bottoms.
3. Spare socks, woolly hat and gloves.
4. A strong polythene "Dry Bag" is required, not a bin liner, to store the above items.
6. A packed lunch is necessary, with a hot drink being essential (use a polythene bag not a plastic box as this will make it easier to pack into boat)
7. A length of cord for securing any loose items or spare kit to the inside of the boat.
The clothing you travel in to and from the river must not be used for paddling as you may get it wet.
Anyone arriving without food, warm drink or adequate clothing, will not be allowed to participate.
ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT
For a small charge of £5.00 the Club can provide waterproof cags, helmets, buoyancy aids, spray decks, dry bags, paddles & boats.
Contact the River Trip Coordinator prior to the trip should any of these items be required.
What a busy month
This is not going to be easy but I will try and give you Some of the highlights of some our activities over the last few weeks.
August 15th Swimathon
More than a dozen members turned out to provide safety cover for the Swimathon run from Castlegate Quay.
August 22nd Take to the Tees river festival.
16 members took part in the opening ceremony flotilla for the take to the Tees festival.
August 23rd Take to the Tees come and try session.
As part of the week long festival we were asked if we could run a come and try day to promote the sport and the club.
. 
First task was to get the equipment to the venue
The response was certainly more than we expected, over 120 people took part in the sessions with more having to be turned away, the coaches and assistants were on the water practically all day thanks to the bankstaff turn around and many of the people who had a go have since turned up at our club nights to try again.
So a massive thank you has to go to all those who turned up on the day and made it such a success. (too many to name but you know who you are).
August 30th Stockton & Middlebrough Triathlon
Stockton & Middlesborough Executive, Organisers of the Tees triathlon asked STCC to provide safety cover for the swim leg of this prestigious round of the national triathlon series and we did not dissapoint. 10 members turned out at 7am on a Sunday morning to help make the event another success.
September 12th/13th Sleningford camp weekend
Not as much water as we would have liked but great weather made this a popular event, many families stopped for the weekend with many more turning up each day to take part in the moving water training on the Saturday and 26 craft took to the water on the Sunday for the river trip.