You cannot have failed to notice the baking sunshine that we have had this summer. What a good time to paddle a boat! We’ve been at the lake, the beach and on the sea (well Poole Harbour). Including a variety of club paddles and peer paddles. A couple of local scout/guides groups have experienced the joys of paddling, sometimes is quite challenging winds, and most importantly, there was cake!
Poole Harbour gave us a chance to see one of the resident seals. What an amazing creature!
Thursday nights paddle and a chance to improve long boat technique. After a splash round the lake there was a confidence and balance improvement exercise. Well really an excuse to fall in!
The weather is getting better, and the water is warming up. What better time will there be to have a go at paddling?
The weather was lovely on Easter Saturday so we took the opportunity to work on the sun tan/burn. Great to see people back on the lake after the long dark winter. Here’s hoping for a warm summer.
The last few months have not been easy for paddling. There has been the knock on effects of COVID. The less reported bird flu which closed the lake. More storms and strong winds than were really necessary. Added to the cold dark weather and thoughts can turn to a warm fire and mug of hot choccy.
But now spring is officially here. Soon we’ll have lighter evenings and getting back to the water becomes a realistic target for those with more sense than to see how numb hands can get in winter.
The time is right to start thinking about getting out on real water again.
With the change from BST to GMT, the nights are darker earlier. This gives the opportunity to paddle in the dark, well really it makes the dark unavoidable! It is a good activity to improve your technique as you don’t have the distraction of the view. The stars appear and at this time of year there’s fireworks too.
Tuesday club night and it’s time to do silly things in boats.
After getting on the water, we had a game or two, the odd wet sponge was thrown about. The not really thought through throw wet sponges into my boat and I’ll paddle back in an uncomfortably wet seat game. The time shot by,
Finishing with some wet exits and an attempt to see how many can get onto a sea kayak. Turns out the trick is not so much how many can get on, but how many can stay on!
Sunday saw a club trip from Christchurch. Starting at Mayors Mead car park, or The Captains Club as it was listed on the invite. I wore my formal shoes just in case we visited, a gesture really appreciated by every one else.
A fun paddle for all ages, although the youngest was more keen on directing the splashing than actually helping Dad move the boat.
We went all the way to Iford weir, and found some opportunities to practice moving water skills. Then came back with the flow to the carpark.
Tuesday clubnight and a chance to try canoe sailing or catching a free ride! Traveling across the lake was concidered too easy if you didn’t have to paddle, so other ways of balancing in the boats were tried.
Disappointingly, no one fell in. Well done to the secret member who avoided all photographic evidence he was even there.
One sunny Wednesday*, we emptied the boat store to sweep the shed out, clean and service the fleet. They are all back inside now ready for use and in top condition!
If you fancy a trial session, we hold them on Tuesday nights from 6:30, let us know you’re coming, contact details here
*It was a sunny Wednasday because we cried off the pouring rain Monday
Sunday morning saw us at the lake putting some new kit away. It seemed to a shame not to get some of it wet.
Members brought along their kayaks and paddle boards, for a great swap a boat session. Another fun day at the lake!
