2024 Open Day

Spring is coming and with it comes the DUCKS open day. More details to follow, updates here and on our facebook pages.

Date 14 April 2024

Times to be confirmed, but you do not need to set the whole day aside. Come along for a 10 min chat or longer and have a paddle.

The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow could be in a kayak!

Longham lake rainbow

The clocks are changing

Yes its that time of year. The nights are drawing in and the air is getting colder. Paddling in the dark is something you should try, however, experience suggests that the number of members who want to paddle in the cold and dark is less than the number that like the sun. As the clocks change we will be dropping the regular club paddles to Thursdays and some Tuesdays. Details will be on the facebook page and the calendar page here under members area.

There are the club pool sessions, details in the same places. And we will organise some paddles at weekends, so keep a look out here and members facebook.

The Open Day draws near!

Sunday 16th is nearly here, it’s open day time!

The weather looks like about 13 degrees and light winds with little sign of rain. What could be better?

Bear in mind that there is always a chance to get damp, and wet people cool down quickly, so dress appropriately.

There is advice on what to wear on our website. https://duckscanoeclub.com/faq/

Meet in the obvious building, for registration and refreshments.

And detailed location maps https://duckscanoeclub.com/location-and-contact/

Look forward to seeing you.

DUCKS logo

All the fun of a meeting!

It’s fair to say that being a paddlesport club, we approach the AGM with less than keen enthusiasm. The phrase “I’d rather be kayaking” applies. There is some incredibly good news however. You missed the AGM, so now it’s time to paddle.

The highlights of the meeting were.
We have an Open day coming. More details to follow, but if you want to try paddling, keep 16 Apr free.
We are reducing the equipment hire charges, so paddling this year is cheaper than last year.

The DUCKS logo is back.

DUCKS logo
DUCKS logo

Its swimming pool time again

As the winter nights hit, we try to find time to visit a local pool. Its a good time to practice those wet exits. If you are a non-paddler, that’s the user friendly way to say falling in. It doesn’t feel natural to sit in a boat and roll over, practice is the key. Convincing your brain that you are in control and can escape takes an attempt or two.

What about the rescuers? Well they get a chance to sharpen their skills. Emptying an overturned boat and helping the swimmer get back in. This is done while sat in their own boat. These skills need to be used to keep them ready for the outside world.

For the more adventurous, we have ways to get the overturned boat upright without the paddler getting out. Assisted and self rescues, both ideal to learn/perfect in the pool.

Thanks to Darrell for the photos

Practice rescue in pool

Summer paddling fun

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!

Balance on a sea kayak

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?