Since I last wrote to you, the Club has engaged in a fair bit of paddling. Our marathon paddlers are building a growing number of members training on Tuesday and Wednesday nights (depending on weather) as well as competing in several races. They have also rebooked the gym at All Board in the Baltic Wharf and will be offering a gym session using two Kayak Pro kayaking ergos and additional Concept II rowing ergos. Please contact racing-enquiries@bristolcanoeclub.org.uk at for more details. I am also pleased to report we now have two canoe polo teams competing in the Southwest Regional League, in Div 2 and Div 5. Lastly, with all the rain this winter there has been many river trips including a highly successful trip to the Lake District Peninsula where 16 members enjoyed the Lune, Kent and Leven in good flow. More details of the trips are on our website at: https://www.bristolcanoeclub.org.uk/
Work to expand our boat storage facilities continues. Dave Brain and Colin Chudley have done a fantastic job improving the Cage at the Baltic Wharf and have now extended their scope to the Pool Store. We now have additional racking at the pool, a safer floor and partitions to allow more boats to be stored. Again, many thanks to Dave and Colin.
Many of you will know the polo group has had an ISO container close to their outdoor pitch below the Cumberland Basin Swing Bridge. The Harbour Authority is now charging us an annual licence to store the container, so we are applying our boat storage charge to polo players wanting to store their polo boats and to other members wanting to store a boat. The cost will be the usual £75 per annum; this applies until membership renewal in 2025 and allows storage of personal polo boats in both the ISO during the summer months and at the pool during the winter.
Conor has received costs for the pool next year; these are rising yet again. The pool is a valuable club resource and I would encourage you all to make use of it, both to improve skills, rolling technique, try out new boats or just have some fun in a warm environment. PS. The last pool session is on March 27th, after which we will recommence outdoors at the Baltic Wharf for the summer.
The Club also wants to encourage club members to improve their leadership and coaching skills and has updated its policy on members receiving club support. Please contact coaching@bristolcanoeclub.org.uk if you want more information.
Lastly, the committee is looking into acquiring some racing shirts, rash vests and clothing attire with the Bristol Canoe Club logo on them, which will be available for sale to members. So, make some room in your wardrobe!
As ever, if you have any suggestions on how to improve the Club, I really look forward to hearing from you.
Mark Gillett – Chair, Bristol Canoe Club