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Training
At Ribble canoe club the emphasis on coaching is to give members the confidence and ability to enjoy the many recreational trips and camps that take place during the year. We hold introductory sessions each month to introduce complete newcomers to the sport. We run the BCU 1 star course during the months of May and June for people who want an intensive 8 week course in basic flatwater paddle skills. We use Fulwood leisure centre pool for a variety of courses and paddling sessions for 10 months of the year. Each month BCU qualified coaches run club trips to suit beginners & improvers on a variety of flatwater, sea or rivers. Workshops covering a variety of associated skills often take place either on normal Tuesday night meetings or on specific coaching trips. It could be anything from how to pack a sea kayak, to basic knots and ropework.
Introductory Sessions; For newcomers to the sport, these usually take the form of one pool session, during a paddleskills session, and an outdoor session on the canal. The canal sessions are usually on the first Tuesday evening during the months of April to October and Saturday mornings from November to March, but this can be flexible depending on the group and the coach running the session. There is a maximum of 8 people per session and prior booking is essential.
BCU 1 star course. Coaching will take the form of an 8 week course in May and June, The course is mainly based at the Hand & Dagger with the outdoor sessions taking place on the Lancaster canal, additional pool sessions and at least 1 trip, usually to lake Coniston would be included. Assessment will take place partly on the Coniston trip and also on the final Tuesday night. Fees in 2011 were £40 for adult and £30 for junior club members, plus normal pool hire and BCU certificate fees.
Club Membership is required to enrol in the 1 star courses and membership fees, in 2011, are £20 for an adult plus £4 for additional family members, or £10 for a single junior member.
Paddle skills Pool Sessions these sessions take place on the 2nd Friday of each month (except July and August) at Fulwood leisure centre, Preston. Club coaches attend these sessions to assist any club members who feel any aspect of their paddling requires a bit of attention. These sessions are also used for introducing newcomers to the sport. Taster sessions are also available at these evenings for prospective club members. Pre booking is essential for these sessions to prevent overcrowding. Normal pool fees apply to these sessions, currently £4 per person.
What next after the 1 star course; Novice paddlers are welcome on many of the clubs recreational trips or to develop your skills why not go along on one of the clubs coaching trips. These may take place on either sea, flat or moving water.
Beginners trips These coach led trips usually take place on the third weekend of the month and are aimed at paddlers who have completed the 1 star course or, as a minimum standard, they are capable of paddling 4km on the canal. After a number of these trips the paddler should be at or around 2 star standard and will have the confidence and ability to move onto the development trips.
Development trips These coach led trips usually take place on the first weekend of the month and are aimed at paddlers who are confident, regular paddlers who are at or above 2 star standard. On these trips the paddlers will gain the skills and experience reqd to progress their skills towards the 3 star standard.
BCU 2 & 3 star assessments can be arranged if a number of club members are interested in the awards. Further information & course bookings Come along to the Hand & Dagger on a Tuesday evening and talk to Allan Hacking or see the club forum for more information and details of how to book on the courses. Please remember we have a selection of boats available to club members for use on the courses and trips but you must book them out with the quartermaster beforehand if they are to be taken on trips away from the Hand & Dagger.