1. Sessions will run from 13th May 2013 every Monday except Bank Holiday Mondays until around the middle of September (although at high water levels sessions may be restricted to stronger or more experienced paddlers on safety grounds) and cars can be parked on the Cricket field via the gate by the riverside.

2. The Container is beside the Cricket Pavilion and will be open from 6.30pm until 6.50pm for the issue of boats etc. We will divide paddlers up into ability based groups at the Container around 6.45pm so come there if you want to be coached even if you bring your own boat. Hire of kit will cost £4 per session payable on the night.  There is no need to book but on busy nights all the boats may be taken quite quickly.

3. Coaching is free so if you have your own boat the evening costs nothing.

4. Non members can try 2 taster sessions but after that must join the Club to continue paddling with us.

5.  Non members who are under the age of 18 must have a parent or carer in attendance to sign a Consent Form before they can paddle.

6. Warm/windproof clothing is necessary in the early and late parts of the season and cotton t-shirts  are NOT recommended except in the warmest weather and denim jeans are not recommended at all.  Shoes must be worn when paddling to protect against broken bottles etc if you swim and wade out.  An old pair of trainers or plimsolls which you are happy to get wet is fine.  The Club has a quantity of clothing/footwear in the container.

7. Sessions will wind up shortly before it gets dark.  If you use club kit it is your responsibility to get it back to the container and to help put it back inside.

8. LEPTOSPIROSIS.   All watercourses and lakes carry the risk of waterborne infections.  The Severn is a generally clean river and we are happy to teach capsize drills etc in these sessions but a few points should be be noted:
Cover any open cuts with water-proof plasters before going on the water.
(First Aid kit in the container)
If you capsize try to avoid ingesting water
After paddling, shower off in the pavilion or when you get home
(showers available in the pavilion except when the Cricketers are using it)

If you develop flu like symptoms within 10-14 days after paddling you may have picked up a water borne infection called Leptospirosos.  This is a rare event but nationally a few paddlers do catch it each year.  If you think you may have caught the infection do not delay; go straight to your GP and say that you are a paddler and that you want a bloodtest for Leptospirosis and immediate antibiotics whilst the results of the bloodtests are awaited.  Untreated Leptospirosis can develop into Weils Disease which is even rarer but is a life threatening condition if untreated.

Brian is organising a club get together. The peer group paddle will run from Llangollen to Chirk along the canal (which is fairly easy going as it is one of those rare canals that has a flow on it). It will be cold so make sure that you bring appropriate kit

Kit:

• Warm clothes (both for paddling in and for getting changed into after)
• Throwline, First Aid Kit
• PFD (Buoyancy Aid)
• Hot drink, food etc
• Headtorch for paddling through the tunnel.

If you need any kit from the container then please contact Brian Wenlock (via the email).

We will be meeting at the Morton Garden Centre near St. Martins, which is just off the A5 on the way to Chirk.

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