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northern uk spec boaters?

Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 9:31 pm
by brockers
hi
was looking for a uk spec boat meet up. anyone interested? samdie? chris? kelvin?

brockers.

Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 10:05 am
by wetnobby
Anytime,
I am out Sat & Sundays almost every week, Sandie nearly always does at least one day every weekend. We were even out last night, we just caught the last of the water on the Gam....It was dark when we got off the river!
We both went out with Ian Duffy in his new Zepher on Sunday, did the upper Conwy....It was off the gauge and huge!

Weekend in the UK

Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 8:18 pm
by NZMatt
Hiya Brockers,
If you can put a weekend together and find me a boat of some form (C1 or OC1), then we'll see if we can fly across and join you guys. I've been wanting an excuse to paddle in the UK :) Late in the year is a bit of a dead time around here, so we could probably swing a weekend.
When were you thinking?
Cheers,
Matt

PS. What do you mean by Spec boat?

Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 9:27 pm
by Kelvin
Ey up!
I think we could've started something here mate, even the Swiss are interesred! I think Scotland would be a good venue, plenty to go at in all water levels. It would be a long way from Switzerland to scrape down the Lune! In the meantime I think it would be good to sort out a Trywerny or Washburn pretty soon, I just hope my mountain bike sells on e-bay this week so I can get a Zoom!!!!!! Alps trip is also a must, maybe NZMatt is sorting another Armada?
Stay with the Darkside my friends,
We will all meet soon.......

How about the Andy Jackson weekend

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 9:19 am
by bathtuboy
Any one fancy going to Scotland for the Andy Jackson memorial weekend? It would mean sharing the rviers with Kayaks though. It's on the 22/23 Sept, details here [/url]http://www.wetwestpaddlefest.co.uk/[url]

There are releases organised on the Moriston (sat) and Garry (sun). There will also be alternatives for those that don't fancy the Moriston.[/url]

Spec boats?

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 9:26 am
by bathtuboy
For some reason some people here in the UK call small whitewater OC's Spec boats. Makes no sense to me.

Jon

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 11:38 am
by wetnobby
Hi Matt,
If you want to come over great, I can find you a boat. I will take a look at the weekend being suggested for Scotland. However with a bit of notice any other time is good for Wales or other places.
I was thinking of Slovenia 1st week in Oct?

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 12:37 pm
by wetnobby
The term "Spec boats" comes from,
"Specialist Open Canoe" a term used over here to differentiate white water boats from other types of open canoes.
This became necessary for the UK canoe sports governing body (BCU) who have coaching and personal achievment awards. Whilst all disciplines are related as we have quite high number of "Trad boaters"or traditional open canoe paddlers. These guys really dont want to know what boofing and rolling is let alone try it!!!!

Sept 22-23

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 6:55 pm
by NZMatt
...might work. I'll check with Jo and see..and Scotland is a good idea. I just found that a very good friend who I lost touch with is currently in Aberdeen...

How hard are these puppies....be goiod to catch something harder and something easier for Jo.

As to the next Swiss Armada....same weekend next year :) It's in works. I just have to decide if we stick with the Simme or look for another venue. Thoughts?

Chris - I haven't got the vacation time to take another week in Oct. I'm in NZ the month of August and was a week on the Soca in early June. Othewise I'd be there. The Soca rocked. I'm sure the other rivers are equally good. I'm thinking about going back again next year. I took the fink course and it was really good! He can teach in English too :)

Cheers,
Matt

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 7:35 pm
by wetnobby
Hi Matt
Next years Armada......The Simme is a good base, the club house etc are great, I would say its a great place to start. Everyone really enjoyed it and were a great bunch of people...
The Sanna was a beautiful river and a superb day out, I think all that did it rated it as the favorite.
So unless there are any great alternatives?.....
Chris

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 10:36 pm
by Kelvin
It's a whitewater canoe folks, we're the special ones!

Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 8:14 pm
by Sandie_
I am unlikely to be able to get any time off for paddling till January. its weekends only now for me. My hols got a bit screwed this year. And this year was supposed to be the big one as im 40 in :-( november.

Sadly Trying to get to scotland and back over a short weekend just isnt worth the travelling.


I'm told I am in switzerland in October but sadly there will be no boating.

I hope u guys have a great trip though


sandie

Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 11:30 pm
by Kelvin
No worries Sandie,
We'll sort a few trips to Wales pretty soon! Also, try to talk Wendy into converting one of her many kayaks into a C1, I think she still has a Siren kicking around!

Visit to Scotland

Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 4:35 pm
by NZMatt
Hey, would later in the year still have water? September is starting to look pretty busy since I'm in NZ all August

Cheers,
Matt

Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 8:31 pm
by brockers
flip, i go away for a week and look what happens..
the andy jackson mamorial meet would be great! i did that last year.... awesome time.

the washburn this sunday would be good too. and a weekend or a sunday on the tryweryn also

brockers