Open Day 2018

Open Day 2018 – An unexpected success!

Despite that fact that this year’s Open Day plans were blown apart by the weather and hindered by red boards declaring it too dangerous to take beginners out on the water, members rallied and delivered one of the most successful events we have ever staged as volunteers secured 15 course bookings and took memberships on the day.

Adventure Dolphin, Open Day Organiser, Ed Edwards said: “The odds were against us. The weather forecast for the week predicted yet more rain and we were faced with the prospect of cancelling. Our marketing had attracted over 200 bookings (a first!) and while we didn’t want to lose those people’s support, we felt that it would be unfair to encourage them to come along, only to be disappointed.

“Discussions amongst the operations team (Seneschal) resulted in a compromise, so we emailed all visitors to inform them that we were unable to facilitate water-based activities, but that we still had plenty to see and do. Much to our delight 90 people joined us and a very productive and enjoyable day was had by all.

“So, I would like to thank all the volunteers who helped on the day and made our visitors feel so welcome. A range of activities including climbing, conversations about different boats, paddling machines, play boating and moving water skills demos, videos, books, backwoods fire lighting, use of Kelly kettles (with marshmallows and hot chocolate) were provided and our catering team did a brilliant job at keeping everyone going.”

Ed added: “There were lots of highlights on the day, but the way our volunteers interacted with visitors and the booking-in system really stood out, and the best picture goes to the children in the open canoe in the puddle just outside the building – it created the biggest smiles! Thank you to everyone involved.”

10/05/2018

PCC Update

River conditions impact on races

April report by: Vicky Metcalfe

Many of our members were involved in the Easter weekend Devizes to Westminster journey that we undertake each year, and many will know of the outcome of the weekend… the race being cancelled midmorning on Saturday, due to increasing flow on the Thames in particular, but as it turned out, also on the Kennet and Avon Canal! In the end the race was stopped at Dreadnought, Reading, just as the paddlers went onto the Thames.

Extremely challenging conditions, on ground and on water made this a test of great determination and along with others of the race fraternity we now wait to see how certain aspects will be dealt with in the future.

Meanwhile the Race Group has moved back onto the water for Tuesday evening training, and we are back on the river at Pangbourne on Saturdays having had several sessions on the canal due to high river levels. We have held a Come N Try session and we currently have eight on the ‘Intro to racing boats’ course.

Members are looking forward to the summer races, the first in region is at Basingstoke on May 20th, here’s hoping for good weather!

09/05/201810/05/2018

Lovely paddle through the Oxfordshire countryside into Oxford via the Rivers Ray, Cherwell and Thames

Adventure Dolphin’s paddling trip on Sunday 22^nd April from the tiny Oxfordshire village of Islip to Oxford saw our group of 14 negotiate three rivers, and see some of Oxford’s most famous sights.

We were a little unsure as to what the state of the river would be as there had been thunderstorms the previous night and the River Cherwell had been in flood the week before, but much to our surprise the River Ray, which was our starting point, was at a reasonable level.

After a muddy scramble down a bank we set off; just a kilometre on and we went over the weir which was pretty uneventful – in fact, we almost missed it as the water levels were the same on either side! Further on and we reached the confluence of the Ray and Cherwell and entered a fast-flowing stream which made for an easy and extremely pleasant journey.

This was, however, short lived as we soon came across our first obstruction and the cry ‘Send in the tree fellers’ was raised. Ian Flanders, Adrian and Sally Moon set about clearing a path through the branches. Adrian declared “the tree felling award goes to Ian who chose to tackle a bough of 20cm diameter with a pruning saw, a task made more difficult as the offending branch was underwater.”

The route took the group through the outskirts of North Oxford, paddling past Summertown, the home of Chief Inspector Morse, before stopping off at the ever-popular Victoria Arms – so popular all need to be warned that it can be extremely busy on a fine warm day.

Back on the water we paddled past Oxford colleges, Parsons’ Pleasure and the weir next to the punt rollers. We seemed to attract lots of interest from walkers and picnickers as we passed by. Perhaps it was the sight of a large group of paddlers or maybe it was the dog fishing for sticks from a canoe.

The route continued past the medieval walls of Magdalen College and Magdalen Bridge, and then on through the Botanic Gardens with the magnificent backdrop of college towers, church spires and Christchurch Meadow. Much amusement was had as the group played what Adrian described as “dodge the punter” as we tried to avoid the many punts being erratically steered.

We had almost made it when we found our way blocked by a maintenance barrier that meant that we had to portage from the Cherwell to the Thames. At this point one of our party decided that he really needed to find out what the water felt like. To put it another way one of our kayakers had an unexpected swim while climbing out by the high bank.

The final leg saw the need for us to avoid many college boats, whose rowers insist on going backwards, before we finally finished at the Riverside Centre at Donnington Bridge. It was a great paddle – we were luckier than expected with the weather and we had lots of opportunities to test our manoeuvring skills whilst chatting with friends.

Report by Ed Edwards Trip Leader with contributions from group members who were:

Ian Flanders and Ian Blatchley (additional river leaders), Adrian Moon, Sally Moon, Jane Edwards, Corinna Bailie, Alison Stephens, Ray Cook, Lizzy Feuillade, Sue Elwood, John Elwood Elaine Greaves, Colin Greaves and Tenzing.