Events!

Intro to whitewater

The third Intro to White Water will be taking place on the 1st November :) !!! 

If you would like to give it a go we are running a couple of super chilled out intro day trips so you can get a taste of what it's like and begin to develop the key skills needed to become a whitewater paddler. 

Likewise this is also a fantastic opportunity to brush up on some skills if you started whitewater last year!

Meet at the boathouse at 9am and we hope to be back at 4pm. The expected cost will be between £5 and £10 to cover the cost of fuel. Further information on trip finances can be found in the WhatsApp community.

This trip is strictly only open to those who:

- Can confidently paddle on flat water (i.e. straight line and turning)

- Are comfortable wearing a spray deck AND has performed a capsize drill that was witnessed by a DUCC leader.

Capsize tests can be done during a pool session (warm) or at the end of a Wednesday session (less warm). This includes people who have paddled before university. Any questions please send me (Devon) a message. Do NOT sign up to this trip until you have completed one.

If you cannot paddle confidently on flat water, it will not be appropriate - or fun (lots of upside down time) - for you to come on this trip. However there will more intros and trip in later terms so in the meantime hone your skills by going along to the Wednesday session. 

We will provide wetsuits, cags, and kayaking equipment but you must bring:

- Warm layers* (thermals and fleeces- NOT jeans)

- Shoes you don’t mind getting wet and muddy (old trainers are ideal- NO CROCS OR SLIDERS)

- Packed lunch

- Water bottle

- Change of clothes (including hat gloves etc)

- Towel to change with

- Waterproof jacket

- Any personal medication you may need, e.g. inhaler (please let me (Devon) know if this is the case and I will ensure we have a drybag to keep it dry)

Also please make sure you have eaten a good breakfast before you arrive at the boat house on Saturday. Points for anyone who has an entire rotisserie chicken. 

Any questions or concerns please do message me, or any other exec members!

Hope to see you there!

Devon - Trip Officer

If you have not already attended an intro or signed up to Tyne Tour and do not get a place on this intro, please send a member of the exec a message as we may give you priority for this intro. Likewise if you sign up and have either already been on an intro or have signed up to Tyne Tour, your place is not confirmed as we want to ensure everyone gets the opportunity to try white water this year. Please do still sign up as we will give priority to those signed up first for keeping their place, if most people have already done/doing an intro.

Canoe Polo

This session is open to those interested in trying out canoe polo. Whether you have played before or never heard of the sport, feel free to come and give it a go! (It's really fun)

Start time: 11am

All paddling kit is provided. Please make sure you bring sufficient clothing to wear on the river (you may get wet, so bear this in mind!). We suggest non-cotton thermal base layers and fleeces. Make sure you also bring a towel and warm dry clothes to change into afterwards. We'll aim to be off the water by 1.

If you have any questions, please drop a message on the group chat or message a member of our exec. See you there!

Sunday Paddle to the Pub

We will paddle to the pub, have a chat, and paddle back. Meet at the boathouse 15:00. Bring a means of payment and id if you're alcoholically inclined. 

It is chilly, please bring a warm jacket. 

Tyne Tour

Our first residential trip this year is Tyne Tour! 

A brilliant weekend packed full of whitewater carnage and ceilidh's with universities from across the country, held on the North Tyne in Hexham!

This is a super chill introduction to residential trips with DUCC and is open to anyone who can paddle confidently on flat water, and completed a deck test! (i.e the same requirements for going on an intro to whitewater). Deck test can be done during pool sessions (nice and warm), or at the end of a Wednesday session (less warm). 

Here's the rough itinery: 
Friday: drive up in evening, spoons for dinner, bed.

Saturday: DUCC dawn chorus wakeup (iykyk). Paddle north Tyne, off the water mid afternoon to be greeted with a cup of homemade soup. Watch the Hexham fireworks, then to a Ceilidh with the other unis (by far the highlight of the trip!!) before consuming adult beverages in spoons and heading back to the tents (or succumbing to phoenix’s temptations…)

Sunday: Fight hangovers and find a more interesting paddle for the day (water dependent but likely high force - low force) before returning home to brace for our Monday 9ams.

Food: The two evening meals are normally had at the MacDonalds in Hexham, or at the Wetherspoons, but is chosen and paid for by yourselves on the day. Breakfast and lunch will be a selection of lidl pastries, cereal, and self-made sandwiches, which is supplied by yours truly. I will try and keep costs for this as low as possible, the final amount you owe is added to your website debt at the end of the trip.

Accomodation: We camp on Hexham green for the duration of the weekend. Tents and sleeping bags can be provided, but are in limited supply so if you have your own kit please do use it! If you have not camped before that’s completely fine, just please message an exec member and we can ensure you have appropriate equipment.

Cost: The ticket for the event costs £35 (required as a deposit to secure your place) and with fuel and food on top, it should be roughly £50, which is really good value for a weekend away!!

I think that is all there is to tell you, more details will be released once signups close. However if you have any questions please ask in the general group chat or message me (Devon).

Hope to see you there!!
Devon - Trip Officer. 

Extra Spaces for Tyne Tour

An additional 8 spaces for Tyne Tour. Sign-ups open 18:00 Friday 23rd Oct. 

Climbing social

Chill sober social going climbing at the local centre. 

BUCS Whitewater Race

BUCS Whitewater Race. 

14th-15th November, team selected by Maddie.

Interested in competing next year? Speak to a member of the exec when the weather is warmer and we can get you out in one of the boats we race in (subject to ability levels).

The Wine and Cheese Social

CHEESE!!! Everyone will bring their own cheese (bad cheese may be refused entry) and together we will make an epic cheese board. We will then attempt to consume all of said cheese, along with some chill games. Not an evening to miss.