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Family friendly group
As many of you know I am a cub leader (19th Exeter Sea Scouts) and particularly focused on the 8 -14year old age group re encouraging them to try new activities such as Kayaking. My son is also now 8. I am keen to start a group for parents/carers and kids in this age group to help them get into paddling. My son is usually getting ready for bed at 6pm so evening sessions aren't really suitable. If any one is interested in joining us for a weekend session I want to do a few sessions before it gets to cold and then start again in the spring.
First session would be Sunday Sept 4th 10:00 -11:00 or longer if they are enjoying themselves and it is not too cold! Post here if that is something you might be interested in :-)
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Hi
I would be interested in doing that with my two kids who are 8 and 10 years old. I'm also thinking of taking them out on the Exe canal tomorrow morning starting at the club at say 930 if anyone else with kids wants to join,
All the best
David
great! unfortunately I am off to Scotland for a week. Good to get the ball rolling though!
That's great! Same age as my son then :-). As I understand it any non members (even if they are your kids) need to fill out the try out session form and then if you decide this is the thing for them i.e. you want to keep coming along regularly they need to sign up as members. Happy to be corrected! I'll link to the form
https://www.exetercanoeclub.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Visitors-Form-2021.pdf
found in the visitors section of the club webpage https://www.exetercanoeclub.org.uk/visitors/
please complete and e-mail to the secretary.
Hi Shelley, thanks and I’ll get the form written up. Is it okay if I start with my two at 9.30am and finish at 10.45am since we have to go to Bristol for a family get together later on. We can at least meet up by 10am and do some basic learning. My two are called Seb and Daisy and they are very new to paddling. Thanks.
Hi Jason that's fine. I'll try get there a bit earlier if possible.
Also, update from those who are better informed than me: Participants who are club members are covered by the club's insurance. For people including youngsters who are not yet club members, the first 3 sessions can be taster sessions. After that we would expect the youngsters to become members. The U13 rate is £45pa, but there is a pro rata rate for £20 for 6 months until 31.3.23.
https://webcollect.org.uk/exetercc/subscription
Please can visitors forms be completed for the taster sessions.
https://www.exetercanoeclub.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Visitors-Form-2021.pdf
so I had it nearly all correct!
the weather is not looking too great for tomorrow. It looks like it might be force 4/i.e. 13mph if so that's not beginner session weather! I'll pop down and double check the weather around 09:30 and maybe do some on shore stuff with my son for example it would be good to see if he fits any boats! If anyone else is there it would be nice to say hello.
Hi, yes we’ll be there at 9.30am but maybe just to chat and check out boats.
Thank you Jason and especially David for your help making this first session a success. Just for anyone else that was interested a quick summary:
We met at 10am (sorry that seems to be the earliest I can get there with my son!) We had a really informative session at the start working out which buoyancy aids, paddles and boats are good for the children. We didn't use spray decks or helmets for this first session and stayed in the area just outside the club towards the AS watersports end.
We taught the kids how to get into the boat how to hold the paddle, how to move forwards, turn and go back wards. We played tag and catch and a little bit of posture with rubber ducks on our heads :-)
We had accidental capsize which I think my child quite enjoyed and rescued him with no dramas. We also had a few deliberate capsizes to practice rolls and t rescues for the adults/parents which was good demos for the kids.
Finally we had a bit of jumping in at the end to build water confidence.
The whole session on the water was 10:00-11;45 including packing away, however next time I am putting more money on the car parking as we could have done a bit longer.
looking forward to next session I'd like to work on capsize drill as they seemed keen to get wet at the end so best to do it usefully. I'll also try a few more games /drills that include go backwards as that was quite tricky for them and if weather permits a quick trip to the bridge and back. I am contemplating Sunday 18th for this 10am start again will post separate thread for sign up.
Hi Tamsin - I agree it would be good to have a few older kids as well. Did you know they can do their paddle sport instructor qualification at 14? I am happy to help them get experience towards that, e.g. teaching them training activities etc. but I am not qualified to teach the course. Also, can you see the new thread? If yes please post on there as when I have 6 kids I will mark the group as full as atm that is the maximum I can take. Also, please be aware I will cancel the session if there is no interest.
Jason
The thread is here:
https://www.exetercanoe.co.uk/discussion/1965/family-friendly-sessions-sundays-11th-18th-sep-and-2nd-oct-aimed-at-8-14-yolds
thanks Jane! Jasonr I have signed you up on there but please can I have the kids first names or intitials to avoid confusion re who is coming? Also do you mean the 18th rather than 28th? I am doing the next session on the 18th.