Big Club Trip 2011 - 8-9 October 2011

Lars, Helen and Big Phil headed out for some surf on the Sunday

“	Disappointingly the sea was quite rough with a strong onshore wind and it was hard work keeping the boats pointing the right way, and the surf out of your hair, when heading into the waves. Swells were coming at us diagonally from two sides which made for an extra challenge riding them in, as there was always the likelihood of a sideways swipe dumping you into the froth. At least the water is still relatively warm at this time of year so you don't end up with any icecream headaches like those experienced by the whitewater types. Good training for dealing with unstable moving water. The conditions were really best suited to kite surfing and indeed there was a one speeding quite happily across the tops of the breakers. We lasted about 1.5hours before calling it a day and replenishing our strength at the Abersoch Cafe which does a pretty wicked hot chocolate	”
—Lars

With so many keen intermediate paddlers, we had two 'White Water Beginners' groups on the weekend. Esther, Andy and Owen tell about their experiences in those groups

“	The beginners group was split in two, with both groups being taught on the Dee. We practiced all the basics, breaking in and out, ferrygliding, and shot some rapids. Expert advice and guidance was provided throughout, both to the group and to individuals. The atmosphere was positive and supportive, there was no peer pressure to do stuff you didn’t want to do; a very professionally led weekend, thank you to all of the coaches. Highlights: 100+ ft hillside slide Getting on the water Saturday morning Neasan parking his boat vertically upwards against a rock in the middle of rapids The smell of wild mint on the banks Tom falling in while getting out of his boat after having just successfully run the serpents tail Downlights: Not having camera to hand when Neasan parks boat vertically Capsizing on possibly the flattest water in the Dee valley Getting off the water for the last time on Sunday	”
—Andy

“	Too much capsizing on the Saturday despite the best efforts of the coaches PLF advice. Wonderful coaching and complete group support throughout the day and topped off with Shepherd's pie and port! (thanks Owen). Great time practising the basis of support strokes, hopping in and out of eddies (didn't always catch him quite right though), ferry gliding - the hardest part of the wkd for many of us. Followed up by a Sunday of a wee bit more practising and a 3rd and 4th attempt at the head banger rapid followed by some small weir 'jumps' and finishing up just below paddleworks in time for tea! What I'll remember: capsizing while ducking a tree branch at dead slow drift speed watching the cool kids paddle serpents tail at full pelt	”
—Esther

“	Great trip - thanks to one and all. I was with Beginner's B. Especially Ian, and Matt, Tom, Emily, Lars, Mark and Jono for Coaching and Guiding. Hope I've not forgotten anyone. Highlights: Carrot Cake and Ice Cream Getting away with dropping my paddle twice on white water, once on the bank Watching Neasan mount the giant rock like a randy labrador on a leg BTW Thanks to you Esther for the Tobermory stylee whisky - Port Out Starboard Home. Lowlights: Not really much at all Could be the stench of booze in the lounge in the morning And realising I haven't bothered to learn how my camera works, and generally getting lots or rubbishy photos	”
—Owen

Ian invested a lot of time organising the trip, without him its likely we wouldn't have had one, we certainly wouldn't have has as much fun. His memories of the trip should be a warning and invite to those who want the fun or organising it in 2012

“	300 e-mails. 200 forum posts. 100 forum messages. Two dozen phone calls. Chivvying. Muttering. Worrying. Ninja spreadsheet. Loading. Driving. Arriving. Welsh beer. Foreign beer. Socks. Snoring. Eating. Planning. Milling. Driving. Paddling! Eddying. Driving. Jalfrezi. Baby! Onesie. Welsh beer. English beer. Snoring. Eating. Driving. Not driving. Phoning. Paddling! Clambering. Leaving. Driving. Unloading. Returning. Sleeping. Awesome to have such a mix of paddlers (and a baby) gathered together. Amazing to have so many new paddlers away for a weekend of paddling. Trouble to organise? Sure. Heaps of fun? Absolutely. Worth it? Oh yes. Matt - remember your promise.	”