CSCanoe
General Category => Trip Reports => Topic started by: dan jones on June 21, 2014, 09:40:44 PM
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Rob arranged a safety and rescue course for those of us who take charge on Thames sessions and club trips. Fi, Mark S., Eleanor, Gavin, Tom P., Dan and Rob attended the course which was led by the ever enthusiastic Giles Brunning from the Southmere Boating Centre in Thamesmead.
Our start was delayed by problems which some experienced in finding the Centre. Getting on a bus from the railway station is a bad idea, because if you miss your stop it is really hard to get back in the opposite direction. It is better to walk and take in the sights (traveller's horses and park homes, 1960's flats etc.)
The safety aspect of the course took place in a chilly classroom and we were itching to get out there and practice our rescues in the lake in the sunshine. Eventually did so and, having narrowly avoided being pelted with hard fruit by some bored and ill-disciplined local children, we took to the water. Giles' coaching on emptying heavy water-logged boats was particularly useful. We also practised throwing lines, towing, eskimo rescues, the 'hand of god' etc. it was a long day, but for a serious sounding course it is a lot of fun, as the photos show.
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Here's a youtube instruction video for the "hand of god" rescue, for the curious.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goqjoNu2aek
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Dan's Photo's here (http://www.civilservicecanoeclub.org.uk/csccgallery/thumbnails.php?album=44)