Gay Outdoor Club:
Canoeing Events 2008
Canoeing has an enthusiastic and growing following. There
were over 40 of us on the Severn - enough to hire a bus to
take us to and from the launch and take-out points. There
were 16 of us on our Hungarian trip canoeing the River Tisza,
and 21 made it to Montenegro (and back). Photos of recent
events can be seen by logging on http://photos.yahoo.com/goccanoe
or http://goccanoe.multiply.com
which includes a blog. Further details from Rob, unless otherwise
indicated, at goccanoe@yahoo.com
In 2007, our overseas event was rafting the Soca River in
the Slovenian Julian Alps. We had a great time; see Canoeing
Events Report.
Rob
only arranges two events a year - one in this country and
one abroad. Other people are encouraged to arrange more. In
practice, this rarely seems to happen. Rob will however put
people in contact with others who want to arrange ad-hoc trips.
Rafting
the Colorado River 2008
Sunday
25 - Tuesday 27 May. 3-day Green River (Gates of Ladore)
trip
Thursday 29 May - Sunday 1 June. 4-day Colorado River
(Cataract Canyon) trip
Taking
advantage of the strength of the pound against the dollar
- next year's overseas rafting/canoeing trip is going to be
in the USA. If
interested, it is important that you contact me now.
The
main event for this rafting trip will be down the Colorado
River through Canyonlands National Park, Utah. We shall be
going through Cataract Canyon second only to the Grand Canyon
as a whitewater ride. http://www.hatchriver.com/rafting-colorado-river.html
.
We
shall be doing this in late May /early June when the water
is at its most exciting level. To do this safely, we will
be in large stable motorised inflatable rafts. Even so, it
is possible that people could be thrown out of the raft, so
it is important that people are aware of this and are confident
that they are fit enough to ride out the rapids until they
are retrieved from the water. The river includes some Class
V falls; these can capsize rafts (although this rarely happens
on commercial trips). You will be provided with full safety
equipment - flotation jackets, safety helmets etc - even so,
as always you must understand that you undertake the trip
at your own risk and should be appropriately insured. The
trip will last for 4 days after which we will fly back to
our start point at Moab (Utah) and probably spend some time
hiking in the Canyonlands National Park.
Because it is a long way to fly to the States for just 4 days
rafting I have arranged an add-on for those who want to make
two weeks of it: that during the previous week, we first go
to Dinosaur National Park, Vernal, Utah. There we would do
a 3 day rafting trip on the Green River http://www.hatchriver.com/rafting-green-river.html.
The river cuts through mountains of the Wild West Badlands,
creating the stunning scenery of the Gates of Ladore and Echo
Valley. On this trip we would be using paddled rafts and would
be able to try out inflatable canoes on the rapids for even
more of a thrill. So far everybody has taken up this option,
and Hatch River Rafting have offered to help with the logistics
of linking up the two trips for the group.
Prices
These
are approximated assuming a dollar/ pound exchange rate of
2.
4
days Cataract Canyon rafting about £500 (includes flight
back to Moab),
If
you want to add on the Green River (3 days), this would be
about another £350
Prices
given assume you will bring your own tent and sleeping bag
etc. Though these can also be hired for an extra charge.
Prices
include sales tax sales tax (7%). and my 5% arrangement fee.
Prices
are for the trips only (food included). Additional costs
You
would arrange your own flights - Salt Lake City is the best
airport; flights seem to be about £400 -£500 return.
Though you might want to make the trip open jawed and say
fly back or on from San Francisco or New York or something.
These open jawed flights are more expensive.
When
you arrive and leave before and after the trips depends on
you as long as you are at the start one day before. We will
probably arrange to do a few extra trips/ hikes as a group.
We might want to spend some time in Salt Lake City. This seems
to have a gay scene in spite of being originally a Mormon
city.
Motel
rooms for before and after trips (2 sharing) seem to be about
£20-£25 per person per night (probably more expensive
in Salt Lake City). I can arrange this if you want. We might
also camp in Canyonland National Park which would be cheaper.
Additional
Transport Costs: Rafting prices assume that you can get to
Moab (or Vernal) under your own steam to arrive the previous
day to the trip. Distances are large between Salt Lake City,
Vernal and Moab. There is a flight from Salt Lake City to
Moab about £50. There are also some Greyhound bus services
between Vernal and Salt Lake City. If the group is large enough
we should be able to arrange a car and a driver to take us
to our destinations.
If you are interested in going contact me now for more information
and to discuss possibilities. goccanoe@yahoo.com
Let
me know in particular whether you are interested only to do
the Cataract Canyon/ Canyonlands rafting or also want to add
on the Green River/ Dinosaur National Park trip.
I
am looking to get at least 4 more people. With more than 10
people so that we are treated as a group booking. If interested
it is important that you contact me NOW!!!!!
I
already have definite commitments and deposits from 6 people,
so I have confirmed that both rafting trips - the Colorado
and Green River trips, will go ahead.
Wednesday
3 - Monday 7 September. Canoeing on the Tweed combined
with sea-kayaking around the Holy Islands - following the
same successful format adopted in Cornwall in 2007.
You have a choice between -
Fri 5 - Sun 7 September
Canoeing down the Tweed in two person Canadian Canoes between
Kelso and Norham (about 30 miles over two days)
or
Wed 3 - Sun 7 September
Sea-kayaking on the coast (initially training then hopefully
out to the Farne Islands and/or around Holy island if the
weather is favourable)
Both events are suitable for complete novices. However in
order to do the sea kayaking it will be necessary to turn
up earlier in order do two half days training prior to the
event. (Note because sea kayaking position is difficult to
maintain for long periods by novices half days are much preferable
to whole days. Consequently the sea kayaking event will be
spread over four days rather than two. Consequently those
doing the sea-kayaking will need to turn up on the Wednesday
evening rather than the Friday evening when the Canadian Canoeists
should arrive.
Asked if he would be happy for people bringing their own sea
kayaks or canoes to join him, Ollie said he "would have
no problem in people with their own gear coming along so long
as their gear is up to the job i.e. correct safety equipment
and suitable for purpose and that I would have the final decision
on this. I am sure you appreciate my industry is heavily regulated
and my insurance in not cheap."
Logistics mean that the Canoeists and sea-kayaker will be
based on different campsites 30 miles apart but the plan is
for us all to meet up in the evenings so with over twenty
of us it should be a reasonable social event.
The Canadian Canoeing event will be based at a campsite at
Hirshall Homestead at Coldstream on the Tweed on the Scottish
side of the Border. This seems to be a fairly basic campsite
with a washroom but no showers - on the other hand, at a cost
of £2 per night per person, can we complain. In any
case, this is the only campsite I can find where we could
draw out the canoes at the end of the first days canoeing.
The sea-kayaking will be based at the Warren Camping and Caravan
Site near Bamburgh. Next to Bamburgh Castle with views out
to the Farne Islands. This is a better campsite but will cost
£7.50 per night per person.
No doubt you could find bed and breakfast in the area of the
campsites if you did not want to camp.
Costs
The Canadian Canoeing, (assuming all 10 places are taken),
will cost £55 per person for the two days - this includes
accompaniment by an instructor delivery and collection of
the canoes at the start and finish.
Plus - The two nights on the campsite at Coldstream (Friday
5 Sat 6 Sept) at £2 per night: total £4
The sea-kayaking (assuming all 12 places are taken) will cost
£80 per person for the four half days canoeing (2 half
days training and two half days touring).
Plus - The four nights on the campsite at Bamburgh (Wed 3
Thu 4 Fri 5 Sat 6 Sept) at £7.50 per night: total £30.
As you can see, places are limited so you should book quickly.
Although it's a long drive for many GOC members, particularly
those in the South of England, I expect places for the canoeing
on the Tweed in particular will all be taken. Although the
sea-kayaking is a great opportunity, I appreciate that the
take up for this is less certain since people will have to
take leave to do it. So take-up for this is unpredictable.
The prices I have given assume that I fill all the places,
so it could be more. To cover this possibility, I will initially
be adding a contingency of £15 to cover increased average
costs. I will of course, as usual, reimburse this if it is
not necessary
Think about what you want to do and email me let me know whether
you want to do the Canadian Canoeing or the Sea Kayaking (unfortunately
you cant do both). I will let you know whether places are
available and give you details of where to send a cheque for
booking.
Just a reminder: You will be accompanied by instructors and
be provided with safety equipment such as flotation jackets.
However, you must remember that you take part in these events
at your own risk and that neither Rob nor GOC can take any
responsibility for your safety. You will also be responsible
for the equipment hired out to you, so you will need to look
after it.
Plans
for 2009
The
canoeing company that arranged our last two white-water trips
in Morocco and Slovenia are encouraging us to think about
a white-water rafting trip to Nepal in November and/or canoeing
the Ordessa Gorge in the Pyrenees in May.
A
return to Cornwall in June/July is also a possibility: this
time canoeing the River Looe and sea kayaking at Land's End.
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Members are encouraged to organise more events during the
year. A number of enthusiasts are keen to organise some kayaking.
Rob also hopes women members will get together to organise
an event. So keep an eye on Outdoors magazine.
Description
of Canoeing
Activities
For
more details, please contact the national co-ordinator Rob
at goccanoe@yahoo.com
who will put you on his mailing list.
You may also be interested in the Scottish
Kayaking schedule.
Canoeing on the Dordogne, 2001
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