For the second winter in a row, Caroline arranged a mainly open canoe paddle from Arley to Bewdley on the Severn although a few people kayaked.
This was to be part of the warm up series towards the 100 mile trip with an Adam coaching session of equipment packing and stowage before we started.
For those people who needed kit then we met at PRSC at 8:30 to collect boats and then headed up to the finish point at the car park opposite the rowing club in Bewdley at about 9:30. From here we travelled to the start at Arley and Caroline and me did a quick ferry while others got ready followed by Adams session on how to pack and load a weeks worth of paddling and camping gear for two in your canoe.
We all then got on the water which had a bit of flow at the start and warmed up before heading off. The weather was very nice with only a slight breeze. On the way down to Bewdley there were a few opportunities to practice breakouts, ferrygliding and resuce skills ( I fell in after getting my paddled wedged under my boat).
When we eventually got to Bewdley, Paul H completed his 2 star assessment of Jonathon and Phil which involved them getting wet. Everyone else sat around eating or getting changed and we then organised the car collecting ferry, loaded boats and headed off home or back to PRSC to return kit for some of us. A good day had by all.
Thanks to Richard for the following photos. I know others took photos and video so please can we have that as well.
