Christmas Break

The Christmas break is here. For most of us this means heading home for a week or two. I thought I'd simply post a few photos to remind you of the last few months of 2009. We think 2010 we be a good one as I know there is lots planned.

Ladies Canoe Polo

Saturday night the ladies attended a local Canoe Polo tournament. Only ladies teams were invited to the tournament. With so many paddle chicks in one place I thought I best go and take some photos.

Welsh International Canoe Polo

Last weekend a group of club members entered the Welsh International Canoe Polo Challenge. We won our first two games comfortably but then got shot down by the Royal Navy. Unfortunately that result placed us second in our group so we didn't go through to the top eight. However we won the rest of our games easily so placed 9th. The result was less important than the social aspect of the weekend. Far too many drinks were consumed as the team shredded the dance floors of Cardiff.

They think its all over...

For many club at UWE the year is over, everyone does their exams and then they all disapear off to work for the summer. Not at the Canoe Club. The pool sessions are all over now until September but thats not going to stop us.

There was a trip to South Wales last weekend and we're planning another trip in the UK before we head off on our mighty summer tour of Europe.

Below is a picture of us acepting the 2008/09 'club of the year' shield presented by Shelly Rudman.

We are the champions!

Yes it is true we are club of the year 08/09!

Cheers to all who have put in lots of help to make us the best club!

Some of the highlights of the year for me:

The carnage and amazing surf at Polzeath! A great birthday weekend!

The Gene17 adventure paddler weekend and Dart trip adventures!

BUCS Slalom one of the best weekends ever! We are the UWE Morris Dancing Society and represented proudly!

Having Doug Ammons come and talk at Uni.

And Getting 4 new boats, 6 new cags and boots from the SU!

All of this couldnt have been done without lots of effort from a lot of people so thank you all!

We are Varsity winners

Every year the a select few of the University sports clubs challenge the University of Bristol to some games. We are one of these few clubs. Each year we build a Canoe Polo pitch in the middle of Bristol Docks and lay down the challenge. We generally invite some guest teams to come and fill out the day. It is a very friendly little tournament that we use to showcase the sport in the city center of Bristol. The sun came out as the giant crowd cheered us on. Our Alumni team took up the first Varsity match and won. The ladies then met their match, having previously beat UoB ladies unfortunately fell and lost by two goals. This put the pressure on the men, who norrowly won 2-1. The day it's self is fantastic and really shows how great the canoe club is. All other Varsities have alot of support from the Centre for Sport but we take this upon our selves and put on a good show for the public.

The picture below shows UWE's Kevin Roberts (in red) being congratulated by a Bristol Uni student (in blue).


I can't wait till next year.

BUSC Canoe Polo

Last weekend we took our anual trip North, up to Doncaster to play in BUSC (British Universities & College Sports) Canoe Polo. We were going as the underdogs with no previous ranking. Everyone had a great time. The sun was out all weekend and everybody enjoyed watching and joining the action. The Open team [Pony Club] came 11th, the Ladies [Polo Panthers] came 10th and the Old Boys [Pie Shop] came 5th.

On the Saturday night we (as always) got the party started.
Polo is a fantastic little sport that is mostly done in a nice warm swimming pool, to get into Canoe Polo you just need to learn the basic kayaking skills then come to our training sessions. We teach it all.

Easter break

We've all been very busy over the easter break. Dissertation deadline, course work and placements have pinned many of us down.
There has been very little rain over the past few months here in the South West and thus unfortunately there has been no rivers to paddle. When it came to the Easter bank holiday I opted for a seakayaking trip, others went to Scotland and many made an obligatory trip home to see their old folks.

After this we concentrated on our Canoe Polo training for the mighty BUCS weekend.

Doug Ammons

Doug Ammons who? Most people ask.

Doug is a famous paddler in the USA. He has pushed the boundaries of kayaking. Doug paddled solo the Stikine River in Canada. A river not to be taken lightly!

This trip has been compared to solo climbs of Everest and one of the greatest feats in the history of kayaking.

Doug is coming to our uni to talk about his life of paddling and talk about the solo run he has never spoken about publicly before.

Photo from Dave Manbys Website. http://www.davemanby.com/News.aspx

Dartmoor Weekend.

We went to Dartmoor but paddled no fresh water!

It had not rained in weeks so the rivers were very low. Low rivers damage kit and damage people who swim!

On the Saturday we went and paddled the tidal Exe from Exeter to A remote pub towards Starcross.

Saturday afternoon we watched Englands attempt at rugby in the newly reopened local pub.

Much merryment was had on satuday night with various eating contests!

Sunday the polo nutters went off to play polo at Millfield. The rest of us caught some good surf on the North Devon coast at Saunton Sands. Some nice 2-3ft faces kept us entertained for a while.

Coffe and cake then home for curry and sleep!

Mr and Missis

Dart trip

We are heading to Dartmoor this weekend.

No rain is forecast. The Dart will be low.

We will come up with a cool plan to keep everyone entertained!

Frome

Today a small group from the club paddled down the river Frome. This section runs from Frenchay into Fishponds and is located just behind the St Matts and Glenside campuses of UWE. It is ideal to fill in an afternoon when you don't have lecture. I walked Max (my dog) down to take some picture.
Chris Montford leading the way.

Monty again putting down some hammer time.


Molly on one of the bigger drops







Jules shows us what an active blade can do.

Julia again showing fine form.

My dog, Max, wanted to get in all the pictures.

Dartmoor Day Trip Pics Part 2.

Team 1.

Birdseye view.


James styling it up.


Russ again. Upright.


Swimming Molly, as she said she wanted a picture of herself swimming!?! And not wearing Fursmans helmet!


We like again.

Russ trying to get a bit of air!


Molly.

Smile your on camera!


Lowri


Morse and Lowri

Feb Day trip to Dartmoor Part 1

I took a few pics on todays day trip! Hope you all enjoyed it.




Smallio


Mike we like.


James.

Badger and Molly in the sunshine.


Cast that fishing line!


Molly.


Jules.


Tall showing some "form"


Jason.

This uni year so far!

We've done a fair bit since september!

W'eve paddled and partied hard.

We've been to Saltford on Avon a few times.

We've been surfing in very sunny Cornwall.


We've been to Wales, and Exmoor then on to Dartmoor.

We've campaigned for a swimming pool at UWE.



We've been 'tup north boating on the Tees.




We've raced at Slalom!


We've played a bit of polo here and there!


I am sure I have missed a few things but thats a bit of a round of what we have been up to so far this uni year. Bring on more trips, some socials, spots awards and the ball.

Joe