Welcome to July’s edition of Splashback! We have had some lovely paddles in June with a litter pick , a solstice paddle , and a trip to Wareham from Poole harbour (11miles)

Dates for diary and trips

As a club we offer an exciting range of day trips this season. Most of these do need you to have completed your Explore course at a minimum or be at the standard of this (you will need to ask our coaches if you are!)

Coming up are the following :- 

• Bath Canal trip, Saturday 25th^h July (Short boats  SUPs Canoes Not Sea kayaks Plus Camping Optional)
• Canford to Eye Bridge (Paddle on Stour), Sunday 9^th August (SUPs).
• Poole Harbour, Sunday 23^rd August, (Sea Kayaks).
• Devizes, Saturday 5^th September,(Short boats ,SUPs, canoes not sea kayaks). 

… And 1 or 2 more Sea Kayak Trips… whenever Anatole can take us 

As ever places will be available to book on Web Collect!

NB Skill levels of each paddler will determine their suitability for each trip. This is to make sure it’s safe for both you and the leaders taking you 😊 

Trip Criteria and Information

Please check which skill category has been allocated to the trip. If you’re not sure how your skills fit in or you have not done the Paddle UK courses, please contact the leaders of each trip to find out if you can participate.

Paddle Fit Sessions 

This summer SCC is trialling a brand-new paddling session available to paddlers of all abilities at no extra cost. 

The last two sessions are August 7^th and 21^st both  Fridays 6.30pm, 1 hour. 

Come and experience…
Pulse raisers and dynamic mobility warmups…
Cardio interval training… which may include short padding sprints, focused turning drills and much more.
Active flush and warm down stretches…

Look out for this low impact, full- body workouts on the calendar     https://webcollect.org.uk/scc/event/paddle-fit , 

Special offer 

£100 off Responsible Travel holidays for Southbourne Canoe Club members

Southbourne Canoe Club members can enjoy £100 off any Responsible Travel holiday with the exclusive discount code SBCC10026.

While our sea kayaking and river kayaking trips may be of particular interest to club members, the discount can be used across all holidays on the Responsible Travel website.

Responsible Travel works with experienced local guides to create small group holidays that support local communities and offer a deeper connection to the places you visit.

Use code SBCC10026 when booking to claim your discount.

Explore :-

  Sea kayaking holidays,  River kayaking holidays

Please note: this discount code is valid until 31 December 2026. We update our codes periodically for security reasons and will provide a new code ahead of its expiry, ensuring Southbourne Canoe Club members can continue to access the offer.

Editorial Testimony

This month, I wanted to share a little about myself, Grace, I joined the club around eight years ago when a friend asked me if I was interested in a camping and kayak trip on the Dartmouth estuary! I hadn’t been in a kayak since a Discovery course aged18! I was 51. I came for a taster session, and under supervision, I was deemed fit to go on the trip. I joined the club and had the most fabulous trip away. 

Since then, I’ve had many trips away camping with the club, which are highlights in my year! Symonds Yat, a paddle to the Isle of Wight through the Needles, Oxford canal trip, Wimbleball Lake Exmoor, to name a few.

What I love the most about the club, has been the professionalism and commitment  of the leaders in organising every paddle, from the Thursday evening paddles, trips away, the training courses, taster sessions and pool sessions. I have always felt safe! this I don’t say lightly! I’ve been rescued many times,  

Getting to know members over the years, has been a wonderful, boost for my wellbeing. I love the chats over paddles or post paddle drinks. This has led me to feel part of a Kayak family of  friends, and I’m so grateful to the friend who first introduced me and all the members and leaders who make Southbourne Canoe Club so special. 

Whose life could you Change !?  … go on and ask them !    

SOCIAL MEDIA

Please follow us on 

Facebook. Southbourne Canoe Club | Bournemouth | Facebook

WhatsApp  Great for up to date and lastminute notices!!!

SCC T-shirts

Don’t miss the order for your SCC T-shirt 😊

If you would like to buy one, they are cost price at £15.

Colours: purple and blue 

Sizes: small, medium or large. 

(As they are unisex, they are ‘boxy’ in shape which can be a little tight across the shoulders for the men and tight across the hips for some of the ladies…)

Please email Claire sccclubsecretary@gmail.com 

Reminder to all please remember to book on   Southbourne Canoe Club: Home for all paddles and kit hire and fill out all health information for each trip ( things can change or flare up) There are lots of dates for diary and activities to sign up to trips etc. 

Finally ……

Could you offer to take on the role of Membership Secretary?

As in a recent email to all members the Club has a vacancy on its committee. This is an ideal time to take on this role, now most members for the year have already joined and you will have plenty of time to get familiar with how the memberships work as well as join the Committee to help shape it’s future.

You will need to be voted in and will be required to undergo a DBS check, training will be given on the systems used by the club.

Overview of Membership Secretary role

– Manage membership queries from existing and potential new members; respond to queries within 5 days (or shorter depending on deadline for reply required).

– Manage membership database.

– Use of Webcollect email facility when communicating with members.

– Retention of existing members and chase outstanding Membership Fees.

– Advise members with outstanding fees of deadlines and if unresolved cancel membership – once ratified by Committee.

– Liaise with Welfare/ Child Protection/ Vulnerable Adults Officer as required regarding confidential medical issues.

– Provide Club Secretary and Chair with membership figures for Paddle UK Fees to be calculated.

– Provide up to date membership list for Thursday evening activities signing-in and signing-out of members.

– Thursday evening collection of kit hire fees.

– Thursday evening collection and recording of Taster Sessions.

– Committee role with participation in meetings

Please speak to our Chair Ken as soon as possible or contact him via sccsouthbournechair@gmail.com , or ask any of the Committee who will pass on your interest

SEE YOU ON THE WATER !!! 

Finally it seems like spring is on its way and the new season is just around the corner and we can look
forward to getting back on the water in the not too distant future!
The weather put paid to the planned paddle on 22nd February – did it even stop raining last month??
The committee has been busy working behind the scenes preparing for the AGM and our return to the
Hengistbury Head centre – a full update will be included in the minutes from the AGM being sent out
shortly along with membership renewal notices for the 2026 season.
Find out more about the refurbishment of the centre by HHO by visiting their website
https://www.hengistbury.org/ – They are holding Open Days on the 28th & 29th March so why not go along
and take a look?
Last Pool Session
The last pool session will be held on 7th March – held at Two Rivers Leisure Centre starting at 5pm, these
sessions are great for honing your wet skills in a safe warm environment.
Capsize Drills – This will be your last chance to demonstrate your capsize drills in the warm clear water of
the pool rather than in the river. 10 additional spaces have been allocated at the pool session for you to
just attend for 5 minutes to demonstrate your capsize skills with a spray deck only at no cost to you.
Please book via Webcollect and let Ken know what equipment you require
It is a mandatory safety requirement that all paddlers are able to exit their kayak if it capsizes. If you
have not demonstrated your ability to get out of a capsized kayak with a spray deck ahead of the first
paddle of the season, you will be asked to do so in the river by the centre the first time you paddle this
year.

Don’t forget many people enjoy a Spring Walk so let us know if you have a favourite walk you would like
to share with your fellow members.
2026 Season Dates
23rd April – First Paddle of the season
17th September – Last paddle of the season
If you have already completed your Discover Course and would like to enhance your paddling skills further,
why not consider the British Canoeing Explore Course? Anatole will be running Explore Courses on 24th
April at a cost of £80 for Members
https://britishcanoeingawarding.org.uk/wp-content/files/01112018BCABPaddleExploreAwardV1-
1Nov21.pdf
Please Email Anatole “amscctrainingofficer@gmail.com” if you have any questions or would like to book a
place.
There will also be weekend local paddles, possible weekend trips further afield along with Taster Sessions,
Discover, Explore, Sea Kayak and Paddle Safe courses for those wanting to improve their skills – dates to be
confirmed
Payment References
Please ensure you use the correct bank reference (quoted when your booking is confirmed) when making
bank transfers to ensure we can match payments received.
And Finally
After three years on the committee and producing the monthly newsletter, it is time for me to pass over
the role into the very capable hands of Grace Bryant. I will still be paddling and look forward to joining you
all for more paddling adventures!
We always welcome additional volunteers to help with the running of the club – just contact one of the
committee if you would like to get involved

SEE YOU ON THE WATER!

 

                                           

June 2025 Newsletter

Where did May go?? A busy time for SCC with Thursday paddles being well supported and lots of new members joining after their Taster Sessions – Welcome All!

Anatole ran two Explore courses with all participants passing with flying colours – well done!

The pool session saw more people doing their capsizing in the warm water of the pool – anyone who has not demonstrated their skill will need to do so at the end of a Thursday night paddle.

There was a paddleboard trip from Iford Bridge down to the Centre where Ken demonstrated how to fall off gracefully!

Finally, members participated in The Big Paddle Clean Up from Tuckton Bridge down to the harbour and found many interesting objects! Thanks to all who gave up their Sunday morning to join in.

Emergency contact details – Reminder

It is recommended that each paddler carries their emergency contact details on their person whilst on the water. This is in case a paddler is injured, and the leader needs to contact the paddler’s relative / friend. Details can be kept in a waterproof pouch, or on a laminated card (available from most stationery shops) and secured in a buoyancy aid pocket. Emergency contact details are shown on the registration sheet each week – it is the responsibility of the paddler to ensure the accuracy of their contact details on the membership section of the Club Webcollect site, prior to signing up to a Club activity.

Programme June 2025

In addition to our usual Thursday Night Paddles, we have the following events:

Thursday 19^th June – Taster Session

Sunday 22nd June – Knoll Beach to Old Harry Rocks

Sunday 29^th June – Discover Course

Please save the dates below! Skill level and eligibility criteria to join will be sent out when trips finalised.

Sunday 20th July – Poole Harbour

Saturday 16th August – Canford to Eye Bridge

Thursday 18^th September – Last Thursday of the Summer Season – Paddle Games & BBQ

Pool Sessions – Winter Season

All held at Two Rivers Leisure Centre starting at 5pm, these sessions are great for honing your wet skills in a safe warm environment.  Bookings will be open on Webcollect for 1 session at a time as spaces are limited.  Please add the dates to your diaries:

11 October 2025

29 November 2025

31 January 2026

7 March 2026

 

We always welcome additional volunteers to help with the running of the club – just contact one of the committee if you would like to get involved

SEE YOU ON THE WATER!

                                          

May 2025 Newsletter

 

What a great start to the new season! Not only has the weather finally been kind to us but we have had 12 potential new Members join our taster sessions and existing Members turned out in force to return to our favourite place.

Your leaders have been busy brushing up their existing skills along with more advanced training with expert tuition from Anatole.

Members attended the pool session and practiced capsizing – a wise move as they got to do it in the warm water of the pool! We are waiting to find out whether we might be able to offer a further pool session on 31^st May for any other Members that prefer to capsize in the pool – anyone who hasn’t then shown they can exit their boat safely will be required to do so at the end of a Thursday evening session.

Emergency contact details

It is recommended that each paddler carries their emergency contact details on their person whilst on the water. This is in case a paddler is injured, and the leader needs to contact the paddler’s relative / friend. Details can be kept in a waterproof pouch, or on a laminated card (available from most stationery shops) and secured in a buoyancy aid pocket. Emergency contact details are shown on the registration sheet each week – it is the responsibility of the paddler to ensure the accuracy of their contact details on the membership section of the Club Webcollect site, prior to signing up to a Club activity.

Please note that you must have renewed your membership before you can join a club paddle.

Programme May 2025

If you have already completed your Discover Course and would like to enhance your paddling skills further, why not consider the British Canoeing Explore Course?  Anatole will be running Explore Courses on 18^th & 25^th May at a cost of £65 for Members

https://britishcanoeingawarding.org.uk/wp-content/files/01112018BCABPaddleExploreAwardV1-1Nov21.pdf

Please Email Anatole “amscctrainingofficer@gmail.com” if you have any questions or would like to book a place on either of these courses.

Pool Capsizing

If we are lucky to have a pool session purely for capsizing on the evening of Saturday 31^st May at Two Rivers Leisure Centre, this is a one off for this summer season and will be your last opportunity to capsize in the warm water. Members need to demonstrate annually that they know how to exit their craft safely and will be expected to do this at the end of a Thursday paddle if they have not already done so. After this summer all paddlers wishing to capsize in the pool will only be able to do so during one of the four winter pool sessions.

The Big Paddle Clean-up 2025 – Sunday 1st June. Meet at 10am for 1030 start.

This is Paddle UK’s annual environmental campaign and SCC will be taking part in the river and harbour from Hengistbury Head Centre on 1^st June.

In 2024, 3,699 volunteers around the country collected 1,888 sacks of plastic waste and other junk from our waterways. Paddlers are in a unique position to collect litter from places others are unable to access.

Your efforts help raise more public awareness about plastic pollution and the damage caused to our blue spaces. Also by taking part, we help protect wildlife and minimise pollution so come along and do your bit!

Don’t forget there will be tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits afterwards … Please come and help us if you can!

Basingstoke Canal Trip 6^th – 8^th June 2025

Evan is planning a club camping trip on the Basingstoke canal over the weekend 6-7-8 June (camping 6-7 and paddle 7-8).

On the Saturday he’s hoping to do a paddle from the Basingstoke canal centre at Mychett which is the same place as the campsite which goes through a nature reserve lake at the back of the Deepcut Army barracks and cross an aqueduct. Approximately 5 miles.

On the Sunday the plan is to go from Odiham which is on route home down to the Greywell tunnel with a stop at the historic King Johns Castle, also about 5 miles.

Both paddles are easy and suitable for any grade of paddler and any type of boat or paddle board, however a sea kayak will be unwieldy and difficult to turn on a canal – however we would recommend a helmet if using a paddle board.

If you don’t fancy camping either day is doable as a day trip being within 1 1/2 hours’ drive from Bournemouth in normal traffic.

There will be options for a pub dinner the Friday evening, BBQ on the Saturday evening and Sunday lunch in a pub with a working waterwheel inside the pub.

The campsite is at the Basingstoke Canal centre in Mychett just off the M3. Prices are caravan or motor home £12 per night, 1-3 person tent £9, 4-6 person tent £10 plus a charge of £6 per person per night.  Additional refundable £15 security deposit per stay.  Dogs welcome free of charge but must be on a leash.

Book by phone 01252 370073

If you’re planning on joining either for a day trip or camping please let Evan know on the club WhatsApp or Email evdotcom@hotmail.com

Day Trips in planning by our leaders

Sunday 22nd June – Knoll Beach to Old Harry Rocks

Sunday 20th July – Poole Harbour

Saturday 16th August – Canford to Eye Bridge

Please save the dates! Skill level and eligibility criteria to join will be sent out when trips finalised.

 

We always welcome additional volunteers to help with the running of the club – just contact one of the committee if you would like to get involved

 

 

SEE YOU ON THE WATER!

April 2025 Newsletter

Firstly, huge congratulations to Ken & Claire who got married recently!  We send best wishes to the new Mr & Mrs Reagan as they paddle the river of life together!

We would also like to welcome Sue Cardus to the committee who has taken over from Caroline as Membership Secretary and thank Caroline for all her hard work over the past 6 years – Caroline can now relax and just enjoy paddling.

We had a great turnout for the Boat Clean on 9^th March which enabled us to complete it in record time and ensured the boats and equipment are ready for the new season.  Thanks to everyone who came along to help.

Where was everyone on Sunday 16^th March?  It was a lovely sunny day but only 5 paddlers made it to the weekend paddle.  We went from the centre up river to just after the railway bridge – tough across the harbour but speedy on the way back!

Do you have any friends that would like to join our friendly canoe club and learn how to paddle safely? We are offering a 1 day British Canoeing Discover Course on Sunday 27th April from Hengistbury Head Outdoor Centre. Not only is the Discover Course perfect for total beginners, it is also great for developing your skills and confidence on the water so existing members can benefit too. The Discover Award will provide the training needed to control your craft, build your confidence in the water and broaden your basic paddling knowledge of clothing, equipment and environment as well as skills on the water. Find out what it involves here:

https://britishcanoeingawarding.org.uk/…/01112018BCABPa…

There are a limited number of places available at a cost of £55 plus a SCC Membership of £45 – an investment of just £100 to begin a new hobby that will give you hours of enjoyment in the fresh air, keep you fit and enable you to meet new people along the way.

Please Email Anatole “amscctrainingofficer@gmail.com” if you have any questions or would like to book a place

 

 

Important Safety News

Standard Operating Procedure

In line with Paddle UK requirements the club has produced a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) document. This forms the basis of how we carry out all our activities as a club. Our Safety Policy tells us what we intend to do, and the SOP tells us how we actually do it.

It covers all sorts of things such as, fire and evacuation procedures in the Darwin Room, club trips, and the locations we paddle in, here on the south coast.

It will be uploaded to the club website, so if you want to know if you can bring a friend along one evening, have a look (paragraph 8.1 if you are interested).

Leaders’ Responsibilities

Safety is everyone’s responsibility.

However, if you are a leader, it is you that is responsible for the safety of your group. People will expect you to be aware of what to do if a situation should occur. Do you know what you would do if someone fell ill during a paddle?

Have a look at the paragraph 3.9 Emergency Procedures.

Also on the website are the updated risk assessments for each of the locations we paddle in. Please familiarise yourselves with these.

Emergency contact details

On our Thursday evening paddles, Members’ nominated emergency contact details are included on the signing-in register, that is prepared for each Thursday evening, and is left in the Darwin room, should anyone need to view it in an emergency.

 

On a club trip the leader will carry a list of all paddlers’ emergency contact details and any stated medical conditions.

 

For both these situations, it is also recommended that, each paddler carry their emergency contact details, on their person. This is in case a paddler is injured, and the leader needs to contact the paddler’s relative / friend. Details can be kept in a waterproof pouch, or on a laminated card (available from most stationery shops) and secured in a buoyancy aid pocket.

It is the responsibility of the paddler, to ensure the accuracy of their contact details on the membership section of the Club Webcollect site, prior to signing up to a Club activity.

And Finally

Every member has an individual responsibility to behave sensibly, act with common sense, and cooperate with the club’s leaders, procedures, safety policy and risk assessments. We want to develop a ‘safety aware’ culture at the club.

Policies and procedures are in place to promote safe paddling and to minimise the likelihood of accidents and incidents.

 

 

 

Don’t Forget Membership Renewals Are Due

Membership Renewals are now due with the fees held at last year’s prices. We are delighted to advise that you are now able to pay by BACS – details will be shown when you renew via Webcollect

Please note that you must have renewed your membership before you can join a club paddle.

Adult – £45 – Adult membership gives the holder full use of the club’s equipment during club evenings and events (subject to hire fees and conditions). Adult membership is for those over the age of 18 years of age.

Family – £90 – Membership for up to 2 adults and all juniors under 18 years of age living at the same address.

Junior – £25.00 – Junior membership gives the holder full use of the club’s equipment and facilities during club evenings and events, but with no voting rights. Only available to those up to the age of 18 years. Under 14’s must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times

Student – £30 – (In full-time education and can show student ID) – Student membership gives the holder full use of the club’s equipment and facilities during club evenings and events and full voting rights. Only available to those over the age of 18 years and in full time education.

Programme April 2025

We kick off the Summer Season on Thursday 24^th April – 1800 for 1830 on the water with gates closing at 1815

Saturday 27^th April – Discover Course

We are offering a 1 day British Canoeing Discover Course on Sunday 27th April from Hengistbury Head Outdoor Centre. Not only is the Discover Course perfect for total beginners, it is also great for developing your skills and confidence on the water so existing members can benefit too. The Discover Award will provide the training needed to control your craft, build your confidence in the water and broaden your basic paddling knowledge of clothing, equipment and environment as well as skills on the water. Find out what it involves here:

https://britishcanoeingawarding.org.uk/wp-content/files/01112018BCABPaddleDiscoverAwardV1-1Nov21.pdf

There are a limited number of places available at a cost of £55 for SCC Members

If you have already completed your Discover Course and would like to enhance your paddling skills further, why not consider the British Canoeing Explore Course?  Anatole will be running Explore Courses on 18^th & 25^th May at a cost of £65 for Members

https://britishcanoeingawarding.org.uk/wp-content/files/01112018BCABPaddleExploreAwardV1-1Nov21.pdf

Please Email Anatole “amscctrainingofficer@gmail.com” if you have any questions or would like to book a place on either of these courses.

The Big Paddle Clean-up 2025 – Sunday 1st June . Meet at 10am for 1030 start.

This is Paddle UK’s annual environmental campaign and SCC will be taking part in the river and harbour from Hengistbury Head Centre on 1^st June.

In 2024, 3,699 volunteers around the country collected 1,888 sacks of plastic waste and other junk from our waterways. Paddlers are in a unique position to collect litter from places others are unable to access.

Your efforts help raise more public awareness about plastic pollution and the damage caused to our blue spaces. Also by taking part, we help protect wildlife and minimise pollution so come along and do your bit!

And don’t forget there will be tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits afterwards once we’re done… Please come and help us if you can!

Basingstoke Canal Trip 6^th – 8^th June 2025

Evan is planning a club camping trip on the Basingstoke canal over the weekend 6-7-8 June (camping 6-7 and paddle 7-8).

On the Saturday he’s hoping to do a paddle from the Basingstoke canal centre at Mychett which is the same place as the campsite which goes through a nature reserve lake at the back of the Deepcut Army barracks and cross an aqueduct. Approximately 5 miles.

On the Sunday the plan is to go from Odiham which is on route home down to the Greywell tunnel with a stop at the historic King Johns Castle, also about 5 miles.

Both paddles are easy and suitable for any grade of paddler and any type of boat or paddle board, however a sea kayak will be unwieldy and difficult to turn on a canal – however we would recommend a helmet if using a paddle board.

If you don’t fancy camping either day is doable as a day trip being within 1 1/2 hours’ drive from Bournemouth in normal traffic.

There will be options for a pub dinner the Friday evening, BBQ on the Saturday evening and Sunday lunch in a pub with a working waterwheel inside the pub.

The campsite is at the Basingstoke Canal centre in Mychett just off the M3. Prices are caravan or motor home £12 per night, 1-3 person tent £9, 4-6 person tent £10 plus a charge of £6 per person per night.  There is an additional refundable £15 security deposit per stay.  Dogs are welcome free of charge but must be kept on a leash.

Book by phone 01252 370073

If you’re planning on joining either for a day trip or camping please let Evan know on the club WhatsApp or email me evdotcom@hotmail.com

 

Hengistbury Head Outdoor Centre Update

There was a great piece on ITV Meridian tonight on Monday which focussed on HHO and the Pink Champagne groups.

Lovely to see such a positive story about our headquarters!

To see the full piece catch it below, our section starts at 17 mins and 45 seconds

ITV YOUTUBE

https://youtu.be/g7RglcjUDMA

 

We always welcome additional volunteers to help with the running of the club – just contact one of the committee if you would like to get involved

 

 

SEE YOU ON THE WATER!