Northwest Charity Paddle

[jaglover]

I would like to organise a fun day to raise money for the Cumbria Flood Fund, I thought of a day at somwhere like Burrs (River Irwell at Bury) where all levels of skill can have a mess about and just a damn good lark about for the day. minimum £5 contribution for the day. If enough people were interested we could probably raise £1k or more and raise the paddling profile in a positive way, the sooner the better (1st weekend in December?). Open to all, TRC, UKRGB, any canoe clubs and any visitors that may be interested. If anybody has any spare kit in reasonable condition we could raffle it and add the proceeds. It would make a nice Chrissy present for the people in Cumbria that will be having a tough time this year when most of us lucky buggers still have dry homes and look forward to Christmas instead of dreading it as I am sure some of the people affected by the floods will be. I want it to be a fun day, if the numbers are high safety needs to be paramount, the last thing I want would be somebody getting hurt on a day aimed at helping others (by that I mean keep an eye out for less experienced paddlers on a busy river, which most of us do anyway). If it goes ahead I will put £50 in the kitty to get it started. Let me have your thoughts.

Reg

[Ricks-Freestyle-Mind]

Watch this space.

[peakfreak]

Hi All
We have now got the Fun Day arranged and booked as required and the date for this will be Sunday 17th January 2010 kicking off at 10:30. Just to remind everyone, all funds raised from this day will be going directly to the Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund.

The format of the day will be to meet and greet each other and get together to meet up with old friends and meet new friends to have a simple easy going paddle and play about along the river, the scope of which for the purpose of the fun day will be from the large weir at the top of the Burrs site down to the activity centre.

In order to keep running cost to an absolute minimum we are inviting canoe clubs to come along as their club trip with anyone else who would care to join you for an informal paddle and general lark about at Burrs activity centre in Bury Lancashire. We ask that you dig deep in your pockets and make a suggested donation of £5 per paddler for this get together.

There will be all sorts of bits and pieces going on along the river including hints and tips from past and present members of the GB Freestyle team along with loads of coaches available for advice.
Other activities in the pipeline (which are just awaiting confirmation) are demo boats, hints and tips on paddling photography along with other things which we will update you on as we get nearer the day.

After the shenanigans on the river (around 2pm) we will be holding a raffle in the function room at Burrs activity centre with a top prize of a Jackson kayak which has been very kindly donated by the man himself. Cost of tickets for the raffle will be £5 for a strip of 5.

For those of you wishing to travel up on the Saturday who require accommodation Burrs AC have very kindly opened up the bunkhouse with all proceeds from the use of the bunkhouse going into the charity fund. The cost for the bunkhouse will be (you guessed it) £5 per person. Use of the bunkhouse will be on a first come first served, pre-booked basis so can you please let us know as soon as possible if you require it.

Refreshments during the day will be available from either the cafe at Burrs Activity Centre or the onsite public house.

There will be plenty of parking available at Burrs AC and Burrs have agreed to open the extra parking field for our use if numbers require it.

In order to gauge numbers so that we can prepare accordingly can you please let us know if you will be coming along and supporting this worthy cause. You can contact us by emailing us at charitypaddle@mail.com or via PM to myself (peakfreak), Reg (jaglover), Rick “Now listen love” (Ricks Freestyle Mind) and Steve (Husky).
Any questions or suggestions to make the day even better than it is going to be then please post up here.

[adski]

Hi

I've paddled in the lakes many times and it has cost me nothing,

at the moment the people who live there are paying dearly...

You guys are doing a great thing and I will definitely be there.

I hope other paddlers will support you in your efforts

Good luck!

Adam

[Ricks-Freestyle-Mind]

Thank you Adam, spread the word.

This is our way as paddlers to give something back to the communities when they need it the most. We hope this helps.

[peakfreak]

Just an update guys and gals.

Some of you have contacted me asking how you can donate to the Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund as you cannot make the Fun Day.
Here is the link that we have been supplied which will allow online donations http://www.cumbriafoundation.org/ there is loads of information on there of how you can help and also some information about how you can raise funds indirectly by buying chocolate and beer! (I knew that would get your attention). :-)

With regards to the raffle can I please make you all aware that for legal reasons we cannot sell tickets to you at any other time other than on the day and we are also obliged to make the draw on the day.

[steve t]

Now posted on our club forum, I'm sure we'll bring a few along.

Steve

[peakfreak]

Now posted on our club forum, I'm sure we'll bring a few along.

Steve

Cheers Steve, we will look forward to seeing you there.

Anyone else? I will be emailing the NW clubs shortly but those of you out there that are comming to support us, if you could let us know please.

Bren

[Ricks-Freestyle-Mind]

We now have a Wordpress page as extra material to advertise from and keep you all up to date with the fundraising paddle. I'll be updating soon when we can confirm a few other prizes. So far we have prizes from Jackson Kayak, Immersion Research and System X. Many more to be announced soon.

www.northwestcharitypaddle.wordpress.com

[husky]

I am here to help if you have anything just PM me.
Thanks let’s make this thing work and make loads of money for a great cause and put something back into an area boater’s use.
The RAC are donating some Stuff to help out.
Steve.

[buck197]

For us southern shandy drinkers who can't make the day and wish to contribute, the link you have posted is for general donations. I realise it will make extra work for you but a donation to you directly will bolster your fund and the impact of a large donation from paddlers will make better PR in the access debate. Why not put a post on the Inland forum as I'm sure other people from other areas may wish to assist.

[Ricks-Freestyle-Mind]

For us southern shandy drinkers who can't make the day and wish to contribute, the link you have posted is for general donations. I realise it will make extra work for you but a donation to you directly will bolster your fund and the impact of a large donation from paddlers will make better PR in the access debate. Why not put a post on the Inland forum as I'm sure other people from other areas may wish to assist.

I'm not to clued up on this side of the Fun Day, but I'm sure Reg or Mr Fnarr will be able to give accurate info. If we wanted to make an online registration form then it would mean registering as a charity ourselves, this would take alot of time, paper work and going in a direction we don't really want, I had a quick look into it and I'm sure if Reg wanted to go this way, he would have already. I understand what your saying about donating money to us directly rather than to the link above for PR reasons, Im not sure of a way around this, anyone?

The website has been updated alot over the night. More donations to the raffle have ben confirmed. All will be revealed in a few days :-)

Thanks again for the pm' and emails with your support.

[jaglover]

For us southern shandy drinkers who can't make the day and wish to contribute, the link you have posted is for general donations. I realise it will make extra work for you but a donation to you directly will bolster your fund and the impact of a large donation from paddlers will make better PR in the access debate. Why not put a post on the Inland forum as I'm sure other people from other areas may wish to assist.

You could always take advantage of the cheap bunkhouse accommodation and join us. I will speak to the people managing the Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund to see if they could send us a keyword to quote so that we know which donations are from the paddling community.

Reg

[jaglover]

Buck / All

I have spoken to Cumbria Community Foundation who are accepting online donations for the flood recovery fund, they suggested that if we enter flood/kayak when the donations are made online they will recognise that it is from the paddling community. I will keep a running tally of online donations if people let us know about it. Hope this helps

Regards

Reg

ps. Rick, please will you add this information to the wordpress doc? Ta

[Ricks-Freestyle-Mind]

ps. Rick, please will you add this information to the wordpress doc? Ta

Excellent news Reg. Done!

Reg, will ring you later.

[james fleming]

Great idea folks. Well done to those organising the event.

[Ricks-Freestyle-Mind]

Lots of parcels are coming through the door, they all look fantastic. Look out on the website for an update on all the prizes once there here :-)

www.northwestpaddlefest.wordpress.com

[Ricks-Freestyle-Mind]

Hello everyone,

Firstly of all, thanks for the support shown by people. It is really appreciated.

Plans for the Charity Fun Day paddle are all coming together pritty well, with the green light from the people who say so! We have got some great prizes lined up and have had alot of very generous offers off companies and people who have donated prizes to the Raffle and offered their services. We thank you.

Take a look on the raffles page to see who we have so far confirmed donations off. We will be updating this page as news comes in, and on a later date will let you in the know of what exactly has been put into the raffle. Did someone mention a boat? :-)

www.northwestcharitypaddle.wordpress.com/raffle

Remember, bunkhouse accomodation is available on the the 16th December.

[Ricks-Freestyle-Mind]

Bunkhouse accomodation is available approx. 30 places available, with toilets, showers, kitchen and heating all money raised goes to the Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund.

www.northwestcharitypaddle.wordpress.com

[Ricks-Freestyle-Mind]

To keep you all updated with the Charity Fun Day Paddle we have also created a Facebook page. Join us...

http://www.facebook.com/pages/North-Wes ... 655?ref=mf

[Ricks-Freestyle-Mind]

The Bunkhouse accomodation is booking up fast. To reserve a bed for the night (Sat 16th of Jan) then please PM me or email us at Charitypaddle.mail.com and we'll make sure you get the comfiest bed available.

All funds from the bunkhouse are added to the fund raiser, it's a suggested donation of £5.00 and for this you get use of showers, kitchen, function room and a bed for the night. Full disable access throughout the building including the bunkhouse.

First come first served and booking beforehand is essential.

[Ricks-Freestyle-Mind]

URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT

www.northwestcharitypaddle.wordpress.com

Hello everyone. We have had to make a tough decision regarding the North West Chairty Paddle and the weather conditons. We have decided that it is best cause to prospone the charity paddle to the 7th February 2010.

We hope you'll understand why and we would really appreciate it if you could pass the news onto as many people as possible. It will be a big task to contact everyone but one that needs doing, so please, spread the word.

Sorry for any inconvenience caused and hope you will support us on the 7th February.

[Ricks-Freestyle-Mind]

[woodsy]

Good decision, hopefully there will be water in the river then.
I should be around for this. Let me know if there is anything I can do.
Woodsy

[edhunter]

Im trying to organise a trip from my uni club, could sumone put up any information on the river and where it is please? would just make it a bit easyer for me to sort it out. Thanks in advance and hopefully see you on the water!

[Ricks-Freestyle-Mind]

Hello,

The river is the Irwell, there is a guide on line here, but remember, were holding the Charity Paddle on a section of the Irwell, the bit which runs through Burrs Country Park. If you choose to do the full run, then thats not a problem, your left to your own devises and are responsible for yourselves.

It;s not the best of guides to be honest, but qives a rough idea and a where abouts of where Burrs is. There is info on our website on how to find us here:

And a goofs guide to Burrs Country park here

Accomodation is availble aswel in the bunkhouse, luxury for students! A suggested doation of £5 per person for the one night, that includes, bed, showers, kitchen etc, no food, drink or room service.

[peakfreak]

North West Charity Paddle Program of Events

Here you go everyone, a program of what will be going on over the weekend of the North West Charity Paddle. As you will see there is going to be some brilliant bits and pieces to delight you but the key thing in all this is you. The more we get the more fun we can have on and off the river.
As with anything paddling related, timings are approximate and if we get some final confirmations there may be other items thrown into the fun mix.
It is all shaping up to be a fantastic day and from feedback we have had from the many people who have contacted the NWCP team, everyone is looking forward to the fun.

Saturday 6th February

17:00
NWCP team members will be available at Burrs Country Park Bunkhouse to welcome you into your bunkhouse and for pre-registration for Sunday fun day.

19:30
Get your glad rags on for the trip into Bury for a few wee drinks. For anyone not wanting to venture into Bury town there is the Brown Cow Public House 75m across from the bunkhouse.

Sunday 7th February
10:00 – Registration. NWCP team members will be available in the reception area of the on-site cafe at Burrs. Please make your way to the reception area to make your donations, purchase your raffle tickets and, for anyone who wants to, enter the rolling competition.
Please note that this will be the only place that donations and raffle ticket purchases will be handled and then only by NWCP team staff. NWCP team staff can be identified on the day by their very fetching Hi-Vis vests with the vest sponsors logo on the back. The vest sponsor for the day is Smith Group UK Ltd.

10:00 – 12:30 River time.

A rolling competition will be held between 10:00 and 12:00 at the training pool.
£2 to enter and is restricted to a maximum of 50 entries.
Most Eskimo rolls you can do in 30 seconds
1st prize of a spray deck and a Pyranha goodie bag
2nd Prize of DVD and Pyranha goodie bag
3rd Prize of Otter box and a Pyranha goodie bag
Spot prizes also to be won for best effort so even those of you who aren’t so good stand a chance of winning something.

Along the river there will be coaches for advice on tips and techniques, just approach them and ask them what you want to know. Also there are past and present members of the GB Freestyle team who are on hand to offer instruction on playboating moves.

Whilst venturing along the mighty Irwell keep an eye out for a very pleasant gentleman in Speedos and a swim cap, yep, you guessed it, the man, the myth “Wildswimmer Pete” is coming along to show us just what a bunch of girlies we really are by doing a wild swim along the river. He and possibly some of his Wild Swimming colleagues will be on hand to give you an insight into the delights of Wild Swimming. Brrrrrr!

The RAC Motoring Organisation will be sending one of their patrols on the day where we are led to believe discounted membership may be available.

12:30 – Photography workshop. The one and only, paddling’s answer to Lord Litchfield Ryan Paschke has kindly offered to dig out his passport and make the long and dangerous journey from north of the border to put on this workshop.
He is putting on an excellent presentation of some of the basics and finer points of river photography and beforehand will be taking some snapshots along the river. He will also be available to answer any of those burning questions you will have on how to take some great shots. Just to give you some idea of how great Ryan’s skills are, check out his website at http://www.liquidimpact.co.uk, you won’t be disappointed.

13:15 – Presentation by the paddling god that is Daz Clarkson. For those few of you out there that may not know of Daz and even for those of you that do, what a treat we have in store for you with this presentation.
Daz has paddled many of the far flung places around the globe with all the stories that come with travel to these places. He is just at home in Wales as he is around the world and is well known for his excellent guiding skills. Check out his blog here http://www.purelandexpeditions.com to give you an idea of what makes this man tick.
We may also have the honour of being joined by Claire O’Hara to chat about her squirt boating but we are awaiting confirmation on this and is dependent on Claire’s availability

13:15 – Presentation by Max Bilbow of http://www.liquidsatisfaction.com fame. Well we have had snow recently with some gnarly UK snow melt *cough*. Wait until you see what our final guest speaker has for you from his recent trips to Russia. Words cannot describe the sheer pant wetting, heart pounding splendour that will be on show here from his eastern shenanigans. This is a show not to be missed that will leave you reaching for your passports and selling your children to raise the funds to follow in the footsteps of Max and his new comrades.

14:00 – The Grand Raffle. We have had some fantastic support from many people and organisations of which we in the NWCP team are truly thankful. So if you haven’t bought your raffle tickets by now then shame on you because you are going to miss out on some fantastic prizes. Tickets will be available from the reception area of the Burrs cafe from 10:00 and will be available up to around about 13:15.

Prizes up for grabs are:
Men’s IR Competition Jacket – Donated by Immersion Research
Yak Shortie Cag – Donated by Canoe and Kayak Magazine
DVDs – Donated by Gene17
African Revolutions Tour – Donated by River Roots (Rush Sturges)
Signed and Framed Polouse Falls Poster – Donated by Revolutionary Innovation (Tyler Bradt)
Alp Kit 60L Dry Dock – Donated by Alp Kit
Vouchers – Donated by Windermere Canoe and Kayak
Vouchers – Donated by UK Canoes (Brookbank)
Langer ACK BA – Donated by White Water Consultancy
2 Day WWSR Course voucher – Donated by Wild River
Four Tears of Everest Book and Voucher – Donated by Pure Land Expeditions
RAC Membership – Donated by the RAC Motoring Organisation
Otter boxes – Donated by SystemX
Dry Bags & Sunglasses – Donated by Lyon Equipment
T-Shirts - Donated by Fresh Fish
A voucher for a Jackson Kayak of your choice (excluding the duo) – Donated by Eric Jackson
Loads of Spray Decks and Goodie Bags – Donated by Pyranha
along with many more.

The Small Print.
I know it’s a pain but we have to put in some small print stuff. I am sure you will all understand why and will accept it in the spirit it is meant in.

As you already know, Paddlesport is an assumed risk activity and you are responsible for your own safety and the safety of other water users around you. There will be no formal safety cover on the day and you are responsible for setting up safety should the conditions require it.

There is a possibility of media coverage of the NWCP so we would ask that everyone be on their best behaviour to ensure that a good impression is shown of the paddling community.

No jumping into the river from bridges or any other fixed solid objects. If someone is seen to be doing anything that could be deemed as detrimental to safety, the reputation of paddling community or that of Burrs Country Park, then they will be asked to cease their actions immediately and/or leave the site.

Security coverage is available and will be called upon if required.

Please see the website for any more information : http://www.northwestcharitypaddle.wordpress.com

[peakfreak]

Just spotted the mistake on the dates. Thats what comes of typing at 1am :-)
The dates are the 6th and 7th February.

[Ricks-Freestyle-Mind]

Whats the plan?

[url=http://northwestcharitypaddle.wordpress.com/program/presenttion-and-on-thw-water-hints-and-tips/]Click me[/url]

[Ricks-Freestyle-Mind]

This is what the North West Charity Paddle is all about.

http://www.vimeo.com/8930288



Thanks to people who have donated video footage.