Leam Boat Centre Activity Club

2011-05-17T16:22:00.006+01:00

Pyranha S6f For Sale

2010-09-04T22:08:00.002+01:00

Anyone want a boat? Check out this link to UK Rivers Guidebook

Polo Knowledge

2010-06-24T11:49:00.004+01:00

At tournaments team members are often asked to referee a game so need to learn the hand signals and practice during our games at training. Below are the hand signals that are used, these are only a few of them so go to Warwick Uni Canoe Polo site for more.

New Polo Boats

2010-06-23T11:48:00.005+01:00

We have bought 3 new, quite battered polo boats, from Warwick Uni, which are currently being repaired by Alex Read so will hopefully be ready for use soon. Essential maintenance is also being carried out on other bits of kit and current boats to keep them up to standard. We are always on the lookout for new boats to expand our fleet especially as we usually have a couple of people not in boats on Tuesdays.

Summer Canoe Polo

2010-06-22T23:00:00.003+01:00

We have given the Blog a new lease of life and added some stuff. Have a look at the Events page for details of canoe polo that will be running on the river soon. We will have an almost full size pitch with goals at almost the correct height! Let us know if you want to come along by leaving us a message on Facebook, leaving a comment here or emailing us.

Demo Day

2010-05-17T08:37:00.003+01:00

We need a few members of the Polo team to attend the Canoe Kayak Trader Demo Day on May 23rd at the Leam Boat Centre to play a bit of polo and have a bit of general publicity for the club. There will also be opportunity to demo the latest range of boats from Jackson, Pyranha, Dagger & more. Click the link to find out more.

Happy New Year!

2010-05-10T07:35:00.005+01:00

Ok, its been a long time since 1st January, and our last post on here, but still, Happy New Year everyone! Since January we have been busy with weekly canoe polo sessions at Southam Leisure Centre where the team are coming along excellently. There has also been a couple of tournaments that we have played at in Stratford where the team did very well with some amazing goals scored.

While we are on the subject of canoe polo, we are trying to get a few more boats so we can get the club a bigger team and more people on the water playing polo. To get more boats we need our youth members to get together and put together an application to get us some money for these boats and paddles.

Yesterday, May 9th, some of our club members completed the annual RLSCC Doggy Paddle in aid of the Guide Dogs for the Blind. They paddled 19 miles from Princes Drive weir to Stratford. Hopefully there will be some pictures appearing on Facebook soon.

Over the next few months of summer we aim to do a couple of paddles here and there and do a bit of polo on the river and play against some other local teams. Anything you want to do? Just tell us on our Facebook page.

Happy Paddling,

New Year Paddle

2009-12-29T16:29:00.001Z

Seasons Greetings
Hope you all have had a good Christmas. Is everybody up for a New years day paddle? Its either going to be the leamington canal loop, or if the canal is icy then it will be the boat centre to warwick with shuttles. We will be on the water for 10.30 so please be at the boat centre for 10. Please let us know if you are interested. Let us know if you are stuck for a boat so then we can sort out a polo boat.
Happy New Year

Merry Christmas

2009-12-24T15:44:00.002Z

The Leam Boat Centre Activity Club would like to wish all members a very Merry Christmas and New Year. Speaking of New Year, there may be a paddle of the Leam Loop on 2nd January 2010.

December 2009 Letter to Members

2009-12-07T19:59:00.001Z

Dear Members,

We hope you are enjoying the canoe polo practice sessions and are nearly ready for the tournament on February 13^th 2010. We have one more session before we finish for Christmas and will start again in January (dates TBA). Please ensure that all your payments are up to date for Polo Practice (£3) before the end of the year.

Due to the size of Southam Pool we will be holding three practice sessions at Newbold Comyn Leisure Centre on February 13^th, April 10^th and April 8th. These will be similar to the current sessions with the addition of higher goals to practice shooting and the larger pool means that we will be able to focus on positions for play. We will advise on costs and time shortly but please keep these dates free. We need to encourage more youth players so these Newbold sessions are "Bring a Friend" don't worry if they have not done canoe polo before although a bit of kayaking experience is handy (but not essential).

Please take a look at our facebook page as we need to try and secure funding for more boats through Youthbank. The new boats will probably be several Pyranha RX300's so we can get more people playing. In order to get a grant we need a Youth Committee (anyone under 18) to create a proposal to put forward. You will need to meet up or discuss what you need to put in the application and then write it, remember that you will need to be persuasive to win the funding over other youth groups.

Whilst you are on the interweb take another look at Warwick Uni Canoe Polo Rules as they are a good help. Also if you are feeling keen have look through the official rules to ensure that all the rules are adhered to i.e. Free throws, Jostling and Passing.

We have attached a membership form which needs to be completed for 2010 Membership as membership runs from 1^st January – 31^st December each year. The cost will be £5.00 (cheques payable to "Leam Boat Centre Activity Club") to cover BCU Club membership and insurance as well as the general maintenance of all the club equipment. If you have any problems please email us.

Finally we would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and we look forward to seeing you in January at Southam Pool.

Yours Sincerely

Leam Boat Centre Activity Club

Polo Practice

2009-11-13T08:10:00.001Z

We have now had two polo practice sessions and they are going well with a full turn out on both occasions. The sessions have incorporated polo skills as well as paddling and there has been several small games to allow a larger focus on technique, this also has proved beneficial for learning to referee.

In other exciting news we have just bought a nice new trailer for club use so this will make pool sessions much easier.

Watch this space for more info.

Polo Tournament

2009-10-22T15:50:00.004+01:00

Well done to all of the players on Saturday's Polo you all did extremely well. Scoring three goals altogether by Yannig Lenoir and Dave Oliver scoring 2 backwards! We will have the pictures uploadced soon with the date of the next tournament.

Canoe Polo

2009-10-14T15:50:00.002+01:00

Canoe polo has finished for the year out on the river, but it is carrying on in the pool. There have been organised a set of tournaments being held at Stratford Leisure Centre. The first of which is on the 17th October. If you are interested in participating or you want more info, please email us at leamboatcentre-activityclub@hotmail.co.uk.

Canoe Polo

2009-05-11T14:25:00.004+01:00

Canoe Polo sessions are being held at the Leam Boat Centre on Monday evenings starting tonight (11/05/2009).

Contact us if you want more information.
We hope to get a junior and adults league going for tournaments later in the year.

Doggy paddle

2009-04-09T08:41:00.003+01:00

This years Doggy paddle is again being organised. This year it will be held on the 10th May.
If you would like to take part then E-mail us and more information will be sent to you soon.
You could also click on the link below to see pictures from previous doggy paddles and extra information.
http://rlscc.org.uk/section.aspx?section=11

Canoe Polo Tournament

2009-04-05T15:42:00.006+01:00

LBCAC carried on with their canoe polo. This time we had a team a great team of 7 players. Who did very well in the 4 games we played.

Litter Pick

2009-03-18T07:22:00.007Z

We are currently organising a litter pick to clean up the Leam from the water, this is a brilliant opportunity to help keep the environment clean and to have a good paddle.
It has been organised to be on the 26th April 2009 please email or leave a comment if you will like to come. A BBQ and refreshments will be provided.

Canoe Polo

2009-01-21T16:45:00.004Z

Leam Boat Centre Activity Club (Leam BCAC) Canoe Polo Team started out on their first campaign in the Midland League 2 at Stratford Leisure Centre with a creditable performance in the opening group of fixtures prior to Christmas. Considering that this was the Clubs first experience of competitive Canoe Polo promising results were returned. Losses of 7-0 against an impressive Cherwell outfit and 6-0 against Nottingham University “B” were followed by a fighting 4-1 loss against Viking Youth and a pleasing 1-1 draw against North Cotswold.

More encouraging results were obtained in the league fixtures completed on 17 January. Leam beat Wychavon 2-1 in the opening match of the evening with Duncan Sinclair scoring both goals. The next two matches saw defeats of 3-0 to Viking Youth and 7-0 against Cherwell. The evening was rounded off with a further win , 2-1 against Cambridge University “B” with Jethro Lomas and Duncan Sinclair scoring the goals.

Anyone interested in taking part in the exciting sport of Canoe Polo should get in touch with Mike Sinclair on for further details of training sessions.

We are now running practice sessions at the pool for anyone who is interested. We have had some stainless steel posts made and donated to the club from EHM International Ltd. so our thanks go to them.

Happy New Year

2009-01-02T15:05:00.002Z

Hope you had a good festive season and enjoyed 2008.

The 2009 dates for the pool sessions are listed below and they have returned to three, 1 hour sessions to make it more worthwhile.

Canoe Polo goals are being fitted on January 3rd so should be up and running for the following pool session.

If you are interested in playing canoe polo in a tournament please let us know as we have set up a team for a local league. No experience necessary although good paddling/throwing/catching skills are needed.

And yes, you guessed it, membership is due again, only £5. Fill out a form to join.

Happy 2009

Pool Session Dates

2008-10-30T17:38:00.002Z

These are the new dates for next years pool sessions.

Saturday 03 January 2009
Saturday 14 February 2009
Saturday 28 March 2009
Saturday 04 April 2009
Saturday 16 May 2009
Saturday 06 June 2009
Saturday 04 July 2009
Saturday 01 August 2009
Saturday 05 September 2009
Saturday 03 October 2009
Saturday 28 November 2009
Saturday 05 December 2009

Pool Session

2008-10-12T12:22:00.001+01:00

Some time ago at the most recent meeting we looked at having 45 minute sessions in order to bring in a 4th session for canoe polo. Can we have a think on this with a view to making a decision either way. The club that has been coaching at Banbury are desperate to get some pool time for the potential junior squad and would welcome the opportunity to give some coaching to any paddlers on the pool sessions that would be interested in getting involved. There is still the opportunity at Banbury for specific canoe polo for any juniors that would be interested.

Cheers
Michael Sinclair

Meeting

2008-08-26T13:25:00.004+01:00

We Had an activity club meeting in Wednesday 10th of September. We have decided on a new committee which is:
Chairman-Dave Oliver
Secretary-Michael Sinclair
Treasurer-Julia Sinclair
Activities manager-Paul Spencer
If anybody has any ideas which they think the club would like to do (it doesn't have to be kayaking) please could they leave a message. So far we have thought of Go-Carting, Jet Skiing, Climbing, Air Rifle and mountaineering. If anybody has any qualifications for an activity we have not included then please could you email the activity club or leave a message.

Children of Chernobyl

2008-07-18T19:23:00.002+01:00

Paul Spencer has organised a River Wye canoe trip for a group of children from Chernobyl on August 9th. To ensure the success of this event we need a significant amount of volunteer qualified or trainee BCU coaches with experience of paddling and dealing with large groups. Support will be required for the canoes under the overall instruction of level 3 and 4 coaches. To be suitable you must be a competent paddler and able to look after the group as well as yourself. Obviously there will be a language barrier so clear instructions will be required.

This will take place on the 9th August. Camping and food will be provided free of charge but you will need to bring a tent and sufficient paddling kit to look after yourself and the group for the day. There is also a possibility of kayaking on the day after but this will be confirmed nearer the time.

This is a fantastic opportunity for both the children of Chernobyl and ourselves so the success of this is essential.

Please contact Paul Spencer as soon as possible if you are interested on his mobile: 07967386449

Thank you

Duncan Sinclair

SUMMER PADDLES

2008-07-15T16:22:00.002+01:00

We should organise a paddling trip over the holidays so if anyone has suggestions for places leave a comment here and I will put a poll on it shortly when we have suggestions - watch this space. Happy Summer everyone!!!

Canoe Polo

2008-04-17T19:52:00.002+01:00

We have a posibility of going to a youth canoe polo session (for under 18's) on Saturday 26th April courtesy of Banbury canoe club. Email us for details.

Welsh Bicknor Walking Holiday 2008

2008-04-17T19:28:00.004+01:00

Such a long time since Welsh Bicknor...
...our first ever Leam Boat Centre Activity Club Walking Holiday!!
Here goes!

Some of us arrived on Good Friday to meet Andy who had already well and truly settled in with his tent and his portable DVD player and Spiderman (1, 2 or 3, I can't remember but he watched most of them anyway!). We saw the river 3 foot higher than normal, and last year and thought "hummmm! Let's wait until tommorrow" After pitching our tent Ian and Suzanne arrived while we were off chopping down rather large trees in the wood (yes, it had already fallen over and was blocking a possible hedgehog path). Once we had enough fire wood we built the fire pit and played with a vortex and flingy thing as well as a large tennis ball that was painful to catch. Then, after some exercise we decided to go to the pub. Then it hailed. Then it rained. We walked back to the campsite to see that Adrian, Carin, Julia and Sarah had also arrived. As it was raining we decided to make our way to the YHA kitchen to have dinner because:
a) It was raining
b) It was cold
c) It was dark
and d) It was windy!
Nevertheless it was a lovely dinner and we all got too help by either washing up or cooking - Yaaaaay washing up!

We went outside again and stood around the lovely warm fire doing tribal dances (that mainly involved dodging the smoke all night)

That was the events of Good Friday. Saturday and Sunday and Monday will follow shortly, likewise the pictures, please leave us a comment by clicking on the title of this article (at the top, "Welsh Bicknor 2008") about the trip and if you want to write a summary of one of the days.

Watch this space!

Visit our Picture Gallery by clicking here to see all of our pictures including Welsh Bicknor pictures.

Welsh Bicknor

2008-02-27T08:20:00.002Z

The campsite for Welsh Bicknor would like us to pay by the end of this month so please could you either:
Pay in full by giving the cheque to us at the Pool Session (March 1st)
or
Pay in full by sending the booking form and cheques to:

LBCAC Welsh Bicknor
13 Mayfield Road
Southam
Warwickshire
CV47 0JX

These are the prices:
Adult: £8.95 per night per person
Under 18: £6.75 per night per person
I have attached a booking form and a membership form so that you can fill both in for us (you should really be a member if you are coming to Welsh Bicknor) Membership costs £5 per person.

Please pay by March 1st to avoid disapointment

Thank you
Duncan

P.S. Hope to see you at the river clean, bring your own food

Eddylines

2008-02-22T07:42:00.001Z

Hi Fellow paddlers

Heading for Eddylines Sat 23rd. Early start early finish. Got a space in the car if anyone is interested. Will see what the water is like when we get there and decide what to do.

Ian

Sport Relief Mile

2008-02-18T09:20:00.007Z

We are going to do our mile on Saturday 15th March 2008 whilst doing our litter pick and BBQ. Come down and donate some money for sport relief.

Sport Relief is an initiative of Comic Relief, registered with the Charity Commission, no. 326568

Welsh Bicknor

2008-02-07T16:34:00.000Z

March 21st, 22nd & 23rd.
Email for further details:
leamboatcentre-activityclub@hotmail.co.uk

Anyone want a paddle?

2008-02-07T08:21:00.000Z

Have been a bit short of people to paddle with recently near or far apart from places being washed out! I fancy trying out Stratford Weir too but want to go with someone who knows a bit more about weirs and Stratford than I do. Are there any people in the group that I could tag along with?

Thanks

Ian Doncaster
07989970696

Don’t Forget

2008-02-04T11:47:00.001Z

Don't forget, this month's pool session at Newbold Common this weekend (9^th February). We may be playing polo so be prepared. Hope to see you there.

Don't forget, if you want to come along to the River Clean Up on Saturday 15^th March drop us an email.

Don't Forget, Welsh Bicknor on Easter Bank Holiday Weekend is taking bookings, email us for a form.

Happy Chinese New Year!! See: What animal are you?? Click Here

Doggy Paddle 2008

2008-02-03T18:00:00.000Z

It's that time of year again, the Doggy Paddle is a great day out if it's sunny! Last year it rained quite a bit! Date 11th May 2008
The doggypaddle is set to return in 2008, on the 11th May. Earlier start at 9:30 this year as there is also a river race on the same day!
The doggypaddle is a charity event in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind. The paddle is from Leamington Spa to Stratford upon Avon, taking in picturesque views of Warwick Castle, Charlecote Park, and finishing oposite the Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford. The paddle is approximately 19 miles.
For further information, please visit Doggypaddle Information

January Blog

2008-01-30T08:27:00.000Z

Hello and welcome to our 1st monthly blog.
Firstly I would like to announce the winner of our "Who can get the most comments published" competion: Scooter for the helpful suggestions over the past month especially regarding the Weslh Bicknor, if you want to read them click on "Welsh Bicknor" and there you go.
Coming up soon we have our pool session, a litter pick on March 15th, and Welsh Bicknor at Easter; if you would like to come along to any you should email us using the new address that is all over the blog.
If you would like to organise a paddle for next month feel free to email us, again on this address so that we can put a new post up.
Finally if you were hoping to catch up with the Dart trip the writing has been waylayed but it will be with you shortly!
Thank you and look at our pictures: (you can print of a copy of the river clean poster and put it up somewhere)
www.picasaweb.google.co.uk/lbc.activityclub
Thank you,
Duncan

Welsh Bicknor

2008-01-19T12:42:00.000Z

Welsh Bicknor has been booked for the Easter weekend. Last year this was an amazing weekend with great weather and great paddling.
The campsite itself is on the banks of the river Wye nearly at the Symonds Yat rapids. We will be doing paddling* and possibly some walking on the River Wye Walk.
Watch this space for a booking form, poster and dates.

Date: 21st, 22nd, 23rd March 2008

Bookings now being taken:
Email us for a booking form (sorry can't upload it) [.pdf format]

*N.B The paddling will not be "led" like a Boat Centre trip but coaches will still be present. Please don't let this put you off coming - email us if you have any queries.

Kayaks for Sale

2008-01-12T13:27:00.001Z

For sale due to new imminent boat arrival:
Pyrahna I3 223 Synchro 5, 3 years old, very good condition, usual scratches nothing major. £350 o.n.o. SOLD
Pyrahna Inazone 232, 3 years old, good condition, again usual scratches, foam foot blocks. £250 o.n.o. SOLD
Available for viewing by appointment at the Leam Boat Centre, e-mail to leamboatcentre-activityclub@hotmail.co.uk and leave your details. Also, visit www.picasaweb.google.co.uk/lbc.activityclub for photos. Alternatively leave a comment at the end of this post.

2008-01-11T07:59:00.000Z

Leam Boat Centre Activity Club River Clean.
10:30 Leam Boat Centre, Saturday 15th March 2008.
come along to do your bit for the environment.
BBQ - bring your own food.
Email us if you wish to attend

Pool Sessions

2008-01-02T09:07:00.001Z

These are the dates for the pool sessions at Newbold Common Leisure Centre for 2008.

For more information either visit the Leam Boat Centre (contact details in sidebar) or email:
leamboatcentre-actvityclub@hotmail.co.uk

Times:
Kids 6 to 7 pm,
Improvers 7 to 8,
Adults 8 to 9pm.
For block of 3 sessions its £20 for juniors (under 16) & £25 for adults. Please send a chq to the boat centre payable to "LBC Acitivty Club"

Dates for 2008 are...
January 5
February 9
March 1
March 29 (April was unavailable)
May 3
June 14
July 26
August 2
September 6
October 4
November 2
December 6

New Year Paddle

2008-01-01T17:15:00.000Z

At 11:00 on Tuesday 1st January 2008 we met up at the boat centre to go for a short, relaxing paddle. By the time we returned to the boat centre we all agreed that it definitely wasn't as short as we had planned to be!

We started off up stream towards the footbridge on the Leam. When we got there we went a bit further, then a bit further again, and then a little bit further once more. We all agreed that we should get out and do the Leam, Canal loop.

So we paddled up to the canal overflow and hopped out, we hauled our boats up the bank, then up another bank onto the canal. By the time all the boats were on the tow path everybody was worn out and Duncan had got himself and his boat covered in dog excrement. It was promptly washed of with the brilliantly clean canal water! We got on with a narrow boat and a nasty smell chasing us!

We paddled through Leamington and past the pubs and restaurants on either side at the Shires Retail park. We were all a bit hungry by now so Andy brought out his snacks, bad move there, and they were taken rather quickly!

After passing the Garden Centre we reached fields and we saw a shortcut but carried on instead. When we reached the aqua duct I took great care in were I put my boat and were I stood.

We debated whether it was a good idea to use Stella's throw line to lower the boats off the aqua duct, with nobody in obviously (although the thought did cross all of our minds!). The idea was aborted and we carried our boats down to the river.

We got in under the aqua duct and very kindly Alex helped Julia, or that was what she thought. Alex's plan was to push her under a big drip! His plan somewhat backfired and he ended up sliding down a muddy bank and getting a bit muddy!

Once we were all back on board we set off upstream against a weak current, but a current nevertheless! We reached Princes Drive weir with the water flowing over the steps some people got out and shot the weir while others were still trying to get out! After the excitement of reaching land Stella decided that, again, mud was best so she too got covered in mud. To rid herself of mud she took a bath, a bath at the top of the weir!

Eventually we set off again paddling upstream. Along the way we found 1 child's trolley; 1 road sign; and a numberplate complete with "L" plate and reflector. Unfortunately these were all jettisoned at some point on the remainder of the journey!

On reaching the weir by the Boat Centre we rigged up a line and much to the amusement of the public, we started getting our boats up the slope and back into them without sliding back down the chute.

We had a quick game of throwing the squidgy animals before heading back to the Boat Centre for a cup of tea and using all of Matt's milk! Sorry!

And the moral of the story is...

...paddle downstream next time so you can shoot the weirs and not have to paddle against the current, also it makes it easier to get from the canal back onto the Leam.

Overall distance: 6 miles approx.

If you would like to look at all of the pictures go to:

www.picasaweb.google.co.uk/lbc.activityclub

Happy New Year

2008-01-01T16:34:00.000Z

When you have looked at the blog we would appreciate it if you could give us your comments and feedback using the comment tool.

Coming Soon:

River Dart Trip
New Years Day paddle
Ardeche photos

Thank you

P.S To leave a comment click "comment" under this post and then type your feedback and click one of the sign in options.

P.P.S If you choose "anonymous" you do not need a log in, but please put who it is from on your comment.

P.P.P.S If you select "Nickname" You can enter your name and ignore the "URL" field. When you have finished click publish! Simple!

Welcome

2007-12-31T16:13:00.000Z

Welcome to our new website. Over the next week or so we will be updating these pages to list events such as our Dart trip last year and forthcoming events such as pool sessions.

We also have a new email address so please make a note and if you have any queries please don't hesitate to contact us.

Hopefully you have recieved, or will recieve a letter outlining the clubs achievements and what we will be doing. When you recieve it please take the time to fill it in and return it to us.

Thankyou

New Email:

leamboatcentre-activityclub@hotmail.co.uk

Please put your name in the subject so we can save your address.