Sutton Bingham & District Canoe Club

”15 Men on a dead mans chest, Yo ho ho and a bottle of Rum!

Drink and the devil had done for the rest. Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum”

Ar har mi hearties - Cap’n Rog here....

Paint yer boats black, hoist the Jolly Roger and join the sea-faringest section of the club, raiding watering holes, paddling in the teeth of a force 9 gale and generally exploring all the inlets and coasts of England.

Check out the two sea faring kayaks we acquired in 2009, and join us on one of the Jolly jaunts.

 

Sutton Bingham Pirates Programme Autumn/Winter 2011

The Sutton Bingham Pirates are a group of like-minded paddlers who enjoy venturing out on the salty stuff and sometimes less salty stuff. They also enjoy each other's company and, if there are good refreshments available along the way, it puts a smile on our faces.

If you think you would like to join us on a trip/event, please talk to the leader/organiser. The trips are graded in the normal club fashion to give paddlers an indication of difficulty or skill levels required. If at all in doubt, please ask the Captain or one of the trip organisers to see if you should venture on a raid!

Please note, not all the trips below are official SBDCC trips

Friday 14th - Sunday 16th October:   Minehead Weekend.

Last Camp of the season for some, not for Dave tho'. This trip has been talked about by Steve (s), Keith, Athol and Mike for many months. This is the chance to speed down the North Devon coast using the tides to gain distance without undue pain. If there are enough camp followers a lighter trip may be organised as well. The date is to be fixed and agreed in the next two weeks by Mike and Keith, subject to their tidal research. Lets hope Athol is fit for it!

Amber/Red Sea Kayaks only. Only touring boats on the tidal jump.

Saturday 29th October:  Poole Harbour.

This trip is a hark back to our early days when a circumnavigation of Brownsea was a spiffing adventure and tuna and cucumber sandwiches on Pottery Quay are order of the day. This gives our budding "Mini Pirates" the option to join a raid and whatever the October weather throws at us we will get a paddle in.

Ginger Beer all round.

Green Paddle. Any boat, including GP's.

Saturday 12th November: Beaulieu To Gull Island (there be treasure buried there)

An Estuary that needs exploring. On our eastern border an area that we don't automatically think of as paddling hinterland, but definitely somewhere that we need to frequent more often. Estuary paddle with some coastal rockhopping.

Green paddle but sea kayaks only.

Saturday 26th November:  Lower Dart

Pirates take to the River! The captain has been persuaded, some say tricked, into taking his Kayak on the funny moving water stuff. If you want to come and support him, literally, and enjoy a day out on one of the best sections of one of our prettiest rivers book it in your diary now.

This trip will be led by someone other than the Captain, for obvious reasons, and promises to be an opportunity for us all to fill the river with Pirates.

Amber Trip, suitable for 2* paddlers, Play boats, Creek boats or Gps. (No Open Canoes)

Friday 9th - Sunday 11th December: Pirate Christmas Thames Trip

Back by popular demand the Pirates once again terrorise the citizens of Oxford.

Last year we had to break through thick ice on some of our journey, lets hope this year we have global warming. A three day trip staying in the luxurious Four Pillars hotel where weary Pirates can rest their knobbly knees (have you ever seen Chrissie's knees?) in the warm waters of the spa before celebrating Christmas at a groaning supper table.

Green paddle. Sea Kayak, Open Canoe or Russian Icebreakers. Non paddling partners welcome to give us someone interesting to talk to.

Saturday 31st December: River Barle.

Against the Captain's better judgement, another river trip. This time to work off some of the Christmas excesses, or try out some of the Christmas pressies; a trip down the pretty Barle, if there is enough draft. Now Draft, that's more like the Pirate trip I am used to. Refreshments in warm hostelry will be mandatory.

Amber trip. Any river runner boat.

Saturday 7th January: River Teign.

What? Two river trips in a row? Has the Captain gone mad? Again? Believe it or not our sea-loving Captain is actually going to lead a river trip. In an Open canoe mind you. This trip is an opportunity to explore a section of river new to most members of the Club (even Keith!). It is a pretty collection of Grade1 and almost Grade 2 rapids that meander downstream through some wonderful wooded moorland.

Surprise surprise, the trip starts at a pub that does brilliant bacon butties as a pre-river warm up.

Amber trip. Open Canoes only.

Saturday 21st January: Studland To Swanage.

Ah the open sea, wind waves and TIDERACES. Excellent trip with a café at each end, ideal for winter weather. Through the protected marine zone of sea grass at Studland, along the coast to the tide race or shoot through the arch at Old Harry. Then on exploring massive cliff faces on the way to Swanage.

Repeat in reverse or wait for the lift at the cosy café in Swanage.

Amber trip. Sea Kayaks only.

Sunday 22nd January: The Loop!

Believe it or not the Captain has paddled this scary section of the Dart. Without getting wet, but he did gain a scar. But that's a long story.

We are hoping that midshipman Jeff will lead our merry band of experienced whitewater raiders on this trip.

(The Captain thinks once is enough and will be washing his salty hair.)

Red Trip. River running Kayaks only.

Saturday 4th February: Seaton to Exmouth.

At last some of the Pirates get to join up bits of their South West coastal map by paddling this section of rockhopping and shingle beaches. Watch out for the firing range! Bring your own cannon for retaliation.

Amber Trip. Sea Kayaks only.

Saturday 18th - Sunday 19th February: Newton Ferrors and the River Yealm.

A trip cancelled this summer and back by popular demand. Very pretty cliffs and unspoilt river estuary. For this weekend we are going to try and raid a Youth Hostel, whilst Dave camps outside in the snow.

Amber Trip, suitable for 2* paddlers. Sea Boats, maybe Open Canoes on the estuary if we can persuade Geoff to come.

Saturday 3rd - Sunday 4th March: The Thames.

The adventure continues. The Pirates paddling the Rob Roy Descent and the rest of the crew, are invited to spend a weekend on the Thames starting where the Christmas paddle finished off.

And that's not in the bar.

Forward weather projections promise sunny days at balmy late spring temperatures.

Dave is camping. Others have time to think about their options.

Green paddle. Sea Kayak, Open Canoe or Gin Palaces. Non paddling partners welcome to cycle along the tow path and give us someone interesting to talk to.

 

The trips above will, no doubt, evolve somewhat as the weekends approach. Especially where bad weather threatens paddles, alternatives will be suggested - more sheltered paddles, bike rides or walks.

The list is not exclusive and if Pirates would like to run other trips on the same days or additional dates, please invite the crew around.

Haaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!