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Canoe & Sail Cadet 2009 |
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The 23rd Annual Canoe Cadet took place in Northampton from 23rd to the 29th May. 50 Cadets from LNR ACF and a group of cadets from the Isle of Wight came together at Yardley Chase to embark on a week of Kayaking, Canoeing & Sailing. |
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The Sailors were ‘shipped’ off to Bedford each day and the Kayakers & Canoeists spent much of the first few days working from the Nene White Water Sports Centre. The cadets had the opportunity to try both open canoes and kayaking. |
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An added bonus…. for the first time in few years we were treated to fantastic weather and all enjoyed a week of sun on the water!! Later in the week we embarked on a couple of river trips – firstly we headed off down the Nene towards Earls Barton – stopping for a nice lunch break en-route at Billing. The second river trip took us to the Trent in Nottingham – this was a great opportunity for the cadets to practice their newly found skills on moving water, finishing up in some faster white water at Swatchston Bridge. |
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| In the evenings we also had a number of activities in place – As well as the climbing wall back at camp all cadets were taken to Grendon Hall over two evenings to practice capsizing and rolling drills in the outdoor swimming pools – this was great fun!! ….especially the look on the |  |
cadets faces when they discovered one of the pools was heated!! We also went in to Northampton to go ten pin bowling – an excellent night where the cadets pretty much wiped the floor with the adults ….Situation: Normal!! (however we didn’t have the bump barriers up!!!). |
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After the river trips it was back to the White Water Centre where all the cadets were tested and assessed on the BCU Paddle Power Qualifications. Many of the cadets showed significant improvement over the week and achieved high level 7 and 8 PP Qualifications. |
On the final day we held the Paddles Up Competition – in the morning Kata Kanu Races – the cadets raced each other in the teams they had been working in during the week and the wining teams finished up racing against a ‘finely tuned’ (& significantly heavier) adult team – however the adult victory was brought to quick and wet ending as the cadets swam out in mass and boarded our vessel and we were off for a swim!!!In the afternoon we hit the white water circuit and the cadets had 2 or 3 runs down the course – they all did exceptionally well.. we are well used to seeing multiple capsizes but this year we didn’t!! most of the cadets seemed to be able to stay in their boats and demonstrate excellent control and skill as they powered down the course. |
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The competition was concluded by the presentation of various medals by Colonel Steve Davies, the County Commandant. |
Canoe Cadet will be back next year and there are always more cadets than we have places for!!! So any cadets that want to come along next year and have a go… get you names into your detachment commanders early!!! |
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SSMI Kris Cross |
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