Rick Knight, our Head of Kayaking and Canoeing, rounds up a term on the water.
During the summer months leading into autumn, our lake was perfect for canoeing and kayaking. The weather conditions were very good with plenty of variation which allowed the children to experience still water on calm days and choppier water on the windier days. On the windy days we headed to the still water under the shelter of the overhanging trees.
This term, the Year 2 children have been out in open canoes rafted together. By doing this the canoes become a very stable platform and enable me and the class teacher to take a whole class out at a time on 'guided nature trips' around the lake while the children do the paddling!
Year 3 and above have used our fleet of open canoes to develop their own skills whilst looking at the many aspects of nature and wildlife, as well as just paddling around and having fun and even sailing (with umbrellas)!
As the winter months came on, we used our heated indoor pool for kayaking more and more. Here we teach water safety and instil confidence in a fun environment. It's the perfect place to learn how to capsize safely and how to develop some of the paddling strokes. We sometimes end with a game of canoe polo.
I have seen a good rise in the standard of canoeing and kayaking this year so far. A very big well done to all who have taken part and helped in so many ways.
