As part of the St John’s Opportunities Fund, Madeline Delaney was attended the first Student Whitewater Leaders Weekend in Llangollen. Read on to find out what she got up to!
Thanks to the St John’s Opportunities Fund I was able to attend the first Student Whitewater Leaders Weekend in Llangollen, Wales. This training weekend was an incredible experience run by four of the UK’s top whitewater coaches and attended by 15 universities.
Having done a little kayaking before university I was drawn to Durham University Canoe Club in my freshers’ week. Now in my third year, the club has given me the opportunity to improve my kayaking skills, meet many amazing new people and exposed me to the world of canoe polo and whitewater kayaking. Having started paddling whitewater at university under lots of student leaders who have now graduated, I was excited to see a whitewater weekend focused on teaching student paddlers to lead both on whitewater rivers and in executive committees. The St John’s Opportunities Fund gave me the chance to apply and attend this training weekend.
Attending the weekend meant I got to meet and paddle with top whitewater coaches, learning about efficient and safe rescues as well as techniques for encouraging new members to get involved in your canoe club.
As the weekend was attended by 15 different universities, I got to meet fellow students, some of whom were in a similar situation to me, and some who had lots of experience and I could learn from. We discussed the different ways we keep our clubs running safely and smoothly and different practices we can adopt from each other.
Over the weekend I paddled the River Dee twice, a popular river for whitewater kayaking and rafting that I have never had the opportunity to go to before. We ran rescue scenarios including swimmers, twisted ankles, single participant and whole group evacuations, pinned boats, and finding a semi-conscious solo paddler. I also developed my own paddling ability, by running a new river and therefore new features as well as being surrounded by a range of incredible paddlers including someone who recently participated in BUKE, the British University Kayaking Expedition in Guatemala. On land, we discussed thorough planning of trips, how to develop a welcoming and supportive club atmosphere, as well as the importance of risk assessments.
Overall, I learnt many things that I will definitely be bringing back for discussions within Durham University Canoe Club and have met lots of new incredible people who I wouldn’t have met without the opportunity to attend this weekend, and am therefore very grateful to the St John’s Opportunities Fund.
Photos provided by Madeline Delaney.
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