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Pendle Paddlers |
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Martyn Hartley |
PENDLE PADDLERSHistoryThe Club was originally formed by some of the Voluntary Youth Leaders who were users of Burnley Canoe Centre. Initially it was a Youth Club, for Junior Members from a variety of different user groups, who wanted to paddle regularly with like minded people. When Burnley Canoe Centre was later closed, the club was seen as an opportunity to 1- provide a forum for Coaches from different Youth Organisations, who would otherwise be operating in isolation, and 2 -to provide a "pool" of equipment, for shared use. From this nucleus, a new "Coaching" Club was formed, based at Pendle Leisure Centre, Colne -Hence the name Pendle Paddlers. Pendle Leisure were very supportive of this embryonic Club, and offered Pool time at both Colne and Barnoldswick Pools, at minimum rates. A number of Coaches gave up their time to run these sessions, which quickly became popular with local Youth Groups, who had no access to canoeing following the closure of Burnley. "None of the Coaches drawing expenses for these sessions, and all the "profit" was reinvested into new equipment. After a couple of years running Pool Sessions, with the occasional river trip for Coaches, it became obvious that the Club needed an outdoor venue if it was to develop. We were lucky to be offered free use of the former Foulridge Sea Scout premises, on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, at Foulridge Wharf. Current Situation The Club today is still primarily a Coaching Club. Although it also has both youth and family members, the main ethos of the Club, and indeed its constitutional aims are development of Canoeing for all. The Club has forged strong links with both the Scout and Guide movements, not only within Pendle, but throughout East Lancashire. Indeed we are probably the main provider of Canoeing for these movements in East Lancs. We regularly run "one off' fun or introductory sessions for Groups as part of their regular activities, and when required run short "Badge" courses. We also provide sessions for Scouts and Guides visiting the area from further a field. For several years we have been the main provider of Canoeing Sessions, for Burnley Borough Council's Summer Activity Scheme for children -"Splash". Through the 3 weeks of Splash activity, we provide daily 2 hour fun sessions. This year we ran 25 sessions! We also have links with Church and other Youth Groups. At the time of writing, we have sufficient kayaks and personal equipment, to equip 30 people, and we also have sufficient open canoes for a further 12. We now have premises on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Foulridge, where we run regular, weekly outdoor sessions at least twice per week. we have a polo team who meet weekly at Colne pool, and run regular sessions at Wavelengths in Nelson. Current membership exceeds 150. As a Club strongly committed to Coaching the sport, we have a detailed Coach Development Plan, and a Coaching Development Officer. Most Club Coaches still give up their time and most rarely even claim expenses. In return we operate a scheme whereby Coaches accrue "credits" from the sessions they run, and can cash in these credits in full or part payment towards their own personal training, or Coaching Qualifications. We currently have 15 active Coaches on the books.
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