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It seems that every year Blyth kayak Club goes from strength to strength.  Once again we have attracted a steady stream of newcomers of all ages and our long term members continue to support our varied range of kayaking activities.  We now have an additional qualified coach and three of our coaches will be extending their qualifications this coming November.

 We have supported a wide range of events by providing safety cover and coaching, including several Junior Wavehopper events in the region, ‘Come and Try’ events and coaching sessions with both the Girl Guides and Scouts.  It was unfortunate that our yearly kayaking day with the children from Chernobyl had to be cancelled because of bad weather.

          Once again our members have had considerable success in competing around the region.  In the

          Finchale Abbey race, several members were awarded individual prizes, and we also won the team

          prize.  At the yearly Coquet Island race again we were successful with several individual prizes

         (I will not name the first ‘super veteran lady’, Lee Robinson was 4^th overall). We have many juniors

          who hopefully will be enthusiastic enough to begin to compete in the new Wavehopper series in

          November. Let’s start the training early this year and sweep the board in 2008!

         Our weekend camp in the Lakes was a success despite being a little on the damp side. 

         At least there was plenty of water about.  It was enjoyable to paddle Windermere for the first time

         and next year we are thinking about basing our camp there.  Unfortunately the seniors camp at

         North Berwick had to be abandoned in weather conditions more typical of January than June. 

         It must hold the record for the furthest distance travelled to have a curry.  The Sleningford Mill camp

         unfortunately only happened for a few members due to booking difficulties.  We shall plan a different

         destination for the end of the summer next year.

         Recently we received a grant for over £4000 which will be used in the near future to purchase

         arrange of new equipment, including kayaks used in a range of disciplines to give more breadth to

         our kayaking activities. Although there have been concerns over the loss of our club premises due

         to future plans by Blyth Valley Council to develop the sea front, it appears at the moment that we will

         remain where we are, with the council  at present looking into alternative accommodation for us in

         the future,

         Members of our club continue to take part in a wide range of kayaking activities – surfing, freestyle,

         sea, whitewater racing and river running.  This year has not been the best for kayaking as far as the

         weather goes, with there either being no water at all or too much, but we have still managed to have

         some very enjoyable times. Many thanks to the members of the committee who give of their time to

         support the club and thanks to the families of club members who put up with getting up early on

         Sunday mornings and driving all over the area.  We would be unable to take part in many activities

         without your help.

         Let’s hope that the coming year is as successful as the last.

         Pat Jones

         Chairperson

Contacts  Email Lee Robinson at blythkc@yahoo.com