AOAC Newsletter
 

Message from the Chair - June 21

I hope you have all been able to get out and enjoy the recent warm and sunny weather. Great to see such a range of events happening, including camping weekends away now restrictions have been eased for outside gatherings and shared campsite facilities. Thanks as always to everyone who has been involved both directly and indirectly in organising/leading/coaching activities.

There are lots of activities on the calendar and more being added all the time so keep an eye out, or volunteer to lead/organise your own event – there are lots of people who can help you if you’re not sure about where to start.

For now – as you will know – restrictions are still in place for meeting indoors so we can’t use indoor accommodation for overnight trips, but hopefully that will change soon.

Numbers for social gatherings, car sharing, shuttles and social distancing guidelines still vary between England, Wales and Scotland.  Please read the latest SOP and risk assessments when organising/leading/participating in an event and follow the guidelines in the area you are doing your activity.

Hope to meet lots of you on an event soon. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me or any of the committee if you have any ideas/comments/suggestions about Club-related matters.

Katie W.
AOAC Chair

New Members
We have had a flurry of lovely people joining our awesome club - welcome all. If you are new to the club and would like to meet other members you can join us in the following ways:

New Members' Wotton-under-Edge walk - Sunday 4 July 2021
Rich farmland, woodland tracks, rolling park and views from high up in the corner of the Cotswold escarpment to descent onto the valley floor best describes the terrain on this scenic 5 mile walk. 

A moderate walk led by Tracy and Russ, with one steep 20 minute ascent up through a stony gully, followed by more gentle descents, walking back through the outskirts, then into the old town of Wotton-under-Edge. 

Preference given to new members initially, then longer term members welcome to book. 

Possibility of a pub or tea shop stop in Wotton afterwards, but fear not, a coffee and snack stop during the walk too! 

Full details on the calendar - https://aoac.co.uk/content/new-members-wotton-under-edge-walk

AOAC New, Potential and Existing Members Social - Wednesday 7th July 2021
An opportunity to understand how AOAC works, with a short talk about the various activities we run and how to get involved in them. Please come along and meet Kath and other current members for a chat and the opportunity for you to ask questions.

These events happen on the first Wednesday of each month, so, if you miss this one, join onto another.

https://aoac.co.uk/content/aoac-new-potential-and-existing-members-social

New Members' Weekend - 24-26 September 2021
New members weekend staying at Brecon Bunkhouse in the Brecon National Park (http://www.brecon-bunkhouse.co.uk/ ) with organised walks led by approved walk leaders; the plan being to have an easy/moderate walk and a more advanced walk each day.

For a bargain price of £34 this event includes Friday and Saturday night accommodation and group food on both evenings.

Places are currently reserved for new members, so if you are a new member and would like to join this event, please email Kath and she will release a place for you.

Nearer the date the remaining places will be open for other members, again email Kath to show your interest, she will add you to her list and if a place becomes available she will let you know and release this place for you.

https://aoac.co.uk/content/new-members-weekend-6

New Members' Weekend - 22-24 October 2021
The second weekend takes us to Exmoor, staying at Exmoor Bunkhouse in Bridgetown https://independenthostels.co.uk/members/exmoorbunkbarn. Again there will be an easy and a more challenging walk each day and a group meal each evening. Bookings can be made from 1 July.

Full details: https://aoac.co.uk/content/new-members-weekend-5

Here is a new member's account of his experience of the club so far:

Sea kayaking the Lizard Peninsula
Only my third trip with AOAC, but it was exactly the sort of thing I joined the club for – a challenging sea kayak weekend, in a beautiful part of the country and with a super friendly bunch of paddlers. To be fair, the sea conditions were not that challenging, but I've been made to feel very welcome at the club and Cornwall certainly delivered on the coastal beauty.

Cruising around the Lizard Peninsula, you would hardly know the G7 world leaders were meeting nearby. We hardly saw a sole – at least, until we landed through the surf at Kynance Cove, carefully avoiding the massed beachgoers. In fact, we sampled lots of beaches and coves – wherever there was a reasonable prospect of an ice cream or a pasty to be had.

As for the paddling, we did loads of rock hopping (close in to the rocks) and investigated some deep caves – even finding time for rescues and rolling practice. All in all, a fantastic trip, well-led, and with a supportive group of experienced paddlers.

Murray L.

SUP Boarding - Tuesday 6 July 2021
How exciting! We have a SUP board session on the calendar. Paddling around the harbour on a lovely summer's evening... sounds delightful. This event has proved very popular and sold out really quickly. Hopefully we will soon have our own SUP boards and trained coaches. Look out for more SUP events in the future.

Paddlesport Taster Day - 3 July 2021
If you have always wanted to ‘have a go’ or find out more about Paddlesports, we are holding a taster day where you can come along and have a go in any craft available - canoes and various types of kayaks, whitewater and touring.  This will all be under the guidance of our qualified coaches, leaders and assistants.  All kit will be provided and fitted by coaches.  No previous experience required as tuition will be included.

Come along and discover a new hobby or just have a fun day out on the river.

Cost for the day is only £10.00 (incl all coaching and equipment).

https://aoac.co.uk/content/aoac-paddlesport-taster-day-0

Please email Irene if you require further information.

Paddlesport Equipment for Hire
One of the perks of Club membership is that you are able to hire any of the Club’s equipment for your own use.  This doesn’t have to be only on Club events either. 

If you want a day out paddling we have lots of equipment available:  open canoes, white-water kayaks of varying shapes and sizes, sea kayaks and sit on top kayaks.  We will also soon have six Stand Up Paddleboard packages available for hire.  We have two sit on top kayaks that are suitable for beginners or if you just want a lazy day floating about on the river.  All kit needed for a day out is also available, paddles, helmets, spray-decks, cags, and buoyancy aids.  We also have some safety equipment, eg. throwlines, if you are having a day on white-water. 

You can hire for a day, a weekend or longer;  just check the equipment booking calendar to see if what you want is free and isn’t already booked out.  There are full instructions on the website as to how to book and pay for equipment hire.

Walking News
From the Cotswolds to the Mendips, Wiltshire to Wales; walks have been underway in all directions. Many thanks to the organisers, and also congratulations to people who’ve led AOAC walks for the first time. Hopefully it’s been a rewarding experience.

With restrictions easing we’re looking forward to heading further afield in the autumn with New Members Weekends to Brecon and Exmoor followed by trips to the North Devon Coast and Snowdonia. It will be good to spread our AOAC wings again.

In other news; a revised set of club walking documents are currently being put up on the web-site. The standard operating procedure, risk assessments, walking grades table and the route card have all been revised and a new form is designed to clarify the process for approving new walk leaders and revising the remit of existing ones.  All this is done with the aim of making AOAC walking safe, enjoyable and inclusive so do take a few minutes to have a look over these before your next walk.

Btw I have found this video on ticks which may be useful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2laCHDnSNqQ

Andy S. 

AOAC Sales and Wants - Facebook
For those of you who don't already know this, we do have a Facebook group for AOAC members to advertise items for sale, wants, swaps, loans and giveaways. Recent items for sale have been a pair of men's walking boots, a climbing harness, a Lowe Alpine rucksack, an airbed, various kayaking and climbing books, a van, and a porcelain dinner set!!

The more members the group has the bigger the audience and the more items for sale, so join up now and grab yourself a bargain!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/721089714757173

Club Discounts           
Did you know that all members are able to use discount codes that we have agreed with various outdoor equipment suppliers? 

These codes can be used online and in-store.  A few codes expired during lockdown and understandably some suppliers were reluctant to renew these as they are hoping to encourage customers to join their own discount membership schemes. 

However, we have negotiated new terms with Cotswold Outdoor;  the code can be used across all three of their brands: Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runners Need.  Unfortunately they have reduced this from 15% to 10% but it can still be quite a saving on larger or over many purchases.  This is only valid for members who are also signed up to their free Explore More Benefits scheme.  They usually ask you to take a card when you make a purchase in-store. 

We also have discounts available with Taunton Leisure (Bristol store only), Cycle Surgery at Snow + Rock, Psyclewerx and  Bike UK. 

Please see the Discount menu option on the website to get the codes.  You can also select to have the codes emailed to you from the web page.  If you have any issues with any of them working online please let me know. 

Irene B.

First Aid Courses
This is just a gentle nudge - if you are going to require a First Aid course or refresher please let the First Aid Coordinator know in plenty of time; give at least 2 months notice please. Contact [email protected] with your requirements. Thank you.

If you have any interesting news/funny stories/free videos/tales of your favourite trips/tips that may help club members, in fact, anything that might be of interest/entertaining, to brighten up the next newsletter, please let me know at [email protected] . Thank you.

See you sometime soon.

Cathy x

Events