7th March 2024
Twelve of us gathered to have a look at Pete Button and Mike Hayward’s boats , and to learn how to, and in what order, the huge pile of kit beside each one, was to be fitted inside the available space in their hatches. First lesson, aim to keep the weight even front and back so that the trim of your boat is correct eg lighter things fore and aft, heavier items such as food tins, water , stove, nearer to the body. Secondly , how to pack- a few large or more smaller dry bags? Colour code or label them so you don’t waste hours looking for things ( you probably will anyway) . Thirdly , consider how to stay dry , should you have the misfortune to need to pitch/unptitch your tent in the rain . And so on….what to prioritise , what your “desert island luxury” might be….
Most of the group had either never camped from a boat or had done very little, so many excellent tips were received and notes taken, shopping lists made. Equally useful was looking at different types of stoves you could take, taking different types of fuel, and their pros and cons.
Thank you to Pete and Mike for leading this informative session. It is hoped that we can follow it up with a couple of overnight camp opportunities locally to allow club members to try out the addictive pastime of kayak journeying .
Nicola
Lakeland Canoe Club 