Jan 2011 White Water Kayaking The last day of October and 6 willing adventurers Tom Collings, Bryn Phillips, Raffi Gracie, Harris Harden, Lucy Waterman and Lee Deakin headed off to Dartmoor for e first of is season's Sandlehea White Water trips run by Ross and me. I am pleased to report e trip was a complete success and lots of smiles ensued. It is always difficult to judge what e river levels on Dartmoor will be like on e day, and consequently, what rivers may be available to paddle. One of my favourite Grade 2/3 runs is e River Walkham, heading into e River Tavy is is on e souern edge of Dartmoor, rough scenic wooded valleys and, above all, it is so quiet and sees few paddlers. I had been monitoring e forecasts all week, but it looked as ough e rain would be too little too late for a Walkham trip but e first smile of e trip arrived when I checked e rain gauges (on e web) first ing Sunday morning to find at a load of wet stuff had dumped on e moors overnight. It wasn t forecast but, sure enough, it was ere and having to have e wipers on during e long drive is always an encouraging sign for us paddlers. We always break e journey for a hearty cooked breakfast on e way fuelling up to ward off e cold on e rivers. As e rain continued to tip down we began to share concerns at ere might be too much! The downside of a Walkham trip is e extra travel time and long shuttle logistics. But on our arrival we were greeted wi near perfect water levels. We kitted up and had a briefing. For Tom and Lucy, is was e first moving water ey had been on and is was all new and perhaps a little daunting! Lucy eyed e water rushing past e bank wi obvious trepidation but I New Year Edition Above: Lee Deakin kayaking on Dartmoor knew what excellent paddlers she and Tom had bo become over e summer. Ross and I had no qualms, besides we were joined by a couple of my friends (Vic and Viv) to help wi e shuttles and any rescues at might be required! There were a few swims (Lucy, Bryn, Lee) but at didn t dent any spirits. I will fess up to e fact at Lee s swim was e result of my jostling to share a bit of wave surfing. We ran e river cautiously we couldn t afford an incident considering e lack of daylight hours and I ink I may have disappointed a few when I banned e running of e infamous drop slot. They all paddled very well indeed Bryn and Raffi having paddled on Dartmoor before styled it. The ree fearless munchkins (Lee, Tom and Harris) charged at every wave and surfed emselves silly. Lucy needs a very special mention one of e youngest I have ever taken on G2/3. She was nervous but showed real courage (it takes much more courage to run a river when you have nerves to beat as well as e river). Lucy has e makings of a great kayaker and I don t ink we have put her off! We didn t get off e river until 4pm and drove back across a dark moor, getting home by 8pm. Tom slept soundly in e Landy! All tired, all smiling. High fives all round. Graham Bland Kayak Instructor Page 1
On-shore training: Safety weekend Over e weekend of 11 and 12 December e Group ran RYA First Aid and VHF (DSC) Radio Operators courses. This was a repeat of a similar weekend run at a similar time e previous year, which proved to be very successful. These courses provide qualifications at are needed to run e activities at e group offers. They were attended by Leaders, skills instructors and a few of e Scouts and Explorers. It is a testament to e quality of e instructors at we have at we are able to provide ese in-house raer an having to pay for members to obtain em elsewhere. Thank you to Tom and Richard who provided ese write-ups of e courses. Above: Richard Quinn on e First Aid Course Below left: participants on e VHF course I took part in e First Aid course run by Jimbo and Stephen last Saturday and it was great fun. We had e chance to practise wrapping bandages around each oers heads and arms and learnt to make a sling. We also practised CPR on dummies. What I found most useful about e course was e DR S ABC as it is really easy to remember and would come in very useful in a medical situation. Jimbo and Stephen were great to give up eir own time to give everyone who took part in e course a fun and educational day. I know I was not e only one who enjoyed e course whilst learning so much. I now have a better idea about what to do in an emergency. Richard Quinn Scout On 12 December Jimbo ran a VHF radio course. I, along wi six oer people, attended. Throughout e day e course was very informative, moving at a steady pace. I was e youngest on e course (aged 14) and surrounded by adults. However, I found at everying was explained clearly enough so at I could understand it. When I didn t understand I wasn t afraid to ask for help as everyone was supporting each oer. I took is course so at I can use e qualification in e future, when dinghy instructing and when I take yachts sailing. Tom Collings Scout Resus. Update The update is really at ere is no update. Every 5 years e Resuscitation Council (UK) normally issues new guidance on e protocols at we should follow. The introduction to e guidance issued at e end of 2010 says The adult basic life support algorim is unchanged from 2005. In oer words e basic CPR sequence taught on First Aid courses over e next 5 years should be e same as e sequence at you have been taught previously. There are some subtle changes in e emphasis and wording used by trainers, but noing very substantial. There are also changes to e advanced sequence used by medical professionals. There is also now increased emphasis on getting Page 2
untrained bystanders to at least attempt e chest compression component of CPR. Evidence suggests at is is simple enough to be explained to someone quickly (for example over e phone). Chest compressions on eir own can help and could be enough to save a life. The full sequence, including bo chest compressions and rescue breas, is best if you been taught it. More details are available at: http://www.sja.org.uk/sja/first aid advice/life saving procedures/faqs to resuscitation changes.aspx As a reminder to ose of you have have received training, e up to date basic sequence is shown below. Stephen White First Aid Trainer D Yes Danger? European Dragon Boat Championships The European Dragon Boat Championships were held from 13 15 August in Amsterdam. Sharon Miller (Assistant Scout Leader) competed as part of e Great Britain Senior Women team. They achieved an excellent 2nd place in e 200m event and 3rd place in e 500m event. Their times were excellent and ey weren't far behind e Germans in eier event. Katrina Miller, Explorer, competed as part of e Great Britain U18 team. Well done to bo of em! Make safe No R S A Response? Yes First Aid as needed No Call 999 Shout for help Recovery position Open airway B Breaing normally? Yes No Call 999 C 30 chest compressions In children and drowning you may give 5 initial breas before starting CPR. Land 's End to John o' Groats Anoer big well done to Sam Giles, who completed a cycle ride of nearly 1000 miles from Land's End to John o' Groats to raise money for cancer charities CCLG (Childhood Cancer and Leukaemia Group) and CLIC Sargent. Sam was determined to do someing outstanding to raise money for ese charities after seeing two of his class mates from Bishop's Wordswor School die of cancer. Sam raised about 4000 for his charities. http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/samgiles 2 rescue breas Page 3
Cubs and e Camp-fire Circle One of e most used additions to e groups assets in 2010 was e camp fire circle at e Scout Centre. Even, wiout a fire cubs naturally gaer around it. However ey have enjoyed it roughout e year as it was intended. We have cooked 'Smores' (2 chocolate digestives wi a melted marshmallow squeezed between once you've had one you want 'smore') almost every time a fire has been lit! On Guy Fawkes night we shot our flaming ballistae (each six made a mini pioneered ballister firing a mes fuelled bamboo cane javelin yes a risk assessment was done!) from around e circle. Many sausages were sizzled and songs were sung particularly wi our guests, e Alderholt Brownies, earlier in e year (see photo). The cubs are again looking forward to enjoying e magic created around our camp fire circle roughout 2011. Above: Cubs & Brownies using e camp fire circle built last year using funding from ACRE Richard Farr Akela D. of E. Award As reported in e last edition of Waterlines, two members of e group have recently received eir Gold award. Well done to Josh and Richard. Left: Richard at St James's Palace after his D. of E. Gold certificate presentation. Right: Josh wi Adam Jollans and Mike Baxter Left: Richard and Josh wi Russ Parke in The Great Hall, Winchester, at eir County award presentation. Page 4
Solent Regatta We had a brilliant day at e Solent Regatta at Testwood on 25 September. A big WELL DONE to e Scouts and Explorers who competed. The Scouts had amazing results and an armful of trophies, coming away as overall winners. Lots of big smiles too. We had e best scouts on and off e water wiout a doubt. Thanks to everyone who helped (John Hinton, Nick Poyntz Wright, Louise, and as usual David Miller, Stephen White and David Chadwick running everying). Outstanding performances from Brendan and Lucy (hope you were embarrassed going up so many time for trophies), but excellent results from everyone. Ros White Group Scout Leader Above: Raffi and Katrina sailing a Feva at e Blashford Regatta Scout Overall Results Place Team Points 1st 1st Sandlehea 123 2 9 Lymington 121 3rd 4 Eling 119 4 6 Hamble 103 5 2 Fareham 101 6 13 Souampton 64 7 10 Christchurch 63 Points 8 1 Park Gate 43 Blashford Solent Sailing Regatta Scout Overall Results Place Team nd nd st 1st 9 Lymington 3 9 Milford & Keyhaven 41 2nd 4 Eling 14.7 10 25 Souampton 27 11 2 Souampton 12 3rd 1st Sandlehea 24.7 4 10 Christchurch 42.8 5 6 Hamble 68.7 nd Explorer Overall Results Place Team Points 1 9 Lymington 112 st Explorer Overall Results Place Team Points 2 Sea Dragon (Fareham) 100 1st Avon Valley 17 3rd Relentless (Eling) 88 2nd 9 Lymington 41 4 Atlantis 50 nd 3rd 6 Hamble 47.7 5 Avon Valley 33 4 10 Christchurch 60.7 6 6 Hamble 30 5 4 Eling 69.4 7 Enterprise 27 8 Netley 7 Page 5
Basingstoke Canal Challenge Jamboree Preparation Lee won e Scout 6 mile category, getting a gold medal wi a time of 1hr 10m (10 minutes faster an e 2nd placed Scout). This was a brilliant time, e fastest time of e day by anyone was 1:09. Brendan's time was 1hr 22m (4 place), James Waterman 1hr 36m (16 place of 36) and Lucy did 8 miles in 2hr 11m 3rd fastest Scout over at distance. Three members of 1st Sandlehea Sea Scout Group will be attending e 22nd World Scout Jamboree in Sweden later is year. Richard Savage and Josh Cleall are bo helping lead contingents from Hampshire, while Chloe Hinton will attend as a participant. They have all been busy preparing, including bo fund raising and training activities. Many of you will have seen e calendars Chloe produced, using her own photographs, to raise funds. Anoer of her photographs won e under 16's category of e New Forest Dream View photography competition. Congratulations! Regarding a recent training weekend, Chloe writes: I just ought at I'd tell you about my training weekend, just because Bear Grylls came and paid us a visit. We had heard rumours about it, and we were talking about it while we were cooking our breakfast, and a helicopter started circling around Ferny Crofts, and landed, and it was a classic moment, because we had just been talking about it. Ros White Group Scout Leader Remembrance Day Thank you to all e Scouts, Explorers and Leaders who went to e Remembrance Day Parade and Service at Fordingbridge. We had a good turnout in numbers, appearance and behaviour. I had comments on how well e Scouts behaved during e service (despite being behind e choir stall) and how nice it was to see so many young people ere. Well done. Ros White Group Scout Leader Above: Bear Grylls and Chloe Hinton wi e rest of her Jamboree Contingent at Ferny Crofts in October. Below: Chloe's winning photograph. If you want more like is, en you should have bought her calendar! Left: Joe Liddon at e Remembrance Day Parade in Fordingbridge. Page 6
Scout Camp Scout camp is year was held at Wimbleball Lake, on e edge of Exmoor, from 25 to 30 July 2010. On Sunday 25 e Scouts and Explorers arrived on site. Tents were erected, en ere was a break for lunch before e afternoon treasure hunt to explore e local area. After dinner came e blind trail. The Leaders had to spend a while clearing nettles, but managed to produce a route at was fairly interesting wi e usual climbing rough trees and holes and down banks. Monday was e first day of sail training for ose at had opted for it, which turned out to be a fairly wet experience for most participants. Everyone else went for a kayak on e Bridgewater and Taunton canal. On Tuesday e weaer forecast was good so everyone went to Hurlstone point for climbing. The Scouts were split into two groups. While one Above: Sailing at Wimbleball Left: Kayaking on e Bridgewater and Taunton canal group climbed e oers undertook a first aid session led by Penny and en went for a short walk. Climbing was good. The ledge we were climbing from was covered by e tide. We had to wait for it to retreat before we could finish setting everying up. It was initially a little slippery, but dried out quickly. The ledge provided a well constrained area at made it easier to supervise e Scouts belaying each oer. Despite e small area we were able to rig 3 climbs at were not too difficult. There was also one more difficult climb, wi a slightly awkward overhang followed by a slab wi relatively few holds. This was able to challenge e more able climbers. The final group to climb were e Explorers. The tide stayed out long enough for everyone to do as much climbing as ey wanted before we de rigged. While we were doing is e Explorers were fascinated by someone at had come to e same area of rock to do some bouldering. While e Explorers were climbing, e Scouts went to a swimming pool in Taunton. Above: Climbing at Hurlstone Point Page 7
On Wednesday everyone went eier sailing or kayaking on e lake in e morning, en in e afternoon came e ever popular low ropes course. People at were not on e ropes course went on a local nature trail. In e evening e Explorer Scouts got to bivvie on Dunkery Beacon, Exmoor. Thursday was anoer day of optional sail training. For oers ere was rafting, followed by pioneering or an orienteering course around e site. Rafting consisted of two teams, roughly made up of Scouts in one and Explorers in e oer. The Scout raft floated beautifully and ey paddled it across e lake at speed. The Explorer raft (shall we say a lightweight design) had failed spectacularly leaving e Explorers in e water amongst pieces of Above: On e low ropes course Below: waking up on Dunkery Beacon home. A more detailed report, and a greater number of photographs, can be found online at: http://www.sandleheaseascouts.org.uk/events/2010/scout camp/ Above: The Explorer raft eir now deformed creation. Those taking part in e pioneering built a swing. The Scouts and Explorers visited Minehead, where people had e opportunity to explore e shops, play crazy golf and eat an early fish and chip lunch. After at came e journey Stephen White Assistant Scout Leader Below: e rope swing constructed as a pioneering exercise Below left: water activities on e reservoir Page 8
Congratulations Editorial To former Leaders James Bennett and Jane Esmond who returned from New Zealand briefly in October to get married in Fordingbridge. We hope ey have a long and happy life togeer. Thank you to all who sent me text and photographs for is edition. There are photos from Gordon Currell (Remembrance Day), Sonia Vaughan (below), Graham Bland (front cover), Chloe Hinton (Jamboree report), Pat Savage (D. of E. Report) as well as photos from me and a few I'm not sure who to credit. I know ere have been many oer activities since e last newsletter. However wiout reports to go wi em it is difficult for me to include em. It only needs to be a couple of paragraphs long. Finally, I noticed at is is e second consecutive issue to feature a picture of a member of our Group wi e Chief Scout, Bear Grylls. So e challenge is on for someone to make it ree in a row! Stephen White Editor Group Programme March April Saturday, 12 Sunday, 13 Friday, 18 Sunday, 3rd Sunday, 30 May 1st Scout Caving weekend Quiz Evening, Jamboree Fund raising (Scout Centre, 19:30) District Pat Cross Trophy District St George's Day activity/camp (Bragger's Wood) Saturday, 14 Sunday, 15 Wye canoe/kayak weekend June Friday, 17 Sunday, 19 Cub Camp (Harry's Island) July Saturday, 9 Friday, 29 August 4 May September Saturday, 17 Sunday 25 November Sunday, 13 Above: Beavers enjoying water activities at Spinnaker, June last year Solent Sea Scout Sailing Regatta (Spinnaker) Scout and Explorer Camp (Sou Wales) Solent Sea Scout Main (Pulling) Regatta (Testwood) Basingstoke Canal Challenge Remembrance Sunday Waterlines, Jan 2011 Editor: Stephen White, <stephen scoutsweb@ear.li> Produced using OpenOffice on Debian/GNU Linux. http://www.sandleheaseascouts.org.uk/ Copyright 2011, 1st Sandlehea Sea Scout Group Page 9
1st Sandlehea Sea Scout Group Useful Phone Numbers & Addresses Page not available online Page 10