Back in 2008, we held a ‘book launch weekend’ to celebrate the arrival of ‘South West Sea Kayaking’. We did it again in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Purely for want of a name, it became the South West Sea Kayaking Meet. The weekend has been held in South Devon, and also on the Isle of Purbeck. After a gap of a couple of years, we’re doing it again…I hope that you can join us!
This year’s event is being held from Friday 5th to Sunday 7th September 2014. It will be based at Steeple Leaze Farm on the Isle of Purbeck. If you’re not familiar with the area, all you need to know is that it’s an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and that the local coast is part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Park. There are numerous classic paddling trips within a short drive.
– The weekend is non-profit-making and is run simply for the fun of it by volunteers. The cost of the weekend will be donated to two charities, specifically The Dorset Youth Association and Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. The fundraising aspect is the main and over-riding aim of the weekend.
– It’s primarily a social event, an informal get-together of friends and soon-to-be friends. It’s not a Symposium or a Coaching Festival. There are no workshops or clinics. It’s just some people going paddling and getting together socially. I’ll do my best to make it all run smoothly (generously aided by volunteers) but don’t expect a tightly choreographed event.
– The weekend is aimed at folk who just want to go paddling and enjoy the wonderful south Dorset coast. The paddling will not suit novices. If you have not been paddling in recent months, or are looking to get back into the sport, or are hoping for some coaching, or would like to try something more challenging than your norm or would like to try out sea kayaking for the first time…very sorry, this event is not aimed at you.
– On Saturday night, there will hopefully be an evening of talks and social activity (i.e. drinking) in the farm’s barn or a local pub; I’m working on the details now, watch this space..
– There will be a range of paddling trips on the Saturday and Sunday; there will be a choice of doing your own thing, or joining small guided groups, led by experienced volunteers. All paddlers participating accept full personal responsibility for their own safety (as frankly, you should do every time you go paddling…).
– Full details will be supplied before the event (obviously) but I will attempt to answer any interim queries by email.
– Everyone who would like to participate (this includes non-paddling friends/ partners) will need to donate £35; a small amount will be used to pay for the camping, otherwise all of this money will go to the designated charities. It doesn’t matter if you are camping or not, staying one night or two, paddling one day or two, or indeed paddling or not. You will have to donate £35 if you are going to join us.
– The event has room for limited numbers and will fill up on a first come, first served basis. If you are planning on coming, please confirm as soon as possible. You can do this in one of two ways…
1* Paypal £35 to mark@ukriversguidebook.co.uk and email me your name(s) at the same time.
2* ‘Post’ a ‘cheque’ to Mark Rainsley, 2 The Old School House, Chamberlaynes, Bere Regis, Dorset BH20 7LS and email me your name(s) at the same time.
Any questions? Email me or post them here. There is also an event Facebook page.
I will supply more information in due course. Watch this space in the weeks to come!
Cheers,
Mark R
Filed under: Camping, Dorset, Isle of Purbeck, Kayaking, South West Sea Kayaking Meet 
