Scout Canoe ‘Safari’

It was Saturday July 26th and  in glorious sunshine an excited group of eighteen Scouts  gathered on the canal bridge at the bottom of Coalpit Fields Road in Bedworth. Their mission? - to canoe and kayak the eight miles to Thompkinson Road Recreation Ground in Nuneaton. With the sun beating down upon them this was not going to be an easy task. Being true Scouts and 1st Bedworth Scouts at that, nothing could daunt them though.  They were determined to succeed on their mission and navigate the canal through to their destination. In charge of the mission were Kev & Steve,  two of Nuneaton’s finest canoeists, assisted by the ever willing Neil & Stu.
After being fitted out with the appropriate safety gear and plastered in sun cream our adventurers were waved off just after 10.00hrs by a small group of parents and slightly less adventurous leaders. What this group lacked in skill was more than made up for by their drive and determination. The forthcoming adventures held no fear for these lads and lasses as they powered their way along the canal.
At roughly the half way point on their mission this brave band of paddlers landed at a secret location to refuel. After hiding their boats in the jungle at the side of the canal they followed the pathway that led them to their refueling point. Waiting for them was a mouth watering feast prepared for them by Jo & Rich (with just a little bit of help from Woody). Over burgers, sausage and ice cold cans of refreshing pop our brave band exchanged tales of ‘daring do’.  Though tired  you could see the determination in the eyes of these rugged individuals. You just knew  that this mission would be completed come what may.
It wasn’t long before these hardy souls were once more heaving their craft back into the water to continue their mission. For security reasons were cannot reveal further details of the mission except to say that they were saved from an attack by a gang of savage swans thanks to a brilliant decoy mission carried out by Kev’s mum in law.
At around 15.30hrs our gallant band of heroes rounded the bend and hove into sight of the welcoming party in the recreation area, a full thirty minutes ahead of schedule. Mission completed our indefatigable band of paddlers  celebrated their success by enjoying some games such as ‘rafting up’ and swopping from one kayak to another. They were not quite so successful as they hoped at this and quite a few of them ended up in the drink but was a little swim in ‘the Cut’ to them after all they had endured.
At 14.00hrs their transport arrived and they were whisked away to their homes to enjoy a welcome shower and no doubt to regale their families with tales of adventure and close encounters.
Everyone had fun and our plucky Scouts all well & truly earned a ‘One Water Journey’ badge. We would like to thank Kev & Steve for their patience, perseverance and good humour without which this adventure would not have been possible.

Posted on 27th July 2014 | Updated on 29th December 2017 at 1:39 am Print this page

Scout Canoe ‘Safari’

It was Saturday July 26th and  in glorious sunshine an excited group of eighteen Scouts  gathered on the canal bridge at the bottom of Coalpit Fields Road in Bedworth. Their mission? – to canoe and kayak the eight miles to Thompkinson Road Recreation Ground in Nuneaton. With the sun beating down upon them this was not going to be an easy task. Being true Scouts and 1st Bedworth Scouts at that, nothing could daunt them though.  They were determined to succeed on their mission and navigate the canal through to their destination. In charge of the mission were Kev & Steve,  two of Nuneaton’s finest canoeists, assisted by the ever willing Neil & Stu.

After being fitted out with the appropriate safety gear and plastered in sun cream our adventurers were waved off just after 10.00hrs by a small group of parents and slightly less adventurous leaders. What this group lacked in skill was more than made up for by their drive and determination. The forthcoming adventures held no fear for these lads and lasses as they powered their way along the canal.

At roughly the half way point on their mission this brave band of paddlers landed at a secret location to refuel. After hiding their boats in the jungle at the side of the canal they followed the pathway that led them to their refueling point. Waiting for them was a mouth watering feast prepared for them by Jo & Rich (with just a little bit of help from Woody). Over burgers, sausage and ice cold cans of refreshing pop our brave band exchanged tales of ‘daring do’.  Though tired  you could see the determination in the eyes of these rugged individuals. You just knew  that this mission would be completed come what may.

It wasn’t long before these hardy souls were once more heaving their craft back into the water to continue their mission. For security reasons were cannot reveal further details of the mission except to say that they were saved from an attack by a gang of savage swans thanks to a brilliant decoy mission carried out by Kev’s mum in law.

At around 15.30hrs our gallant band of heroes rounded the bend and hove into sight of the welcoming party in the recreation area, a full thirty minutes ahead of schedule. Mission completed our indefatigable band of paddlers  celebrated their success by enjoying some games such as ‘rafting up’ and swopping from one kayak to another. They were not quite so successful as they hoped at this and quite a few of them ended up in the drink but was a little swim in ‘the Cut’ to them after all they had endured.

At 14.00hrs their transport arrived and they were whisked away to their homes to enjoy a welcome shower and no doubt to regale their families with tales of adventure and close encounters.

Everyone had fun and our plucky Scouts all well & truly earned a ‘One Water Journey’ badge. We would like to thank Kev & Steve for their patience, perseverance and good humour without which this adventure would not have been possible.