Norwich Canoe Club are organising an exchange with Real Grupo de Cultura Covadonga, a canoe club based in Gijon, Asturias in Northern Spain.
The exchange will involve young paddlers of 14-18 years old, with a stay in Spain from 29th July to 6th August, with the Spanish families as hosts, followed by a stay in Norwich from 8th to the 15th August which includes the weekend of the National Marathon Championships, with Norwich families as hosts.
This is an exciting opportunity for our young paddlers to experience life and canoe racing in Asturias where they will also be the opportunity to take part in events in the famous International Festival of canoeing
http://www.whereisasturias.com/the-international-descent-of-the-river-sella-asturias/
There are limited places available on this trip so we are asking for expressions of interest at this point and will confirm places once we have more information from the Spanish hosts. An expression of interest does not confirm your place on this trip.
If you would like to be considered for the exchange you have to fulfil the following criteria:
Be aged 14-18 at 1st Jan 2019 and have parental consent.
Be proficient at paddling a K1 (not a Tor) by early summer, if not already.
Be able to commit to both parts of the exchange. Therefore, be able to go to Spain and be able to host a Spanish paddler for the period they are at Norwich Canoe Club.
Organise a boat for your exchange partner to use whilst at Norwich including for any races at the National Marathon Championships.
If you wish to compete in the International Descent of the Sella, you have to provide a boat and organise the transport of that boat to and from the race.
The cost for this trip will be the cost of a return flight from London Stanstead to Santander airport (Ryanair) plus any spending money. Also, participants aged under 16 will have to pay a surcharge to Ryanair to link their booking to the adult chaperone. There are no entry fees for the races in Spain except for the Sella descent which is on-line entry in advance.
You will need travel insurance to cover your activities whilst on the exchange.
You will also have the responsibility of transport for yourself and your Spanish guest to and from the airport in the UK. You will need to take your paddles on the flight, but consider bunching them together to save costs.
So, the next step is for any interested athletes and their parent(s) to talk to their main club coach, Dyson, Tim, or Ian to check their suitability and then get in touch with me, Ali Pendle either directly at the club or by email at alipendle50@gmail.com