All in all, the most important thing is just to go paddle –whether it’s on a lake or a river, solo or tandem canoes, or even a kayak or SUP. However, never close your eyes for the chance to get better and freestyle canoeing will make you a better, more efficient paddler.

So ends a wonderful piece by Kringelfieber veteran Martin Strunge… who also takes glorious photos:

[See image gallery at q-canoe.uk]

Thanks go to one and all, but especially to Mark Maier and Lennart Bal for leading on the water, and to Colin Broadway and Ian Richards for hosting us off the water

Robert Maddock has started a blog on SoTP:  Quietwater Plus Conclave - what a great weekend! - and there's more in the Facebook Group.

[See image gallery at q-canoe.uk]

In January, 2016, canoeists will gather in rural Leicestershire for a first formal Conclave of the UK’s “Quietwater Plus” Community.  This will involve quality on-water workshops during each day with an international coaching team, but also quality time off the water – and we will have excellent hosts offering fine food and accommodation!

Over the afternoon / evening of Friday 29th January, we meet for a buffet and informal get together in The Boat House @ Barrow, on the banks of the River Soar (our daytime base for the weekend) and at Quorn Grange – where we’ve got Bed and Breakfast Accommodation for two nights, plus a Saturday evening Carvery.

During each day, European specialists will be leading workshops in various dimensions of Quietwater and “Quietwater Plus” Canoeing – developing approaches to canoeing famously associated with US legends such as Mike Galt, Patrick Moore and Harold Deal, and linking to a tradition of “Conclaves” which started in the US in the 1980s.

We anticipate the strongest gathering of solo-canoes ever witnessed in the UK, but tandem “Quietwater Plus” sessions may also feature, as might “Canadian Style” – in a programme which will respond to the needs and interests of those attending.

Note: find the programme here, the timings here and booking info here.

Expect a quality weekend both on and off the water!

[See image gallery at q-canoe.uk]

The animating spirit of this community was captured quite powerfully (if controversially) by Mike Galt back in 1978, in a legendary article entitled The Solo Mystique. This was a defining statement from the early days of solo sport-canoeing.

Here in Europe, Jörg Wagner, Silke and Andreas Reitner, Wouter and Annemieke Kieboom, Mark Maier, Franziska Pokorny, Sebastian and Tanja Stetter and others developed an ethos of Advanced Quietwater canoeing rooted in a “reduction to the essentials” with water, body, boat and paddle in perfect harmony – and ACA “Freestyle” Instructors can be found championing this approach across the continent.  Find them through www.freestylecanoeing.org!

Here in the UK, we have our own Quietwater Canoeing community, developed through workshops and gatherings at assorted festivals and symposia.  We’ve also been developing “Quietwater Plus” – returning to the animating spirit of Mike Galt and Patrick Moore.  Our “Plus” side recognises the special kind of engagement with the water which can also be found when we play with grace and style even amid wind, waves and/or current.

If you enjoy moving well upon the surface of the water… whether the water is “quiet” or not… our “community of practice” group exists for you: to offer encouragement, support, guidance and more.  Find us and get involved through the OCA website, our Facebook Group, the Song-of-the-Paddle Forum or any other channel you care to find!