Canoeing is offered to the Fourth Form during one of their four weekly activity sessions. This makes use of the School’s two swimming pools and six training kayaks. A number of basic techniques can be learnt which are necessary for competence on open water. For those who aspire to paddle on rivers or lakes, this is an ideal introduction.

 

Those in the Lower and Upper Fifth Forms can opt to spend a term being introduced to paddling in racing kayaks on the River Wey in Guildford. Once balancing these slim boats and some basic paddle stokes have been mastered, journeys can be made both upstream to the town centre as well as downstream through unspoilt countryside.

 

The chief purpose of choosing to canoe in the Lent Term is to enter the prestigious and demanding Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race  which takes place each year over the Easter Weekend. The Junior Class paddles the 125-mile course over four days in K2s, camping each night in designated sites, and arriving at Westminster Bridge on Easter Monday. The aim is to complete the race in under 24 hours, if possible. Cranleigh has only recently entered teams for this event and this year 16 are training for the race. Other races are entered in preparation, which cover stretches of the course, as well as a training camp on the River Thames. For more details of the race please go to www.dwrace.org.uk

Climbing

The Climbing Club makes good use of the excellent climbing wall in Guildford, Craggy Island, with regular Friday afternoon visits. Recent trips further afield have included some of Britain’s rock outcrops, both the sandstone of W. Sussex and the gritstone of the Peak District, and plans are being made to visit the sea cliffs of Dorset in the Summer Term.

 

Those in the Lower and Upper Fifths may opt for a term to climb on Wednesday afternoons and work towards gaining their ‘Junior Competency Test’, allowing them to climb unsupervised.