Finch's Advice for Fresher's Weekend

[Niall Finch]

Hey Guys and Gals,

Here's a few helpful hints that could come in handy for Fresher's Weekend.

The Bus !
Try not to have broken "the seal" before you get on the bus. Also if avoidable try not to bring cans on the bus, as this will leave you needing the bathroom quite a lot ! But at the same time don't hit the spirits too hard either. There's a delicate balance and many a good men have been lost trying to find it. A moment's silence for Kamakazee.

There is an Off Licence in the town. So you only really have to bring booze for the first night.

There are plenty of take-aways (Chipper, Chinese, Pizza) so if you're feeling peckish you'll be covered. Though of course we supply you with 2 Breakfasts for Sat. and Sun. as well as dinner on Saturday.

When a nice person comes around banging pots together in an attempt to awaken everyone, smile and thank this kind, kind person for waking you up so that you can go paddling.

If you don't have them already get at least two members of the Committee's Phone numbers. They can be found on the website.
http://ucdcanoeclub.com/contact.html
This will help you in case you lose the group during the nights out. Or in Chunder's case being bailed out of the Drunk Tank.

You will most definitely need a costume for Saturday night!!!! See KmcK's post below for advice.

Ask any paddler and they will confirm it, but paddling actually is one of the best cures for a hangover!

Oldies/Non-fresher types comment up with any other advice for our Freshers

[Jer]

If someone is directing fighter plane analogies at you, you'll probably find yourself nose diving into oblivion soon enough.





What the hell is an "Office Licence"?

[kmck]

They are serious about the costume on the Saturday night, someone will post up some of the classics from years gone by. Do not be the muppet who doesn't bring one you'll be the odd one out.
Remember the rules of a costume
1. Can I drink while wearing it
2. Can I put it on and take it off by myself
3. Can I score while wearing it (going in drag will guarantee that the only people interested in scoring you are three Hungarian men who will invite you back to their hotel room for a private party)
4. Bin liners make you sweat and get cold stick to fabric
5. Make it yourself if you can, buying a costume is expensive and should be left to lazy oldies with money

While people will take care of you if you go overboard on the booze, try to pace yourself against yourself not other people, some of us have spent years training to reach that level of alcohol consumption.

Paddle, no matter what way the hangover is in the morning even if the beaver of unhappiness has made a dam inside you go paddling!

Bring warm cheap clothes for after the river and the hostel, nothing makes a day on the river better than a lovely hat to keep the body warm, gloves are also a good idea, snuggling at the back of the bus is always an option especially if your really smart and have brought a hot termos flask for people. They will buy you pints for that thoughtful gesture

The following things you will need on Monday, sense of humour, a shower, pain killers, vitamin C and possibly immodium.

[Niall Finch]

What the hell is an "Office Licence"?

A place where you're able to get office supplies after hours !

[DervM]

Bring a sleeping bag if you have one guys! There are some blankets there, but you definitely don't want to get cold. Being toashty warm is the way to stay happy .

The costume part is unthemed (makes it way harder right ?) so it's anything you can think of!

While we love you guys and will take care of you; we're not your parents, so be respectful of what we'll have to deal with if you're not responsible, or you break things, or whatever.

Don't forget your normal gear that you bring on river trips/to the pool! Remember a swimsuit, thermal layers if you have any, old shoes, and a towel. Also bring some form of shower gel. Sometimes it's nice to wash .

[Douchier]

Bring a friend!


It's going to be a great trip.

[Bill C]

Woop woop!

[finch]

Proper Finch's Kayaking Weekend Check-list:

Kayaking stuff - Paddling Gear, Towel, Swimsuit, etc.

Alcohol - Spirits for the bus (Don't be silly and tempt fate, the bus doesn't stop that often), Whatever you want for the rest of the time

Sleeping Bag (cause floors aren't comfy without them )

Clothes - Fancy Dress, Stuff for going out, and comfortable & warm clothes for after river/being hungover

Also:
Painkillers, Berocca, Flip-flops (Not slippers cause tiles are slippery), Cards, Music Instruments, Toiletries, Snacks for Bus, Money, Corkscrew (Just in case)

That's all I can think of at the moment but feel free to add more.

[Bill C]

Biscuits and a torch.

[kmck]

Sowing kit, one of the ones robbed from a hotel will be fine. Someone will need it

[Karen]

Duck tape

[CormacR]

Duck tape

And lots of it! You don't want them to wriggle free.

[Maryanne]

My tips:

Work hard the week before freshers', it makes you feel you've earned it more, gets you ready to let off some steam and minimizes the workload for Monday and Tuesday when you're feeling a little sleepy.

The week after fresher's don't forget that the pool has a jacuzzi, steam room and sauna so come to the pool sessions for the normal skill training and a post-championship weekend style R&R.

"Fresher flu" (aka man flu / a cold / the sniffles / being run down) is a condition that appears after freshers' weekend each year and messes with the banter levels for a few days. To avoid this have yourself some berocca / vitamins all this week and into next week, eat some good square meals, invest in some good sleep and you'll be able to get the most out of the weekend and keep powering through next week's club lunches, pool sessions and river trip 

[HelenaC]

hate to say it, but going out the wednesday and thursday before freshers (though it seems like a FANTASTIC idea at the time!) is actually a terrible idea.... you feel all tired on thursday and friday and end up crashing and burning really early on the friday night (id know... ask derv, she had a full convo with me when i was asleep last year)

so restrain yerselves and make it a better weekend!!

also: warm clothes... many layers, fluffy socks, hats, and bottles of water for when you wake with cotton mouth...

[Garbhan]

Duck tape

And Cling Film