Newsletter 110 Winter 2005 04

Newsletter 110

Winter 2005 / 04 Web: www.marlowcanoeclub.org.uk Email: [email protected]

WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE Editor’s Piece

1

Intro to WW

2

3* kayak report

3

A mystery unfolds

4

Marathon 2005 / Thursday eves.

6

Brief report / Sea kayaking

7

Seven go on an adventure

10

New kit / Good news

8

Seven go on an adventure

10

Diary / Contacts / AGM reminder

12

EDITOR’S PIECE. I really rather enjoy doing the newsletter, however there is a downside. Printing of all those copies, folding, enveloping and stamping is possibly the most onerous thing I do for the club, and let’s not forget Paul who does some of it for me. Salvation is at hand. It seems a new photocopier is on the cards at work, one of those fancy dan things that measures everything against a specific user.

I’m sure I’ll get away with some copies, but certainly not the current count. So if you have a personal broadband connection I’d like to send THE NEWSLETTER direct to you across the electronic ether. My address is on the front of the issue and on the back. Send me an e-mail if you are happy to receive your newsletter this way. It’ll be up to you to keep me informed of changes etc. If you do not have the means to receive an e-mail copy, don’t worry, we will still be printing some off, just not so many. Anyway, back to this issue. See the contents box for the running order but I think we have managed to collate another interesting issue - I'm assuming that's the case as I've yet to receive any negative comments. There's a report on a Wye trip, 3* kayak success, a mystery solved, a bit on the marathon and an invite to a meeting. Some other little snippets for your general information and maybe a surprise package prior to the deadline; well it'll be a surprise to me anyway. Happy Christmas all; eat drink and be merry, and I'll see you all on Boxing day for a crisp, clear and frosty paddle if the weather people have got it right this year.

Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. Who said that? Answer in next issue Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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Winter 2005 / 04

INTRODUCTION TO WW. I like a bit of whitewater, just so long as it’s not too severe. I’ve done a bit before and sometimes I stay in the boat the whole day. All previous trips to the lower Wye had coincided with other events so this was my first trip on this part of the river. Generally, I’m either bricking it or enjoying it. Either way, not to much of what the coaches tell me sinks in very far. So when Adrian got a trip together specifically as an intro. to WW I was there. I hadn’t given it very much thought, but on arrival at Lower Lydbrook car park I remembered where I was. Many years ago, some friends and I had hired some ‘canoes’ from the Youth Hostel at Welsh Bicknor. No questions asked way back then. Pay your money and paddle. I seem to recall there was a bit of a flow as getting upstream was a struggle, but we rounded the island opposite the pub (now a curry house) and continued on a little further. On the way back I caught the inside radius of the bend, between the little island and the bank. Straight into a willow tree growing out from the side. I had lost it completely and was holding on to a branch whilst the river tried to push the boat under the tree. Fortunately my friends had seen what had happened, stopped on the island, but could do little. A slice of luck. Some of our cars were parked in the pub car park, so the lads got over to the cars and returned with some ropes. I can’t remember whether they were climbing ropes or tow ropes, but standing on the island they were able to throw a line to me. Once out of the boat, which got minced under the tree, I realised how lucky I had been. We retrieved what was left of the boat, stowed it back at the hostel and left hurriedly. I vowed Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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never to get in anything smaller than a cross channel ferry ever again. Only a few years ago I stopped there for a night on the way to the Elan Valley. The current warden remembers being told the story by the previous incumbent and the hostel no longer hires out boats, but does welcome canoeists. I made a donation to the hostel and felt a debt had been settled. It was time to confront my nemesis. Dave Goddard and John Parkin were getting in some practice leading up to a L3 coach award. I took the opportunity to start at the beginning. JP took 4 of us in hand, the other three being complete beginners. He entrusted me with some responsibility and I shepherded the others into a small eddy. A short talk and we were off. Just a few hundred metres, where a chance to practice breaking in and out of a current presented itself. Martin’s new Wavesport Diesel looked to have exceptional secondary stability, but after a short struggle Martin forced it over. Still, he came up smiling with only his pride injured. It was hardly a river in spate but the recent rain meant worthwhile practice opportunities were few and far between. I led the group with JP keeping a watchful eye from the rear. We took what chances we could, breaking in and out, and where the current seemed a little faster, having a go at ferry gliding. All 21 of us (did I mention that 21 turned up for this – a very good turnout) met up for lunch on a muddy beach. We left a short while later for the paddle down to the rapids at Symonds Yat. JP pulled us over for a short chat and our first run was just to get through. This we did with no incident, though I spotted a swimmer on my way through. I’m not one to mention names, but I’ve been there before Don. Out at the Winter 2005 / 04

bottom, portage through the woods and another look at the rapids. JP pointed out a few lines and asked George to demonstrate. George confused us by doing something different, wisely it turned out, as he had spotted something on the way across. It didn’t matter as none of us made it. By the 3rd run JP had got some of us using the current and even reverse ferry glides so that we could look for the best spot to descend. For my next run I decided to go down the other side of the island. Less exciting, but faster, at least I could say I’d done it. Time for one last run as I was really enjoying myself. Many would have tut-tutted at my technique, but then they could not see my beaming smile. I could have stayed all day and confidence was growing by the minute. Perhaps I’ll never be more than a G2 paddler but what the heck. You won’t hear me complaining if it’s as much fun as this. Besides there’s other forms of the sport to excel at, and a couple of 3*’s to get, and a L2 coach and a……………………….

John Norris

(04/10/05)

3* KAYAK REPORT The last two weekends in September saw not only fine weather but also 5 candidates successfully achieve their 3* awards (Anna, Denise, Emma, George and Richard). Firstly many thanks to John, Dave and Tim for their coaching and to Adrian for the assessment. The phrase 'evidence of confident committal to the paddle' occurred in the syllabus to describe the requirement for sculling for support. The same phrase could have been used for virtually every other stroke. We realised early on that if you haven't got the strokes quite Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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right, and at the start of the course we hadn't, commitment is a euphemism for getting wet. By the second Saturday we had obviously increased our confidence slightly more than our ability. Within the space of 30 minutes, we had all over-committed ourselves and, provided suitable material for Eskimo and deep water rescues. It's good when you have friends around to rescue you although sometimes a shout was needed by Tim to attract the attention of the nearest rescuer. The area where the greatest improvement appeared was on the recovery strokes. On the first Saturday, most of us were making a quick dab at the water with the paddle, as if a crocodile might be might be lurking below, but by the second Sunday, as we as became more confident of the supportive powers of the water, elbows were regularly immersed and for the high recovery strokes we all got our shoulders wet - and got back up. The first weekend we made two trips over the weir and practiced the low brace turn in the turbulent water below. John had started the course by running through the basic strokes: moving forwards, backwards, turning and the dreaded strokes to move the boat sideways. For all of us this started out with the hanging draw turning the boat more than gliding it, but with varying degrees of success, we all improved. On the first Saturday we were looking for suitable candidates for deep water rescues. Denise offered to roll, fully expecting not to succeed, but rolled up grinning from ear to ear. Then Jo tried rolling on her 'less good' side and popped up successfully. Then in desperation, Richard who had not rolled in over 20 years - volunteered and much to his amazement resurfaced. We paid particular attention to ensuring Winter 2005 / 04

that we were competent in the rescues since it is essential in a real deep water situation. However, we all know - a bit like being able to do the stroke perfectly when the assessor is not looking - we will all need to regularly practice the rescues to be just as confident in choppy water 200 meters from rocky land, as we are 20 meters from the clubhouse. By the end of two most enjoyable weekends we were all confident to commit ourselves to the strokes covered in the course - which is just as well as the water gets colder!

Richard

(02/10/05)

A MYSTERY UNFOLDS At some point during the September Committee meeting the issue of when we should stop Tuesday evening sessions arose. As usual we settled on the Tuesday before the autumnal equinox, i.e. 20th September. So far, so good. Andy Maxted made the observation that he was sure ‘the evenings were getting earlier’ – we all knew that, but I understood the deeper meaning of his statement. Having always been an early riser I suggested that, to me anyway, the mornings were getting earlier. At the time it did not seem much of a challenge what with the net and all to find a solution, but I was wrong, so very wrong, to make such a crass assumption. The observation was ‘has the period of daylight shifted within a given 24hr. period’ or ‘are the days getting shorter’. The answer led me to resources provided by the world’s major military force and called upon advice from some of the more noble of our home grown institutions. The more I looked into it the harder it became to find out where Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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to turn next. It seemed a relatively simple question and for a nation that invented the civil service I was sure it would be written down somewhere. Search upon search led me nowhere and I was beginning to think I was asking a question that perhaps the people in power would rather I did not know the answer to. Had repeated A & H bomb testing thrown the planet into a slightly different orbit, or were the politicians just turning the lights out earlier in an attempt to cover up there Machiavellian wrong doings. Was it time to talk to the Conspiracy theorists (from a payphone) or were A.M. and I just imagining things. It could be nothing more than the mince pies giving up the ghost – they’ve seen a lot these past 50 yrs. some of which they shouldn’t have. So I began by looking at the NPL (National Physical Laboratory). These people measure things from nanoparticles to big big big things. And time. It took almost a week to get a reply from their answer service and that told me that they did not know. It seems the most they knew about time was how to waste it. But they did make a few suggestions along the ‘I know a bloke who knows a bloke who might be able to help out on this’ line. Next up was the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. Or was that the Royal Greenwich Observatory. Or the National Maritime Museum. A plethora of websites for the same place. Whilst looking for my answer I found a piece on ‘twilight’. Easily intrigued, I read on. Now I thought twilight was when the sun went down and before darkness set in. Simple enough, unless you’re an expert or an ologist. But not so. Did I need to know about Civil, Nautical or Astronomical twilight? Not one of them in fact, but they did have a definition of

Winter 2005 / 04

Sunrise and Sunset, which for your delectation, I’ve copied here. Sunrise and Sunset - The times of Sunrise and Sunset refer to the times when the Sun's upper limb, as affected by refraction, is on the true horizon of an observer at sea-level. This occurs when the Sun's centre is 50 arcminutes below the true horizon, the upper limb then being 34 arcminutes (just more than the Sun's apparent diameter) below the true horizon. At just 5’ 4” some might say I’m vertically challenged. It’s never bothered me but it has become clear that the president at 6’ 4” enjoys more daylight than I do. (I want to know what the EU is going to do about celestial favouritism). All very interesting – still no answer. However, a real person at the ROG (or was it the GRO) suggested I try their cousins at Edinburgh. So I rang the ROE, (Royal Observatory – Edinburgh). Here I had a nice chat with a lady by the name of Helen. Not only did she understand the question I was trying to get an answer for, but she knew where to look for that answer. It seems the Civil Service had come good after all. Helen suggested we try H M Nautical Almanac Office. There’s all sorts of stuff here but the bit we wanted was the link to the US Naval Observatory. A click on this bought us to a very similar site, but these people had discovered colour (color?) and the site had an altogether warmer feel to it. A couple of more clicks and we were there. Here we find a facility that will compute the rise and set times of the sun (and almost anything else) for any year you choose to select. I took the clubhouse for a location, entered the longitude and latitude and set it for 21st Sept this year. Then I repeated the whole exercise for 21st Sept. 1955. The exact Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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times, not allowing for daylight saving, were:21/09/2005 rise 05:48 set 18:04 21/09/1955 rise 05:46 set 18:06 Conclusion - It appears that the daylight period within a day has shortened by all of 4 minutes. But it has done so equally either side of midday. The days are indeed getting shorter, but ‘daylight is not getting any earlier’. Oh, by the way; whoever is the D.O. on next year’s final evening foray should remember to bring the group home 2.4 seconds earlier. John Norris

30/09/05

If you’ve a little something that may be of interest to our readers, however tenuous the link with paddling may be, send it in. I could do with a couple of fillers so if I don’t use it next issue, I’ll keep it for a later edition.

LOCK CLOSURES If you are out and about over the coming months, take a look at the website. Look under ‘links’ and go to the ‘document library’. Here you will find a folder marked ‘EA’. There’s a letter and schedule for this winters lock maintenance programme. Marsh, Henley, Cookham and Boulters are the ones most likely to affect us but there are others as well.

ADVERTS? This subject was touched upon at a recent committee meeting. Should we carry adverts on behalf of members wishing to sell gear they are no longer using? I did put one in once for the exWinter 2005 / 04

chairman but I don’t whether it did any good. Here’s a sample of what we might offer. FOR SALE PYRANHA PROZONE 232 Just 3 ½ years old and in excellent condition. With full whitewater fittings and airbags. Nice boat to start WW in without being so short as to be a pain to paddle to Temple and beyond. Just £325.00. Call 01494 483833

This one is really up for sale. I didn’t see the point of putting a dummy in. Call it favouritism – or whatever you like, Editors prerogative sounds good, but Rob’s looking for a change. If you’ve something to sell give me a call and if there is space I’ll put it in. We might insist on a small fee, but remember this is in addition to the for sale board and website ads. section.

MARLOW MARATHON - 2005 Last year I enjoyed (?) my first marathon race and made a commitment to get under 50mins (D9) this year. It didn’t happen. I was just of the lead at the start and powered through, as planned, but just nudged another competitor in front. Easing up I got a wallop from behind and in I went. To quit or not to quit? That was the question. I had nothing to lose, so proceeded to empty the boat – it’s a lot of faffing about with these types of boats and I’ve no idea how long it took but it seemed like an age. Back in the boat and I went for it. Just before the Bounty I saw Rob on the return. That didn’t surprise me – he’s a tough paddler when he needs to be. But to see him fronted by Tim Twitchen, now that was a surprise. There’s a bloke Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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who’s really improved this summer. A tight turn and I tried to stay with one of the higher div. paddlers for a short while but the ticker was having none of it. I caught and passed a no. of other D9 competitors and almost had another, but his club members encouraged him home and I was spent. Despite the dip I recorded a faster time than last year and feel that next year a sub 50 min. time is on the cards………….maybe! Many thanks to the Belchers for the Thursday evenings and to all those who helped in some small way.

John Norris

(12/09/05)

THURSDAY EVENINGS What are you doing Thursday evenings? Not much I’ll wager. Our friends at CPCC (Chiswick Pier Canoe Club) run a pool session at Gurnell leisure pool to which they extend to us a cordial welcome. A no. of us are regular attendees but the more the merrier. The sessions run from 9:00pm to 10:30pm and cost a fiver + car parking and lockers etc. There are some pool boats but they’ll let you use your own. It’s not a structured session – you have to go and ask for some coaching and the CPCC coaches naturally look after their own, but they are not slow to help us once that’s sorted. The timing, distance and work commitments mean it’s not easy for our coaches but they can be seen from time to time. Besides our more senior coaches we do have a no. of L1 coaches attending who can offer assistance in a no. of techniques. Currently I’m practising for my 3* and have used the pool sessions to ‘perfect’ my hanging draw, increase my % of successful rolls (though at the time of writing it’s still way to low to call Winter 2005 / 04

reliable) and my sculling for support. As you will have read in an earlier item 'evidence of confident committal to the paddle' is a frequently used term in the 3* syllabus. The pool provides a clean, warm environment to practise all of these and more. Directions to the pool are on the website as are other details. Come along some time, and if you know it all, then it’s time to teach someone who doesn’t.

John Norris

(10/10/05)

A BRIEF REPORT We had very mixed weather which on the whole improved during the trip. On a couple of days we got very wet and during the first two weeks persistent headwinds made the paddling hard work and probably added an hour to each day on the water. As we got fitter the extra effort seemed to be less of a burden. During the trip we met with many small kindnesses, including: A fisherman who abandoned his rod and ran after us with a donation, giving the lie to the supposed enmity between canoeists and anglers; A lady on a narrow boat who offered an early morning cup of tea as we packed the tent by the side of the canal; A free meal and a number of discounts at pubs and B&B's that we stayed at; and help from a cyclist when thorn clippings caused 10 punctures on the portage trolley. We saw some wonderful countryside and wildlife (including an otter, some water voles, numerous kingfishers and a terrapin) as well as many interesting relics of the industrial revolution. Overall it was a very enjoyable and interesting experience but not without its challenges. We had a hard time passing through Manchester, where the expected Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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awkward portages of an urban stretch of canal were made much worse by barriers designed to deter vandals and cyclists. Although the trip down the tidal River Douglas and up the Ribble were a delight, getting from the Ribble into the Lancaster Canal was not. The new Ribble Link Canal could not have been any worse if it had been deliberately designed to be impassable by canoe (that was the day of the 10 punctures). So far we believe we have raised about £3000 for the Sue Ryder Care Nettelbed hospice.

KJF & AJF

(14/10/05)

SEA KAYAKING I was looking back through some old issues of the newsletter the other week and noticed that KJF (he of the 400 miler epic featured previously) was, in an earlier life, a sea kayaker of some note. I gave him a call to see if he would be interested in trying to reestablish a sea group, but with limited time and other interests the answer was NO. But that's not all. Did you know that sea kayaking is 2nd only to kayak surfing in terms of % growth. I didn't, but apparently it is. I've yet to get my boat to the sea but I'm already aware of some major differences. The boats are generally very stable - at my level anyway - but it's the preparation that differs. As KJF pointed out to me in his reply, when the going gets rough you cannot head for the bank and get out! The clubhouse is a long way away when you are just 1/2 mile out on the briny. Everything you need has got to go with you.

Winter 2005 / 04

Anyway, KJF has kindly offered to do us a lecture if I sort out a venue / beer. If I can garner sufficient interest, I'll arrange to hire a room at Longridge and get some bottles in from the Marlow Brewery. The club has tried to sort out a sea trip in recent years but has been thwarted by events beyond our control. Although I am suitably qualified, I understand the 40 Y.O. and beard rule has been relaxed to the extent that any club member will be welcome. Why not come along and learn a bit about another kayaking discipline. We may be lucky enough to get a sea trip on the cards next year. Look out for details on the notice board and the website. I'll make arrangements just as soon as I have some idea of numbers.

John Norris

(26/10/05)

NEW KIT? Seems like I'm repeating myself again, but once again I find we are racing towards Christmas. Many of us will be parting company with large wads of hard earned cash and some of us might be on the receiving end of others generosity. But for all the new members who have joined us this year I would just like to remind them of our local retailers. In Reading we have Marsport; always ready to help and advise. View their website at http://www.marsport.co.uk/ for directions and other details. The easiest shop to get to if you live south of the river. For those of us who live to the north of the river then the Riverside Centre at Oxford is probably the best bet. They now have a website, (but it's not as good as ours) so pay a visit to http://www.spired.com/c-o-ps/homepages.asp?id=34

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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Contact details, address and map are available from the site, but not much else, however Dave's a good bloke and will see you all right. Both will give you a 10% discount if you mention the club. Other retailers can be found on the net, or look at the retailers links on our own site. Don't know what to buy / ask for. Why not discuss your requirements with the proprietors or talk to any of the clubs more established members.

MARTINS NEW KIT It's not really a guide, but here's what Martin treated himself too just recently. After deciding to go on the Symonds Yat trip I thought it was time to purchase my own boat, so I took myself of to the Whitewater centre at Shepperton. After looking at many boats and discussing my requirements with the staff I chose a Wave sport Diesel. It seemed to have plenty of room, and much as I hate to admit it, seemed ideally suited for larger, older, less flexible people. Then a paddle - a Werner with ovalised shaft and thin yellow blades to match the boat took my fancy, though I've yet to fully appreciate the ovalised shaft. Off to the Wye - 10 mins. later and all still felt comfortable. I discovered how easy it was to get out of when I capsized a little while later. I can thoroughly recommend the YAK Kurta semi dry top, a nice comfortable fit with effective seals that have kept me dry thus far.

Martin Seabridge

(30/10/05)

Winter 2005 / 04

GOOD NEWS We stopped for tea & coffee at Temple the other day, and I discovered a notice to the effect that the facility was open throughout the year, subject to weather. I note that the Chairman and a few others have adopted a policy of stopping of here for a drink and a cake on our upstream forays and now I know why. Bring a couple a quid along and enjoy a hot fresh coffee and a delicacy - think of it as a starter for Sunday lunch - and a bit of a chat. Fancy a stab at some committee work; this could be an ideal opening for a new social secretary - Give it some thought. Guess what! Next time we went there it was closed, but we noticed an OPEN sign on the Showboat. On our way back from Hurley, where we had hoped for a single gate on low, I asked around to see who was interested. Just the two hands went up so Jo and I took on the heavy responsibility of 'testing the water' so to speak. You're welcome so long as you are not dripping wet. There was no pricelist, but on this occasion just £3.00 bought us a cafeteria of coffee (2 cups each) + toast and marmalade for a hungry Jo. They also do a cooked breakfast and a beer or two might be welcome in the summer, I'm sure they can serve it faster than the George and Dragon. NB! After they have completed their Christmas obligations they are closing for a 3 month refit.

Earlier in the Summer, once Sarah had re-established the Marathon training sessions we were looking around for a few new faces. Not for a moment did I think Emma would be interested let alone compete, but I think her friend Anna won the day. Many sessions later, and a race, and I managed to get Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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a short feature on Emma's 'day at the races'

MARLOW MARATHON. On the 4th of September the Marlow marathon was on everyone turned up. It was a very hot day and there were lots of people from other clubs there too support their teams. A short while after arriving a few of us had to go back to the club to paddle our boats down. After this we registered and put the number plates on the boats and left them ready to go and have a race briefing. We were told what order the race was going to go in then went and paddled our boats down to the pre-start. During this time I was very nervous. Finally we were called up to go and start the race. As we left there was splashing of paddles against the water and everyone was off. The heat was getting to everyone but they all kept going. All you could hear was people cheering each other on. I got to the turn and we were all quite close together. Finally I could see the finish line and everyone shouting for the people racing. As soon as I was finished and got out it was time for pictures. The next thing we knew Anna came along happy with finishing and telling us about hitting a swan. We all went over to the food tent and started serving people. I also managed to burn myself making tea. After the busy rush of hungry people it was time for presentations and finding out where we had come and our times. I was pleased with how I did and it was a good experience. The day had finished and everyone was going home so we paddled of to the club to put the boats back.

Winter 2005 / 04

I don't recommend burning yourself, but if you must, what better way to do it than making someone else a cuppa! Emma Seabridge

SEVEN GO ADVENTURE.

(06/11/05)

ON

AN

I answered the phone; ‘anyone up for a trip tomorrow, Kennett & Avon or Cherwell’ said a rather broken voice of up & down tones. It seems modern technology can now convert a text message to speech for STD lines. Most of us arrived at the club for 09:00 as per AM’s suggestion. Denise exercised her women’s prerogative and arrived around 10:00. In the meantime general consensus was that we would do a stretch of the Cherwell, uncharted water from the club’s point of view, from Lower Heyford to Thrupp. It couldn’t have worked out better. Car parks adjacent put in and get out and a fast ‘A’ road linking the two. We were on the water by 11:30 - 4 canoes and 3 kayaks. The flow was reasonable, but fast meant shallow – and a bit of a problem for the kayaks. Minor obstacles consisted of reed beds and debris but these were easily dealt with. Fallen trees provided more scope for ingenuity, but we were all forced to portage at one point. It was definitely easier for the kayaks through these sections. We stopped for a short lunch break at around 1pm and found that, although enjoyable, we hadn’t travelled very far at all. Some serious bends in the river were adding to the distance. Under a bridge and our 1st weir, a rock construction looking almost natural. Most went river right, Denise went river Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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left and wound up perched on an outcrop. Good girl – at least she can laugh at her own predicament, and if we’re all laughing there’s not much wrong with the day. Deep but slow sections followed with a few fallen trees and other debris which generally slowed our progress. We came to a parting of the ways. Straight on or line it down a 10′ rock strewn embankment. Easy decision – straight on – but wrong. You can’t paddle through a mill race. We headed back to the embankment, but with a sinking sun we decided to get on the canal to complete the trip. Luckily, some fisherman had just finished a competition. Upon enquiring I was told the best catch of the day was 71/2 lbs. with more to come. How 71/2lbs of anything lived in there was beyond comprehension, every paddle stroke on this reach seemed to disturb enough matter to set of an environmental hazard alarm. With the sun sinking still lower we pushed on. I saw a rather attractive dog walker and asked her how far to Thrupp. About 5 or 6 miles she replied, and quantified this by stating that it took her a couple of hours to walk the pooch from there to the lock we had just passed. Deflation. 15 mins. later I saw an older couple and asked them the same. ‘About 20mins. I’d say’ he replied. Elation. Both were wrong and we had another 50mins. or so to go. As is my wont, I put on a bit of a spurt and arrived at the end ahead of the others, but somewhat breathless. Slightly longer than Andy’s estimation, we paddled just over 8 miles in mainly cloudless autumnal conditions. My thanks to Andy Maxted for providing the impetus and to Andy Hibbert, Guy, Tim Twitchen, Kelvin, and Denise for all contributing to a wonderful day out.

John Norris

14/11/05. Winter 2005 / 04

It's come to my notice that a few people outside of the club read our newsletter. Seeing as how KJF has offered to host a Sea Kayaking lecture for us I thought I'd return the favour and publish this on his behalf. It's a bit of a specialist item looking for the right home, if you know of anyone who may interested, tell Ken. Details below.

committee know in plenty of time. Check the website to ensure no last minute changes to date / venue. For new members who wish to attend here is a map showing the location.

THE KING'S HEAD LITTLE MARLOW

BOAT FOR SALE Plywood expedition sea kayak. Excellent condition. Modified Ken Littledyke design. 17’ x 22”. Based on a KL Sea Rover kit but narrower, with a deeper vee, less rocker and a flatter sheerline. Red hull and deck ends with varnished deck and interior. GRP bottom sheathing with epoxy at bow & stern skid areas. Rudder with “kidney bar” foot control and lifting blade, compass, deck mounted Whale pump, bulkheads, deck mounted towing rig, paddle park, splits, lines and elastics (elastics need replacing). The rear hatch is in the bulkhead, giving a cleaner rear deck and easier access for tent or poles. Lendal asymmetric paddle 218cm & 80º feather. Nylon and neoprene spraydecks. Stowable trolley (for firm ground only). £600 ono. Email Ken for photos - [email protected]

I know the maps a bit small in published form, but a look on the website will show it in any size you want and in glorious Technicolor.

AND FINALLY The chairman pointed out this site to me shortly after I started doing the newsletter. I take a look from time to time so here's a little cartoon appropriate for the season. Thanks to frikinzero Ink, go on, have a peep.

AGM - 2006 - 30th JANUARY Usual time, usual place. Good beer, excellent food (available before AGM) Sometimes quite, sometimes active, sometimes boring (well, the occasional bit) but if you are not there your voice cannot be counted. Usual prizes newsletter items, most improved paddlers etc. If you know of anyone who deserves special mention for something they have done for the club or a member then please let the Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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Winter 2005 / 04

MARLOW CANOE CLUB DIARY START DATE 10/12/05

END DATE 11/12/05

14/01/06

15/01/06

VARIOUS

2005 / 6

EVENT/LOCATION WYE & USK TRIP – W/E SPECTACULAR! B & B at ‘The Old Pandy’ DART TRIP – LOWER LOOP ONLY Accommodation at the ‘Dart Centre’ KEEP AN EYE ON THE NOTICEBOARD AND ON THE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS OF VARIOUS TRIPS, SOME JUST A LITTLE LONGER SUNDAY PADDLE, AND SOME TO A RIVER NOT OFTEN PADDLED BY THE GROUP.

MIN LEVEL 2* 2* Check with leader or a coach.

ORGANISER/ CONTACT MARTIN REED 01844 344687 MARTIN REED 01844 344687 Guy Maddieson 01844 275418

Bold denotes organised MCC event or participation

DON'T FORGET THE AGM. KINGS HEAD PH, LITTLE MARLOW. START AROUND 8:00pm. Financial matters, Annual summary, election of your committee (some seats available for those that would like to put a little more into the club), awards and more (probably).

CLUB CONTACTS President

Tim Ward

Chairman

Adrian Cooper Andy Maxted

Secretary & Southern rep. Treasurer Safety rep. Coaching Course Bookings Equipment Officer Longridge Liaison Marketing & Publicity

Paul Crichton Guy Maddieson Tim Twitchen David Lydiatt Don Moore Martin Plain

01494 482959 01844 344850 07730 852760 08708 806962 01844 275418 07833 995289 01753 887773 01628 773555 01628 483252

David Lydiatt

Newsletter Editor

John Norris

Social Secretary Whitewater

VACANT POSITION Martin Reed

Women’s Rep

Debs Hardy

Youth Rep

George Cooper Guy Maddieson

Inland Touring

VACANT POSITION

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

Marlow Marathon Membership Secretary

Page 12

Rod Edmonds

01753 887773 01753 671389 01494 483833 john.norris @bt.com

01844 344687 07812 749555 01844 344850 01844 275418

Winter 2005 / 04