Newsletter 117 Autumn 2007 03

Newsletter 117

Autumn 2007 / 03 Web: www.marlowcanoeclub.org.uk Email: [email protected]

WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE Editor’s Piece

1

Aquatic First Aid

2

Open canoeing in France

3

Praise indeed

4

Eight go to the Alps - Part 1

4

L2K Training

9

My return to marathon racing

10

Carlsberg course

12

Force 5 from Lulworth Cove.

13

LEPTOSPIROSIS Intro to Whitewater.

18

Diary / Events / Contacts etc.

19

EDITORS PIECE It's been a funny old summer, if you can call it that. After a promising start back in April things went downhill fast and stayed at the bottom - weather wise I mean. But from within the gloom shone a no. of promised highlights. This year could be the year that the club began to find out about it's self once more. Trips wise we found out a little more about ourselves. I seem to recall hearing the Chair asking if anyone was interested in a trip to France, but for various reasons no club members took him up on this offer. Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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We've got a nice little piece by Mr's Chair to set the ball rolling. It had been talked about for some time but Big Dave's ALPS trip finally got of the ground. Such trips take a fair bit of commitment and a lot of effort, but not as much effort as I had to put in to getting someone to tell the rest of us about it. A busy man, what with the new training standards and regional rep. duties, Andy Maxted finally came to our rescue with his ALPS part 1 item (ALPS part 2 will follow in a future edition - so I'm told). It's a bit on the long side, but hey, there's a lot to tell. I've done a no. of 1* courses now, but I wasn't really prepared for the August course. From the off, this one was different. Read new member Mandy's item on what many have said was the most enjoyable course yet. Andy Cook, I've seen him about a few times but mostly I've just seen a nameplate on the end of a fancy marathon boat. Now it's out in the open again and it seems to be going that little bit faster every time I see it. Andy's got a target in mind, and I for one, hope he achieves it. Finally we get around to my piece. I've been angling to get my capella down to the briny for ages. First one thing then another, and it seemed as though I might never get there. But it all came good in the end. James and Elaine Farquarson did us proud in introducing 5 members to the delights of sea Autumn 2007 / 03

kayaking. Read force 5 from Lulworth Cove for the full monty. Do you know what! I think I'll put myself forward as sea sec., I'm not to clever at it at present, but one more trip will make me this year's most active sea paddling member, at least amongst those who attend regularly. I'm sure there's a few beards out there itching to feel the salt spray again. Feel free to become active again and pass on some of those skills you thought you might never use again.

taught us a little trick to get the correct speed of around 100 per minute and this was to sing (in your head) Nelly the Elephant as it provided the right speed and 31 compressions which we were told is close enough. Our final practical activity on the Wednesday was learning the recovery position.

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AQUATIC FIRST AID On the evenings of Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th June eight club members attended the first aid course. Those present were myself, John, Robert and Paul Norris, Melinda, Kelvin, Richard and Nigel a new member who will be on the next 1* course. On arrival we met the instructor Paul Newman who had travelled up from Kent to run the course. We kicked off with a couple of hours of theory and this was presented to us in the form of a PowerPoint show. This section included CPR and hypothermia. After a short break it was the bit we had all been looking forward to and perhaps dreading, using the Little Annies. For those who don’t know a Little Annie is basically a CPR trainer the shape and size of a small adult’s upper body but without any arms. They have simulated lungs and a valve to make sure you tilt the head to open Anne’s airway. We paired up and took it in turns to practice what we had learned in the CPR theory section. This included finding the correct area to place your hands for the chest compression, the compression to breath ratio of 30:2 and the speed of the compressions. Paul Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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On Thursday we spent another two hours finishing the theory including breaks, sprains and strains, concussion and compression and bleeding. One member who must have been exhausted from the previous night’s excitement tried to visit the land of nod but was swiftly brought back to the room by a jab in the ribs by another member. The second half of Thursday night was ‘Scenario’ time and it was a festival of maladies. Between us were electrocutions, dislocations, cardiac problems, shock, heavy things falling on us and head injuries to name but a few. Most of our ailments, no matter how small usually led to unconsciousness and stopping of breathing. This enabled the person responding to the situation to move over to the Little Anne to practice more CPR. The scenarios were to see how we responded to the situations and to check if we had been listening. It turned out that we had all been listening and as a result we all passed. I would highly recommend this course for two reasons. Firstly it was very well Autumn 2007 / 03

taught and extremely useful. Secondly at £25 per head it was a third of the price of an equivalent course elsewhere. Thanks to John for the organisation, refreshments and use of his lounge for the two evenings. Andrew Young

June 2007

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OPEN CANOE FRANCE

TRIP

IN

(including not very much technical stuff about canoeing) In June we made the long 12 hour trek down to the Massif Central Mountains in Southern France to canoe on the Allier and the Tarn Rivers. I had been promised by Adrian that it would be flat water with the occasional rapid. It was certainly more than that but I generally had time to get out and walk around scary looking sections. Of course, you then had to walk through the long grass and run the risk of the adders and lizards!! So which was worse?

A taste of things to come!

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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Eight of us made the trip down, so we made a lively group, and very difficult for the restaurants to cater for with our demands for no meat, well cooked meat, etc. We camped at a very acceptable campsite, fairly empty, so no queuing for the showers etc. I was able to buy a hot water bottle after a few days as the weather deteriorated so I was happy, although it wasn’t quite the weather we expected for the south of France. Adrian had worked out a suggestion of trips for each day of varying difficulty as we were a group of various abilities including three women of very poor canoeing skills and experience. I had the most experience amongst the women, as I had been canoeing about 8 times in total! The scenery and wildlife were beautiful and the tranquillity (apart from us) was lovely and restful. Adrian assured us it was all grade 1 – 2 level. The trips were scattered with stretches of flat water to gain our confidence and easy rapids etc. We did go down a couple of drops and I walked around the mill race (Glissieres) which looked too scary. Kieran and his partner fell out at the bottom and had to be hauled in on ropes. That did for me, as we were next in line I was out of the boat so fast and running round the bank. Unfortunately, I got in at the bottom having been assured all was safe, we went round the corner and straight over an unexpected drop of about 3 ft. But we stayed in and I surprised myself by beginning to enjoy myself. The first to swim were Guy and Kay (I’m not sure what they did) It was quite enjoyable to watch them climbing out of the river, mainly because I was so relieved it wasn’t me. I did manage to stay dry the whole time (apart from the rain) but only due to Adrian’s skills.

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No doubt my comeuppance will occur later. Some of you may know that Adrian is a keen botanist and likes to point out the flowers he spots. The other group members, who know Adrian well, take every opportunity to tease him about this. One delightful day we rounded a bend to discover Graham and John frolicking amongst the flowers on the embankment, photographing cornflowers. They tried to bribe us not to tell the others, but bad luck for them, they soon appeared from around the corner!!

but after a few days of going down rapids the thrill of the wind in your face and the rush of the water is unexpectedly exciting. I think I may continue and try to improve my canoeing skills. Perhaps I could manage some pre grade 1 canoeing on my own one day. Marlow Canoe Club Members may have noticed me occasionally toiling up to Temple at a snails pace going solo, complaining to Adrian, unjustly, that he hasn’t taught me properly etc, etc., as wives do! However, I have now booked onto the 1/ 2 star canoe course for July and am practising in advance so I don’t embarrass myself too much. Who knows what heights I may reach?

Maggie Cooper

June 2007

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PRAISE INDEED

An Orchid shot by the botanist. The best things about this trip, my first foray into canoeing trips, were: 1. It was our first holiday for 20 years without our children. 2. We ate out every night except once, so no cooking. All my life I have been a feeble, non sporting person, except for bike riding, Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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Some of us know Big Dave, but I suspect many of the newer members do not. Big Dave can't paddle with us as much as he used to as the young family becomes more demanding of his time, but Big Dave is the man behind the website. It's where most people make their first contact with the club, so Big Dave's skills are very important to the club. I had this query from a parent looking for a course for his daughter. As this person had some river experience but no 1* we took her out anyway. Following this he contacted me again to clarify a few points and his reply contained the following few lines.

'btw we all read thru the joiners notes etc and they are exceptional. Before your reply I spent a couple of hours yesterday seeing if I could get her on an earlier one star somewhere else and was Autumn 2007 / 03

astonished how poor other sites were and how low the standards. Well done to you and your club!' I know I did the joiners notes etc. but its Big Dave's work that's being recognised here. When he's at the club Big Dave is always ready to hand out a tip or two for those in need, but I thought it important that everybody knows who's behind the very impressive website (not my words, but I do concur). Let's hear it for one of the club's unsung hero's. John Norris

July 2007

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8 GO TO THE ALPS – PART 1 2.18 am in the back streets of Marlow Bottom. It’s dark, it's raining and I’m late. I said I’d pick Paul up at 2.15 but plans have already gone awry. I packed the car as intended on Thursday evening and went to bed early hoping to snatch a few hours sleep before getting up again in the middle of the night. Whose ideas was it anyway to leave at this unearthly hour, just to save a few pounds on the shuttle? It was raining harder and there were no street lights. Just where is Paul’s house? I hadn’t slept much. It was just like Christmas Eve when I was a kid. I couldn’t sleep, I was too excited. And then just when I thought Santa might arrive at any moment, I’d drop off. So it had been tonight. But here I was at 2.19 outside Paul’s house, sleepy, late, but still so terribly excited. We were off to the Alps… It was probably 25 years since I’d last seen the Alps. I do sometimes recall those youthful, careless, child free days. But after years of family holidays Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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I’d gained permission to go away with the boys (plus Debs) and I was determined to make the most of the opportunity. It was Dave Goddard who’d first proposed the trip and during the winter and spring plans were hatched. We were to be nine, travelling in three vehicles via the Channel Tunnel on the 05.50 am shuttle service. Of course by the time of departure plans had changed once or twice. Henry Knight had had to drop out and so too Johnny P. We were down to seven and then Paul Griffin joined the crew to take us back up to eight. Richard and his friend Faz were keen to travel on their own, planning to go out earlier and come back later. That left six of us to meet at the Folkestone Eurotunnel terminal – Dave G, Debs and Reza in Dave’s Zafira and Paul Griffin, Paul Crichton and myself in my Volvo. We were all excited as we checked in, had the first coffee and croissant of our trip (in the terminal building – not particularly memorable), and queued for our departure. We were bounced and had to wait another half an hour, but so what? We were going to the Alps. Dawn was breaking as we emerged from the tunnel in France and the drive south was pleasant enough - helped considerably by having three drivers in each car, each driving for an hour and a half to two hour stints. Late afternoon the pèage delivered us at Grenoble from where the journey started to become interesting. The final stretch up the valley of the Romanche to the Col de Lautaret and down the Guisane valley (and through the Serre Chevalier resort for the ski buffs reading this) was spectacular. We passed the McDonalds drivethrough at Briançon (and managed to avoid it on every subsequent occasion Autumn 2007 / 03

too) and arrived, with light to spare, at our campsite, La Courounba, on the banks of the Gyronde at Les Vigneaux. Richard and Faz were already there and had cooled beers ready for us. The holiday was really starting. Richard and Faz had done some scouting for us so Saturday morning we were up early, eager and keen. We drove south down the Durance valley for a warm up paddle on one of the Durance’s tributaries, the Guil. The Lower Guil from Eygliers bridge to St Clement on the Durance is given grade 3- in Pete Knowles’ (Slime’s) White Water South Alps but was running low so we thought 2+ and enjoyed an excellent introductory paddle, revelling in the clear blue water, the sunshine and the glimpses of the fortified town of Mont Dauphin high above us on the right and a magnificent waterfall on the left.

The paddling became sluggish in the shallower water and was not helped by a strong head wind blowing up the valley. Fortunately this didn’t last and the various channels came back together and the river regained its strength for the rapids above St Clement where we played for a while, surfing in the sunshine. The rapids are not however the only attraction at St Clement which boasts an excellent café and kayak shop. We stopped and shopped and enjoyed a relaxed lunch before getting back on the water for the run down to the Rabioux rapids. The Rabioux wave at the end of this stretch must be the most famous feature in this part of the Alps. Slime gives it 3+ in his guide and having been through this monster, paddler and boat eating hole, we wouldn’t disagree. I dropped into it without enough forward speed resulting in a magnificent rear-ender while Paul C took a roll. Respect! The Rabioux was our get out for the day and we were a tired but contented group back at the campsite that evening planning our second day.

The team pose at the 'Lower Guil' Before we knew it we were paddling under the road bridge and into the Durance – a reminder of the speed of Alpine water. The Durance was a totally different river, wide and powerful at this point, but soon to broaden even further as the river took various routes around low islands and shingle banks. Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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Paul Crichton playing at St. Clement Day 2 dawned bright and Dave G and Faz had settled on the Upper Ubaye as Autumn 2007 / 03

today’s river. It was a long drive over the Col de Vars, but must have been an even longer cycle for the hundreds out on their bikes for a Sunday morning ride, wobbling up the switchback roads to the summit in their lowest gears. Rather them than us! Despite our early start it was late morning before we arrived at La Lauzière and unloaded prior to shuttling the cars down to Jausiers. We arrived back at the put in to find it was lunch time for a huge flock of sheep and goats which had been unloaded from three massive trucks in our absence. With clanking bells and animals all over the track and trees the atmosphere at the get in was more wild west than southern Alps. It took us awhile to get through and park up. The Upper Ubaye started, if anything, steeper, shallower and faster than the Lower Guil had been the day before. We were paddling again in two groups of four and Paul C led off with Paul G, Richard and me behind but only a few hundred metres into our run the river steepened some more, dropping out of sight on a bend and Paul G took a nasty swim. Fortunately he made it quickly to the bank while Paul C retrieved his paddle but it was only after a long chase and with the help of some other Brits on the river that day that I was able to beach his upturned boat on a shingle bank and wait for him to make his way down river through the undergrowth lining the banks. This part of the Alps is very close to the Italian border and the Upper Ubaye is dominated by the Fort de Tournoux, a maze of bastions, barracks and gun emplacements built on and in the steep cliffs above the road and river. In between looking up at the battlements and the gun ports we were enjoying a fast little run that never dropped below grade 2 with the occasional 3. All too Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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soon however the river eased off and we drifted down the final kilometre to the village of Jausiers, our get out, and a welcome late lunch. Now we had a dilemma. Did we drive down the valley and paddle another stretch, possibly the grade 3/4 stretch from Les Thuiles to La Fresquère, or did we take it easy and go and find an ice cream? It was sunny and we had all week ahead of us. The ice cream won, but not before we’d scouted the next section and stopped in Le Lauzet to look at the Roman bridge and start thinking about the Ubaye racecourse (grade 4) section that Dave recommended we save for the end of the week. We were up later than planned the next day (Monday). We’d driven a long way yesterday and arrived back at the campsite in the dark having stopped to eat out at the Hotel de Maire in Embrun where we had enjoyed an excellent 18€ prix net menu and discovered the local beer – Alp & Hand brewed in La Vallouise, just up the valley from our campsite. The Briançon Gorge section of the Upper Durance had taken my eye in the guidebook, was short (only 2km), and was on the way to Dave’s recommendation for the day, the Upper Guisane. We agreed to give it a go. It took us longer than expected to queue our way through Briançon, find the start and then shuttle cars back down to Briançon Canoe Club and the get out but eventually we were changed and ready to go. While we’d been shuttling, Faz had spotted a nasty looking metal box, perhaps a large section of air conditioning vent or industrial cage just under the surface in the centre of the river so we got on a hundred metres or so below the bridge and well away from the boules court with its ‘aggressive old Gardien’ mentioned in the guidebook but nowhere in sight. Autumn 2007 / 03

Dave G makes a splash in the Briançon Gorge. We were getting the hang of this type of paddling. Fast, shallow water with few breakouts and were soon down at the ‘barrage’, a modern sluice with a well positioned wooden kayak shoot to take us past it. I went first, ‘boofed’ off the lip and landed nicely in the shallow pool at the bottom. Reza and then Richard followed with some success at the boof. Dave didn’t bother, submarining as he hit the pool and careering across it, soaking the three of us in the process. We continued on into the gorge proper, enjoying the easy rapids in a spectacular situation – high sheer cliffs on either side with glimpses of the town and fort of Briançon high above – before emerging in a park, complete with high ropes course! It didn’t take us long to paddle through the lower town to the get out, or wouldn’t have if Dave hadn’t taken a swim on the broken weir, resulting in another long boat chase as the river rushed between high banks without a breakout in sight. It had been an eventful morning and thoughts turned to lunch which was eventually taken in a pizza restaurant at Chantemerle which was to be our get out for the afternoon’s paddle. The Upper Guisane is another classic run, a Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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fast flowing, non stop paddle in this high Alpine valley, generally grade 2 with the occasional 3 and one named feature – S Bend rapid which the guidebook rates as 4-. Leaving a car at Chantemerle we drove up to inspect S Bend and then on up to Le Casset for the start. Lunch had taken longer than expected (the proprietor had had to send out for more food while we waited) and cloud had started to fill the upper valley bringing with it a light drizzle. It was looking quite grey as Debs led off followed by Paul C, Reza and myself. It’s a funny thing, but while everything’s going well you can enjoy the ‘non stop’ nature of the paddling; when something doesn’t, you realise that ‘non stop’ is actually another way of saying ‘no breakouts’. Sadly for Reza he discovered this the hard way leaving Paul and I to chase his boat for hundreds of metres before managing to find a spot to stop and empty it. The rescue took us some time and, while our plan had been to meet up above S Bend with the other four who’d set off ahead of us, we arrived there to find them having a minor epic themselves. Paul G had apparently taken a swim from near the top of the rapid and Faz had capsized trying to retrieve his boat. While Faz sorted himself out, Paul C and I set off after the upturned boat which we could just see disappearing at the foot of the rapid. This proved an even longer chase as we struggled with the swamped boat and ‘non stop’ paddling. Eventually we got a line on the boat and got it to the side but then had long wait in the rain while Paul fought his way through the undergrowth on the opposite bank. It was at this point that we discovered that Richard also had taken a swim and that Paul had not only been knocked about as he’d swum, but had lost his Autumn 2007 / 03

paddle as well. Once all eight of us were assembled, courtesy of a convenient foot bridge, on the same bank and assembled a set of splits in place of Paul’s lost paddle we agreed to continue as one group. The rescues and the swims and standing around in the now quite persistent rain had not been good for us; we were a sorry group as we made our way, fortunately without further incident, down to the waiting car. Dinner was taken that evening in the restaurant at the campsite. It rained all night. But Tuesday dawned bright. The ground was soaked; there were pools of water everywhere. My tent had leaked. But it was sunny and bright and there was a frisson of excitement as we brewed coffee, breakfasted on croissants and pain au chocolate and started making plans for the new day. ANDY MAXTED -------------------------------------------------

L2K TRAINING. Don't tell everyone but there is a new coaching award set up coming in soon. Word is it's not going to be cheap so those that want to do their L2K training need to get it in fast. Apparently it's going to cheaper to get a BCU L2K and convert, rather than take a UKCC course straight off. That's why Rob & I rolled up to the Riverside Centre one drizzly Saturday morning toward the end of July. The course director was Roger Wiltshire, assisted by Rob Yates of Riverside. Roger was not a happy man as a few people (me & Rob included) did not have all of the pre-requisites to hand. (It seems a lot of people are trying to improve their coaching Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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qualifications this way, and the BCU is struggling to get packs returned as quickly as they have done so in the past). Not one to harbour a grudge, Roger let us on anyway possibly because I had an e-mail from the BCU confirming that Rob & I were suitably qualified to undertake the training - and anyway, he'd already taken the money. Working in Oxford, I was well aware of the conditions and had earlier queried whether the course would go ahead. Rob Yates replied 'no problem - unless the river levels drop'. He explained that whilst the river was high it would use the flood plains, but once contained within its banks the current increases considerably. Pretty obvious really but I'd not thought of it that way before. A little exercise was undertaken designed to get us to get to know one another. I'm not a great fan of these but it broke the ice and the course was on. We split into two teams, I went with Rob (Yates) and Rob was with Roger. A warm up on the grass provided comical entertainment to a few faces on Doninngton Bridge, and then it was onto the water. The first exercise was to develop a 'new' stroke for kayaking. Considering the increase in split paddle designs I opted for a modified 'J' stroke. The idea was to demonstrate the stroke, and 'coach' your colleagues. The instructor could then talk about your session and how you might consider improving your delivery. Not telling you - but opening up other considerations. Lunch could not come soon enough and an upstream paddle to the centre only delayed the fate awaiting my sandwiches. Saturday afternoon gave those who'd not completed the mornings exercise a chance to do so, but not after a slog upstream to the Cherwell. We had a Autumn 2007 / 03

chance to lead a group whilst Rob disappeared to a viewpoint and examined our leadership skills. I did O.K., but I thought I should have been more aware of the river. My section turned out to be the narrowest section on the navigable Thames so the water was tanking through. Two older members in our group were having trouble with the current and I was not sufficiently aware of their problems. Rob delivered a critique on my performance which was heavy on praise and encouragement but did not miss out those parts that needed a little revision. Exercises completed, it was back to Riverside for a review and homework. I'm 52 and getting homework, I hadn't counted on that. We all got a (conventional) stroke to break down into a format we would use to 'coach' our colleagues next day. Included in the course fee was an evening meal at the 'Fox and Hounds', a garishly painted hostelry on the Abingdon rd. that to me had always looked on the wrong side of dingy. Fortunately it was flooded. Even more fortunate was Roger getting us into the 'Chester Arms' which looked much more homely. Sunday starts off with coffee and doughnuts in the Riverside Lounge. A full grown hay bale floated by at a respectable rate of knots and hinted at some of the troubles the floods had caused further upstream. A bit more chat and it's an early return to the water. An upstream slog to Hinksey Pool and a chance to demonstrate how much effort I had put into my homework. Reverse Paddling, using the I.D.E.A.S. (Introduction, demonstration, explanation, activity, summary) model of delivery. I had done my homework, thought about the stroke and wrote out my crib sheet. I demonstrated a slow Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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start to keep the boat on course and moved into a full blooded trunk rotating efficient reverse stroke. I explained why I did it this way and asked the 'class' to give it a go. Watching from the bank, which was only a little higher than the water, gave me a 3 dimensional view of the group and I was able to offer advice as individual paddlers passed by me. To finish, a game of tag, paddling backwards only, gave the 'class' a chance to use new found speed. I summarised each paddler's performance suggesting where (if any) improvement might be made. Rob again delivered his critique using his time not to fault my performance, but to get me to think about 'improvements' and to suggest to those following me how they might use certain features to enhance their own delivery. Either side of a hard paddle back to the main river we all had a chance to deliver a session and I was made aware by my colleagues of some failings in my own strokes. From the outset, time permitting, Roger and Rob had intended to include a short spell in canoes as that's the way the UKCC syllabus will be going. Those on our team from Cherwell C.C. (who don't do canoes - in fact, they don't even own one) were not to keen, but I was up for it. I got to go in Rob Yates' nearly new Wenonah and was surprised at how much less so the river affected its forward momentum when compared to the kayak. We had a chance to demonstrate (not always successfully) just how stable these boats were as Rob had us tipping them over until a reasonable flow of water entered the hull. The course finishes with the all important C2 form. Here's where you get to record your little bit, your own shortcomings etc. A 1-2-1 with your coach and he or she gets to note what Autumn 2007 / 03

they think you need to do before assessment. I came away feeling pretty O.K. I need to improve my recovery strokes and get some more coaching hours in working with other coaches at 2 & 3 star levels. And I need to back off a little, over coaching Rob called it, and guide the pupil to learn for themselves. All in all an enjoyable weekend in the company of willing learners under the tutelage of excellent coaches and well worth the £110.00 per head. Following a (successful?) assessment, I hope to put just that little bit more into the club's coaching programme leaving a bit more room for all those new L1's AM trained up earlier this month. John Norris

August 2007

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MY RETURN TO MARATHON RACING I gave up marathon racing when I became a parent nearly 20 years ago. I was hoping to return much earlier than this, but the consequences of Myeloma (bone marrow cancer) and other life demands delayed things somewhat. After years of rebuilding the muscles that cancer treatment had taken, I had reached the point where I was able to paddle 9 or 10 miles at a reasonable speed without resting too much. I was also getting more confident with the instability of my new boat. Looking to choose a race for my return I noticed Windsor Veteran race 9.4 miles. A decent distance, like in the olden days, before the divisional system. It takes me the 2 or 3 miles to warm up, by then a div. 9 race would be over. In the 2 weeks before the race I paddled the course 3 times, so that I could get a feel for how far it was, on the way up I Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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could work out how far out from the bank to be so as not to get bottom drag and decide upon the optimum places to change banks. As the race got nearer I became very nervous. It had taken so long and so much effort for me to reach this point and it had been so long since I had coped with the choppy start of a race. I asked myself: Would I be the only one wearing buoyancy? Would they all have wing paddles? Would they all be in the new fast (but very tippy) boats? Would all those guys that are my age and ex internationals be in my race? Would I be left standing? Would I have a swim? When I arrived at Windsor I didn’t recognise any of those ex internationals, there weren’t too many wing paddles or new fast (but very tippy) boats, in fact there seemed to be a very wide variety of people, boats and paddles and some did have buoyancy aids. The whole atmosphere of the day turned out to be very sociable and enjoyable. It was a relief to get on the water and start warming up. There was already a swimmer; he had wing paddles a new fast (but very tippy) boat and no buoyancy. He was younger and faster than me in the race, but had another swim so finished behind me. The K2s went off first, then my age group and younger, followed by the over 50s. At the start I coped really well with the waves, 3 or 4 paddlers went off faster than I could stay with, they were all in a younger age group than me, I was amazed to be leading my race. Then at about half a mile a paddler in my age group caught me up with me, he was in a stable much slower boat called a hobby and was using wooden Mark Gee paddles. We were taking it in turns to wash hang each other until the portage at 2 miles. I actually managed to get Autumn 2007 / 03

away from the portage quicker and left him behind. So was I going to win my age group? I had to keep up the pressure for another 7.4 miles. Before the half way turn I was over taken by 2 or 3 paddlers older than me, I stayed on their washes for as long as possible gaining as much as I could without exhausting myself. At the turn the guy chasing me seemed about a quarter of a mile away. I kept the pressure up but either I was slowing or the guy behind was going faster; when I got to the portage, 2 miles from the end he was very close. I mustered up all I had left and probably more, he finished just 19 seconds behind me. I think I may have won before in the divisional system, but I can only remember being first twice before, one of those being in a K4 10,000m race and the other was K1 in the Lichfield marathon, both about 30 years ago. I know that if there had been more competition I would not have won, but I had exhausted myself to achieve it and was extremely pleased. It was great to get back to the excitement and challenge of racing, the event was friendly and sociable and very enjoyable. My return to racing reminded me of just how fulfilling and enjoyable it is. I get the impression that many club members have not even tried fast boats and racing. Why don’t more of you give it a try you may find it rewarding? I now need to lengthen my training distances because I am planning to do Devizes to Westminster Easter 2008, over 4 days, in the K1. I used to paddling alone, but it would be great if others could join me for some of the training. My phone no. is 01494816402 and email: cooksloudwater @dsl.pipex.com ANDY COOK Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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CARLSBERG COURSE 1* By a stroke (no pun intended) of luck, 16 novices picked the best weekend of the year so far, to take the 1* Kayak course. At least the weather was perfect. The river, though, was still swollen from all the rain and there was a challenging stretch of water to navigate before we reached a more sheltered stretch, to start an exciting sport that for many of us will become an integral part of our lives. The coaches always had our safety at the forefront of their minds, and so we walked round to the lock while the coaches towed the kayaks. We were split into two groups and spent the next day and a half learning the rudimentary elements of kayaking. There was a good mix of practical work, theory and team games of tag and polo. We quickly developed a camaraderie within the groups, helping each other out and working as teams. The coaches were always on hand to encourage us and explain techniques over again until they were confident we could demonstrate each stroke with the necessary aptitude. At the end of day one, the only manoeuvre left to practise was the capsize. It was agreed that we could take the route past the willow tree hanging over a particularly strong and fast current. Two coaches went ahead to mark a safe area for us to paddle through and we set off. It was hard work paddling upstream but all the currents coming from different directions made it harder. I thought I had navigated safely past the tree, but suddenly the current appeared to grab the front of my kayak and in a split second I was under the water being dragged under the willow very fast back downstream. Having previously had a little capsize experience and being Autumn 2007 / 03

determined not to panic, I collected my thoughts before grabbing the splash deck and tried to surface. Apparently I had travelled a considerable way and was totally unaware of the frantic activity on the surface. The coaches were totally professional, some remained with the other 1*s and others were despatched to assist me. After surfacing, with the help of a work colleague, JP towed me to the side and I took a rather wet walk back to the club, where we carried out some scheduled capsizes! Day 2 was less dramatic and after a morning of more theory and perfecting our techniques, after lunch we regrouped ready for our assessments. The coaches were keen to put us at our ease and we started with a game of polo to calm any nerves and reinforce teamwork. During the assessments, if we felt we hadn’t completed a manoeuvre or stroke as well as we knew we could, we had the chance to do it again, and again, and in my case with the rudder manoeuvre, again! It was with some trepidation that I approached the tree on the way back to the club but I was determined not to repeat what happened on day 1. We were all very tired after so many hours but everyone successfully completed the course and we were all applauded by our fellow 1*s when we received our badges and certificates. So what now? Once I can lift my arms above my shoulders again and the multi-coloured bruises have faded, I will be putting as much practise as possible and may even attempt more *s. I hope to see my fellow 1*s and coaches at the club sessions. See you all soon. Mandy Human

06/08/07

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I don't know whether it was the weather or the wide range of people on the course, or just the way the coaches approached this one may have been a little different, but everybody involved was of the same opinion - that this was one of the best courses - ever! I received a no. of e-mails from both participants and parents thanking all the coaches and assistants for their efforts over the weekend. -------------------------------------------------

FORCE 5 FROM LULWORTH COVE

FREE campsite - Well I couldn't find anywhere to pay! It had been a long time coming. Last year I got too involved in the 1*’s and other things, this year the op. got in the way, but James & Elaine were able to re-schedule a weekend and so, on the weekend of 18/19 August, a handful of us got our first taste of sea-kayaking. Poole Harbour seems a safe place to start off your sea kayaking experience, except when there is a strong wind whipping up some serious looking waves as it races, unimpeded, across the Wareham Channel. Autumn 2007 / 03

James & Elaine bought Dagger Exodus boats which they had used on a number of trips, as well as a glass boat, model unknown (to me anyway). I had my Capella (rm) and we took the club's 3 P&H Umnaks, a Derek Hutchison design of the early – mid eighties, + 1 Invader. Myself, Jane, Melinda, Fiona and Ian were joined by friends of James & Elaine - Monkey (she’s a good climber apparently) and Robin. We were all very green and Fiona was not at all sure about proceeding any further. Ian swapped his sea boat for the Invader and Fiona decided to give it a go.

The route around the 'Wareham Channel - Red out; Green back. A short pep talk from James outlining how he planned to proceed and we were gingerly afloat. A little potter about close to the beach to familiarise ourselves with a strange environment was a good plan. Fiona’s courage had returned and we set off across the Wareham Channel. Driving rain, waves of about 700mm and a strong wind ensured progress was slow, but the 750m crossing was made without mishap. We then turned toward Wareham and hugged the coast for around 3km before retracing our steps and stopping for lunch where a wooded Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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outcrop offered some shelter. A return to our departure point was made by way of a direct crossing of some 1.3km. All beached safely with no mishaps. We were wet, elated, and a little tired. The plan was to meet at ‘The Square & Compass’, a hostelry about a mile and a half from the campsites, but we would have drowned walking there so we settled for something a little closer. An odd, but friendly, pub with a long wait for food suggests that ‘The Square & Compass’ might be a better bet in all but the worst weather conditions. Sunday arrived and somebody had to wake up Melinda. Working on the premise that it’s easier to cool down than to warm up she had gone to bed armed with a sleeping bag and a duvet and, in case the chill got through, two jumpers, socks, night hat and hot water bottle. A change of plan led us to try out Lulworth Cove. An easy journey there and a quick recce suggested it was doable, though challenging. Unlike Poole Harbour, which has a silty Thameslike appearance, the Cove offers a clean looking water of opaque glacial green / blue colour. The boats were put on and we had a chance to experience a real tide, though it was only mildly active as it approached near full. That said, I was most surprised how far out I drifted whilst setting the GPS. Waves, serious waves, were crashing either side of the cove entrance. Melinda and Fiona decided to stay within the cove with Elaine. The Farquarson’s friends had not made Sunday leaving just James, myself, Jane & Ian to leave the relative safety of the Cove.

Autumn 2007 / 03

Excursion from Lulworth Cove. As we approached the entrance a noticeable swell developed and the tide, forcing its way through the much narrower entrance, was more evident than before. As we left the Cove and cleared the breakers we headed west toward Durdle Door. We had viewed Stair Hole from our recce and I thought it would have been worth a look in, but the waves suggested otherwise. We might have got in, but it could have been a long time before we got out. So we pushed on to Dungy Head, taking a line not too far from the coast. Past the head and out into St. Oswald’s Bay and, as we got further from the coast, the swell increased considerably. James called the conditions a force 4, possibly a 5,

Elaine demonstrating the stability of the Dagger Exodus! Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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but a look at the Beaufort scale suggests to me that there was a fair bit of F5. I would estimate the swell to be around 1m most of the time with more than that on occasions. Riding up and down the swell with the bow rising clear of the water and then crashing through the next wave before rising on the swell with the salt spray blowing in your face was indeed a new experience for all but Jane, who had done a number of organised sea trips before. It was a slog to the Door being against the wind all the way. As mentioned earlier it was prudent not to get too close, so we turned and headed back. The return journey was a much quicker affair. Whilst James maintained a relatively straight course the rest of us were struggling and my skeg did not seem to help as it was the current doing the turning rather than the wind. I was aware that I was getting closer to the rocks so I paddled out and settled for a ferry glide of about 500m and a turn into the Cove. We had been out a little over 2hrs. but it felt twice that. We beached the boats, loaded the cars and had a bite to eat before heading for home. All agreed it was a most magnificent weekend, despite the weather, and all thanked James and Elaine profusely for their time and efforts. I originally set out to see if we could get Sea Kayaking back on the agenda and we already have 5 converts. I believe this can only grow and it is our intention to get down to the Briny more often. We intend to do another couple of trips this year, as we feel confident enough to do Poole Harbour on our own, though all trips will be ‘peer group’ trips. As our experience grows, our limitations will lessen and who knows what the future might hold. I hope we will be able to take up an offer made by our retired president (some Autumn 2007 / 03

while ago) of a trip from Calshott to Lymington. Are you still up for this Peter Leigh? Perhaps I can round up a few of those old paddling partners to teach us newbies a trick or two. As for me, well I was sold on the idea a few years or more ago. It was going to take a near death experience to dissuade me and we didn’t even have a capsize. There is an awful lot to learn though and I’m hoping a course or two will help.

have something to say about the new standards being introduced for both coaching and learning. Does anybody remember the introduction of the star tests? What came before them, and was the change for the better or worse. I'd like to know and I'm sure a few others would as well. I've certainly got some views on the new setup but I'm struggling to decide whether the good outweighs the bad. You'll get my views in a future issue, but it's little difficult for me to write to the editor. Maybe I'll change my name to 'ANON'. Lets just take this issue for example; the previous item in particular. We do know that there was a thriving sea section in the past, as can be witnessed by some quality boats lying corpselike on the rack. Some of you could probably tell us why James was able to keep a straight line in the wind and the swell but why the rest of us couldn't. My aching arms / back could certainly do with a tip or two.

L to R - James, Elaine, Jane, Ian, Melinda, Fiona, & the 'Editor' -------------------------------------------------

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR? I keep asking if people would like a 'letters to the editor' type of column. But I don't get any answers. My dictionary states that a 'newsletter' is a 'printed informal bulletin of a club sent out periodically to convey news and points of interest'. I guess it's not to dissimilar from a newspaper, and what would the 'Telegraph' be without 'Colonel Angry from Tunbridge Wells'. It's your chance to comment on any of the current issues affecting the club or the BCU, and I'm sure somebody must Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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And what about AM's Alps (Part 1) item. I expect we've a member or two who paddled these rivers in the not to distant past and could probably comment on how to handle boats twice the length of current offerings in these conditions. When I took on the newsletter, I was doing relatively little else for the club and I hope the time I've been able to give to it has taken it forward in a direction that's favourable to the membership. But apart from making it a bit bigger (and that's mainly down to aggressive chasing for articles) I'm not to sure I've succeeded. I'd like to see some recorded comment from the membership, but if you don't send it in…………… ( Forget the 'Dear Sir' bit)

Autumn 2007 / 03

WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY THE EA (ENVIRONMENT AGENCY) OF A CONFIRMED CASE OF LEPTOSPIROSIS THAT HAS DEVELOPED INTO WEIL'S DISEASE. ALTHOUGH RARE, THIS DISEASE CAN BE FATAL, AND SENSIBLE PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO MINIMISE THE RISK OF INFECTION. PREFERABLY, DO NOT PADDLE IF YOU HAVE ANY EXPOSED CUTS AND GRAZES, BUT IF YOU MUST ENUSRE THAT THEY ARE SUITABLY PROTECTED WITH WATERPROOF DRESSINGS. DO NOT EAT OR DRINK WITHOUT FIRST WASHING YOUR HANDS OR USING AN ANTISEPTIC WIPE. SHOWER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER YOUR PADDLE AIR / WASH YOUR KIT AFTER YOUR PADDLE VIEW THE CURRENT THINKING ON THIS INFECTION ON THE NHS DIRECT WEBSITE.

FINALLY - IF, AFTER YOU'VE BEEN PADDLING YOU FEEL A BIT 'ROUGH' (FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS) GET TO YOUR DOCTOR (SOONER RATHER THAN LATER) AND ADVISE HIM / HER THAT YOU HAVE BEEN PADDLING IN WATERS WHERE LEPTOSPIROSIS HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY THE EA.

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Autumn 2007 / 03

2007 INTRO TO WHITEWATER I'm still waiting for summer to arrive and a note goes round the club giving details of the annual intro to whitewater. A sure sign that autumn's just around the corner. JP (who's like half a committee member) along with some other aficionado's organises our whitewater calendar and generally sets the ball rolling with this event particularly for the newer members who usually have yet to experience paddling on faster flowing water and for a session on true whitewater, albeit of a lowish grade. Eighteen of us set of from Kern Bridge for the 8½ mile paddle to Symonds Yat.

Two new members ready for the start Along the way time was taken to demonstrate more technical manoeuvre's when the right conditions presented themselves. There was more than one wobble at the breaking in and out of eddies exercise. (I must learn to look where I want to go and not where the boat is heading). A grassy bank provided an excellent stop for lunch but this year there were no pancakey things from the chairman's trangia. Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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Paddling resumed around 30mins. later with an estimated 40-50 mins. paddling to the Yat. I buttoned my lip and stifled a laugh as I reckoned on it being twice that but thought that maybe JP had to provide a 'little' encouragement to the newbies. Next stop was 'Hodges Rock', a chance to seal launch from around 5' into the river. I stopped at several false alarms before discovering the real rock just a mile or so from the Yat. It was covered with kids (normal sized and bigger ones) and I didn't think for a moment they'd have an opportunity to launch so I went straight for the Yat. 30mins later I guessed I'd made a wrong call so the camera was not there to record the launches. Maybe next year. I got a couple of runs in on the 'rapids' before the rest arrived and found the water to be a little higher than last year, leading to a lesser drop at the start and a slightly 'rougher' run through. Most enjoyed several runs and were able to benefit from TT's and JP's advice and demonstrations along the way. I helped out where and when I could and found time to explain 'ferry gliding' to a couple of novices who hadn't quite picked up on JP's explanations. Easy for me, as just a few years ago I was doing exactly the same when Gary Board tried to explain it to me! A debrief at the Saracens head finished the day with an excellent pint from the 'Wye Valley' brewery. JP announced man of the day to be Aaron Stonnel, a new member of some 3 weeks or so who swears he's not had so much fun since…… Lady of the day went to Melinda Livett who I missed seal launching of Hodges Rock, with an honourable mention to Julie Briggs. John Norris

August 2007 Autumn 2007 / 03

WHAT'S ON, WHEN AND WHERE The complete and authoritive guide to all that the club hopes to do in the forthcoming months. Please note that at the time of going to press dates cannot be guaranteed and that the programme is subject to changes. ALL SUNDAYS ALL TUESDAYS

CLUB SESSIONS; ON THE WATER FOR 10:00am. SEE D.O. FOR FINISH. CHECK NOTICEBOARDS FOR SPECIAL EVENTS CLUB SESSIONS; ON THE WATER FOR 7:OOpm. SEE D.O. FOR FINISH. CHECK NOTICEBOARDS FOR SPECIAL EVENTS

01+02/09 01+02/09 03/09 04/09 09/09 11/09 16/09 18/09

BCU 1* KAYAK NOVICE COURSE 5 TREWERYN COACHING FESTIVAL COMMITTEE MEETING - CLUBHOUSE COMMENCING 7:30pm CLUB SESSION CLUB SESSION CLUB SESSION CLUB SESSION CLUB SESSION - LAST TUESDAY EVENING THIS YEAR.

23/09 ONWARDS

CLUB SESSION - EVERY SUNDAY, DETAILS AS ABOVE, 1*'s AT DESCRESTION OF THE D.O. WATCH OUT FOR CHANGES, PARTICULARLY AS THE WHITEWATER SEASON IS FINALISED.

01/10

COMMITTEE MEETING - CLUBHOUSE COMMENCING 07:30

07/10

CLUB SESSION / SOUTHERN REGION COACHING FORUM

21/10

MARLOW MARATHON - VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED

05/11

COMMITTEE MEETING

AM

03/12

COMMITTEE MEETING

AM

EVERY THURSDAY EVENING 9.00 - 10.30

D.O. D.O. TT TBC AC

AM

SWIMMING POOL SESSIONS AT GURNELL POOL, WEST LONDON. GET TUITION IN ROLLING, OR PRACTISE 3* SKILLS, OR ANYTHING YOU'VE GOT A BIT RUSTY ON. SEE WEBSITE FOR MAP AND DETAILS OR CONTACT JOHN PARKIN or JOHN NORRIS.

JP

ORGANISER / MCC CONTACT CODE FOR ABOVE EVENTS AC AM DL JN JP MP TB

ADRIAN COOPER ANDY MAXTED DAVID LYDIATT JOHN NORRIS JOHN PARKIN MARTIN PLAIN TERRY BELCHER

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

01844 07730 01753 01494 07973 01628 01628

344580 852760 887773 483833 820515 483252 851001

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

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Autumn 2007 / 03

THE COMMITTEE AND OTHER USEFUL NUMBERS A list of those members who serve on the club's committee, their role and a contact no. should you need to contact them.

POSITION PRESIDENT CHAIRMAN SECRETARY TREASURER COACHING NEWSLETTER MEMBERSHIP EQUIPMENT

NAME TIM WARD ADRIAN COOPER ANDY MAXTED PAUL CRICHTON TIM TWITCHEN JOHN NORRIS ROD EDMONDS CHRIS PORTEOUS

CONTACT NO. 01494 482959 01844 344580 07730 852760 08708 806962 07833 995289 01494 483833 01753 671389 01628 485049

E-MAIL [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

MARATHON

DEBS HARDY & JAMES FARQUARSON.

LONGRIDGE

MARTIN PLAIN

WOMENS REP.

DEBS HARDY

YOUTH REP

ALEX SHEIL

SOCIAL

MELINDA LIVETT

WHITEWATER

JOHN PARKIN

INLAND TOURS

GUY MADDIESON

SEA

JOHN NORRIS

01628 483252 07812 749555 07707 953124

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

01628 476384 01844 275418 01494 483833

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

OUR NEAREST RETAILERS / SUPPLIERS RIVERSIDE

OXFORD

MARSPORT

READING

WWC

SHEPPERTON

PADDLESPORT

COMPTON VERNEY

01865 248673 01189 665912 01932 247978 01926 640573

http://www.riversideoxford.co.uk/ http://www.marsport.co.uk/ http://www.whitewaterthecanoecentre.co.uk/ http://www.paddlesport.co.uk/

Please advise the editor if any contact details are wrong or if you wish to add an alternative no. / e-mail address to the list.

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Autumn 2007 / 03