Newsletter 122 Winter 2008 04

Here's a nice seasonal picture from one of the Paddling.net readers (see newsletter 121 - editors piece, for details). Ginny Snarski found time for a little distraction in between packing the paddling gear away and preparing the skiing gear for the forthcoming season

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

COVER

Winter 2008/04

IN THIS ISSUE

PAGE NO.

Editors piece

2

Kayaking kids

3

Ferry Gliding

4

Blackwater Paddling

5

Wayne's World

7

PFD‟s

7

Three Star Sea

8

WhiteWater Grading.

10

Sea Kayaking Anglesey

11

Qajaq‟s – Part 2

12

Lock House sell off

13

Andy Cooks DW2008

13

What‟s on, When & Where

15

Committee & Contacts

16

EDITORS PIECE Christmas is coming and that, hopefully, means presents. I often put in a piece about equipment but chose not to this year as many of the items I feature tend to be clothing orientated and can be expensive. We are all likely to be affected by the recession, some more than others. That said, there are a no. of smaller items that are useful to the paddler. A look in the accessories section of the Brookbank catalogue should provide a few idea‟s, straps and drybags are two that come to mind. There‟s a lot going on in WhiteWater at the moment and if this is your particular interest you are well catered for. The WhiteWater team have come with a colour code, similar to schemes used by other club‟s that will be of great benefit to those who have yet to fully appreciate the grading system. The touring side is under development as well – a name has come forward with a view to organising a trips and I hope to do something similar for sea / coastal options. It‟s beginning to look like the club may be able to offer a fuller and more wide ranging programme in the seasons to come.

It‟s a shame none of the WhiteWater aficionado‟s have written about their exploits thus far. I can only put in what I receive and what I compose myself. I keep a lookout for „interesting‟ snippets, but as I (and others) have been pursuing mainly sea stuff this summer, this edition has a somewhat salty flavour to it. On the plus side your fish and chips will probably taste better out of it! We are also closing in on the AGM. Details are to be confirmed but invitations will be posted to all members in good time. It is hoped that we will secure the „Kings Head‟ at Little Marlow again for 26th January 2009. Speaking of the AGM, there is an award for „best item of the year‟ usually nominated by me but by way of a chance I thought I‟d throw it open to the general readership. All of this year‟s issues (no. 119 on) can be accessed from the club‟s website if you wish to just glance over a past copy. If you feel there is a piece that should be nominated just e-mail to let me know – most votes wins. Just one rule; you cannot nominate an item you provided. Well – maybe one more; neither can a family member. Next issue should go out end of February, copy greatfully received.

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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Winter 2008/04

Kayaking Kids!

Thursday 21st August At 6.30 on Thursday evening me, my dad and my sister drove to Marlow Canoe Club to try out kayaking. We had never kayaked before (only canoed) and were prepared for a challenge! (And it was!) There was soon a small group of us gathered next to the Thames. Soon we were introduced to Tim and John and all the other helpers, they led us into the storage shed where we were to be given our equipment. There were now 3 dads and 4 daughters. Firstly we changed into our kayaking gear. Then we were all assigned and fitted into our kayaks, ours were called Dagger and Pyranha. We had to quickly grab our life jackets and oars before our exciting lesson began! At this point me and my sister discovered an important equipment fact; when selecting an oar make sure that you can only just reach up and curl your fingers over the top paddle, to ensure the perfect fit. We were really nervous when lowering ourselves into the kayak in the water; however the coaches were all really supportive and held the boats. When in the water we were taught how paddle; this involves aligning your knuckles with the edges of the paddles and rotating the blade when it enters the water. The group paddled away from the club to the gentler waters of the Thames and began the games. Our first game involved technique and fun competition! The objective was to turn around three times in your kayak, trying to beat your partner who was doing the same thing. I was partners with Emma and my sister was partners with Jasmine. We had great fun and got soaked! I was then able to use the special method to turn in the next game... This was Stuck in the Mud. It was just like normal Stuck in the Mud but we played it in the middle of the Thames instead of in the middle of a field. This was my favourite of the two games because it included lots of action. Also if you disguised it enough, you could splash the chaser a bit “by accident!” After two games we were all a bit tired so we decided to head back to the club. On the way back I found it very difficult to paddle straight, so one of the helpers gave me a special rope with a karabiner on the end which helped me -A LOT- to paddle straighter! We were then taught how to get out of our kayaks (like taking off a pair of trousers!) which was: 1. Hold on to the platform and pull yourself (inside the kayak) towards the edge. 2. Put your hands behind you and pull yourself backwards onto the part behind the seat. 3. Then turn yourself around and sit on the platform edge, whilst holding onto your kayak with your feet. 4. Finally hold the handle at the front of the kayak and pull it out of the water! Overall we really enjoyed kayaking and would definitely do it again! We would also love to thank all the staff for such an enjoyable experience! John also recommended to new and younger kayakers to bring a snack/drink for after the lesson, just to re-boost your energythis is great advice! By Stephanie & Madeline Wallace (The Kayak Kids!)

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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Winter 2008/04

Ferry Gliding It's a handy stroke to know, this one. Particularly useful when higher winter flows are experienced as it allows you to cross the river without being flushed downstream. It can also be used in reverse to avoid an obstacle in front or to 'buy a little time' whilst deciding how to get around an obstacle. But why 'ferry gliding'. The best I've managed to find out is that it is a technique employed by ferry pilots to assist them to line a ferry up with the dock. The pilot would 'nose' his ferry into the dock and use the current to bring the stern alongside. The technique was extended out into the actual crossing during times of fast tidal flows. A recent holiday on Skye afforded me the opportunity to see this in action. A 'community' ferry runs between Skye and the mainland at Kylehera. At the time we were there the crew informed me that the tide was running around 4knts. but could reach 9knts. on a strong spring. On leaving the dock the Capt. (50% of the crew) edged into the rising tide slowly turning the boat till almost parallel with the bank as the current strengthened toward the middle, reversing the procedure as the crossing neared completion. A video of the crossing shot from high on the land would illustrate this technique as well as any coach could explain - shame I was shooting stills. The photo below though does show the ferry going against the current and the wash to the rear shows it's working quite hard. The ferry is actually moving almost perpendicular to the flow and will end up by the concrete ramp seen 'behind'.

A very handy stroke to have in your toolbox, particularly if you are hoping to paddle with us during the winter months or progress onto Whitewater.

John Norris

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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Winter 2008/04

Blackwater Paddling The 2nd best weekend of an otherwise fairly dour summer just happened to coincide with a little 'sea' trip I managed to join courtesy of SESK, (South East Sea Kayakers) an internet based group that arranges trips etc. for those living in the area. I say 'sea' trip but this was really river estuary paddling, though anything less than a sea type kayak would have made hard work of the conditions encountered. The plan was to leave St. Lawrence on the Blackwater estuary and paddle to Maldon via. a couple of islands for lunch, returning on the other side of the islands, back to the get in. Near spring tides would be assisting us all the way, with high tide occurring just after lunch. Six of us turned up for this paddle, all Essex boys except for me. I find it easier to remember the boats than names so joining my Capella was a Quest LV, 2 Rockpools, an Epic, and an Easky 13'. Leaving the beach, you immediately notice how shallow the water is, and remains so for a long way out. The Blackwater estuary is in fact a 'RIA', a river valley flooded by a rising sea (eustatic) or falling land (isostatic) and in the SE we are sinking. We aimed for OSEA Island, and as we moved away from the land a slight chop became apparent. With the incoming springs and an easterly wind my main problem was weather cocking, a characteristic of certain sea boats in particular conditions whereby you 'lose' the stern and directional stability. More practice will go a long way to curing this, and so will my skeg - when I've replaced the cable. But paddling across was enjoyable none the less and on reaching the island the water calmed down a bit. Low horizons (there are not many hills around here) opened up a vista the tourist people like to refer too as 'big sky' country. An iridescent blue sky with a few scudding white clouds was a perfect illustration of a 'big sky' panorama. The North side of Osea, like much of the estuary is a mud flat, and in Winter is a haven for visiting birdlife. In Summer, there's more life in a graveyard. Maldon was just visible in the distance and we headed toward lunch via. Collier's reach and the North side of Northey Island, a National Trust property and another haven for visiting birdlife - in the Winter. Maldon looks like a town lost in time. Alongside the quay are a no. of old Thames barges, and behind these the town rises on what must be the biggest hill for some way around, displaying terraces of properties but nothing modern or out of place. The quay itself has a well maintained promenade with a no. of little outlets vending food and drinks from wooden sheds, not unlike Higginson's Park until last year. We're waiting for the tide to turn and it's a bit later than anticipated, but when the little boats in the estuary begin to bobble about it's a sure sign slack water has arrived. The wind had picked up a bit but we were afforded some protection from Northey Island ahead and East. Rounding the island though bought us into the full force of the wind which was strengthening all the time. Blowing against an

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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Winter 2008/04

outgoing spring tide a heavy chop was encountered all the way over to OSEA. Mostly around 1m or less, we occasionally hit short patches with a 1.25m wave - all on a very short period which led to an exciting, if not exhausting ride. Much pitching of boats demonstrated how some were better designed to cope with such conditions. The Epic pretty much went through everything; the Rockpools rose and fell but dissipated the splash effectively as did the Quest. The Capella did likewise but not so efficiently and the Easky didn't, but the wider hull pushed the splash further away. A rest was called for on OSEA and I was glad of it. 20 minutes, cake and coffee and we were ready to go again. Our final leg was straight across to St. Lawrence and involved crossing the 'original' river where the water was deeper and the swell at it's biggest. An exciting ride saw us all back at the start point - where a Power boating and waterskiing competition had been going on all day. We beached about the same time as the compere announced over the PA that conditions were too rough for the competition to continue. Not for us it wasn't! Once the boats were packed and racked 3 decided to go home whilst the remainder had a pint in the Stone pub. I can't remember the last pub I was in that didn't offer a hand drawn pint of something but the Stone didn't. Considering that much of urban Essex is a bit like rural Bucks - and this was rural Essex - maybe the Camra people hadn't got their message that far yet. Joking apart, it was a great day out and one that I'd hope to repeat with SESK members. Have a look at the website; maybe join up if this appeals to you. Please note though that SESK is not a source of training, just an informal gathering of paddlers who, from time to time are able to get a trip together that appeals to a no. of members. When I joined I specified what I thought were my shortcomings, but despite the 'no training' rule I was warmly welcomed by all who attended. I hope to partake in further paddles when the Summer programme returns and maybe a few over the Winter as well. I've just got to ask them what they thought of me?

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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Winter 2008/04

Wayne's World Apologies if I seemed to have disappeared at the end of the holidays without saying goodbye following another summer season. A return to school for Thomas and the commencement of the rugby season came upon me somewhat "unawares" so I didn't get a chance to say thank you and goodbye 'til next May '09. I don't feel as though I managed a great deal of kayaking this summer, probably because we didn't have one! In fact I'm quite envious that you have all enjoyed an Indian summer on the river throughout September whilst I have been jogging around a rugby pitch in very unseasonal weather......and may it continue. Next year I intend to find the dates for the new style Level 2 in April so we can plan family holidays etc around it; I may then actually make it. My ultimate goal remains, depending on a free (i.e. get it booked in diary early) weekend, a white water experience with you all in north Wales. I suspect though, that I will not properly satisfy my kayaking ambitions (would also like to try sea-kayaking) until Thomas has left school.........possibly 4 years!!! Meanwhile, a big thank you to all at the club for making me very welcome again this summer. Hope you all enjoy the winter water. Best wishes and good paddling. Look forward to seeing you all in May A final note. I am in the process of changing my e-mail address to [email protected] effective mid-October, so please make a note for future communications.

Wayne Howell

Sept. 2008

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Buoyancy Aids You may or may not be aware of it (I certainly wasn‟t) but there is a new international standard for buoyancy aids. ISO 12402 is the replacement for CE EN393 that we should all have stamped on our BA‟s somewhere. If really interested you can download the full spec. from BSI for a measly £114.00 (just £4.07 pp) or for free here. All manufacturers will be developing toward the new standard, so if you are purchasing a replacement BA soon look for the new mark. Maybe you can use this to haggle for a little extra discount. So far as I‟m aware only PEAK has a fully certified range, but others will be on the case soon. John Norris

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

Oct 2008

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Winter 2008/04

Three Star Sea Andy Maxted posted me an item about a new course which would be beneficial for those of us going to sea. Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning is always worth knowing if out on the briny and is now a requirement for a 4* sea award. I‟m booked for December some time and I‟ll let you know how it goes in the next issue. Whilst talking to the head of centre and outlining the club‟s position in not having a practising sea coach I got my self booked onto a 3* sea with the intention of using it as a guide to my development so far. It‟s a long way to Dorsetshire so a 5:45 start was called for. I arrived at the WEYMOUTH OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTRE in time for the 9:15 start. I met a few colleagues who had done their training at the centre earlier, the coach / assessor was floating around but I didn‟t know that yet. Paul Hurrell introduces himself and asks what memorable paddles we had enjoyed this year. For me this was my two trips with BADCC incorporating the coast from Bowleaze to Kimmeridge in which a variety of conditions were encountered. For Paul it was a crossing to LUNDY on a millpond sea. A short chat in which we get questioned a little and asked how we might interpret weather maps etc. follows along with advice on map bearings. As soon as we are changed and the boats loaded it‟s off to the marina for the assessment. Before we get on the water the coach just throws in an aside about „warming up‟ so we all go through individual stretching routines after which the coach informs us that some

WHERE WE WENT

current thinking goes against „warming up‟. If you are going to „stretch it‟s important that you slowly extend your routine rather than just going straight in.

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Winter 2008/04

Having launched, we start off with a paddling warm up. We each get selected in turn to lead the group around the marina in a follow my leader with the emphasis on trying a variety of strokes along the way, whilst Paul is paddling around picking up points for a little fine tuning. The assessment proper starts as we leave the harbour and encounter slightly rougher seas outside, a short squall develops and we stay close to shore where an opportunity to demonstrate turning strokes presents itself in some of the clearest water I‟ve yet paddled in. A few wobbles but we soon had the boats turning satisfactorily and trying more advanced techniques for the future. We followed with a paddle to a beach for lunch, and a chance to demonstrate compass bearings etc. Heading off toward a tower on Portland Harbour a no. of rocks breaking the surface (and some not) was just the chance Paul had been looking for as it was here we could test our manoeuvrability with a mixture of edging and drawing techniques. The harbour wall provides a surprising amount of shelter as we found out upon turning into the harbour. A short way in and its towing exercises. I favour a fitted to the boat set up but don‟t have one on my boat yet so used an Ocean Pro belt. It has its short comings but it does the job. Its hard work towing a sea boat perhaps 500m and I should have taken it a little steadier as I‟d no idea when a stop was to be called. You shouldn‟t have to look for the release when you need it, but the belt had dug in under the BA. Looking down, I saw the familiar red toggle and released the belt on the BA. Perhaps PALM should consider a different colour toggle for accessories and for BA‟s. Good progress in a relatively straight line over perhaps a km or so with tide and wind coming at you from different angles leads toward a beach. We had been working in pairs and Paul had an exercise in mind. Whilst explaining the exercise it was surprising how far we drifted, perhaps 150m back the way we had just come. Anyway, the exercise involves getting to the beach and realising your partner is hypothermic. My buddy should get an Oscar for his acting – least I‟m hoping it was acting, so it‟s out with the survival bag - but not until I get a hat on his head – then a warming drink and the offer of some energy foods. Top marks for getting the hat on so quick and enough gear to keep a cub pack warm. I‟ll not be carrying that much again! It‟s almost the end of the day and no one has swum. A short paddle brings us to a sort of a bay off a bay were the tide is noticeable but less so than previously. Starting off with supports, I‟m getting more nervous and braver in equal measures until the inevitable happens. My first roll fails, so a gulp of air and a colleague performs a faultless paddle presentation. We are all soon testing our limits and it‟s not long before all the rescue scenarios are performed both as rescuer and rescuee. Rolling finished off the assessment and all rolled successfully though Paul still had time to offer some tips of which I took advantage. Trying out a short (13‟) squat EASKY I rolled that as well. Back at the centre and Paul informs us all that we had passed and goes on to give us a short talk about where to get more info and how to contact him you need a little help. I‟m offered the chance of a 4* but feel I need a little more experience yet so I decline; but I‟m down for stooge duty for those that think they are ready for their 4* assessment. Can‟t wait. What did I get from this; It gave a greater appreciation of the skills others taught me for my „old‟ 3* and that all I really needed was to adjust them for a different boat and different conditions. As with all the new star awards I had to actively demonstrate the strokes in a „real life‟ situation rather than the older more „static‟ approach. Other points such as the weather and mapping I was pretty well clued up on before but for all of us wanting to go to sea I would recommend this centre for training and assessment. I can‟t finish without thanking Rod & Richard who turned out on a miserable Sunday morning for a little last minute revision. Thanks, lads. John Norris

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

OCT 2008

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WhiteWater Colour Grading Following member feedback from the Wye trip earlier this year the WhiteWater section is changing who the away trips are targeted at. As a result, trips will now be colour coded, green / blue / red or black. This is intended to supplement the traditional grading system and will give the newer club members an idea of what they might expect to encounter on these trips until such time as they are fully familiar with standard grading system. The trip organiser will assess the trip and will be able to decide if he / she feels that a particular member will not be able to cope and would be best advised not to attend for their own safety and for the safety of others in the group. In such cases other alternative trips will be suggested as more appropriate for the member‟s skill level. But don‟t be put off, the WhiteWater team have advised me that they are able to put in place a specific action plan tailored to any individual and that their intention is to ensure you develop your skills at a pace which allows you to enjoy yourself without being a possible problem for others on a trip.

The Colours GREEN TRIPS (3*) – Anyone who is comfortable on flatwater and wants to get into WW can attend these. They are normally 3* trips but you don‟t need to be booked onto a 3* course to attend. BLUE TRIPS (Dart Loop) – These are people with 3* skills and who are confident on grade 1/2 water. You should be able to break in and out and direct your boat on moving water. You may encounter some obstacles, such as rocks & trees that need to be avoided. RED TRIPS (Tryweryn) – These are for people who have prior WW experience and are confident of navigating their boat safely down grade 2/3 water. You should be happy edging / leaning your boat, know about good boat balance and have a basic knowledge of reading water. BLACK TRIPS (Upper Dart) – These are for more advanced paddlers on much tougher water. Unfortunately we cannot take under 18‟s on these trips without parental supervision. You need to have a WW roll, be able to effectively read the river and be confident on bigger, more technical whitewater. Over the coming months the specification might be revised a little, but I‟d hope to see permanent copies prominently displayed within the club for new members in particular to see, along with a few names to contact.

A variation of this is used by some of the sea paddlers I occasionally go out with and it works well for them, I‟ve also seen club‟s successfully use a „drinks‟ based guide running through fruit juice to spirits. Let‟s hope it works well – and perhaps we will use the same standard for touring / sea trips in the future.

Chris Porteous / John Norris Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

Nov. 2008 - 10 -

Winter 2008/04

Sea Kayaking; Anglesey Many years ago I went on a Plas y Brenan Sea Kayaking course that circumnavigated Anglesey. Those were the days of hot summers, with beautiful weather. We spent an idyllic week paddling round the island, camping in (relatively) remote places, and returned salty, dirty, fit and suntanned. This year, I saw a late advertisement from Plas y Brenin for an Intermediate sea kayaking course on special offer. As it was sunny outside at the time, I booked on the course. It seemed like a good idea. Two weeks later, there we were, on an Anglesey Beach, clouds heading offshore at great speed, winds gusting onshore force 4-5, and the forecast for worse. It did not look so inviting. Despite the weather, we made good use of the island (being round, there is always somewhere a bit more sheltered), and had four out of five days excellent paddling in challenging conditions. On the Wednesday, we only went out on an inland lake, as the wind was force 7. A nice, contained area for a reasonable paddle, with many opportunities rolling and rescue practice. On the final day, we finished with the classic run down from Holyhead to Porth Dafarch, past Gogarth cliffs, with Parliament House cave, where we had camped on the previous expedition. Sadly, this time, getting into or near to the caves was impossible due to the swell. And the effect of wind against tide on the waves in the race train was a major motivator not to get swept out. The route choice was quite important, but even as we turned into the „chicken chute‟ at South Stack, the initial relief was tempered by the unexpected surf coming through the confined channel. This was a great day, but certainly a day when the 5 sea coaches earned their money. The Anglesey circumnavigation course still runs, and I would still recommend it. Just choose your weather.

Richard Williams

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

OCT 2008

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Winter 2008/04

QAJAQS – PART 2 In the last newsletter I put in a few lines ref. qajaqs (inuit hunting kayaks), and I must admit my research on the item was not that thorough, it was just intended to be a lead for those that might want to find out more. Roger French, one of the club‟s older members and a previous Secretary and Archivist to the „Historic canoe & Kayak Association‟ has a done a little research and I have reproduced some of it here. A copy of Roger‟s complete article can be found on the club‟s noticeboard. Roger has an „Anas Acuta‟ in the club, a GRP design based on a low volume Greenland style boat.

A Cape Falcon boat, ribs can be seen under the skin but note the small cockpit. http://www.capefalconkayak.com/ A good point that Roger raises is that of weight. Whilst I did not quote an actual weight the impression I gave was that these boats are light. I revisited the Cape Falcon Kayak site and looked on his boats for sale section. Already sold is a new 1935 sisimuit replica at 19lbs. That‟s light! But Roger correctly says that no weights were quoted for the original boats, as these would have been made out of whatever was to hand, and so far as I‟m aware there are no EU regulations on the size of driftwood (but give them time). Another point I suggested was that the paddler was stitched into his boat to prevent ingress of the very cold arctic waters. I‟m sure I didn‟t imagine this but I could not find the source again. A quicker (but perhaps slightly less watertight) way of achieving this would have been with drawstrings.

Replica – West Greenland Hunting Kayak Roger‟s research was based on a no. of books (as well as his own extensive knowledge) particularly dealing with the Arctic Ocean rim. Whilst looking a little further afield I noticed boats used in Alaskan waters were remarkably similar to the Greenland style. John Norris

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

Oct.2008

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Winter 2008/04

Lock House ‘sell off’ I really thought, particularly with the coverage in the broadsheets, that more would have signed this petition. Still, it drew a comment from no.10 which might go some way to allaying some people‟s fears. Call me a cynic, but I see this as more a stay of execution. Following a petition which garnered some 2809 signatories No.10 responded to the lock closure issues with the following statement. Following a meeting with the Minister Phil Woolas and MPs Martin Salter and Theresa May and discussions with staff and river user groups, the Environment Agency have agreed to put on hold any changes proposed by the lock house review until they have completed a full review of Waterways staff roles and responsibilities, and terms and conditions. No action will be taken to sell or rent lock houses until these negotiations on the full review are completed. The Environment Agency anticipates that this will take 6 months but this guarantee will continue until all negotiations are completed or January 1, 2009, whichever is latest. The Environment Agency will then review the position on lock houses with lockkeepers and their representatives and with the MPs group.

Andy Cooks’ DW 2008 Andy Cook has been a club member for many years. Marathon paddling is his interest and I happen to think he is pretty good at it. Andy was diagnosed with myeloma in September 1998 following a number of years of unsolvable back pain. He then had a year of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and then a stem cell transplant. This was very successful, and has given Andy nearly 10 years of plateau. It should be noted that only very occasionally does Myeloma go into remission and that for many patients, current medical knowledge merely keeps it in „check‟. Over the past ten years, Andy has been an avid fundraiser for Myeloma UK, raising over £1000 individually. His fundraising CV includes musical concerts, numerous half marathons and runs, and even climbing Ben Nevis. This year he completed the DW (a 125 mile Marathon boat race) an event he completed several times in the 70‟s & 80‟s. Within the race are several subsidiary categories, one of which is the „GLUCKSTEIN TROPHY‟ an award for paddlers competing in the event who do so under conditions that many of us would consider insurmountable. Andy was nominated for this award by Julie Wood of Banbury CC who wrote:‘We met Andy in person for the first time on Friday morning at Devizes before Katie and he set off for Westminster. What a courageous man he is – such grit and determination. A real fighter. We obviously only met him for the four days over the Easter holiday, but every day we cheered him on his way, either at the beginning, during the event, or at the end of a very long day. In fact, overall he did an extremely impressive time of 25 hours, 49 minutes and 17 seconds. I (Julie) am a

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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canoeist myself and hand it to anyone taking part in this event, let alone completing it on your own, in a K1 and also suffering from Myeloma. Myeloma is an incurable illness, which you can only hold at bay – it affects the bones and on Good Friday, Andy told us that he had back ache before he even started. He got through Friday, but then on Saturday the weather was so awful he was planning to give up around Henley – his son managed to persuade him to continue and he completed the whole thing, even though he was in some distress.’

At the prize giving Paul Ralph (Marsport) said that there were 3 nominations and all were deserving of the award. On this occasion the trophy was awarded to a disabled Major, wounded in Iraq. The Major had sustained significant injuries in the Iraq theatre which had cost him sight in one eye and tunnel vision in the other along with further injuries to limbs and a shoulder. He completed the senior K2 straight through race. Andy himself thought the major‟s effort „amazing‟ and that the trophy had gone to a very deserved winner. In recognition of Andy‟s achievement and for the time he put into the club in the past the club has made a donation to Myeloma UK via. Andy. His just giving page is still open and can be accessed at: - http://www.justgiving.com/andycook1 should you wish to make a further donation. If you want to know more about MYELOMA look up the website here: http://www.myelomaonline.org.uk

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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Winter 2008/04

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 can be 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

D.O

TUESDAY SESSIONS WILL RESUME APRIL 2009

D.O

22/23 NOV 08 29/30 NOV 08 07/08 DEC08

DART LOOP GRADE 2 MIDDLE WYE GRADES 1 & 2 DARTMOOR GRADE 4 (GENE17 RDAPW)

TBC TW CP/PC

13/14 DEC 08 CHRISTMAS W/E 31 JAN

3* LOWER DART & BARLE WATER GRADE 3 / 4 (STOMACH GRADE 5 / 6) WHAT‟S UP TRIP GRADES 2 / 3

TW TBC CP/PC

W/E 28 FEB 04 /05 APR 09

DARTMOOR TRIP GRADES 2 / 3 NORTH WALES SKILLS TRIP GRADE 2

CP/PC TBC

01 DEC 2008 26 JAN 2009

COMMITTEE MEETING - MARLOW DONKEY - 7.30pm AGM - KINGS HEAD - LITTLE MARLOW (to be confirmed)

AM AM

KEEP A LOOKOUT ON NOTICEBOARDS AND THE YAHOO GROUP SOME TRIPS JUST SUDDENLY 'APPEAR' IF CONDITIONS ARE RIGHT.

EVERY THURSDAY EVENING 9.00 - 10.30

SWIMMING POOL SESSIONS AT GURNELL POOL, WEST LONDON GET TUITION IN ROLLING, PRACTISE 3* SKILLS OR ANYTHING YOU'VE GOT A BIT RUSTY ON. SEE WEBSITE FOR MAP AND DETAILS ORGANISER / MCC CONTACT FOR ABOVE EVENTS

AC

ADRIAN COOPER

01844 344580

[email protected]

AM

ANDY MAXTED

07730 852760

[email protected]

TW

TOM WESTWATER

JN

JOHN NORRIS

01494 483833

[email protected]

CP

CHRIS PORTEOUS

01628 485049

[email protected]

PC

PAUL CRICHTON

08708 806962

[email protected]

TB

TERRY BELCHER

01628 851001

[email protected]

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

[email protected]

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Winter 2008/04

THE COMMITTEE & OTHER USEFUL NUMBERS A list of those members who serve on the club's committee, their role, a contact no. and an e-mail address should you need to get in touch. POSITION

NAME

TELEPHONE

E-MAIL (all hyperlinked)

PRESIDENT

TIM WARD

01494 482959

[email protected]

CHAIRMAN

ADRIAN COOPER

01844 344580

[email protected]

SECRETARY

ANDY MAXTED

07730 852760

[email protected]

TREASURER

PAUL CRICHTON

08708 806962

[email protected]

MEMBERSHIP

ROD EDMONDS

01753 671389

[email protected]

COACHING

TIM TWITCHEN

07833 995289

[email protected]

EQUIPMENT

CHRIS PORTEOUS

01628 485049

[email protected]

NEWSLETTER

JOHN NORRIS

01494 483833

[email protected]

WOMENS REP.

TOR EDWARDS

01494

[email protected]

YOUTH REP.

ALEX SHEILL

[email protected]

SOCIAL SEC

MELINDA LIVETT

[email protected]

MARATHON

THIS EVENT WILL IN FUTURE BE HOSTED BY LONGRIDGE C.C.

WHITEWATER

CHRIS PORTEOUS

TOURING

VACANT

SEA

JOHN NORRIS

01628 485049

[email protected]

01494 483833

[email protected]

OUR NEAREST RETAILERS / SUPPLIERS RIVERSIDE

OXFORD

01865 248673

http://www.riversideoxford.co.uk

MARSPORT

READING

01189 665912

http://www.marsport.co.uk

BERKSHIRE CANOES

READING

01189 425640

http://www.berkshire-canoes.co.uk

WWC

SHEPPERTON

01932 247978

http://www.whitewaterthecanoecentre.co.uk

PADDLESPORT

COMPTON VERNEY

01926 640573

http://www.paddlesport.co.uk

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

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter

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Winter 2008/04