Month: February 2018

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DW VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
30th March – 2nd April 2018

DW has been organised every Easter Weekend since 1948 by Volunteers.
We need a team of 300 people to help us safely run the race – every year!

Volunteering is a great way for previous competitors and support crew to give time back to DW. and help others realise their goals. It’s also an opportunity for future entrants to learn about the race, the course and the people that make DW unique.

Many volunteers come back year after year, passing on important skills and knowledge. Volunteering for DW can be hard work and great fun. But it can also be rewarding, addictive and you’ll join an amazing community.

Key volunteer roles needed during Easter Weekend include:

  • Devizes (Start) Team
  • Umpires
  • Safety Teams
  • Checkpoints & Comms
  • Marshals
  • Campsite crew
  • First Aiders
  • Westminster (Finish) Team.

    Many roles are flexible, so volunteer for a couple of hours or all weekend. To volunteer, get in contact including your availability, preferred location and role, by e-mail or DW Facebook page:
    Rachel Dennis – DW Volunteer Co-ordinator
    dwvolunteers@gmail.com

    We’d like to hear from groups available to work as a team anywhere on the route, as well as each tide at the Westminster Finish Village (Sunday 16th AM & PM, Monday 17th AM).

    Thank you – DW Race Organising Team

    P.S. Date for your diary: DW will be 19th – 22nd April 2019

    Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race
    125 miles | 77 portages | 300 Volunteers
    www.dwrace.org.uk

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Pangbourne/Adventure Dolphin Canoe Club… Race group news

Pangbourne/Adventure Dolphin Canoe Club… Race group news

This year’s Waterside Series, run by Newbury Canoe Club (CC), kicked off on 4th February participants racing from Great Bedwyn to Newbury (13.5 miles).

Adventure Dolphin’s (AD) members paddled in K1, K2 and C2 classes under the Pangbourne Canoe Club team name, with other members and friends supporting paddlers and volunteering in various roles including marshaling or in the kitchens providing food for all.

Our paddlers got off to a good start, especially our Junior K2 pair; Tommy F and Owen B, and Jarvis M who is paddling with another junior from Reading CC. Ruth S took on the series in K1, having paddled K2 for the past two years with Jim L, who is now supporting her having helped so much with her training this winter.

Categories include:
Juniors: under 19
Seniors/veterans: over 35
Masters: 50 upwards

2018 is a special year as it marks the 50th anniversary of the first series. An invitation went out to those who had paddled in the first series back in 1968. Four “LEGENDS” paddled on Sunday, sadly none of them where AD members, but the occasion was celebrated in style with a short presentation before the prizegiving,

The following weekend saw seven paddlers do the Thameside 1- hosted by Reading CC. Racing from Aldermaston upstream to Reading CC’s club house, with a major North Westerly wind to boot, making the last two miles a true challenge!

The second race in the Waterside series was Newbury/Aldermaston/Newbury, 18miles which took place on Sunday 11th February. The Thameside 2 is on 25th February – racing down the Thames from Reading CC to Longridge Activity centre, near Marlow (20 miles)

Now, half way through the series, the last two races are on 4th and 18th March. Please check the results for all the races. There may be prizes for those who do all 4 Watersides, and don’t forget, we are always grateful for your support. So, if you find yourself able to give a bit of time please do volunteer, Bill Whitaker runs the Volunteer team, so please let him know via email: membership@adventuredolphin.co.uk

Results:
Waterside series: www.watersideseries.org.uk
Thameside 1 and 2: http://reading-canoe.org.uk

For further information about Pangbourne Canoe Club contact: Vicky Metcalfe at: Vicky.metcalfe@adventuredolphin.co.uk

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Usk River Trip

Ray Cook, member, reports on Adventure Dolphin’s recent white water paddle on the River Usk from Sennybridge to Aberbran Bridge on Saturday 3rd February 2018.

Ray says: “The weather conditions were good for the time of year, although it was rather cold. We meet and started our day with breakfast at the Services just past the Seven Bridge, before traveling in convey to Sennybridge (Powys).
“Our adventure began before we even hit the water as the drop off point was a little wet and muddy which meant a couple of cars had to be pushed off the grass back onto the dirt track, but once on the water we we’re able to practice turns, ferry gliding and braking out before we all headed off down river.

“The first drop quickly approached and most managed to get down it without incident. Scampi, Trip Leader, did have a mishap and it took a few tries before he managed to push himself back up with his paddle and I capsized. This drop and I have history in that I capsized going down it a couple of years ago. I was confident that it was not going to happen again, but a minute later, my head was under water, the spay deck popped and I was swimming.

“The 12 of us successfully negotiated the next two drops and found plenty of play spots and waves to surf on. All in all, it’s a lovely stretch that offers varied drops and play spots which for me at least help to improve skills and confidence on white water.”