Reading Santa Run 2018

This event should have been in every Club Member’s diary by now as a way of raising funds for Adventure Dolphin while making a super pre Christmas event for all. Hopefully the Social Group will take on the coordination as I will be stewarding on the day but happy to liase with whoever beforehand.

The outfits – Santas for adults and elves for children – are included in the entry fee and then members gain their own sponsorship for taking part. Many charities earn themselves a great deal of money!

I have already left a pile of the original fliers in the development room and now have posters etc. If this could be promoted at any upcoming events, in the newsletter or by a separate mailing, we should be able to enter a formidable group. The Adventure Dolphin Team should look fantastic, a team photo must be taken!

Kind regards

Tim

Reading Santa Run 2018-Join in the festive fun!!!

Why should you take part?

  • Raise money for your own organisation
  • Raise your profile in the public arena
  • Raise money for the Rotary Charities
  • Have fun – a great family fun day out

1Km. course for young people

 –  babies in buggies, and dogs including guide dogs! The course is suitable for any physically or mentally handicapped people, visually impaired or those with hearing difficulties we would love to see you all take part!

All to be dressed in festive outfits – all outfits included!

There is also a 5Km. course that you can race, run, walk, jog or even stroll if you like – however you do it you will raise money for charity.

www.readingsantarun.co.uk

Posters and flyers are available on request to promote the event

Contact Santa Run Marketing:

sheila.hobbs@readingrotary.org.uk

River Dart “Railway Paddle”

River Dart “Railway Paddle”

The aim of the weekend was to do two day paddles on the Dart in sequence starting at The Dart Country Park and finishing in Totnes. This is traditionally termed the “Lower Dart” and “Lower Lower Dart”. Instead of fighting for parking at the muddy lay by or at The Salmon Leap Café, we egressed at Breara Farm Campsite, where we stayed on Saturday night.

Eight of us paddled solo canoe (Unfortunately two had to go home after forgetting some of their kit!). For some this was a first canoe journey on moving water and having a forgiving flow and shallow levels was ideal. The only difficulty was a lack of depth at times. This meant reading the river to avoid grounding was essential. We even managed a little poling. Despite a significant peak in water levels the weekend before, water levels were again low. The river gauge at Austin’s bridge was just above 0.5m and we would not suggest driving down to Devon if it were any lower.

The campsite was quiet (except for us) and some of us, who got up in the night, were treated to an amazing panorama of stars, owing to the lack of light pollution and the clear sky.

There have been some issues with the egress at Staverton and so on Sunday we continued to Totnes. After Staverton the river is a mellow grade one, with one broken weir above Dartington and then a large weir at Totnes. Once over this we were into salt water of the Dart estuary. Egress at the ramp by Totnes Rowing Club was easy.

We all drove back up towards Buckfast and had a cream tea at the Salmon Leap Cafe, before the drive home.

 

PCC Update

Pangbourne Canoe Club Newsletter report October-November 2018

 Evening sessions

As the days shorten our Tuesday evening sessions are ending but by the time you read this newsletter Circuit Training will have started on Wednesday evenings from 6.00-7.00pm at The Centre.  All members are welcome to this light-hearted work out. Our training sessions over recent weeks have subtly moved towards strength and stamina as we move into the autumn season where races are over longer distances.

“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothes” (Alfred Wainwright, A coast to coast walk)

Over the cooler months it’s important to wear warmer kit and perhaps carry an extra layer for training sessions as the water is getting colder as I found out when I had a sudden water emersion moment (swim) last Tuesday.  Several members planning to enter the Devizes to Westminster Race over the Easter weekend are continuing to train in the evenings independently and they certainly carry extra kit.

Elmbridge Hasler

Elmbridge Hasler was on Sunday 7th October.  This is an out of region event so not one that many would attend. However, Peter W and Vicky M were keen to get out and race eight miles so why not enter?  The distance was slightly over nine miles, and this suited Peter very well as he was able to gain ground in the last mile gaining third place in division 5 K1 in 1:23.15.  This resulted in his promotion to division 4.  Well done Peter. Vicky paddled in division 6 K2, coming in fourth in a time of 1:31.26.  The boats ahead of her were all kayaks so I believe she was still in the fastest canoe on the water.

Time Trial

We held a time trial this month in which Simon TC broke the club record, completing the distance in 29:52.  Joost took some photos – spot what’s odd here! No prizes for working it out.

As well as a pretty exhausting time trial there’s been time to play: Daisy had the energy for some seasonal conker collection – guess the number of conkers in this bucket (again no prizes).

 

Events coming up

Banbury Hasler is on Sunday 28th October and this will be the last Hasler until next spring.  We look forward to a good turnout for this.  Quiz and Chips is the evening before (5.30pm Saturday 27th October) if you feel you need to carbo-load and have an intellectual challenge as part of race preparation.

The Leighton Buzzard Remembrance Day Race is on Sunday 11th November.

Ross Warland Memorial Canal Challenge on Sunday 25th November.

Stour Descent on Sunday 2nd December.

Santa Run Sunday 9th December (good portage practice)

Frank Luzmore Memorial Marathon on Sunday 6th January.

Want to have a go?

If any Club members feel tempted to try their hand in a racing boat don’t be shy, get in touch with any of the race group coaches and we can arrange for you to have a go – you may well be pleasantly surprised at how many of your skills are transferable.