A team to be proud of

Congratulations to all of our volunteer members who received awards at British Canoeing’s Southern Region (Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Hampshire) award ceremony on Tuesday 20^th November, held in Pangbourne.

Attended by various clubs throughout the region, our members received awards for long service, impact and volunteering.

Club Impact Award for 2018
Jointly to Ian Blatchley and John Bethell

Young Volunteer Coach of the Year
Ellie Hatchett

15 Years Service Award for Services to the Southern Region

Kevin Dennis

Outstanding Contribution and 25 Years Service

Adrian Moon
Alan Brown
Cliff Coombes
Ed Edwards
Ian Blatchley
Ian Flanders
John Bethell
Ken Tomkins
Maggie Dennis
Sue Harris
Vicky Metcalfe

15 years service
Andrew Middleton
Bill Whitaker
Claire Hardwick
Colin Greaves
Mark Edwards
Ian Palmer
Kevin Dennis
Lizzy Feuillade
Paul Atherton
Penny Tomkins
Steve McCluskey
Tim Metcalfe

Well done to everyone

30/11/201830/11/2018

LEL course now available

Adventure Dolphin (AD) is set to run a ‘Lowland Expedition Leadership’ (LEL) course in January.
The Level 3 qualification enables delegates to develop essential leadership skills that they can use in the outdoor environment to arrange trips and expeditions.

The course (spread over three months plus an assessment weekend) covers everything from navigation, and remote supervision, to outdoor clothing, camping and cooking, as well as organisational skills and risk assessment leadership.

This course is ideal for anyone working in a wide range of educational and aspirant outdoor professionals, or for those wanting to participate in the delivery of Duke of Edinburgh Bronze/Silver awards.
AD has more than 30 years’ experience in delivering LEL with many of our members completing the course so that they can facilitate overnight expeditions for young people.
A substantial fee reduction is available for Adventure Dolphin members and leaders wishing to undertake this training. Partial funding may be available to DofE leaders based in West Berkshire.
For further information please contact: aat.brown@adventuredolphin.co.uk
Click here for further information about the qualification and relevant course dates.

27/11/201827/11/2018

Safety Alert – Weil’s Disease

Weil’s disease (Leptospirosis)

We have been made aware of a paddler in the East Midland’s region who was diagnosed with Weil’s disease (Leptospirosis) on Saturday 17^th November. Our thoughts are with the paddler and their family, as they fight the condition.

Please find below some helpful information:

Weils Disease (Leptospirosis)

All water users should be aware of this potentially fatal infection.

This is a bacterial infection normally believed to be spread by rat urine, though can also be transmitted by cat, fox and rabbit urine. Transmission is usually through an open wound or abrasion but can also be coursed by ingestion of contaminated water.

Symptoms are lethargy, diarrhoea, headaches, vomiting and muscle pain; sometimes referred to as flu like symptoms, if untreated can be fatal.

Prevention

Prevention measures against water borne infection are:

Cover all cuts and abrasions with waterproof plasters.
Always wear footwear to avoid cutting the feet.
Avoid capsize or rolling practice in suspected waters.
Where possible shower soon after the activity
As a minimum always wash your hands after paddling and before eating or drinking

If you feel ill after paddling you should tell your Doctor as soon as possible and let them know where and when you have been on the water.

The NHS publish the following guidance:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Leptospirosis/

Further information and support is available when required by contacting:

safety@britishcanoeing.org.uk

01/11/201830/11/2018

PCC News

Winter Training
Winter training is now well underway with sessions on the water on Saturday mornings and Tuesday evenings as well as Circuit Training on Wednesday evenings. All members are welcome to circuits but do just check if it’s your first time to make sure the session is on. The main event for the Race Group since the last newsletter was the Banbury Hasler. All paddlers are now wrapping up well on the water balancing the need to keep warm if you have a swim with the problem of overheating.

Banbury Hasler Report

The Cold and Narrow Canal
On Sunday 28^th October we travelled to Banbury to race in their annual Hasler event. This is run on the canal which is narrow in places (in fact, there are no wide bits) so quite different for those of us used to the Thames. Paddling up to the start was like steering the Star ship Enterprise out of space doc. It was also cold and windy in comparison with the conditions we have raced in over recent months. There were also portages for all divisions: two in divisions 7-10 (4 miles), six for divisions 4 to 6 (8 miles) and fourteen for divisions 1 to 3 (12 miles). It is unusual for divisions 7 to 10 to have any portages so the course was quite testing.

Promotion to Division two for Jarvis
The highlight was Jarvis M winning his division 3 singles race in 1:42.34, three minutes ahead of the rest of the field. At this level, three minutes is a large margin as if he was in warp drive and the other boats were on impulse power! This resulted in Jarvis gaining promotion to division two, a tremendous result. Jarvis now trains with Reading but maintains his allegiance with Pangbourne in Hasler races.

More Hats for Vicky
Vicky M, paddling in C2 (double canoe) with Liz from Basingstoke came second in division 6 doubles, paddling well against people with double the number of blades (i.e. kayak paddlers). They were also the fastest canoe on the water that day. Hence, they won a hat, the traditional prize at Banbury. A C2 beating a K2 is rather like a Klingon Bird of Prey beating a Federation Star ship.

A Mixed Bag
The rest of the Race Group had mixed results: Simon TC and Stu Q (paddling with Tommy F as a last -minute arrangement) both felt ill and had to retire from their races. Jensen M also retired due to the cold conditions. Owen B had a good race coming 5^th in 1:15.31 in division 4 singles. Steve M came 13^th in division 5 singles in 1:20.26, missing twelfth place by just three seconds! Hazel B and Chris R managed a very creditable 7th and 9^th place respectively in division 9 singles.

The Next Race
The next race is the Ross Warland Memorial Canal Challenge on Sunday 25^th November, again at Banbury. It’s a 20-mile event where a crew can paddle the full distance or as two teams in a relay.

30/10/2018

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

29/10/201831/10/2018

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.

29/10/2018

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 7^th 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 28^th 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 27^th 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 11^th November.

Ross Warland Memorial Canal Challenge on Sunday 25^th November.

Stour Descent on Sunday 2^nd December.

Santa Run Sunday 9^th December (good portage practice)

Frank Luzmore Memorial Marathon on Sunday 6^th 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.

30/09/201830/09/2018

Henley Hasler 16th September 2018

Just one week following the Pangbourne Hasler we were off to Henley for another race. Once again, we were lucky with the weather, just enough sunshine to top up the tan but it was a little windy on the Henley straight giving some challenging conditions. I felt that I was paddling at sea some of the time and in Division five K1 and with twenty-seven boats on the start line wash was horrendous.
Henley is yet another beautiful stretch of The Thames for a race and Henley Canoe Club organised an excellent event. Our thanks to all at Henley for this.
In 3K1 Simon TC paddled a gruelling 12 miles to get a good division three race under his belt. Well done Si! Stuart Q elected to paddle in 4K1 (he could have done 5K1) coming 4th scoring 19 points. This is only his second race after a gap of many years so a good result. Greg W, also paddling for the first time after a long break, flew round the course in 5K1 coming third, gaining another 19 points and promotion to division four. Gavin L and Steve M came 14th and 18th respectively in 5K1. I had a poor start but an exciting finish sprinting to the line and holding off a FOX paddler by only one second. In 9K1 Chris R coped well with the windy conditions to come in 10th. Well done Chris.
In the doubles races Peter W paddling 5K2 with his daughter Eleanor (ex-Pangbourne, now with the RAF) had an exciting race with four boats coming into the finish neck and neck: they finished 4th only one second behind 3rd place. Fay B and Caroline W came 11th in 5K2, both glad to be in a stable boat. Robin T and Tommy F shot off the start line like the star ship Enterprise leading 4K2 up to the portage but eventually being pushed into 4th place. Well raced against strong competition. Conor M paddling 3K2 with a Reading partner had a comfortable win coming in more than a minute ahead of the second crew, a large margin at this level, so a good race there.
Once again, our juniors did us proud with Jensen M coming 2nd in U12Males and Amy G 1st in U12females. More significant for Amy was that she was 6th out of all the junior competitors after only a handful of races, so well done to both of our juniors.
The next Hasler Race is Banbury on Sunday 28th October. It would be good to get out a strong team to see if we can get into this years’ Hasler Final.
Steve

30/09/2018

The Sun Shines on Pangbourne!

The Sun Shines on Pangbourne!

Sunday 9^th September – a date to be remembered for members of Adventure Dolphin: we held our annual Hasler race based at The Centre. In recent years the race was based at Home Farm but this year it returned to the Centre.

First, a big Thank You to all the helpers both on and off the water, without whom the event could not have taken place. The races were marshalled very efficiently which made the “on the water” side run smoothly and everything from car parking to catering went well “on the land”. With over 300 competitors it was a big undertaking and its success was a real endorsement for the charity. There was a wonderful atmosphere and Georgie kept everyone entertained with her commentary and eclectic musical taste.

This was the first race in the 2018-19 series and for the first time there was an extra race – division ten, an Open race (i.e. in any craft) of 4 miles for under twelve paddlers who want to race a longer course than the Lightnings. Races are held over 4 miles (divisions 7-10), 8miles (divisions 4 to 6) and 12 miles (divisions 1-3). In division 9 singles Nick A came sixth and was promoted to division eight and Daisy was our top junior performer coming tenth out of 30 in a strong field where the top seven paddlers were promoted. Chris R and Hazel B also paddled well, Ruth S did her first ever K1 race and Mike H his first ever race.

In division eight Ian P paddled hard to gain fifth place just 17 seconds short of promotion.

In division five singles Gavin L came in the top half and Stuart Q, racing for the first time in many years gained a podium place (third), proving that paddling is like riding a bicycle – you don’t forget.

In division three singles – a twelve-mile race – Conor M managed eleventh and Jarvis M fourth. These are good results considering the quality of the competition.

In the doubles races Peter W and James B were second in division eight C2 resulting in promotion to division seven despite hitting a tree at the island. In division five Fay B & Caroline W and Steve M & Paul A came tenth and eighth respectively with close times, similarly in division four Tommy F & Robin T were eighth pipped by Owen B & Mark W in seventh place.

In the Junior race Jensen M was second in K1 and first in K2; Amy G was third in K1 and third in K2. She was buzzing as she got off the water from the K2 race as she only entered at the last minute and was not expecting such a good result.

Jensen receives his certificate from Vicky

Regional Standing 2017-18 season

The Hasler season runs from 1^st September to 31^st August each year. In the 2017-18 season Pangbourne Canoe Club were 7^th with 36 points. Only the first five clubs qualify for the Hasler finals, so we didn’t make it. Realistically, we need to increase number of paddlers to qualify. In the Geoff Sanders Trophy competition for Lightnings we scored 73 points with a team of only two: the winners, Leighton Buzzard, scored 570 points with a team of eleven. Again, simply by increasing numbers we can gain more points.

Regional Standing 2018-19 season

Club points after the first race (Pangbourne Hasler) in the 2018-19 season put Pangbourne Canoe Club in 6^th place – can we go one better and get into the Hasler finals this year?

The next Hasler race is Henley on 16^th September then Banbury on 28^th October. After this there are some longer races including the Ross Warland Memorial Relay Canal Challenge, Basingstoke Charles Hicks Canal Challenge and the Frank Luzmore Memorial Race all around 12 to 20 miles taking us into the winter season. Then it’s the Watersides, Thamesides and Devizes to Westminster Race.

If you would like to try your hand at racing, please email one of the race coaches and we can arrange a time for you to have a go.

30/09/201801/10/2018

Allier 2018

Allier 2018; from wings to white water!

Although not my first time to this amazing, beautiful and stunning river, it very much felt like it. As many of you know, I regularly train hard with the marathon group, preferring to race competitively, instead of throwing myself down crazy rapids; and with GCSE results day looming, going on this year’s French trip seemed like a bit of a ludicrous decision………how wrongly I interpreted the situation.
From start to finish, I can honestly say that this year’s trip was firmly the best French trip in recent years. After setting up camp on a (thankfully!) dry day, we rested in hope of regaining some energy lost from a long exhausting drive down to Langeac.
On the Sunday, a nice gentle warm up paddle from Langeac to Lavoute Chilac to get back into the flow of things (excuse the pun). On the Monday, after having loosened up, we tackled the Parades to Langeac; having to face the mighty weir flume – a personal highlight of the section, with some potential laughs as a few swims occur here.
Then on the Tuesday a very, very early start (a tough life getting up at 7:30am) was well worth it for the gorgeous paddle from Chapeauroux to Alleyras – otherwise known as ‘that section with 40 rapids’ – with a few technical bits to keep us on our toes. Although a great paddle, we returned to a half- swamped campsite which may have been a good paddle in itself, but morale was bought up by a quick change to pizza and chips for tea (a wise move by the trip leaders some would argue).
Then came Wednesday……. the grade 3 section (dun…dun…dunnnnnnn). Not only was I paddling this section to prove others I could still ‘probably paddle’, but I wanted to show myself that I was still capable of paddling a technical section of white water. The doubts disappeared quickly as I tackled the section with relative ease, possibly better than I did a couple of years ago (ask the coaches as I believe I’m rather biased, who would have thought?) reassuring me why it’s my favourite section of the river. Thanks to the dynamic duo of Liam and Boothy for taking me down this section, without which I wouldn’t have realised I can still paddle on moving water.
Thursday. Day off for some. Results for others. Anyone on the trip would be able tell you how fear consumed me the night before, anxious about not being at home to open them. Again, my worries were unnecessary as I passed all my subjects, and gleefully celebrated with a drink on the house from the local bar- a regular evening spot for some on the trip.
Then Friday came, the final day of paddling and the penultimate day in France. The dynamic pairing of Gillespie/Fitzgerald teamed up again (open canoe this time!!) to brave the Parades to Langeac section – no problem for Janet obviously as there were no portages for things to go wrong (I’m sorry Janet, I just had to). Open canoeing was different and very much interesting on white water – an experience I have Ian Flanders to thank for, and would definitely recommend to those who haven’t endeavoured before- challenging me in new ways as an already confident paddler.
Saturday was interesting to say the least. The group started with an early morning high rope session beside the river (so we can technically claim that it was still a river trip). I would like to thank the Frenchman who ran the high rope course for putting up with laughing Brits during their briefing for the sole reason that the briefing was in French. Camp was quickly dissembled and we were on our way……to Ikea, for MEATBALLS!
A long drive was ahead of us, and being in the trailing bus, was very confused when the leading bus (being driven by none other than Mr Dave Booth) detoured into the centre of Paris. A quick photo in front of the Eiffel tower for the Instagram (tommy.fitzy, hit me up) as well as negotiations with a French salesman for a laser (he started at €25 and we ended up at £12, so the real question here is, Why am I not in Brussels negotiating our Brexit deal?
Overall it was a fantastic week away with many laughs – but not so many rolls- made even more enjoyable by the company in which I was surrounded for the week.
I would personally like to thank Dave, Liam, Paul, Ian, Corinna (Fizzy to some), Janet & Jack for collectively help run the trip, without who the trip may never have ran. And finally I’d like to thank my Dad (Tony to the rest of you) for working tremendously hard to make this year’s trip possible- whilst committing to his role as treasurer as well as his full time job (plus having children to take care of)- which was enjoyed by all those who were there.

Tommy Fitzgerald