Waterfront - The Basingstoke Canal Canoe Club

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Waterfront
Issue 116 A Merry Christmas to all our readers December 2008
In this issue
2 AGM in brief
Trophies & Awards
3 Waterfront Survey
4 Monnow Trip
5 Alan Dressel
6 English Canoe Symposium
7 Canoeing Skills Challenge
8 Racing Report
9/10 Ross Warland
11 What’s On
12 Using Club Equipment
For Sale
13 Racing Calendar
14 Calendar
Chairman: Liz Murnaghan
Secretary: Alan Ebbage
Treasurer: Katie Truesdale
Membership Subscriptions
Brian Biffin
1
From the Chair
“Doesn’t time fly when you are having fun?”
That line has been recycled from my AGM
speech, if you missed the AGM there is a brief
summary inside.
The AGM was a time for looking back on our
achievements in 2007/8, now is the time for
looking forward, to plan for next year.
The weather outside may be grey and cold but
that doesn’t mean paddling has to stop (for the
white water warriors the season has just begun)
As your Mother might say “Wrap up warm”,
supermarket fleece tops, trousers and hats and a
lightweight waterproof cagoule will make a world
of difference to you if you think paddling kit is T
shirt and shorts. Add some fancy dress and you
will be sorted for the Boxing Day paddle! If you
aspire to paddling warm clear waters then the
winter pool sessions are running, it’s not quite
the Mediterranean, but then neither is the canal
in summer! Also running through the winter
months we have Circuit training sessions, they
are not just for marathon paddlers, everyone can
benefit.
See you on the water soon.
Liz
The Committee
Charles Hicks
Tracy Rees-Clark
Alan Taylor
Harvey Wade
Annual subscriptions remain unchanged for 2009 and are: Individual adults & juniors £25 + £20 joining
fee in first year; Family membership £50 + £40 joining fee; Affiliated membership £60 + £50 joining fee;
Associate membership (non-paddlers) £15 +£15 joining fee.
The quarterly newsletter of the Basingstoke Canal Canoe Club
Website: www.b3c.org.uk

AGM 2008 in brief
A good turnout with lots of nice food: nothing contentious on the agenda.
The new committee is listed on page 1, but a short pen portrait of their experience may be useful:
Madam Chairman - Liz Murnaghan, (“Mad Chair” for short) a Level 3 coach with swimming experience.
She spent a lot of time last year training for the DW and is now trying open canoeing.
Treasurer- Katie Truesdale, support crew to racers Tim, Michael and Ryan..
Secretary - Alan Ebbage.-finished the DW last Easter and training to do it all again next year in a
lighter, faster boat.
Charles Hicks - flat water racer with many years experience and occasionally paddles white water
abroad in fine weather.
Alan Taylor - new to the Committee, he is a regular paddler of racing boats.
Tracy Rees Clark - Liz’s “other half” for DW2008 and training to do it all again next year with her son.
Brian Biffin - a level 3 coach who organises many of our canoe and sea trips. If you think he balances
out all the racers on the committee you’d be wrong though, as he plans to do the DW next Easter.
Harvey Wade - a new member of BCCC and new to the Committee. Much of his recent paddling has
been with the Affiliated group KC21
A new Youth committee was appointed and they are:
Jason Dyer - Chairperson
Jonny Oliver - Secretary
Freddie Oliver - Treasurer
Wendy Fox - Activities officer
Nick Boreham - Activities Officers
Mike Rees-Clark - Young People Representative
Mike Truesdale - Young Peoples Representative.
Richard Boreham is supporting the group as the adult facilitator
Some people who are not on the Committee but you may need to know are:
James Freemantle- Membership Secretary
Brian Gandy- Waterfront Editor
Gavin Branch- Hasler Marathon Team Leader
Lee Matthews Boatstore Manager
Mike Simpson- Coaching
Karen Dyer- Paddlepower
Trophies awarded this year:
U12 Marathon - Ben Hansell
Junior White Water - Tom Hill
Most Improved Youth Open Boater – Jonny Oliver
Most Improved Adult Open Boater - Rose Fox
4 mile H&H Challenge Cup - Chris Branch
Hicks Trophy – Most points in K1 H&H- Jointly James Freemantle and Jason Dyer
Millet Cup – Most points in K2 H&H - Jointly Mark Dyer & Alan Taylor: Pete Absolom & Paul Batchelor
Canadian Challenge – Most points in C1 or C2 H&H - Murray Jones
Fastest K1 - H&H - James Freemantle
Under 16 Cup - Fastest Junior H&H - Naomi Smith
Aprils Cup - Fastest lady H&H - Naomi Smith
Davey Trophy - Fastest K2 H&H - Katie Lambert & Jamie Cox
Wills Trophy - Best male performance in club Marathon - Jointly James Taylor and Freddie Oliver
Matthews Trophy - Best Female performance in club marathon - Katie Lambert
NEW Hicks K2 Trophy - Best K2 performance in Club Marathon - Sarah Francis & Jonathon Johns
James Bilson Award - for the person who has overcome obstacles to go paddling -Murray Jones
Ted Ledger Award - for non paddling services to the Club -Josh Bevan for his work on the Youth
Committee
Chairman’s Award - Lis Coleman for her work with the Junior marathon development team.
Neptune Award - for services to swimming - Richard Somerset.
Not awarded this year: Youth Polo: Simpson Award (for best newcomer to slalom):
Jarman Award (for most improved ranked slalom paddler).
Our thanks go to Dave Bevan for his technical support and Brian Biffin for his slide show. Frimley
Baptist Church continue to provide this venue free of charge and we are sending an appropriate
donation by way of thanks. Thanks also go to Rose Fox and Liz Oliver who were very supportive in the
kitchen area and with clearing up.
2

Waterfront Survey – an analysis of the past
Thanks to the 19 members who responded to the survey sent with the September Waterfront.
The results, however, were inconclusive and the committee has decided to continue to send it by
email to those that request it and by post to others in stapled black and white format. Waterfront
will continue to be put on the club’s website in full and in colour.
- and the future
It was clear that you all want something different out of Waterfront.
So let’s cut to the quick: this is your newsletter.
I rely on you, to come up with much of the copy, especially for non-racing articles.
To get something out of Waterfront you need to put something into it.
So please send articles, photos and dates of forthcoming events for all the activities in which the
club is engaged and send them in promptly after the event. {gandy@adslmail.newnet.co.uk }
Waterfront Online
I have been publishing articles on the website under the banner “Waterfront Online”. It is on the
home page. It is a much more immediate medium and enables articles to be published within a
day or two of the event which makes it far more topical than we can achieve with the quarterly
newsletter. Also it captures a far, far wider audience throughout the UK and abroad.
It is a brilliant way to publicise the club: check it out now at:
Ed.
Community Amateur Sports Club
http://www.b3c.org.uk/home/index.html
It’s a site to see
The club is a registered Community Amateur Sports Club (“CASC”) and can reclaim tax on any
donations exactly like a Charity. If you want to support your club further please consider
completing a CASC tax form. The club receives 25p for every £1 you donate and until 5 April 2011
the Government will pay an additional 3p in the £. So if you want to give the club further support,
this is the best way to do it. It is simple to do and the form can be obtained from the Treasurer.
3

The Monnow
One of the T&C from my family for doing the DW in 2008 was that I didn’t do it again in 2009. How then is the
best way to cope with DW withdrawal symptoms when all around you are training for the big race? Another
challenge was in order and so I signed up for Brian Biffin’s 3 star OC course. We would need experience of
moving water which is sadly lacking in the South Eastern corner of the country. In March 2007 I ran the Club’s
first trip to the Monnow and Brian came along, he decided it would be a good first moving water trip for his
band of 3 star paddlers.
We assembled at Elms Road at early o’clock and set off down the M4 to Wales. Opinion differed over which
Severn crossing to use. Rose and I stopped at Aust for a wee and a drink whilst the Biffins went over the new
bridge and stopped at a different services for coffee and a wee. Rose and I got to Skenfrith first though, having
stopped en route to recce a possible exit point at Rockfield. Brian decided that Tregate Bridge would be an
easier exit point and we shuttled the vehicles there. The weather was warm and sunny and it was decided to
pack our cagoules rather than wear them. Rose got out some chocolate and banana cake for Elevenses and
thus fortified we paddled downstream. We learnt how to backwater into eddies and played with the trim of our
boats to see how it affected handling. Small waves gave us the opportunity for surfing and ferrygliding.
A shingle beach served as a lunch spot. The greater carrying capacity of a canoe gives you room to pack more
toys. The syllabus calls for “Means to provide a hot drink (May be a flask)” but there are other options
available. I took a small gas stove, but this was seen as a cop out by the pyromaniacs. Brian brought a Sierra
stove which has a small battery fan to produce a forced draught fire which proved quite efficient at heating
water for coffee, the effect was spoiled somewhat by him spilling hot water over the map requiring another
brew up. Steve brought a very shiny Kelly kettle which apparently worked brilliantly at home but was more
temperamental in the field (It didn’t work). Chocolate Surprise Muffins provided our second chocolate hit for the
day.
It wasn’t long before we saw Tregate Bridge, and what, if our memories served us right one of the best rapids
of the river. We landed just downstream of the bridge and waded onto the island to assess the lines. It was a
bit rocky and a branch on river right could prove problematical. Brian decided to act a rescue service river right
and went armed with throwline and saw for some surreptitious pruning. We all managed to shoot the drop
without incident. We portaged the boats back up over the island and carried them to the Biffo bus. The kettle
went on and Anne sliced up a quadruple chocolate cake to go with our mugs of tea. Those not doing the shuttle
loaded up the trailer and we headed home. We stopped at a services for supper, but strangely, after all that
chocolate cake no one wanted a pudding.
Liz
4

Alan Dressel
It was with deep regret that we heard of the death of Alan Dressel on 1 st December. He was a level 3 coach, an
extremely competent kayaker and canoeist who willingly guided fellow members to improve their own skills and
until recently was an active participant in white water and other trips.
Alan was one of the first members to join the club on its formation nearly 30 years ago. In the mid-80’s when
four families got together to venture to France for their summer holidays with canoes, Alan and his family were
amongst them. They made the annual pilgrimage for several years. The weather was an obvious attraction for
him along with the fun and challenge of tackling fast and furious rivers and when we were not canoeing,
spending hours with the boys building dams to create pools and mini rapids – oh, and the challenge of tackling
French menus.
He will be sadly missed by his many friends in canoeing and snowdrops in spring will remind me of Alan and
just another of his passions.
We extend our deepest sympathy to Maureen, Mark, Gary and their families.
Ed.
People will have fond memories of Alan for many different reasons depending on how they knew him. For me,
and perhaps all us, it will be of a fun loving guy out on the river, for even though he carried a bus pass and a
pension book, he behaved like an over-excited teenager! His humour extended off the river too and was always
fun to be with. I will miss him greatly and feel privileged that I paddled with him on his final trip.
A few pictures of how I will remember him are attached and on the web site. God bless you Alan, old friend.
Paul K.
Arrangements for Alan’s funeral are Friday 12 December 2009 at 12 noon, Aldershot Crematorium.
Family flowers only: donations, if desired, to Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust.
5

Canoeing
The English Canoe Symposium
0n the 14th November a B3C contingent headed up the M6 to the Lakeside YMCA on the shores of
Lake Windermere.
Debbie and Steve Rees Clark joined the usual suspects, Denis and Mike Rees-Clark, Lee Matthews,
Anne and Brian Biffin for a weekend's real canoeing with around 270 other enthusiasts - and yes,
pointy boats were well represented by David Train and his sons. Michael gave an excellent account of
himself in one of the Train delta C1's.
Masterclasses were also held in poling with Harry Rock visiting from the USA showing Lee and Brian
that you can "stand tall with a long sick - yeah!", although I must confess I was responsible for
knocking a couple of people in when we attempted poling up a G2 rapid on the Brathay. Mike joined
one of the many whitewater trips on the Leven, while Debbie - you've guessed - paddled off in a
Bellboat up the lake on a Teashop expedition. In the bar, we got chatting to a bunch of guys from
Cork, so guess where we may be going next summer? And that was just Saturday.
On Sunday Anne joined us from Leeds and we got stuck in to deepwater strokework with Biscuit - no,
he would not tell us how he got the name - but I trusted him enough to buy his spare paddle. Lee and
Steve joined an all day intermediate whitewater trip on the Lune. I gather that Lee got a bit too
enthusiastic over edging on one section - look out Richard - you may yet be losing the King Neptune
Award! Anne and I also got thoroughly wet in the afternoon on a deep water rescue workshop. Mike
went sailing (canoe sailing, of course), and Debbie did the "Efficient forwards (Minimum effort to
maximum tea shopping)" session. While we were waiting for Lee to return from the Lune with Denis'
Landie I bought an ex- demo Mad River Legend for the Club ,having spent most of the day trying out
several alternatives.
As usual, there was a wonderful, relaxed atmosphere at this Symposium - I even got my Coaching
update signed off. The organisation was really professional. Coaches from all over the country - and
some from a bit beyond - came as volunteers to share their real enthusiasm and to soak up the genuine
sense of camaraderie. For more pictures go to
http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=126
Next Year its Glenmore Lodge, in the Scottish Highlands - and the rail fare is looking very
tempting.....
Brian Biffin
Rose on the Monnow trip
6

A canoeing skills challenge
The aim of this challenge is to put right a defect that exists in open boating, the lack of competition.
So, in increasing entertainment value, always holding a canoe pole horizontally, parallel with your
shoulders:
1. Walk from one end of the canoe to the other, keeping as close to the centreline as possible,
steadying yourself on the gunwales if need be, to begin with.
2. Spin yourself around thru 180 degrees by jumping up in the canoe.
3. Jump over the centre thwart (yoke).
4. Jump over the yoke while spinning around thru 180 degrees.
I have yet to achieve number 4 - now there's a challenge!
Brian B
Don’t try these exercises on your own. No, please give us notice of when and where: we want you to
have as big an audience as we can muster. Ed.
Change of date: The Thames canoe paddle in the Reading area will now be on Saturday 13 December.
Contact Brian or Anne Biffin 01252 616692
7

RACING REPORT – 2007/8
Once more there has been a most encouraging growth in the numbers of people training and racing over
the past year. During the 2007/2008 season forty-seven people have turned out to race for the club in the
Hasler series races, and eight under tens and under twelves in Lightnings. We fielded large teams right
through the nine-race series, and finished second equal, with Banbury and behind Reading, in Southern
Region. This meant that we qualified for the Hasler Final again this year, after several years of just missing
out. (The top four clubs in each region get to race at the Final).
There have been large numbers of promotions to higher divisions for BCCC paddlers and we now have
James Freemantle in Div 4 (winning regularly but so far just outside promotion to Div 3), Richard
Somerset, Naomi and Isobel Smith, Jamie Cox, Robin Lees, Freddy Oliver and Jason Dyer all in Div 5, and
James Bean, James Taylor, Gez Martin and Michael Truesdale all in Div 6. As for the rest of us – it’s now
harder to find BCCC paddlers in Div 9: we clearly need a fresh infusion of Lightning and debutante K1
paddlers! This is a welcome reward for all the training people have put in, and all the coaching provided by
Richard Somerset, Brian Gandy and their team of racing coaches and helpers.
Twenty-five Hasler-series paddlers and three Lightning paddlers travelled to Burton-on Trent on 28
September for the 2008 Hasler (Inter-Club) Final (you have to have raced three times for the club during
the series to qualify). Our paddlers did well (swimmers apart!) and particular mention should be made of
James Freemantle, who won Div 4, and Freddy Oliver and Jamie Cox, who were first and third respectively
in Div 6. It was a good day, and congratulations go to all of our team. BCCC finished eighth out of the 32
clubs taking part. The table read: 1 Elmbridge; 2 Norwich; 3 Reading; 4 Worcester; 5 Wey; 6
Chelmsford; 7 Banbury; 8 BCCC. Southern Region won the cup for the highest scoring region, because
Reading, Banbury and BCCC were all in the first eight clubs.
Over the year, we have acquired second-hand Macros and Trainer K1s and a very second-hand C1 sprint.
We have recently sold 2 Espada K1s, a Mustang K1and a pensioned-off Laance, to make space for the
three new Tor K1s which are on order. We’ve just taken delivery of a new kevlar/carbon Mirage K2 and
sold our oldest Mirage K2 to make space for it. .
The 2007/8 Hasler series has already started with the Henley and Windsor races in September, in which
BCCC was a very creditable equal second and second respectively. At Longridge, on 19 September
however, we had a small team and finished in fifth place. Banbury, on 26 October was worse – our team
of 14 paddlers could do no better than 6 th , despite wins and promotions. With the number of Southern
Region clubs taking the Hasler series seriously, this now makes it an uphill struggle for BCCC to qualify for
the 2009 Final.
A small (but select!) BCCC team of 2 Lightning paddlers and 12 others attended the National
Championships at Worcester on 23/24 August. To our pleasure (and some surprise, let it be said) we
finished eleventh out of the 42 clubs competing. Highlights were the dominance of Naomi and Isobel Smith
in the Under14 Ladies (National Champion and runner-up respectively in K1, and National Champions
together in K2); James Freemantle’s win, paired with James Keeble from Wokingham, in Div 456 K2 and
Charles Hicks’ third in the Over 64 men’s K1.
Gavin Branch, dad of Christopher and Emily, has taken over from Charles Hicks as Hasler Team Organiser
– do please give him your full support, so that BCCC’s marathon team can go on being in the top four clubs
of the most competitive English Region.
Charles Hicks
8

Ross Warland Canal Challenge
The Ross Warland Canal Challenge is a 20 mile race along the Oxford Canal and is in memory of Ross, who was
a popular young member of the Banbury Club who died of bone cancer. The race is an out and back course
which is completed in full or in two 10 mile stages as a relay. The race has gained in popularity and 186
paddlers – 90 of which were juniors - competed this year from as far afield as Maidstone, Shropshire and
Cornwall.
We have two reports. The first by James Freemantle who raced the full distance in K2 with his partner James
Keeble of the Wokingham Club, and the second by Sarah Francis who also did the full 20 miles but in a K1. It
is always a cold, demanding event as these two accounts prove.
It was a dark morning as I emerged from my warm bed and looked outside… its raining. Not ideal racing
conditions but Banbury’s a fair way away so could be better there. Pack stuff into car, last minute checks,
paddle, shoes, my brother… Onwards!! I check the thermometer in the car the whole way, Jon and I cheer as
the temperature goes up to 3 degrees, we groan as we arrive and it is under 2, but at least it is not raining.
We go through the pre race ritual of getting a number, putting on loads of thermals, eating bacon sandwiches
and washing them down with Powerade. James and I pick up the yellow peril Vadja and head down to the
water. A few stretches and our wing man, Duncan is on the water in his K1. Pre race tactics: don’t blast the
start, don’t drop the boat, don’t get over taken. We head to the start line, 3, 2, 1 GO! We blast of the start line
with Duncan sat on our wash. We see Jon and Alan at the first portage manhandling the Marmalade Cat onto
the bank. Through the portage, back onto the water we pick up a bit as the cold starts to bite but muscles
start getting warm, next we see Sarah, with a massive grin on her face. Banbury town centre rushes past in a
blur, as bemused shoppers look on as two wet paddlers and a bright yellow boat weave their way through. We
see Katie and Jason making good time on the way down to the turn.
We reach the turn and there is a realisation that we still have 10 miles to go. We start on the journey back,
Duncan still in tow and see everyone we have just overtaken again. Next we see Jamie and Derek (from
Leighton Buzzard), zooming along quite nicely, also completing the 20 mile course. We swap our thoughts on
the cold weather (not repeatable here). This second leg is much harder; the boat is filling with water, and the
wind making everything numb. We are no longer chatting, as neither of us can move our faces…
We enter a portage and drop the boat, and try to empty some water, Duncan zooms off as a faster double
comes past, we try to make the wash but don’t quite make it and we get overtaken.
Back through the town now and a small smile would have appeared on my face if it wasn’t so cold. 5’ish miles
to go! We pick up the pace to keep warm, as the cold wind and water gets through the protective barrier of our
thermals.
The last 3 portages are a blur, and suddenly the finish bridge comes into sight, a sigh of relief as we paddle a
bit harder to try to cross the line in style! We jump off the water and leave the Vadja on the side. A dash to
the car for some more clothes and some time in a warm car start to bring the colour back to my face!
With the help of bacon rolls, cake, tea, and soup the ordeals of the race disappear. Stories of pain turn into
stories of fun, “I’m never doing it again” turns to “Bring on the Watersides!!”
So despite the cold, this was an excellent race and B3C had some good results. Regrettably, Jason Ashwell and
Nigel broke their rudder and had to retire. Isobel and Naomi did well with their partners Marthe –from
Elmbridge and Megan from Fowey River club. In the singles, after a valiant effort Sarah finished but, oddly,
although she was given a time of 4:24, she was marked as “OOT” or Out Of Time! Duncan from Wokingham
who started out with us won the straight through K1 race in a time of 2:43:38.
James Fremantle
Sarah’s adventure
I’m always up for a challenge. At the end of
October I decided I needed a paddling challenge.
I’d really enjoyed the Banbury Hasler with it’s 2
portages and pretty surroundings in K1, so Ross
Warland (20 miles, 12 portages) seemed to fit the
bill, in a K2. However Jonathan couldn’t do it so I
entered K1. Since I hadn’t paddled more than 6
miles in one go I did a 10 mile practice with 3
portages and got very cold on a reasonably benign
day. Changed my clothing plan, tried it out at Wey
hare and hounds the week before the race and was
happy (sorry Pete, must try harder).
The morning of the race dawned (well actually my
alarm rudely woke me up at 5.30hrs). It was cold
and dark. Bungeed the Lazer to the roof, and went
to pick up Tracy and Steve Rees-Clark, who were
paddling K2. Arrived at Banbury Canoe Club just
after 9am, and had to park away from clubhouse.
9
By the time I’d run down to the briefing, queued to
get my number, queued for the loo, ran back to
the car to get boat, sorted out the number board,
got race ready, taken boat to clubhouse, got in it
and got to the start line it was 10:09 and 30
seconds. I was off (39mins30secs later than
planned). That meant I had 4 hrs 20 minutes
before course closed.
I started at a steady pace, (same pace as I’d done
the 10 mile practice). I was lovely and warm, in
fact a little too warm, which was good. The
weather was cold, wet and miserable. The first
portage came along quite soon, I was out quickly
and stowed the paddle and shouldered the boat
and trotted to the other side of the lock. 1 lock
down 11 to go. The next 2 portages were similar
affairs. I was enjoying myself. Paddled off towards
portage 4, which was in Banbury town centre. We’d
been advised to exit on the right for this one.
Ross Warland (cont)

Paddling under the bridge where the Banbury
Hasler finishes, I was aware of an annoying barge
ahead – it had just pulled out. The K1 in front of
me tried to overtake it and was nearly taken out. I
decided to play safe and sit behind it. It was so
slow I got out early, as did the other K1, and also
Jon Freemantle and Alan Taylor in Marmalade Cat
who had just caught me up. We had all disobeyed
the briefing advice and exited on the left. I jogged
off, boat shouldered, past swing bridge and on to
the lock. “Can you get the boat over your head?
You won’t get it through the gap like that”. She is
not wrong. I now wear the boat as a hat, very
fetching but not very practical, and in fact have a
poor get away here.
I’ve done 4.5 miles. It’s now a long paddle to
portage 5. On this section I became aware that I
was no longer particularly warm. Whilst not cold, I
was somewhat unimpressed by this development. I
was a bit chilly when I got to lock 5, so had an
energy gel. Set off down the steps and met a
woman with a bucket of sponges hurtling up the
other way. Quite surreal. Another long paddle to
portage 6, great, that’s half the portages done. It’s
then a long paddle to the turn, than back to
portage 7. I am now expecting to start to see
paddlers coming the other way. It gets quite
interesting in the narrow bits, a few close shaves
but all is well. See James Taylor and Michael
Truesdale (K2 relay) going for it. See a red vajde
“that looks like Sarah” “That sounds like Andrew”.
It’s Paul and Andrew Jeffs (K2 relay). I asked
Andrew how far the turn was. Not far, no not far at
all I am told. Different perspectives we clearly had,
of what was not far! I reached the turn, and asked
what the time was. 12:09. I’m pleased with that, 2
hrs for the first 10 miles.
I’m now in unknown territory, but I’m on the way
back. However the wind had got up and I was now
paddling into a very cold headwind. Wind chill
definitely minus something. Lots of waves on the
water. I was glad to reach portage 7. My hands
and feet were cold, and I decided I would do a fast
paced paddle to portage 8, to try to warm them
up. They were just thawing out when I got there! I
think it was on this section I saw Nigel and Jason
(K2). I got out of the boat, shouldered it, took 2
paces and slipped over in the mud, dropped the
boat, scrabbled to rescue it before it fell in the
canal, and took that portage very carefully. My
hands and feet were freezing. Another long paddle
to portage 8. It’s becoming a chore hauling this
damn Lazer up and down the steps. I’m cold. But
I’m getting there. 8 down 4 to go (and less than 10
miles) and the last of the longer paddles to portage
9 back in Banbury town centre.
BCCC had 17 paddlers and their results were:
10
I had decided there was no way I was carrying the
boat over my head again so intended to get out on
the left, but as I approached and compared the
height of the get out each side, I knew I had to get
out on the right as I couldn’t feel my feet. So I
modelled the new hat fashion again and put in
after the lock, just behind another K1. I paddled
off, then disaster struck big time. I fell in. The
water was too cold for words, and I had a brain
scramble. Someone shopping asked if I wanted a
hand so I said yes please. I was trying to empty
the boat, but they were trying to pull it out full of
water. I weirdly found I couldn’t get through to
them that you had to empty it first. Then Tracy and
Steve arrived. They were brilliant, thanks guys.
Steve helped get the boat out with the shopper,
Tracy gave me a spraydeck and pogies which she
had stashed in a dry bag, and I got going again.
4.5 miles to go and 3 portages. Now I was really
very freezing indeed. Tracy and Steve paddled past
and asked if I wanted to sit on their wash for the
rest of the way. I said don’t worry I’ll be fine. I felt
I needed to concentrate on not falling out again,
not on sitting on someone’s wash, and anyway I’d
have slowed them down.
It was crucial I stayed in the boat, as I wasn’t sure
I’d be able to sort the boat out if I fell in again as I
was not thinking straight. I wasn’t tired, just cold,
and cold does weird things. I have coping
strategies when cold or tired on the long land
based races I do, and can run and navigate on
auto pilot. However paddling and portaging on auto
pilot was not going to happen. Instead I resorted
to counting paddle strokes and talking myself
through each portage procedure. My feet were misbehaving
and getting out of time, and I only knew
I was holding the paddle as I hadn’t lost it! Finally I
completed the last portage, and had the final
stretch to complete. I couldn’t remember how far it
was so told myself it was a long way, so as not to
mentally switch off too soon. At some point
someone from the bank called out “only 5 minutes
to go”. I was very, very relieved to see the finish.
“What’s your number, did you fall in” “1022, yes I
did fall in!” I took 4hrs 24mins 44secs.
So I completed my challenge. Did I enjoy it? I
enjoyed the satisfaction of completing it solo,
especially in the inclement weather we had. Would
I do it again in a K1? Definitely - I’m sure I can get
under 4hrs if I don’t fall in or get so cold. What
would I do differently? I would arrive earlier so I
could start earlier. I would have support at the
turn so I could have a hot drink. If the weather is
that bad I’d wear a spraydeck from the start even
though it does slow the portages down. And finally,
I’d try not to fall in!
Sarah
K2 Relay 4th Isobel & Naomi Smith
Marthe De Ferrer & Megan Middleton 3hrs 8 mins 49 secs
7 th Jason Dyer & Katie Lambert
James Taylor & Michael Truesdale 3:24:29
10 th Jon Freemantle & Alan Taylor
Paul & Andrew Jeffs 3:43:43
K2 2 nd James Freemantle & James Keeble 2:46:26
8 th Jamie Cox & Derek Campbell 3:14:57
16 th Tracy & Steven Rees-Clark 3:50:40
Rtd Jason Ashwell & Nigel Cole
K1 Sarah Francis 4:24:44
Thanks to all at Banbury for their hospitality.

What’s On?
Pool Sessions at RAF Odiham
Pool sessions are from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays, split into three 40 minute sessions. £3 per
session. The last session each evening will be for rolling and support stroke practice and
instruction. You may use your own equipment but it must be clean before putting it in the pool.
Your contact is Lee Matthews: email baggycanoe@gmail.com
Dates for 2009: 11 and 25 January 26 April
8 February 17 May
15 and 29 March 7 and 21 June
12 July
White water trips on the horizon
27/28 Dec - Barle: A day trip to the Barle for a bit of post Christmas reinvigoration
almost a tradition now. Contact Merry if you would like to join in.
24/25 Jan - Usk: Our most popular trip of the year. Once again we are booked at
the bunkhouse in the Cynon Valley; plenty of space (for non-
paddlers too). An ideal next step on from the Barle. Contact Merry.
Boxing Day Paddle
Meet at Crookham Wharf 10:30 for a gentle paddle, followed by mulled wine and watch the
Mummers play at 12 noon. Fancy dress please or at least wear a funny hat.
Contact Charles or Katie Hicks for more info on 01252 850657
Canal Challenge December 27 th
Two distances: 26 miles Odiham to Pirbright Bridge and back to Canal Centre OR 17 miles Odiham
to Canal Centre. K1 or K2 individually or in relay teams. Start Odiham 10:00 to 10:30 a.m.
Details from Charles Hicks 01252 850657.
Marathon Racing
There is plenty of training and races throughout the winter: see the calendar for races.
If you aim to do the longer races this winter, there are plenty of people who can help you if you have questions
or need help on back-up etc.: keep your training going and whenever possible train with our groups.
Contact: Richard Somerset 01252 683584 or Brian Gandy 01252 622630
More
info in the calendar and look for up-dates on the website www.b3c.org.uk
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Use
of club equipment -
From
the quartermaster
Firstly,
we are missing an item of club equipment - a yellow AP2000 white water helmet. The
Youth committee fundraising helped obtain this helmet. If you have it, please return it.
To All Members- another reminder of the Club’s policy on using equipment
Membership of BCCC entitles you to borrow a boat for your own use to paddle at your own risk.
Boats must be booked out after checking that no one else wishes to use it and details must be
filled in the diary. Members should endeavour to return the boat as soon as possible after use.
Any damage must be recorded in the book and the Quartermaster (Lee Matthews 07809628699)
informed. Safety is your responsibility and members are advised to wear a buoyancy aid and
never paddle alone. Children should be supervised by a parent or other responsible adult.
Members are not allowed to borrow more than one boat at a time or loan out Club
equipment to their friends
If you have friends or acquaintances who would like to try canoeing then they can take part in a
free taster session at one of the regular Club meetings subject to availability of equipment and a
qualified person to instruct them. Members who are qualified BCU coaches may at their
discretion run taster sessions for interested groups for which there is a minimum charge of
£3 per
person payable to BCCC.
Members are also asked to return all equipment to its allotted space
Buoyancy Aids and spraydecks will rot and go mouldy if not hung up to dry. It costs a few
seconds of your time to look after kit properly, it costs £40 to replace a buoyancy aid that has
been abused and £25 to replace a spraydeck.
In
brief - put it in the diary
- bring it back promptly
- make sure it is returned clean and dry
- put it back in its proper place
- KEEP THE BOATSTORE TIDY
For
Sale
Thule
roof bars – 110 cm to fit car with roof rails: lockable. Donation to club funds.
Brian Gandy 01252 622630
Kirton
Trainer K1 – white: good condition: good development boat. £175
Brian Gandy 01252 622630
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Racing dates for your diary in 2009
Hare & Hounds
17 January; 21 February; 21 March; 18 April; 16 May; 20 June;
18 July; 15 August; 19 September; 17 October; 21 November; 19 December
Southern Region Hasler Races
17 May BCCC Hasler
24 May Reading
21 June Oxford
12 July Pangbourne
19 July Thames Valley
9 August Southampton
13 September Henley (To be confirmed)
11 October Windsor
25 October Banbury
8 November Longridge
Other Hasler Races
19 April Bedford Marathon, Eastern Region
3 May Worcester marathon, Midlands region
14 June Royal (To be confirmed)
28 June Wey Hasler race, Guildford
4/5 July National Sprint Regatta, Nottingham
2 August Bradford-on-Avon, South West Region
4 October Elmbridge, London South East Region
18 October Richmond, London South East Region
National Events
4/5 April National Sprint Regatta, Nottingham [book by 16 March]
9/10 May National Sprint Regatta, Nottingham [book by 20 April]
6/7 June National Sprint Regatta, Nottingham [book by 18 May]
4/5 July National Sprint Regatta, Nottingham [book by 15 June]
29/30 August Marathon National Championships, Longridge
5/6 September National Sprint Regatta, Nottingham [book by 17 August]
27 September Hasler Finals, Reading
Other races
14 December Wey Hare & Hounds
4 January Frank Luzmore K2: Elmbridge to Richmond
11 January Wey Hare & Hounds
8 February Wey Hare & Hounds
15 February Waterside “A”: Gt. Bedwyn to Newbury
22 February Thameside 1: Aldermaston to Reading
1 March Waterside “B”: Newbury: Aldermaston: Newbury
8 March Thameside 2: Reading to Longridge
15 March Waterside “C”: Pewsey to Newbury
22 March Royal K1/K2: Runnymede to Royal C.C.
29 March Waterside “D”: Devizes to Newbury
10/13 April Devizes to Westminster
12 April Elmbridge Junior half-marathon
19 April Marathon K1 Assessment race, Chester
2 May Marathon K2 Assessment race, Worcester
30 May Windsor Vets
31 May Marathon K2 Assessment race, Nottingham
11 July Royal Junior Sprint Regatta
25 July Reading & Wokingham Sprint Regatta
8 August Marathon K2 Assessment race, Southampton
15 August Marathon K1 Assessment race, Elmbridge
Other events of interest
3 January Marathon Committee training day, Elmbridge
22 March Southern Region training @ Mytchett for over 13’s
19 April Southern Region training @ Mytchett for under 13’s
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Calendar
Date Event Contact Phone
13 Dec Open Canoe Paddle, Thames at Reading Brian Biffin 01252 616692
14 Dec Pool Session, RAF Odiham Lee Matthews 01428 714 090
20 Dec Hare & Hounds 9:15/9:30 @ Mytchett Gavin Branch 01252 641567
26 Dec Boxing Day Paddle, Chequers Wharf, Crookham Village Charles Hicks 01252 850657
27/28 Dec White water trip to the Barle Merry Williams 01252 819928
27 Dec Canal Challenge. Odiham – Mytchett and beyond Charles Hicks 01252 850657
4 Jan 2009 Frank Luzmore K2 Richard Somerset 01252 783584
17 Jan Hare & Hounds Gavin Branch 01252 641567
24/25 Jan White water trip to the Usk Merry Williams 01252 819928
15 Feb Waterside A Richard Somerset 01252 783584
21 Feb Hare & Hounds Gavin Branch 01252 641567
22 Feb Thameside 1 Richard Somerset 01252 783584
1 March Waterside B Richard Somerset 01252 783584
8 March Thameside 2 Richard Somerset 01252 783584
15 March Waterside C Richard Somerset 01252 783584
16 March Last day to book sprint Regatta with Howard Howard Smith 01252 341654
21 March Hare & Hounds Gavin Branch 01252 641567
22 March Royal K1/K2 Richard Somerset 01252 783584
22 March Southern Region Training day, Mytchett: over 13’s Richard Somerset 01252 783584
29 March Waterside D Richard Somerset 01252 783584
4-5 April Sprint Regatta, Nottingham Howard Smith 01252 341654
10-13 April Devizes to Westminster
18 April Hare & Hounds Gavin Branch 01252 641567
19 April Southern Region Training day, Mytchett: under 13’s Richard Somerset 01252 783584
20 April Last day to book sprint Regatta with Howard Howard Smith 01252 341654
9-10 May Sprint Regatta, Nottingham Howard Smith 01252 341654
17 May Basingstoke Canal Hasler Race Gavin Branch 01252 641567
18 May Last day to book sprint Regatta with Howard Howard Smith 01252 341654
23 May Marathon K1 Assessment Race, Reading Brian Gandy 01252 622630
24 May Reading Hasler Race Gavin Branch 01252 641567
30 May Windsor Vets Gavin Branch 01252 641567
6-7 June Sprint Regatta, Nottingham Howard Smith 01252 341654
In addition to the events in the calendar, there are the following “regular” sessions at Mytchett unless
stated:-
Monday 18:30 6k time trial (all welcome) recommences 30 March 2009 *
Tuesday 09:30 Introduction to Placid Water - contact Liz Murnaghan 01276 514766
Tuesday evening racing training/coaching 18:00 until 24 February: then 17:30 from 3 March 2009. *
Thursday 09.30 from Crookham Wharf race training - contact Charles Hicks 01252 850657
Thursday 17:30 race training/coaching from 5 March 2009*
Thursday 19:00 circuit training until 26 February 2009 *
Saturday 09:00 race training/coaching*
Local white water trips –contact Keith Ambrose for more information
* contact Richard Somerset 01252 783584 or Brian Gandy 01252 622630
Next copy date: Monday 30 March 2009. Sand to Brian Gandy gandy@adslmail.newnet.co.uk
Keep up-to-date. Look on the website http://www.b3c.org.uk/home/index.html for up-to-date info on courses,
trips and any changes to advertised events.
Look on page 10 for a more complete calendar of racing dates.
14