Fourth Race of the Summer Mini Marathon Series 7th August - 4 miles, no portages (the home reach twice). Chris Carter won again (the handicap really needs sorting!) and despite the holidays there was a field of eight (I think). As it was up and down the home reach there were quite a few spectators too (who needs the Olympics?), but Robin foiled them and capsized on the turn at the far end.

Welsh News
Paddling Now Free at Tryweryn, Charges for recreational kayaking and canoeing have been removed at the National White Water Centre.
Cardiff Whitewater Course Going Ahead. Cardiff Council and the Welsh Assembly have finalised the funding for an Olympic standard canoeing and white-water rafting centre at the International Sports Village, Cardiff Bay.

Harefield Slalom 26/27 July. John Bennett judged Saturday, Robin paddled both days (the winning vet in his division on each), Erika tried a C2 with Robin on Sunday. Andy Bell competed on Sunday. Two other brothers from HHCC competed on Saturday and various spectators from HHCC turned out too. The weather was great and so was the paddling - thanks to Nicky Cresser (the organiser) and all his helpers! See picture library here.

19/20 July Another busy club weekend. 6 intrepid paddlers went to Hythe for a night sea kayak trip and were beset by uncharacteristically bad weather and had more excitement than expected. Half the group were being assessed for 3 star sea kayaking and passed. They got back in the early hours and John Bennett was then off to Symonds Yat to help on a white water trip! See press release here.
There was also a UK Dragon Boat Squad training weekend which involved some of our members. See Dragon Boat section update here.
Meanwhile Al King of the Mountains Farrance has been whizzing on his mountain bike back and forth across the country doing a double C2C (coast to coast). See Al (UnC) Farrence's account of the adventure here. Rated 15 - may inclued lewd text, proceed at your own risk.

Orton Mere Slalom 12 July: Without John B to mentor him Robin arrived late and didn't have time to learn the course. He got a bit lost on the first run and missed a gate, then on the second he had a borrowed new design Galasport demo boat which made him 30 seconds faster but he started too fast and careered into gate two before gate one getting another missed gate penalty. However despite the penalties Robin came second and was promoted.
See picture gallery here (thank you to Stuart Kerr for great pictures - including the mink!)  

Third race of the Summer Mini Marathon Race Series 6 miles 3rd July.
Chris Carter won in 50 mins and on his was helped up-end John Houston. John Bennett was back, after injury, on form but not fast enough for CC. Al (UnC) took a break from the race for some brick juggling and a run. Otherwise it was the usual suspects. New boy Kieron Welch raced for the first time too, which was great.
See picture gallery here (a big thank you to Martin Page for great pictures!)

Robin was off passing a BCU white water safety and rescue course with LLandysul Paddlers in Wales - great venue with "it's own" always open stretch of the River Teifi - about 1 km with slalom course, grade 2 (but a 3 with more flow) I guess. A long drive but well worth it!

Shepperton Slalom 28 June: John Bennett (Judge) and Robin (Div 4) went. A great day out, lovely weather and venue plus a well organised event (with good food). Robin says he was the first veteran in his div (but ask him how many others there were). And, yes, he is considering getting his number on his upturned hull - good thing he has a solid roll!
See picture gallery here (a big thank you to Stuart Kerr for great pictures!)

Monday Night Training - new term (June / July) now running and FULL!

Second race of the Summer Mini Marathon Race 5th June.
Al UnC Farrance won the first one, but knowing the handicapper would be onto him is missing this week. See picture gallery here

There was a big raft race in Wales over the last bank holiday with quite a few members from HHCC taking part. Needless to say they were on the winning raft. I don't know much more but well done folks.

New tip from Bill Bentall - click image to see.
Out and about. Lots of training going on. Chris Preston got a personal best (for flooding the clubhouse not paddling)! Harefield slalom site was visited and paddled, in anticipation of Helen Reeves, ex Olympica slalom star and now BCU coach running junior training there - it was excellent! John Houston went to HYMB for the BCU Lifeguards Convention and passed his Canoe Safety Test. Bill Bentall is back from the sea kayaking symposium he attended in Anglesey last weekend.

River Loddon Slalom - 5th May, organised by Reading CC. Team HHCC comprised coaches John Bennett and Robin Oakley with James and Marc (from the Monday night training). John Bennett, pictured left, judging.
See picture gallery here and press release here.
James Cooper won Div 4 and Marc Best came 4th, both got moved up to the next division. Robin came 7th but was the only one to have no penalties. John who'd coached the team, came as a Judge (and they get to paddle as well), and he showed us how it was done in his C1. Plus he gets a huge thank you for all his encouragement and driving: thanks John!

It's that time of year, but never fear - new stroke developed to drive your swan blues away! View instructions

2012 Olympic Slalom: Broxbourne site confirmed. If you have not already heard, the moving of the site for the 2012 Olympic Slalom competition has been approved. More details here.

Monday Night Coaching. Going very well. The advanced group have done slalom training two entered a competition. The others have been improving their general paddle dexterity and skills. There has also been coaching in open canoes, now part of the BCU 2 star syllabus. We'll run another course after half term, from 2nd June, watch this space...

Sunday 30 March Tonbridge race was the first Haslar race of the year and the river was in spate. Slasher Preston managed to avoid the logs, standing waves, floods, low bridge and swimming paddlers to survive the race but no prizes this time. Anything will be easy after this. See report here

Devizes Westminster 125 mile canoe race 22/23 March
Erika™ and Camilla reached Westminster as Big Ben struck 10. Just under 30 hours (29hrs 43 mins) in bitter sub zero winds and snow. Awesome achievement - congratulations! See press release here and Hemel Today report
The boys retired after Robin suffered a leg cramp, not experienced in training, and simply couldn't go on. It was minus 2 degrees and two swims contributed to it too. Over half the fleet retired.
Two club crews entered the non-stop K2 class (the longest non-stop canoe race in the world) there were 131 entries in this class. A national newspaper did a preview on the race here. The crews are Erika™ and Camilla in a club discovery, and John H and Robin in Slashers kirton sprint boat. Support from Chris Marshall, Shirine Voller, John Bennett, Bob Pearce, Al (UnC) Farrance, Chris Preston and Graham Crabtree, Tacha Lennon, with her chap; Carter and friend Karen Hanson as well as Claire and Katie Houston and Ross.

Sunday 9th March. Waterside D, 34 miles with 35 portages. Slasher Preston & Marc Lorenzi came 3rd in the senior K2 in 4 hrs 42 mins, supported by Al (UnC). Robin did it in the club Raven, without falling out - ahead of schedule with great support from John Bennett.
Waterside D results and pictures here       Waterside D press release here

Sunday 2nd March. Two K2 crews entered the Royal Canoe Club Marathon - Runnymede to Teddington, 19 miles 6 portages. Erika™ and Camilla won their class and John H and Robin came 3rd in theirs - so all walked away with winners mugs! Great support again from John Bennett, Bob Pearce and Chris Marshall.
RCC results and pictures here      RCC Marathon press release here

Sunday Feb 24th. Waterside C Pewsey to Newbury, 23 miles 35 portages. 217 starters. Slasher Preston in K1 3hrs 32mins and John Houston and Robin Oakley snaked the course in a K2 in 4hrs 15mins. Both crews braved a long dark tunnel that got very choppy, and did a portage of about a mile, and both complained the last few miles seemed to be longer than the ones at the start.
Excellent support from Al (UnC) Farrence and Bob Pearce who did a grand of supporting the paddlers, avoiding Wales, low barriers and disabled parking spaces. THANKS!
Mick Doyle did not compete, probably as he'd avoided disqualification so far this season, and you can only have so much of a good thing! Erika™ went to a hen party instead, and no doubt Camilla went riding.
Waterside C results and pictures here       Waterside C press release here

Sun Feb 17th Thameside 2 Reading to Marlow, 19 miles , 8 portages. Two K2's from the club entered and Mick Doyle flew the course coming in second and was not even spotted by the HHCC posse. Loads of support was there: John B, Bob P, Al (UnC), Shirene, Chris Marshall and lost cyclist Graham. The girls had a great day with a good time and all went to plan. The unsteady boys survived the mass start, and the currents by the weirs but fell in on a flat stretch as John was admiring the passing architecture (he assured Robin it wasn't a contributory factor). It was too cold to be falling in and for the other steering problem where the steering plate came loose. As Robin said in the luke warm shower after, "Aren't we too old to still be character building?" Back bankside a support car broke down but the crew managed to get it back to base and a replacement car by the end. The boys were extremely grateful at yet more unselfish help!
Thameside 2 results and pictures here       Thameside 2 press release here

New 2008 membership form and fees on the Join Us page

Sun Feb 10th Waterside B. Was 3 degrees at the club in the morning but warmed up to a sunny day. Doyle and Slasher were off performing like superhero's and hardly spotted by the three mortal HHCC K2 teams. Al (UnC) and Shirine put in another magnificent performance dashing John & Robin's hope of catching them. So the boys fell in a couple of times to ensure they had an excuse. Erika™ and Camilla put in a great effort and finished ahead of their predicted schedule. At the finish Al (UnC) and Shirine must have rushed like mad to be able to be changed, seated, picnicking and smirking on the bank by the time the others arrived. It motivated Erika™ to buy some go-faster gismo from Marsport and does anyone know why Camilla was dressed as a Mountie? Plus, what happened to Robin's hair - did Al (UnC) fibreglass it when they were boatworking on Saturday?
Waterside B results and pictures here        Waterside B press release here

AGM 7th February, - thanks to all who came. I'll try and get the minutes but the main point was , I think, toilet paper supplies for Erika™, probably in the fridge. Also the date of the HHCC Hasler Race 2008 was announced: 21st September 2008 - keep it free we need your help!

Sunday 3rd Feb. C Henson does first Thameside 1 Aldermaston to Reading 12 miles, 13 portages. Camilla is ill so boyfriend Graham stepped in. He's a fit cyclist, not a paddler (yet), but it does seem he likes swimming as well. Erika™ said, "We did better than the boat in front of us that managed to smack into the bridge and cut open the forehead of the guy in the front.  It was a great expereince and learnt a lot for the DW.  Surprised to find out how rough and unpredictable the current entering the canal made it.  Not something we are used to on the Grand Union. I asked the organisers for tips on toilet stops during DW, they said either - you generally dont need to go...(!!) or you should do it in the boat.  I think we will work out an alternative strategy." Perhaps she should get some advice from, wait for it - Slasher!

Monday 28th Jan. Kings Langley Pool Session. A new face joins club regulars, John Houston, Erika™ Henson, Robin with son Hugo Oakley. Who could it be?
A clue to who he is was that he could only do it with a string of golf balls on an elastic round the front of his boat. Yes it was Slasher Preston - but don't worry he's been banned from playing polo with a wing paddle now. Al, where are you when we need you? Please ring up and arrange to join us - pool session details here.

Waterside A - Great Bedwyn to Newbury; 13.5 miles; 21 portages
Waterside A results & pictures here        Waterside A press release here

Subs - now due, pay now and save on inevitable AGM rise!

HHCC Hasler Series Race Day Nov 2007 Alan Corners 49 Pictures. (Will be 21st September in 2008.)

Hemel Hempstead Canoe Club welcome all-comers from beginners to experienced paddlers (although under 14s must be accompanied by an adult). Club nights are Thursday evenings from 7pm, but members can often be found paddling or using the gym at other times throughout the week.

New Years resolutions
Bill B: timekeeping (it was 10am on New Years Day not 9am!)
Aidie G: self appointed plop patroller, keeping the banks free of doggies do-do
John H & Robin O: staying afloat - no more "dive, dive dive!" in the yellow submarine!

Congrats to Chris Preston and crew for completing the 12 mile Frank Luzmore marathon at Richmond (6th Jan).

Congrats to Chris Preston on arrival of Baby Girl - we all wish you well. When does she start training?

Please note the Locations page has the club Distances chart on it. Plus for you hardy winter paddlers here's the current moon phase, so you know how much light there'll be if training tonight!

Agh! The fuse had blown the other night, John B after being given a Leatherman and some fusewire declared "We have the technology" but it failed to fix it. Uncompetitive Al came to the rescue saying he'd do it in the morning in just 40 minutes. He should aim higher and go for a personal best, it must be possible in 35 minutes, if he gets his technique right!
Update: email received from Al (UnC) "Fixed the club electrics in 17 min 23 sec even though it required a complete rewire of the phase inverted ring pull circuit." So ladies and gentlemen, it looks like it was a personal best after all. Three cheers, and doubles all round!

As you can see, we are still active even at this time of year and quite a few folk still venture out on Thursday nights. See the Racing section and you'll see there's quite some activity going on!

History section updated - with a fledgling Hall of Fame - more entries please!

Links section - stage one now in place - what other links should we have? - send me your suggestions.

If you've any other ideas please email me here.

Another topical cartoon from Bill. I was tickled pink to find it on the back of my Christmas card envelope, I suppose I shouldn't have been disappointed at there not being a tenner inside. Maybe Aidie will send me a card...