Press Release
3rd March 2008
Red Carpet for Royal Performers
See Hemel Today report here
Two Hemel Hempstead Canoe Club K2 crews completed the Royal Canoe Club Marathon - Runnymede to Teddington, 19 miles 6 portages yesterday. Erika™ Henson and Camilla Lennon, (mother of 8) won their class and John Houston and Robin Oakley came 3rd in theirs - so all walked away with winners mugs!
It was unseasonally warm, and the Thames was running quite well to help the paddlers. However paddling the Thames is very different from the Grand Union in Hemel. It's much wider, has weirs ready to gobble you up and some large pleasure craft, with huge washes, that seem oblivious to paddlers. Plus the distance between portages, where the support crew feed you and provide new drinks is much longer. Undaunted both crews showed their training is going well and put in winning performances. It wouldn't have been possible without their support crews who were John Bennett, Bob Pearce and Chris Marshall.
Hemel Hempstead Canoe Club www.hhcanoeclub.com welcomes 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. Located at Nash Mills Recreation Centre, by Red Lion Lane. Membership is great value and allows use of the gym and to borrow craft and benefit from free advice from other members. During the summer term they will provide a low cost coaching session on Monday nights for beginners.
Royal Canoe Club Marathon Results:
Erika™ Henson and Camilla Lennon K2 Senior Ladies 3:01 First in Class
John Houston and Robin Oakley K2 Senior 2:39
Third in Class
