Press Release

18th February 2008
Local Paddlers Brave Freezing Thames Marathon
See Thameside 2 picture library here     See Hemel Today report here

Four paddlers from Hemel Hempstead Canoe Club braved the cold on Sunday at the Thameside 2 kayak marathon, Reading to Marlow; 19 miles; with 8 portages. This is a warm up to the Devises Westminster Race, at Easter - the 125 mile the paddling "Everest" the Hemel paddlers are contemplating - the longest non-stop paddle race in the world . The paddlers were supported by John Bennett, Bob Pearce, Al Farrance, Shirine Voller, Chris Marshall and cycling Graham who unselfishly carried out the unromantic support duties.

There was a mass start that was new to both crews. It made the water extremely choppy and veterans John Houston and Robin Oakley, had the complete front, to the kayak's cockpit submarining, but undaunted paddled through. More was to come with some huge swirling and unpredictable currents as they passed some of the biggest weirs the Thames has. Still they persisted, but their front steering plate came loose and they had to do a quick stop to fix it. Then on a calm reach the boys concentration lapsed and disaster struck and they capsized. It was too cold to be falling in, especially with such a long swim to the bank! Plus the steering came loose again. The veterans soldiered on to the end and avoided finishing last. As Robin said in the luke warm shower after, "Aren't we too old to still be character building?"

Racing kayaks and canoes have very thin sleek racing lines. Thus they are not very stable especially at slow speeds and in swell. Another challenge is portages. There were only 8 on this race but they were around some big locks and quite difficult and some had bad congestion. The K2 boats are 21 foot long so it's negotiating them around obstructions.

Ladies Erika™ Henson & Camilla Lennon had another good paddle in their slower more stable, yet heavier, K2 and once again finished ahead of their planned schedules.

Hemel lad Mick Doyle who trains at HHCC but paddles for Elmbridge CC came second in the senior K1 section. He went so fast the others didn't even realise he was racing till the results were announced, and he was long gone by then.

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.

Thameside 2 Results:
Mick Doyle K1 Senior 2:12 second place
Erika™ Henson & Camilla Lennon K2 Girls 3:23
John Houston & Robin Oakley K2 Vet 3:12 
109 craft entered overall

See Thameside 2 picture library here     See Hemel Today report here