Press Release

28th January 2008
Hemel Hempstead Canoe Club Shows Promise at First 2008 Outing
See Waterside A picture library here

Eight intrepid paddlers from Hemel Hempstead Canoe Club put in brilliant efforts in the first canoe marathon of the season on Sunday. It was Waterside A, Great Bedwyn to Newbury; 13.5 miles with 21 portages (carrying the boats around locks and obstructions). There were 333 boats racing. This is a warm up to the Devises Westminster Race, at Easter - the 125 mile paddling "Everest" the Hemel paddlers are contemplating. The paddlers were supported by club chairman John Bennett, who unselfishly carried out the unromantic support duties.

Seasoned paddler Al UnC Farrance paired up in the mixed K2 class with Shirine Voller said, "This is actually the minimum distance I'd bother to get out of bed to race, but I'm glad I did, it was a great day. The weather was very kind and nobody from Hemel fell in, many others did and it was very cold for them!"

Racing kayaks and canoes have very thin sleek racing lines. Thus they are not very stable especially at slow speeds and in swell. There were times when there was a lot of swell, typically when the banks were walls or moored longboats. Narrow bridges were also difficult. However the biggest challenge was portages. Like pit stops in Formula 1 racing it's here that races are won and lost. You need to find space, keep your speed up to the last moment, exit swiftly, lift the boat, and run on to the put-in, avoiding slipping in the mud, finding a space again and not falling in, as many did, re-embarking. The K2 boats are 21 foot long so it's no mean feat.

Chris Preston, a local fitness instructor, won the senior K1 class for the complete Waterside series last year. He was miffed to have been beaten by Hemel lad Mick Doyle but commented, "I cut my time by 4.5 minutes compared to last year but slipped 8 places. It was a real quality field, the winner was the second fastest in the country last year. Mick said he "blew up" with 4 miles to go, well he still beat me - I think I need to keep my training methods secret!"

Old campaigners Mike Philip and Mark Taylor were in a super lightweight C2, a canadian type open canoe paddled sitting up, by single ended paddles. At the finish they were unhappy and moaning over various factors, however when they discovered they'd won their class all this was forgotten! Yes, it was a splendid effort.

John Houston and Robin Oakley are new to K2 racing, despite being veterans. To compete at this level they have been in specific training since November in the K2. They have maintained a hard training regime regardless of the weather - except the time they hit ice and damaged the rudder and had to turn back, but they still managed 10 miles that day! They have also been attacked by a vicious swan who lives on their training route. Previously they have lost balance a few times and had some very cold unplanned swims. John said, "This was our first proper race together and we had some rudder problems which caused us two unplanned stops and associated loss of time, however we weathered some very choppy water and kept the right way up. With a bit more co-ordination we'll be a real force to reckon with."

Hemel Hempstead Canoe Club 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. Once the season "starts" they hope to run low cost or free coaching sessions for beginners.

Waterside A Results:
Mick Doyle K1 Senior 1:50, Chris Preston K1 Senior 1:56
Mike Philip & Mark Taylor C2 2:11 Won Class
Alan UnC Farrance & Shirine Voller K2 Mixed 2:20
John Houston & Robin Oakley K2 Vet 2:24
333 craft entered overall.

See Waterside A picture library here