Press Release

24th February 2008
Hemel Paddlers See Light at the End of the Tunnel
See Waterside C picture library here     See Hemel Today report here

Three paddlers from Hemel Hempstead Canoe Club completed the Waterside C kayak marathon on Sunday, Pewsey to Newbury, 23 miles 35 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 .

Both crews braved a long dark tunnel that got increasingly choppy as the wake from the boats reverberated in its narrow width. There was a series of locks together, as steps, and both crews chose to run this section of over a mile, with their boats on their shoulders. The boats are very thin and light to make them fast and carrying as easy as possible, but they are not good in choppy water like that of the tunnel. They'd paddled the last stretch in a recent previous race but underestimated the final distance, both crews arriving at the finish quite exhausted.

Elite Chris Slasher Preston, a local fitness instructor, in his K1 completed in 3hrs 32mins, putting him in the lead in the services division. John Houston and Robin Oakley again suffered steering problems and snaked the course in their double in 4hrs 15mins.

Excellent support was provided by Al (UnC) Farrance and Bob Pearce who did a grand of supporting the paddlers, avoiding Wales, low barriers and disabled parking spaces.

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.

Waterside C Results:
Chris Preston K1 Senior 3:32
John Houston & Robin Oakley K2 Vet 4:15
217 craft started.

See Waterside C picture library here     See Hemel Today report here