First Winter Race

A beautiful day with perfect conditions was a good way to start the Winter Race series for the 2007/8 season. Fortunately Steve was there with his camera although I know he would sooner have been able to race. There were 40 starters with the club ranks being added to with entries from the National Junior Wild Water squad and coaches in addition to the World Class Fast Track Women's squad all of whom aquitted themselves well.

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But wouldn't you know that Kath would find a way to outwit the handicapper and paddle with Donna to be first back over the line to clock up yet another win! Mind you as she started doing Winter Races 37 years ago, she obviously has it completely worked out!

At the other end of the experience spectrum, special mention goes to Leanna in her first race ever, as she only started paddling in August and partnered by Beth managed to take the 19 points for second place. Tom Kay also doing his first Winter Race took 3rd place.

Max deserves special mention as he was probably the youngest competitor so far this year. With his dad Rex they were 7th boat home, picking up 14 points apiece. It was good to see Alice back after her enforced lay off. It was also very pleasing to see 7 of the club juniors racing considering that at least 4 of them were away on holiday! That doesn't count guests that were also juniors.

Full Results (Unofficial) here http://uk.geocities.com/nottinghamkayakclub/resultstore/winter_races_07_08.htm

K2 10Km Race - Saturday 13th October 2007

The annual K2 10Km race took place on a slightly dreary Saturday afternoon although on the water the conditions were near perfect. It was good to see entries from both Soar Valley and Lincoln to swell our numbers. The 9 boats in the A race started so fast that the cameraman failed to get any pictures of them although we have the B/C start and the Lightnings.
Neil Blackman and Jon Folland of Soar won the A race, Norman Mason and Craig Duff won the B race, while Des Storey & Tony Malcolm took the 5 Km C race by default. Ziggy & Tadek Chmiel topped off their great season with another win, this time in the same boat! Full results at http://uk.geocities.com/nottinghamkayakclub/resultstore/K2_10_07.htm

Clifton - Tuesday

The nights are darkening, but the conditions (apart from the midges) were excellent for some serious racing! Younger juniors partnering old fogies and World Champions added to the interest. Tadek had the pleasure and privilege of paddling with Tim Brabants, World Champion and did 36:36. Great to see that the very best amongst us can spare a little time for the rising stars of tomorrow! Everyone else there was envious and would have swapped places with Tadek. Kath paddled with Tadek's brother Ziggy and Mick paddled with Ricky. A good time was had by all. The Chmiel family cheering section was on the bank to keep us all going & Geordie discovered the secret of how to get the best club boats, by paddling with The President! Marish paddled with Heather, thereby giving the cheerleaders plenty of crews to offer their encouragement to.

Fladbury 2007 in Pictures

Lightning finishes









Div 7 K2s





















Div 8 K1s

Div 9 K1












Div 6 K1















Div 5 K1

Fladbury 2007

If you were paddling at the club on Friday evening, you would be forgiven for thinking that winter had arrived. Sunday saw a return to summer for the trip to Fladbury. The club was well represented in the lower divisions and Lightning by veterans and juniors, with the only turn out in higher Divisions being Marish in Div 6 and Mick in Div 5, veterans again. Not one senior and nobody above Div 5, well let's not dwell on it, the old fogies and the rising stars managed good performances all round.
Particular mention needs making of Geordie paddling with Tadek in Div 7 K2, Ricky coming 8th in a good field on his first Div 9 K1 race, Craig 1st in Div 8, with Shobhanna 3rd in the same race. Heather & Alison managed 4th in Div 7 K2 while Marish also managed 4th in his Div 6 K1. Mick followed the season's form by working with Mark Clive of Gailey (13) to get rid of the rest of the field and then enjoying the shared work to the final sprint out, to come 2nd yet again. Creditable performances to Kath & Tony in Div 7 K2 & Beth in Div 8 K1 who came 6th despite a broken tiller bar.
In the Under 10 Lightnings, Ziggy was very impressive, as was brother Ozzie, while Tadek, having pushed Geordie 4 miles round the Div 7 K2 race, followed that up with yet another good performance in the Under 12 boys.