"Why?" I asked myself as I drove through the persistent heavy rain towards Barrow. The temperature was about 4oC, mist hung over the fields, it was dark despite the time and everything just looked grey.
It could be that I'd said I would, or that the Soar would be in spate, or that is started and finished at a pub, serving bacon, sausage & burgers with decent facilities, or to support a local race or ... Who knows?
Max, Ricky & Julie also turned up, so I wasn't the only Nottie paddler there. I was going to be paddling an unfamiliar (heavy) boat - no rudder to help, in unfamiliar kit, buoyancy aid on a bit of river I hadn't seen for 30 years. I was still asking "Why?"
At the briefing, the question got louder - the canal paddle to the start was still frozen & kids had been seen walking on it so breaking through seemed unlikely. The river was so high that the footbridge just after the start was only passable by limbo dancers in low-line boats. This all meant that there was a long walk on an icy towpath & footpath to get below the bridge.
Getting the boat on the water, straight off the footpath was little problem, but getting into the Wavehopper that someone had stuck thigh bars to unequally was. However the footrest was adjusted, it was impossible to put equal pressure on both legs, so steering was a bit grim in one direction. Why?
The banter at the start sort of took my mind off the burning question, but being last off with little chance of catching anyone gave time for it to return.
The first 200 metres reinforced the question - shoulders stiff, needing to steer hard with paddles, breathing hard ...
I remembered places as I passed them, but in such quick succession that I was at the next before I had time to take them in. Yes, that's why. It's fun, the water's flowing fast, it's passing quickly, it's a bit of a challange today, it's different from my usual paddling.
No idea where I really came, Rick was first junior, Max 2nd, Michael 1st Senior, Julie 3rd (I think). I got a gong and a mug, not really sure what for, being the oldest, being 1st senior in a Whopper, surviving? Who cares. It was great to paddle with other people enjoying themselves, many in touring open canoes. The welcome made up for the cold weather. It was better to be out there, paddling, than stuck inside. That's why!
See course on Google Maps
See photos
See results on The Boat House At Barrow pub website (not done yet 17/1/10)
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Friday, January 01, 2010
Mix & Match K2 Round the Loop
A fair selection of members turned up to paddle Round the Loop on New Year's Eve at varying times. A chilly upstream wind only spoiled the sunny conditions over the last bit from the Suspension Bridge to the club, with some fairly lumpy chop.
Ian, the chairman & Des set off with Jimmy just after 9:00 as Chris was getting off the water.
The juniors with a few extras did my normal 9:30 session making up for the shortage of the regular "mums" this week. Tadek and Olivia talked their way round, a discrete distance behind the nearest boat. Zyggy and Harvey worked solidly all the way. Ozzie made sure that he and his mum were well at the front from start to finish and Ricky pushed me the distance. Noah was the youngest by far and managed the 10 miles with his dad in considerable style, reaching the club well ahead of everyone except Ozzie & Alison.
Shob & Kath opted for going to Beeston up the river & back so Kath could avoid portaging, while Adam set off to do the Loop alone, just as we headed for the showers.
Well done to all the juniors who turned out, thanks to the seniors who partnered juniors.
Some members may well want to do the usual Mix & Match K2 on Friday evening, but those of us who did the extended version in lieu on Thursday morning, propably got the best deal.
For those who have never done The Loop and want details click here.
Ian, the chairman & Des set off with Jimmy just after 9:00 as Chris was getting off the water.
The juniors with a few extras did my normal 9:30 session making up for the shortage of the regular "mums" this week. Tadek and Olivia talked their way round, a discrete distance behind the nearest boat. Zyggy and Harvey worked solidly all the way. Ozzie made sure that he and his mum were well at the front from start to finish and Ricky pushed me the distance. Noah was the youngest by far and managed the 10 miles with his dad in considerable style, reaching the club well ahead of everyone except Ozzie & Alison.
Shob & Kath opted for going to Beeston up the river & back so Kath could avoid portaging, while Adam set off to do the Loop alone, just as we headed for the showers.
Well done to all the juniors who turned out, thanks to the seniors who partnered juniors.
Some members may well want to do the usual Mix & Match K2 on Friday evening, but those of us who did the extended version in lieu on Thursday morning, propably got the best deal.
For those who have never done The Loop and want details click here.
New Year's Race
This year, the Resolution Race on the Soar was a little before New Year so that we could do the Frank Luzmore K2 as well. It was sad to see such a low turn out this year, but not from NKC. Banbury made up the majority of the race and fortunately the organiser paddled or Soar Valley would not have had a single entry.
They were there doing the rest of the stuff, like starter/finisher, marshals at the key places and cooking the hot food.
The Chairman set a good example by winning the K1 race and Norman & Des did the same in K2. There was enough water in the river to use understern rudders on the old river bed and to make it interesting, but not so much that the measuring weir was a raging torrent. In fact, the wind blown chop on the Trent is probably more demanding.
Andrew deserves a mention as he finished just as the prize giving did, but was in time to collect his can of beer prize. In fairness he did do further than most of us and his GPS track shows that he took frequent detours and managed to make about 10.5 miles. On the other hand, having done the race quite a few times over the past 30 odd years, I only travelled 9.7 miles.
The facilities are not placial, but the very relaxed and friendly atmosphere at Soar Valley together with the "rustic" course, mean it's worth doing if only to shake off the Christmas cobwebs and burn a few calories - make it one of your resolutions to be there next year. Details will appear on the NKC website.
Results here
They were there doing the rest of the stuff, like starter/finisher, marshals at the key places and cooking the hot food.
The Chairman set a good example by winning the K1 race and Norman & Des did the same in K2. There was enough water in the river to use understern rudders on the old river bed and to make it interesting, but not so much that the measuring weir was a raging torrent. In fact, the wind blown chop on the Trent is probably more demanding.
Andrew deserves a mention as he finished just as the prize giving did, but was in time to collect his can of beer prize. In fairness he did do further than most of us and his GPS track shows that he took frequent detours and managed to make about 10.5 miles. On the other hand, having done the race quite a few times over the past 30 odd years, I only travelled 9.7 miles.
The facilities are not placial, but the very relaxed and friendly atmosphere at Soar Valley together with the "rustic" course, mean it's worth doing if only to shake off the Christmas cobwebs and burn a few calories - make it one of your resolutions to be there next year. Details will appear on the NKC website.
Results here
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)