Waterside A 2010

I suppose after the weather we've been having, Waterside A could be described as sultry. Not that I was out in beachwear, even Ricky found long sleeves to wear, but some people still seemed to think shorts and tee-shirt were right for the event.

Ricky pushed me round and wanted to sprint the last mile, but a mixture of old age, cuts, grazes and bruised ribs made anything like that a bit sore. The ribs had nothing to do with Waterside, but Monday's "basketball." Non-contact - hahha!

Meanwhile back in Wiltshire/Berkshire the rest of the NKC lot were having their own traumas. Perhaps worst off were Tom and Becky who knocked it on the head with about 5km to go - they'd actually done the hard part, when Tom's legs failed to communicate with the rest of him, making things like running or steering a bit grim. (Some of us old fogies live our lives like that Tom, perhaps age is catching up with you early.)

Andrew, steering by the stars, his sat-nav, dead reckoning and Craig's course directions, negociated the 13 miles in just over 3 hours. He managed without following too many of Craig's recomended detours, although he will be turning up for technique sessions with Craig this week, alongside TB apparently. Andrew was slower over the shower/food section of the event than the paddling and missed the bus home, but hitched a ride in a passing car.
This gave Mark and Craig the chance to discuss why Mark was finishing each portage just as Craig was getting out of the boat.Obviously a bit of technique practice needed somewhere in that K2 then.

There was a generally good turn out by the Notties, so there was still chance for some glory, with Paul and Harriet winning the Mixed event in under 2 hours.

Chris and Zyggy managed to beat me and Ricky by 7 seconds, but were still shown as seniors on the results. Craig and Mark actually did OK, despite their claims of some slight lack of coordination, finishing as 5th senior crew. Steve and Duncan, 10 minutes behind them were 11th (out of 33 crews.) And actually Chris and Zyggy were 16th if a veteran and a 12 year old can be counted as seniors.

Cathy and Shane (nee Shaune) were 9th in the Mixed race. Mark and Martin were going well in the Veteran race and finished 13th.

Thanks to Dave and Jane for their driving and support. Without them, out lives would have been even harder!
Look out for the photo gallery link on the website.

Full results here

Photo Mick & Rick - Ollie Harding
Photo Andrew - Brian Gandy