Monday, October 18, 2021

Tribute to George Oliver (from old NKC website)

 George Oliver 1948 – 2020

 

It is with great sadness that we bring you news of the death of George, long term member of Nottingham Kayak Club and friend to paddlers all over the country and abroad.

He came to Nottingham as a cabinet maker at Stag in 1970, joining the club in the autumn of that year. He was already a paddler, having sea canoed in the North East.

On joining the club he took particular interest in Long Distance Racing, now known as Marathon. However his interest in other branches of the sport remained and he brought his skill in boat building to designs in sea boats, canoes, racing kayaks, polo and slalom boats. Up until his death in February this year he was still working on new designs for both outriggers and marathon canoes.

Without George, Nottingham Kayak Club would not be the club it is today. With his help, we were able to develop a fleet of racing kayaks and canoes, general purpose and canoe polo boats. Club members also benefitted from George’s guidance in making their own boats. Income generated by the club under George’s guidance allowed developments way beyond anything the existing members could have managed, including a replacement for old wooden boat-racks and a crumbling wooden shed, with our current building.

George worked at a number of jobs including as a laminator for a local plastics company, building much bigger boats than canoes. Meanwhile he continued to develop his coaching skills and paddling prowess including winning Liffey Descent in K2, DW Canadian Trophy and DW Mixed K2 & Home Built Boat. Many paddlers in several disciplines owe their success to coaching from George over the years. George also went to Eaton Hall College, Retford and qualified as a teacher although young people in canoeing benefitted from that more than those in classrooms or workshops.

The wider canoeing world also benefitted from his skills in coaching and from his organisational ability. In 1980 George took on the role of Administrator to Canoe 81 Nottingham, the Sprint World Championships. After this very successful event had taken place, he took the job of Canoe Coaching and Development Officer for Nottinghamshire County Council, giving support and help to schools and clubs all over Nottinghamshire, allowing many to become successful in their chosen paddling activities. He kept this role until the funding for Leisure Services dwindled and ceased when he retired. He had also travelled abroad with the national sprint and marathon teams, and it was in 1982 at the sprint World Championships in Belgrade that he met his wife, Radmila.

However throughout his involvement in other areas of paddlesport, George continued to support NKC through funding generated in the club workshop and produced entry level racing boats over an extended period of the clubs existence. Few paddlers at events like DW or Watersides can have failed to spot the multitude of boats made by George. All have his trademark ridge along the centre of both front and back deck. The “stable K2” started life as a slightly longer version specifically for DW, but as they were very limited to what races they could be used in, the standard K2 length version emerged soon afterwards and remains popular to this day, for those wanting a stable K2. Trimmer also remains popular as a stable K1.

Many paddlers in the UK have a great deal to thank him for, often unaware of his support for paddling in disciplines other than their own. Sea canoeists, slalom paddlers, sprint, marathon, freestyle, polo …. the list goes on, but George made contributions to the development of most disciplines. It didn’t matter if you had known him 5 days or 50 years, George offered his skills, guidance and friendship in his own, quiet, unassuming way.

Although dogged by health issues over the past few years he remained an active paddler at NKC and continued to do some of those “hidden” jobs that make up a club’s existence. The weekly “Clifton Race” in its current form is mainly a legacy of his and he contributed to timing it until the week he went into hospital.

In recent years his main support has been to canoe developments and outrigger boats. Most outrigger paddlers in this country using his 01 boats know little of his legacy to the rest of the paddling world.

Over the years he collected many awards: Nottingham City Citizen of the Month; Bravery (for rescuing people from the Trent;) Volunteer Awards; Lifetime Achievement Awards, but more important than those, without his guidance, support and friendship, many developments in our sport would not have taken place when and how they did, and as tributes to him attest, many of our lives would have been completely different. We owe him a great deal.

 

Nottingham Kayak Club - February 2020

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Heather Parker.

Heather Parker nee Money

It is with great sadness that we announce the news of the death of Heather, long term member of Nottingham Kayak Club, wife to Geordie Parker and mother to their daughter Becky. Geordie & Becky have asked we post the following statement and pictures of Heather. Becky has said everyone should feel free to post their memories, thoughts and perhaps even pictures the older amongst of us might have of Heathers time at the club. The clubs’ thoughts and best wishes are with Heathers family.

From Geordie & Becky

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the untimely passing of Heather Parker (nee Money). After a short, intense fight Heather passed away with her husband and daughter by her side on Friday 21st May. Although Heather was unable to continue her passion for kayaking over the last few years, it was never far from her mind. Her DW determination and strength got her through so many challenges in life and she still loved being close to the water at every opportunity. Heather was an active paddler at both club and international level for many years and is part of NKC history. She leaves behind her husband Geordie, daughter Becky and her adored granddaughter Evie (and Chutney the dog!). She was much loved, and her loss has left a gaping hole in our lives. Gone too soon.

Some of us have known Heather for a great many years and even been fortunate enough to paddle with her. She was very active in Nottingham Kayak Club and selected for both Sprint and Marathon GB teams. She was a regular at club holidays and on training camps. Below are a few photo memories in no particular order, from canoeing events and holidays spent in her delightful company.

With Alison







                                                                With Kath







With Mick at Fladbury

At Soar Valley



Supporting Geordie & Pete at Soar Valley


Setting a DW record with Colin in 1977

Doing NKC Hasler Race



Getting married in West Bridgford

Away in the Lake District




With Chutney at Kath's 60th Birthday