Some more photos from Shropshire

Soar "Resolution" New Year Race

Sub-title: Craig & Tony' swim, Leanna's first race & Beth & Shob's "Big Adventure"

Only 3 Nottie crews made the effort this year, which is a bit sad when we are less than an hour down the A46 from Leicester. Weather - fine. Company - excellent. Paddle - enjoyable. Craig & Tony swam, but after a quick crew re-arrangement continued, Leanna & I had a good steady paddle. In fact I should say excellent as it was Leanna's first ever race apart from Clifton. But Beth's story is more eventful than that! Scroll down to her account of the day!

Winter Race 3 - December

The weather was cold, calm and dry again for the 3rd Winter Race in the 2007/8 series. After the recent high water, the level had returned to nearly normal. Of the 32 paddlers, 11 of them were juniors, with yet another "Lads & Dads" K2 appearing in the shape of Marish and Tadek who took first place and 20 points. Shobhanna & Zyggy were 2nd, Craig & Ricky 3rd followed by Beth & Leanna 4th, as all junior crew.
The equal leaders in the series are now Kath, Beth & Leanna, with Shobhanaa, Craig & Ricky as equal second. A quick glance at the leader board shows that 7 of the top 10 placed paddlers are juniors.
Full Official Results here http://uk.geocities.com/nottinghamkayakclub/resultstore/winter_races_07_08.htm

15km Race

Cold, blustery and a bit dark, but a few hardy crews turned out for today's 15km race. Those in the A & B races did the full 15km or 3 laps of the Toll Bridge - Lady Bay Bridge loop, while the C race did 10km or 2 laps of the same course. Only Tadek & Zyggy turned out for the Hody race which was a much shorter course still.

It was good to see paddlers from Leamington, Lincoln, Solihull & Macclesfield make the trip to join us.

There was just enough light for a few pictures.
























Results at http://uk.geocities.com/nottinghamkayakclub/resultstore/15kmk207.htm

Thanks to Norman for organising it, thanks to Cathy for the hot food.

More Bonfire Paddle Photos

Thanks to Mark of these pictures of Jonathan, James, Shohanaa, Beth, Kath & Mick, plus the raft that had over 40 paddlers in it!

Gunpowder Plot meets Cockleshell Heroes!

It was a great idea of George's to paddle up to the Toll Bridge in the dark on the evening of the Wilford Bonfire. There were 44 paddlers altogether, from the Pool sessions, Holme Pierrpont Canoe Club, Dave's Casual Paddling sessions plus a handful of club members. Mark & Rachel brought Jonathan who had the grandstand view from the front of the Topo Duo, Gary was in a plastic GP, Ricky & James paddled playboats & we took the open canoes, some hot soup, fresh home-made bread, biscuits and cakes with a few Doritos, plus quilts and groundsheet and made a picnic of it. It was a lovely evening for paddling - even better for watching fireworks and picnicing! Kath & Shob paddled one boat, while Beth and I were in the other. George & Dave rode shotgun and signalled for help with a variety of parachute & hand flares and eventually the Nottingham Princess came to the rescue. Meanwhile, James was the only casulty when a paddle blade took out his tooth in the middle of a Mexican wave. However it did not limit his ability to out-shriek the "screamer" fireworks.
Thanks to George for organising it assisted by Dave & thanks to the rest who contributed to a different and enjoyable way to do Bonfire Night.

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

Fladbury 2007 in Pictures

Lightning finishes









Div 7 K2s





















Div 8 K1s

Div 9 K1












Div 6 K1















Div 5 K1