Hereford 2009

An early start, a long drive and weather that was cooler and wetter than Nottingham was all worthwhile for the success of the elite band that made the journey. Damian was 2nd in Div 8, Mick & Ricky 2nd in Div 5 K2 after a close race with Jon Cave & Ellie Andrews of Worcester. Alice won Div 6 just 1 second up on John Talbot also of Worcester.

The rest of the photos: click here.
Full results: soon.

Activities - Shropshire

There are still things going on at the club, like busy Friday nights with a good turn out each week from the juniors, several casual paddlers and a few seniors doing Round the Bridges time trials. Club members did well at Burton & Hereford Marathons too, as can be seen from the results on the club website. Lightning activity at Regattas has been the best ever, with good results in the Lightning, Hody K2 & Mini K4 events. Again details can be found via the club website & downloaded.

Perhaps because everyone is so busy paddling, we do have a shortage of people writing blog entries about it or taking photos, so to get it going again here are a few pictures from Burton, Hereford & Shropshire & a brief report.

Burton saw a good turn out by parents, supporters, veterans, juniors and Lightnings with excellent results. Hopefully there will be a few more pictures on the Gallery Blog before the end of the summer.

Two car loads made it to Hereford for a very windy day's racing.

Finally this weekend, the journey to Shropshire proved to be far easier than that to Hereford and although narrow, the racing there proved to be worth the Journey.

It was a bit tight for the Div 7 K2 start, but our two crews managed to stay out of trouble and get to the front group with little difficulty. The two Lightning paddlers each with their Div 7 junior partner, performed particularly well. Despite some interesting turning and an unfortunate collision, they finally finished in 2nd and 3rd places - an excellent result. Mick's Div 5 race was less crowded, but the younger ones shot off, leaving him to warm up on the first mile. After Matt (from Burton) dropped Mark (from Gailey) 2nd 3rd & 4th places came together in a group. By the finish, now fully warmed up and with fortune smiling on him at the 6th portage, Mick also managed to gain 2nd.

Hopefully there will be more photos on the Gallery of other activities soon.

Hereford

while we're on the subject, Hereford results are now on the NKC website at http://uk.geocities.com/nottinghamkayakclub/resultstore/Hereford07.htm

Hereford

Hereford was last weekend however i thought it was better late than never (hahah it rhymes). Was a very enjoyable day as ever. Was quite a good race, did get a tad bored as i pretty much on my own the whole race but overall it was good and definatley worth it. Mick and Beth and Craig and Shob did really well, well in guys, winning pint glasses for coming second which i thought was pretty cool! The car trips were a right laugh, as usual, and the company was awesome, also as usual. Ready for another good day tomorrow guys!

More Hereford Pics!

Hereford

Well the whole day at Hereford was fab really! Good results for all the Nottingham paddlers, with Tony narrowly missing promotion back to division 7. Sarah finished not far behind him in the div 8 singles. Plus there were two seconds from the K2s. Beth did a good job of steering and I guess it was harder for Mick sitting in the back, so well done both of you. Thanks Craig, it was a good race- I'll just have to make sure I look at the course map properly next time!! Excellent company, with a range of conversations and music for the 2 3-hours drives, which helped meet Kath's request to ensure that Mick didn't become too sleepy whilst driving! I look forward to the next race.

Hereford 2007

So now I know what I've been missing all these years. Hereford is a lovely venue for a marathon, with interesting water & as Beth says, picturesque settings if you've got time to enjoy it.

Yet again, the junior contingent of the club were a sheer delight to be away with. Good company, great efforts all round; what else could you ask for.

Our Div 5/6 K2 race was a pleasure! Beth was a little reluctant to stroke the boat & pretended to be a bit nervous, That disappeared the instant Tony Spencer said, "Go!" We got a fairly clean start although we dropped a little with some paddle clashes in the first 100 metres. However, we were in the right place almost on the bank and after the leaders drifted slightly into the current, she was up there like a flash, calling for water, getting it & taking up the pace all in one breath. Having the inside, we kept the work to the top turn & after a try by the Leamington crew to drop us off the turn failed, Beth was eager to stay at the front. The Worcester crew took up the pace & worked hard to the bottom turn, gathering some stray Div 4 K1s on the way.

For reasons unknown to all but himself, the Leamington stroke steered himself & Matt Brown from Worcester inside the turn bouy, but remained pointing downstream. Quickly backing off & sprinting for the slacker water, we were soon following the Worcester crew up for the second lap.

What Beth doesn't mention in her post is that it was her first Hasler Race above Div 8, but the skill and accuracy with which she stroked our boat would have fooled most people. Thanks Beth for my most enjoyable Hasler race of this season & thanks to Sarah, Shobhanaa & Craig for making it a really enjoyable day.

Off to the start.

Is Craig chastising himself for only coming second?

Good place to start!

A bit crowded, but ...

... the gap opened & Beth made sure we got up there!

Big thanks to Sarah for the pictures of us!

Hereford

The venue was excellent, the event was well organise, the weather was warm & mostly dry, but most importantly the company was the best!

Shob & Craig got a cracking start - moved quickly into 2nd place & caught the leaders. At the sprint for the finish, they thought they had further to go, otherwise, you never know ...

Tony & Sarah also got a reasonable start & finished well.

Mick & Beth got a slightly slower start, but were up in the leading group before they were out of sight. Beth stroked confidently, sharing the work with Mick Moran/ Andy Holmes from Worcester.

When the clashes came at the bottom turn, the Worcester crew were quickly away, but Beth & Mick soon backed out of trouble & followed them. That's how it stayed to the end.

Hereford

Shob, Sarah, Craig, Mick and I set off early this morning to make the long journey to Hereford. None of us had raced there before, but we got there fairly easily. First off were Shob and Craig in K2, they did well and finished a close second to a Hereford crew. Sarah did a good race in K1 also; so well done everyone!
Mick and I did the 5/6 race. I was nervous about steering it but it all worked out ok! We avoided clag ups (as well as arguments between other paddlers!) and finished second.
The long journey was definitely worth it, the river was pretty if you got a chance to look at it while racing! Kaths biscuits deserve a mention as they tasted nicer than ever. Thanks for a fun day guys, Beth x