Excitement - the alternative to Soar Marathon

Just a pointer to some great photos from last weekend's trip away for the families that went with Julie, Rex and Gilly! While the rest of us swam or paddled at Soar. Look at the pictures and then say which you would rather do? Click here http://nkcgallery2.blogspot.com/

Juniors in print

Funny how the media think that Paddling and rowing are the same thing. The Shape Up Nottingham fitness campaign comes to watersports, or perhaps it is the other way round. So far the weather has not encouraged anyone to try paddling on a Sunday or Friday. Perhaps when the weather picks up a few more people will give it a go.

Good quotes from Richard and Harriet ... not sure about the other one!!

Lincoln 2008

Perhaps because Lincoln is in a northern corner of the Midlands region, there seems to be a myth that the weather for the Lincon marathon is cold, wet and windy. A quick look at the photos from 2007 shows that this was not the case then and apart from a steady breeze, not the case in 2008 either, as you can see from pictures from this year's race.

This made for a near perfect start for some of our newer Lightning paddlers to venture into their first race away from the club. Like other canal races, it's a good course for Lightnings, with tow-path access for the entire length, plus a excellent vantage point at the end of the Brayford Pool.

They obviously enjoyed themselves despite only a small number racing from a few clubs. Numbers this year mark an increase in the Lightnings entering Lincoln, so let's hope this is a trend. Well done to Max, Harvey & Olivia. Lincoln were generous in their allocation of prizes, so cups all round.

At the other end of the scale, Rex had a good race coming 2nd in Div 4.

Mick enjoyed the Div 5 race, coming ahead of Mark from Gailey for a change, but as can be seen from the photo, caught by Matthew, a young lad from Burton, who had started in the Div 6 race, a minute behind!

Lincoln is one of the marathons in the Midlands that incorporates real hazards as a challenge, rather than streams of red and white tape on false portages. This adds to the interest not only for the paddler, but the spectator. Of course you have to do the 8 or 12 mile course to enjoy the succession of low bridges, but long may races like Lincoln survive un-homogenised, with their own character.

In the combined divisions K2 race, Norman and Cathy managed to come both first and last, much to the distress of the finishers and the results compilers.

Not wanting to miss out on the low bridges and the extra 4 miles, they finished the short course, but then carried on to do the most interesting bit of the race and crossed the finish line for a second time! No extra points I'm afraid Norm, the Hasler Race Management system has difficulty in allocating points equitably anyway, without people attempting to get two lots. Nice try though!

Thanks to Julie for the photos. Maybe more to follow.

Full Results http://www.marathon-canoeing.org.uk/results/Lincoln2008.htm

May Regatta - Saturday

Well it certainly made up for being a scorcher at the April regatta. The photos from this weekend were mainly taken during gaps in the rain or from the shelter of a coat, as the Girls D K1 1000 metres shows.

My weekend was dominated by coming 2nd to Howard in Masters B K1s, although I can blame the result in the 5km race on a snapped rudder line. The 2nd lap without a rudder was not quite so much fun as the first. All of them were enjoyable races though. Thanks to Beth for the photos.
Mine isn't the only repair needed though. Shobhanna's was slightly more out of the ordinary. It highlights the need for proper weights, as the splits in the bottom of her boat that opened like a gaping mouth, were the result of the bag of stones under the seat pushing through. She actually deserves credit for finishing 4th in her 1000 metre final carrying half a boat of water.




Alice fitted a few races into her busy life, before heading off to play football for Notts. She was probably most pleased with the Girls D K2 she did with Beth, but did the Girls Lightning A race as well.

New NKC Blog

As an addition to NKC Gallery please look at the Gallery Blog. E-mail the club if you want to add photos of events or activities or send a link to your own blog or website if you have photos of interest to members.