Calling all Southwest paddlers, I'd like to co-ordinate race reports, gossip and results throughout this coming year and post them here. Let's broadcast what's going on and how our local paddlers are doing. With a bit of luck it may create the inspiration for others to get out there and join them. To make it interesting and balanced I need your help by sending me your news and views to Dave Flynn
Fantastic entry for waterside A on 30th January. Great Bedwyn
was buzzing for the start of the 13 mile dash to Newbury, with over three
hundred paddlers to get away at 20 second intervals. The canal is shallow, and
the first of many portages is only 500 meters away. The good weather and
smiling faces kicked off the series with good times for most.
Quite a few paddlers took part from the southwest. The full results can be viewed at www.watersides.fsnet.co.uk.
Notable performances from; Andy Worth & Mike Carpenter from Exeter 4th K2 Veteran, Paul Fielden & Yael Ford from Taunton/Tonbridge 2nd K2 Mixed, Richard Bullock from Exeter 2nd K1 Senior
Race B 2 weeks later and the mood had changed. It was snowing
during the briefing in Newbury with a warning from James Treadgold the race
organiser to wrap up warm. This is an out and back 19 miler where everyone
passes each other at least once in the opposite direction. With no right of way
it's an exciting recipe for close shaves and choppy water.
A great result with two Exeter K2 veteran crews in the top 3 positions. Peter and Andrew Maycock winning, and Andy and Mike in 3rd. Paul and Yael again 2nd in the mixed K2.
Race C and the miles are now up to 23. This year the race was directly into a biting easterly wind on what turned out to be the coldest day of the year. In my opinion this is the best race of the series. A 3 mile warm up followed by a couple of portages and then a long pound with a 200 meter tunnel to transit. Just after this are seven locks which are fairly close together, do you run the lot, which is the quickest option for most, or a mix of run/paddle. Anyway before you know it you are at the start of Race A and it's only 13 miles to go!!
The K2 veteran team of Andy and Mike finished in second place and only just over a minute behind the time of the winners. An appearance from Sean Morley of Hayle saw him win the Veteran K1 class by quite a margin from Dave Flynn of Taunton who took second spot. I hear Sean also included a swim as he neared the finish!
Finally to Race D on 13th March. This race has another 11 miles tacked on before the start of C to make 34 miles, thankfully with no extra portages. In order to make the finish window at Newbury between 1200 and 1430, it's an early start at Devizes, as many paddlers will take in excess of 6 hours.
The weather was not too bad, with a bit of a following wind at times, but that last 3 miles seem to take an age. We soon perked up in the waterside centre at Newbury with a warm drink and large number of trophies on display. Andy Worth and Mike Carpenter took both 2nd place on the day and for the series in Veteran K2, total time 13.43. The same for Paul Fielden and Yael Ford in mixed K2 with a time of 14.16. Dave Flynn managed his only win of the series today but this was enough to secure the series first place Veteran K1 in a time of 14.14.
Kevin Bowerbank has a number of B.C.U. Wavehoppers which can be used, on
a pre booked basis, for white water races.
Training Days will be run for
White Water Racing and Coaching on the Dart in November.
For further information contact: Kevin Bowerbank 01225 793998
Taunton Canoe Club Canal Race, 10th December, 2000
Dart White Water Race, 21st/22nd October, 2000
Pete Collins Race, 15th October, 2000