Newsletter
111
Spring 2006 / 01
Web: www.marlowcanoeclub.org.uk
Email: j.k.norris@btinternet.com
WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE
Editor’s Piece 1 Anyway, on to this issue. Mr. Kingsley's
Mr. Kingsley's diaries 2 his (mostly) sea kayaking adventures. I
Top Tips 6
L3 training with Ray Goodwin. 7 are not talking that long ago, yet you
AGM REVISITED. 11
Events / Contacts etc. 12
EDITOR’S PIECE.
It's been a bit of a slow take-up on the
request to deliver the newsletter by e-
mail. That's a bit disappointing as I had
thought many of the members would
have given this a go. Now I know it
would be remiss of me to assume that
everybody has a PC these days, but for
those that don't might I recommend a
trip to the local library. Thanks to an
initiative by Tony (pause for breath)
Blair most if not all libraries now have
PC's and a broadband connection. You
don't even need an e-mail address, just
ask for assistance if necessary and look
up the club website. Not only will you
find the newsletter, but a raft of
Everyone must believe in something,
I believe I'll go canoeing.
Who said that?
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter
information and pictures featuring the
club as it is today.
diaries are just that. A potted history of
might delve into the past and re-print
some old features in future issues. We
had to be dab hand with the compass
and as for mobiles - forget it. I'm sure
they were around but they were
probably bigger than the VHF radio so
necessary for these trips. Read and
enjoy.
There are a couple of top tips and an
interesting website to visit. This site
will tell you more about the Thames
than you new existed.
A couple of members are moving up
through the coaching ranks, or will be if
all goes to plan. Read JP's item on
training with Ray Goodwin. I
remember Ray talking to Rob about his
open boat. Basically, his advice was to
choose what he liked best, but he made
sure Rob understood the differences
between certain hull designs etc. Rob
didn't buy one of his (sponsors) boats
in the end but Ray was satisfied that he
had made the right choice. A good
bloke!
Answer next issue.
Page 1 Winter 2005 / 04
MR. KINGSLEY'S DIARIES
With regard to your note in the winter
NL 110, I should like to take this
opportunity to comment on my
enthusiasm for sea touring.
From the very beginning of my
association with M.C.C. I have kept a
logbook & every NL. I have the results
of our first sprint regatta held on the
25/06/77, and Richard Collet-Fenson’s
first NL dated September 1977.
I would recommend everyone to keep a
logbook of your canoe/kayaking
activities. Should you then wish to climb
the coaching ladder you are able to
present a valid document of your past
experience. Should you in future go for
training or assessment and produce a
logbook that has been written up on
the previous evening then it will be
treated as a work of fiction.
To give all detail will take far too long.
At the time I only had one kayak, a
second/third hand blue general-purpose
g.r.p. ‘Isis’, in which I had done my
Inland Proficiency (4 star), & also been
over many weirs & down the Exe &
Dart, & in those days we used to shoot
the right hand main gate on Marlow
weir, before Health and Safety arrived!
My first sea trip on the 21st April 1979
was from Southsea to Cowes & return.
The general-purpose kayak is designed
to be highly manoeuvrable & has a lot
of rocker (The underwater section from
bow to stern is saucer shaped),
therefore when doing a good sweep
stroke you spin on the spot. The racing
and touring K1’s & sea kayaks are
designed to travel in a straight line &
have no rocker. To overcome the
spinning action I had to construct a
detachable skeg. This was made to the
pattern shown in ‘The Canoeing
Handbook’ & worked very well. At sea a
skeg or rudder is most helpful. What
you wear is entirely up to you; as long
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 2
as it is not cotton, which when wet has
no insulating properties at all. Some
choose to wear a wet suit summer and
winter. I have only worn a wet suit
when I know that I am going to get
wet. (i.e. leading a one star course and
showing the way by being the first to
capsize, or doing training and
assessment) On all sea touring trips at
any time of the year I have only worn
thermal clothing under sailing
salopettes & cagoul with thermal socks
and lightweight yachting wellies on my
feet. When you stop for your lunch
break, your sweat condenses & you
immediately feel cold & uncomfortable.
The first thing to do when getting
ashore is to take your cagoul off and
turn it inside out to dry then change
your thermal vest for a dry one that
you will have in your spare clothing ‘dry
sac’. It is worth the trouble to feel dry
and warm.
3/05/81 Sea trip from Lymington.
Destination ‘ The Needles’ & Scratchels
Bay. 9.00 am wind S/W Force 3 to 4.
Noon gale force 6/7, turned back.
07/83. Poole to ‘Old Harry’ a very hot
day. A large group of us in all sorts of
craft. On our return many were very
sunburnt.
08/83. Surfing at Bude. Friday/Saturday
excellent. Sunday broken surf.
08/07/84. Poole-Swanage & return with
John Futrell. (A lot of detail in my
logbook)
24/05/85. Putney-Woolwich (Thames
Barrier) and return. 34 miles. (A lot of
detail in my logbook, & a full report in
NL.19. This is not a trip to be
undertaken lightly, & although inland, it
is in many ways more dangerous than
crossing from Lepe to Cowes. You are
tired & paddling back upstream with the
prevailing south-westerly against you.
Should this be blowing with any force,
the upstream face of some bridges
produce a very strong down draft – an
Winter 2005 / 04
invisible curtain of wind, which you
have to paddle through. The blade that
is out of the water is suddenly hit by
the unseen wind & can capsize the
unwary. Quote from newsletter No.19
“Shortly after our safe arrival at Putney
at 16.45 we saw a ladies coxed four
fold in half by the severity of the
weather”
21/07/85. Poole-Old Harry-Poole.
Paddling KW9 (stable 5m white water
racer) Report in newsletter 20.
08/85. Purchased 2nd hand ‘Ice floe’
sea kayak.
11/10/85 (Friday) Tim Chappel & I
were on the way to the National
Coaching Conference to be held at Plas
Menai, so we broke our journey &
played for three hours on the Treweryn
slalom course. There was no one else
on the water. A hot October afternoon,
absolute magic. Tiredness drove us
from the water. Report in NL 21.
12-3/10/85. Coaching conference
devoted to sea kayaking. The only time
I have seen 60 sea kayaks together.
Self rescues, flares, rescue by
helicopter, etc.. Report in NL 22.
19-20/04/86. Sea Proficiency (Sea 4
star) weekend at Southwold. The test
held on the Sunday was at the absolute
limit. S/E force 6. Forced to land in
dumping surf on a shingle beach with
savage undertow, one of the parties
lost his translucent ‘Mirage’ in the surf.
It was hard to find, & being
swept/rolled along the beach at an
alarming speed. The rescuer with
lifeline attached, went into the surf with
another line to attach to the kayak.
Report NL 25.
27-9/06/86. Around I.O.W. See NL 26.
12/86. Asked by Bucks.C.C. to organise
a course during the summer of ’87 for
Bucks Youth Service Workers. To go
from novice to 4 star. This was difficult
because some were not interested in
canoeing but probably though it politic
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 3
to do the course. A sea trip was part of
the course. Gerry and I with an
unenthusiastic group paddled from
Ringstead to Lulworth Cove & return.
The following day we went from Poole
to Old Harry & return.
15-7/05/87. Porthpean just south of St
Austell Cornwall. Senior Instructor
(level 3 coach) Sea Assessment. As I
did not know the area at all I travelled
very early on Friday morning, and was
able to spend a long time with my O/S
map doing a recce. of the area we
would be paddling in. This was time
well spent. Report in NL 30.
Numerous trips during the remainder of
'87/88. During which time I joined
Portsmouth C.C. this enabled me to
meet & paddle with experienced
kayakers, pick brains & get new ideas.
One of the most hairy trips across the
Solent was in April 89. We got mixed up
in a race of big yachts, racing at high
speed. The helmsman is unaware of, &
not expecting low-lying sea kayaks. We
clustered as a group, the yachts
rounded their racing buoy & because
we were drifting westwards quite
quickly came straight back towards us,
and were gone. We were on the way
from Stokes Bay (Gosport) to Cowes,
which took two hours.
Seldom is one fortunate enough to
have wind and tide behind you & waves
of the right amplitude on which to surf.
The return journey was superb, taking
one hour. NL 38.
Being based in Marlow, although some
distance from salt water, does have the
advantage of being able to travel south,
east and west, so in ’89 we paddled the
River Blackwater in Essex, from
Bradwell to Maldon and return. Coming
upstream to Maldon, all the moored
Thames Barges with St. Mary’s church
on the small hill behind is a calendar
scene.
Winter 2005 / 04
This was followed by a trip on 8th July
from Brockweir on the River Wye to
Bristol. 27 miles. Never to be forgotten.
NL 39.
With Peter Lee, I paddled from Sully
Island (Barry) to Steepholm – Flatholm
for lunch. It was a hot July day & we
lingered too long on the beach. The
tide was on the flood, & for me, we had
a very hard-sustained ferry glide
without being able to stop for a drink,
as we would have lost too much
ground. A relief to get back to our start
point.
18-20/08/89. Stokes Bay (Gosport)
clockwise around the I.O.W. Friday
early evening paddled to Bembridge
(Whitecliff Bay on the south-east corner
of the island) Slept on the beach;
shallow trough in the shingle with
karrimat and bivvy. On Saturday
morning made use of the holiday camp
toilet block before setting off for
Yarmouth. Landed at Scratchels Bay (a
small beach of large pebbles at the
extreme western end of the island)
while we waited for the tide to turn. A
real tide race as we rounded The
Needles lighthouse. The north side of
the I.O.W. is unstable clay and finding
a campsite is difficult.
On every trip that you undertake, you
have to plan to have the tide with you.
In this case we had the last of the
evening ebb tide flowing easterly to
take us to Bembridge, then on Saturday
the ebb tide running westwards helped
us down the southern side of the
island. (The tidal flow in the Solent is
difficult to explain unless you have a
tidal atlas in front of you) On Sunday
morning a spring flood carried us from
Yarmouth to Stokes Bay in four hours,
including a coffee stop (by the toilets!)
in Cowes.
We always aimed to get in at least one
sea trip during the Christmas break,
sometimes two. On December 29th 89,
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 4
with Gerry Knight and Peter Lee, I
paddled from Stokes Bay to Seaview
(I.O.W.). Easterly 4/5. A good blow, but
too rough to land at Seaview. We could
have got ashore easily in an
emergency, but we had no reason to
get wet, so we retreated to Puckpool
where we able to get ashore and keep
dry in the process.
28/04/90. V.H.F. Radio course & test at
Calshot.
25/05-2/06/90.With Gerry Knight & two
others, a clockwise circumnavigation of
Mull. 103 nautical miles in 5½ days.
The pressure was on as Gerry was to
organise the marathon on Sunday 3rd
June. Detail in NL 42/3. There were
many memorable moments, one of
which was being able to paddle
backwards to the very back of Fingles
Cave, with seals plopping into the water
all around .TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS –
LEAVE FOOTPRINTS. We did just that.
20-22/07/90. Another leader was
indisposed, so at short notice I took a
party clockwise around I.O.W. 36 miles
paddled on the Saturday. Saturday
evening we camped on the mainland
between Lepe and Calshot
2nd March 91. River Blackwater. Spring
flood tide. Set off in the fog. NL 46.
09/03/91. Southsea. Wind southerly
F6. Ugh!! Back into the car to think of
an alternative. Paddle around Hayling
Island. Found shelter behind Hayling
Island Yacht Club to light our stoves.
Watched four Lasers all with broken
masts being towed in. Back on the
water and out to sea where we ferry
glided across the Winner sands! Wow!!
With the sun in our eyes, windsurfers
travelling at high speed are scary. We
lived to tell the tale.
01/03/91. A trip I have not mentioned
before, but well worth doing is from
Lymington with the flood tide behind
you, to Newtown on the I.O.W., taking
the right hand arm of the inlet & going
Winter 2005 / 04
all the way up the creek to the tiny
brick arched bridge, which if the tide is
right you can just squeeze through. We
never had any problems, but you are
not supposed to land in the nesting
season.
Further trips were undertaken before
David Mitchell and I went to the
Western Isles for the week
commencing 21st May. It is important
that you go no later than the end of
May if you want to avoid the dreaded
midges, it also helps if you camp on the
shortest grass available and in a
reasonable exposed position, unless a
gale is blowing! We had a week of
wonderful weather. No midges were
encountered. We were able to play in
Corryvreckan, Dorus Mor (both
whirlpools) & The Grey Dogs, a small
channel no more than 30' wide where
the incoming tide runs downhill at you.
High crosses in sea kayaks! The most
memorable part of this week was our
camp on Colonsay. From the top of the
small hill which was sheltering our tents
from a strong south westerly, on an
exceptionally clear evening we could
see to the north-east, more than fifty
miles away the ‘Pap of Glencoe’ and
‘Ben Nevis’ NL 47.
17/08/91. Planned Ilfracombe to
Lunday. S/W 5/6 far too strong. So we
paddled in two tiring days from
Ilfracombe to Porlock Weir. Kayaking up
the Bristol Channel against a strong ebb
tide with difficult overfalls close to
shore really called for a lot of
endurance. The outgoing tide would
have been used to help us to Lundy.
Two reports in NL 48.
October 91. Clevedon – Flatholm –
Clevedon. Departed in fog at 09.30 with
a spring ebb going like an express train.
Navigation has to be spot on. Too far to
either side of the island and you will be
swept past. Flatholm, named by the
Vikings is an interesting island. In days
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 5
past all the Clippers heading for Bristol
would stop at the island to land any
sick crew members who would be
admitted to the purpose built
quarantine hospital.
April 92. David Martin from Portsmouth
and I launched at Lepe & went to Ryde.
On our return, dense fog rolled in. We
paddled back up the middle of the
Solent going from buoy to buoy. The
top of Fawley chimney was helpful.
10/05/92. Thames tideway. NL 52.
16/05/92. Our intention was to cross
the Thames estuary from Sheerness to
Southend. S/W 5 over flood tide, which
we were to paddle across, was asking
for trouble. Opted for the Swale
instead.
23-30/05/92. Western Isles again!
Good campsite at Arisaig, where we
could leave the cars in safety. Good
launching facility, & hot showers
awaiting our return. To Eigg – Muck –
Rhum – Sanday – Canna – Rhum –
Skye – Arisaig. David Lyddiatt report in
NL 53.
Going ashore in the Solent with a
partially loaded kayak is in the main, no
problem. However, a fully loaded sea
kayak has a lot of inertia, and getting
ashore in a rocky / seaweed covered
boulder situation, which is then
complicated by even a small swell is an
entirely different matter. Great care
must be taken not to put a hole in the
kayak. You will have in your buoyancy
aid pocket a painter (short line) with
spring clip on one end. You clip this
onto the grab line that runs around the
deck of the kayak. You can then
concentrate on getting out of the kayak
with the free end of the painter in your
hand. You then have the option of
getting your kayak someway out of the
water, or moored afloat, before you
help others.
A party of 4 is a good number to have
especially when it comes to carrying
Winter 2005 / 04
loaded kayaks from shore to campsite.
Should a person slip of fall, the kayak is
still supported by the other three. As
the number in the party grows so it
rapidly becomes more difficult to find
enough level ground on which to camp.
Another years paddling before we
return to Scotland again, for the last
week in May 93. This time taking the
noon ferry from Oban, for the six-hour
voyage to Castlebay on the Outer
Hebrides. Our aim was to get to the
southern end of the chain of islands
and get round Barra Head. Studying
O/S maps showed us that Mingalay had
a sandy beach, sheltered from the
prevailing south-westerly. It was very
rough and cold, but our landing was
easy. Portaging the loaded kayaks over
very fine soft sand was hard work.
We found an abandoned settlement,
and as the wind was blowing strongly
we each put our tents up within the
four walls of four derelict cottages.We
were storm bound on Mingalay for
three days, spending time bird
watching. Looking over the cliffs, the
Kittiwakes had young in the most
precarious places. Crawling on your
stomach one could get within four feet
of the Puffins.
We climbed to the top of the island
where from the shelter of a large
overhanging rock I could speak on the
V.H.F. radio to the Coastguard at
Stornaway 125 miles north of us. They
were most kind and helpful & asked
that we keep in touch. We went afloat
in a gale, with the wind blowing the
tops off the waves and crossed to Barra
Head but we could not get ashore so
returned to the shelter of Mingalay. We
finally left Mingalay with a S/W force 6
behind us. It was too rough to take
one’s hands off the paddle to take
photographs. We found another
secluded beach on the northern side of
Sanday, where we went ashore and set
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 6
up our tents. Advised Oban coastguard
where we were. The weather had
moderated, so we used old sheep pens
to hang out all our wet gear, which
dried in the sun and breeze.
Interesting reports of other sea trips in
NL 59 & 60, including a
circumnavigation of Jura.
05/09/93. Organised a Southern Region
introduction to sea touring, with a trip
from Lepe to Cowes & return. There
were twenty three on the water, a calm
sunny day, ideal. Report by Colin
Scottow in NL 60.
Half the enjoyment of sea touring is the
planning. Weather forecasts, Tides,
Charts, Tidal atlas, O.S.maps. The
ability to chart a course allowing for
wind and tide. Your detailed equipment
list, which you keep, & add to & delete
from as your experience grows, goes
right down to clothesline & pegs, a
book, radio & alarm clock. Do you know
your sea birds, can you tell the
difference between a Cormorant and a
Shag, a Guillemot & a Razorbill, Red-
breasted merganser & Shelduck, an
Eider duck. If not a bird book could be
useful; it makes life so much more
interesting if you know what you are
looking at. When you are afloat the
birds are not so afraid of you and at
times you can get very close, and if you
paddle backwards even closer to the
seals. Sitting absolutely still and drifting
along the shore of Vatersay we got
within 100m of sea otters.
A detailed knowledge of the ability of
the rest of your party, including any
medical problems that might arise.
Have you a tried and tested method of
standing your kayak on edge using your
spare paddles to give your tent
protection in severe weather?
If you are planning to camp, then load
and reload your kayak on your back
lawn, making sure that you adopt a
system whereby everything goes in the
Winter 2005 / 04
same space every time. All aqua sacs
are clearly marked. My tent in its own
dry bag would stow in the cockpit
behind my seat, so that it was always
first out & erected. Trangia stove,
meths & firelighters in the bow
compartment. All food in the stern
compartment. Your food menu is
planned in detail for the week. Written
on fablon & stuck on your deck. You do
not want to be unloading Thursday &
Fridays evening meals on Monday or
Tuesday, so you load the kayak to plan.
Each breakfast was individually packed
in a small freezer bag, which would
contain 130 grammes of museli mixed
with dried milk powder & sugar. All I
had to do was add water. Each egg was
individually packed in its own container
(wrapped in thin foam in a baking
powder/bi-carb container). All tins were
marked with their contents with black
marker pen and the labels removed.
Dried potato was pre-measured and
placed in freezer bags. Bacon was
packed in the bottom of the kayak,
where it was kept cold.
While eating my breakfast I would be
preparing my lunch. Ryvita & honey
sandwiches, and heating water for
vacuum flasks. You have to bear in
mind that you are using a lot of energy,
and therefore food selection is
important but space is limited. No
chocolate, which melts, but a lot of
dried fruit, which can get wet but is still
edible. There was always a bag of
apricots in a pocket of my buoyancy
aid. Bananas from green to ripe, the
days ration being carried on deck under
your deck elastics, the balance tucked
into various crannies. Oranges are
another good way to carry moisture
that can be easily stowed. The normal
loaf is a problem, rye bread travels
better. The time taken from landing on
a beach, finding a flat site for your tent,
to changing into your dry thermals and
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 7
tracksuit to finishing your evening meal
would be about two hours. The hardest
two hours of the day. The thinking of
what to eat is taken away from you. As
you refer to your pre-planned menu.
My spare spare clothing would be in the
very front of the kayak, & therefore
never unpacked, with other clothing
immediately behind. This meant that
the kayak was light at the bow and
rode the waves more easily, it did not
dig in, and I had a drier ride.
Carried on deck were waterproofed O/S
maps for that day and tidal information,
two x two litres of water, thermos,
flares and rockets, spare paddles, tow
line, compass, etc.
If you are able to plan your trip so that
you can camp in one place for more
than one night, and go for a days
paddle or walk that is a bonus.
I am comforted by the thought that the
growth in sea kayaking is slow. There
may be a lot of water in which to
paddle, but when it comes to knowing
the whereabouts of good car parking
and launching facilities, you very
quickly find a different situation.
The B.C.U. Canoeing Handbook has a
chapter on Sea Kayaking, and the
B.C.U. will also have a list of books on
sea touring. Get the titles then ask your
public library what is available. The
more demand you create the more
likely they are to obtain copies from out
of County. About five years ago I
wanted a special book on the composer
Beethoven. They had not got it in the
County and purchased it for me. I kept
renewing it and had it for several
months.
Sea touring is another facet of our
sport, that will give immense
satisfaction after a hard days paddle.
Go down to Lepe, get kayaking.
Nothing venture-nothing gained.
John Kingsley (Life member)16/12/05
Winter 2005 / 04
TOP TIPS
Got a nice new boat for Christmas,
don't want your current one to wear out
so quickly. When seal launching off
anything other than a rounded wooden
edge
(concrete lock and weir sides spring to
mind) place a stick or something similar
under the front of the boat to act as a
roller. Sounds silly. I thought so too,
until I saw it done. At Hurley. A
dagger something or the other of
several years vintage with barely a
mark on the bottom. And the owner
assured me he always looks for a 'roller'
wherever he launches his boat.
BLUE PIGGIES?
Cold weather - it's a bane. I notice
some of our more affluent members
have invested in centrally heated
Michelin man suits but for many of the
rest of us, cold feet goes with the
game. Those poor little piggy's, stuffed
up into the tight bow of a boat, it's no
wonder they're turning blue. Especially
when you consider there is only 5mm
of plastic between them and the
freezing water.
So when I took the long boat out on a
far & fast run the other day, I put my
nookie changing mat under my feet -
bliss. If your feet are really squeezed
up, try a thinner layer, but thicker is
better.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?.
Just how much do you know about our
'home' river. Ever wondered just
what's around the next corner that a
Sunday trip just can't quite reach.
Maybe the river's history is of interest
to you. Or the geology. Or the
environment.
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 8
What about the water - how much?
How fast? How deep?
I came across this site quite by accident
http://www.the-river-thames.co.uk/
and spent quite a while learning stuff to
forget later, but at least I'll know where
to look in future. It's a site put up by a
boaty couple who obviously like the
river as much as we do. Next time you
are on the net, take a look. It's worth
it.
SMELLY BOOTS?
I put this in a while ago, but just the
other Sunday someone was wondering
what to do with smelly boots. Here's
two things I do - and my daisy roots
are as fresh today as when I bought
them. 1) Rinse of any mud and along
with thermals and wetsuit I put them in
the washing machine with a little fabric
conditioner on a rinse cycle only. Make
sure there are no sharp edges in
the drum and you should be O.K.
but it's at your own risk.
2) Concentrated disinfectant. Before I
started using the washing machine I
used a product called Zoflora (Waitrose)
but the Tesco assistant I asked only
had Zofflera in stock - still, it looked the
same. A strong solution in warm water
left in the boots for a few minutes sorts
out the little nasties that may have
taken up residence. Then rinse out
with clean water. Whatever you do you
need to dry the boots afterwards. Roll
the top of the boot down as far as it will
go and drying is a lot easier. Now that
they smell nice you can put them in the
airing cupboard without getting the
attention of the other half, or upsetting
mum.
Last months little quote was from
Albert Einstein. The older I get,
the more I think he was right.
Winter 2005 / 04
LEVEL 3 KAYAK TRAINING boulders not a problem, I know how to
WITH RAY GOODWIN get across a bit of river. Sadly a few
coaching points and I moved from
unconscious to conscious
The summer evening paddles are great!
incompetence. Now I’m watching Nigel
They seem to cater for everyone’s
more closely and what I had dismissed
taste/mood with the option of a beer
as confidence and experience was now
and chips to follow. For Big David
about technique. “Who dictates the
Goddard and I the last few warm
angle of the boat when you leave the
evenings on the water were about
eddy, you or the river?” and other
planning our L3K Coach training.
equally leading questions were posed.
Dave was, as many others, inspired by
Unfortunately the only satisfactory
the Ray Mears canoeing programme
answer was to paddle better.
featuring Ray Goodwin and made the
Soon we were new paddlers on the
suggestion that we should use the
river moving about with efficient ease,
latter for our training.
control and a slick confidence, but only
Hence, come a Friday in mid November,
on the occasions that we got it right.
and a cold one at that, we are off to
Naughty Nigel then brought up the
JJ’s Rafting Centre at Mile End Mill on
concept of what he called a “stern
the river Dee for some personal
squeeze”. The exercise was moving
coaching with Ray Goodwin and Nigel
from an eddy behind a boulder in the
Garrett (to be known to all as Naughty
middle of the river, exiting the eddy on
Nigel).
the opposite side and crossing back
Access on the Dee (stretches that are
across the river up-stream of the
not owned by JJs):
boulder. Ten paddle strokes was the
Has been an issue recently: the
norm, pre the new stroke. NN achieved
situation is the Welsh Canoe
the same manoeuvre in four strokes.
Association (WCA) has in effect walked
When exiting the eddy a good power
away from negotiations and have
stroke well placed into the stream you
accepted that there is no access for its
are about to enter provides upstream
members… in practice “It’s never been
force as the boat enters the stream (as
better” is the practical situation
taught by Adrian demonstrating high
according to most of the local paddlers
crosses on the Nene). NN was turning
we met. Effectively this has meant that
this power stroke into a modified stern
individuals carry out “bandit runs”. To
rudder, squeezing the stern of the boat
the fishermen we met this did not seem
to the paddle, pulling the boat further
to be an issue at all. They were, if
into the main stream and providing, in
anything, friendly.
NN’s case, some significant forward
Quote UK Rivers Guide: “Excellent -
movement. I got it (more or less) right
you are completely unrestricted by an
a few times that day but, sadly, have
access agreement since there isn't
not since.
one.” The down side is that there can
It was getting late and the sun was
be no officially organised events
losing its battle against the cold as we
(smacks of two children fighting over a
moved onto a play-wave -… where I
toy).
managed to capsize Big Dave.
Nigel took us through the first day of
Considering the weather he restrained
what would be the start of a dissection
his appreciation well and went on to
of our paddling. We began paddling a
capsize himself again on the play wave,
route, moving around the river between

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 9 Winter 2005 / 04

proving that dry suit seals still work
when frozen.
Dave only snores when he is tired and
has had a beer or two. So, after a beer
or two at the end of a tiring day, it was
off for an early night. Revenge was
exacted.
Minus Six: was the temperature reading
on Dave’s car the next morning and the
frost and ice had command. Day two
was the introduction of coaching skills
as well as personal skills,
communication, leadership and safety.
Dissecting strokes into their
components, understanding the effects,
symptoms of problems. Some more
leading questions, including one which
will stick with me: “What do you want
to achieve as an instructor?”, triggered
the discussion about conditioning
victims. This I found a most valuable
lesson especially at this level. The
answer, as I see it, is to coach paddlers
to a point where they are independent,
safe, able to make judgments, carry out
rescues and also to carry the right level
of equipment. Ray’s comments are “All
too often the coach will carry all the
safety kit and not allow mentorees to
think for themselves. “This is how a
victim is conditioned”. This struck a
chord with my “excellent manager”
training from earlier in the year. This
describes four styles of leadership,
directing, coaching, supporting and
delegating, and when best to apply
them. It all maps well to the river
environment. However, despite being a
well (pause) trained manager I still
have, according to the results of both of
the training sessions, and noting a
factor of a thousand difference in cost,
a reluctance to the directing style.
Ice was forming on my hat as we got
off the water as dusk hit. I seemed to
be the only person who didn’t want to
get changed in the car park. (Proper
Hardened Paddlers Don’t know what a
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 10
heated changing room is. Makes you
get to the pub quicker as well DG Note)
The evening session was held at Ray’s
cottage, middle of nowhere, stone floor,
wood beams, wood burner, fish and
chips, flipchart, home made paddle
over the hearth, excellent!
Day three: Amazed to find that there
was no evidence of the major wood
processing operation that was set up in
the room overnight. It was -6.5C as we
prepared for a bandit river run from
Town Falls to Trevor Bridge. Ray and
Nigel were putting us as river leaders
and coaches in turn. It feels
uncomfortable coaching peers, but
leading and coaching level 5 coaches
was quite a challenge especially as
Nigel and Ray had a two man comedic
routine going, featuring various levels
of Naughty Nigel.
This section of the Dee is an excellent
stretch with long sections of grade 1
with the occasional 2 and easy 3.
During the quieter sections we went
through more coaching leadership and
paddling skills tips and experiences.
The head was full of information and
the energy levels were ebbing as we
surfed the last wave under Trevor
Bridge.
The wash up was held in the
conservatory of a local 4* Hotel. This
helped add to our sense of ceremony
for the assessment and analysis of our
performance, goals and personal
development plans.
With lots to consider that evening, we
headed home. Just a few more logs to
process from a tired Goddard in the
passenger seat. Will big Dave spend
more time in a kayak in 2006 or will he
be drawn back to the dark side of open
boats?
In summary: The weekend produced
two TL3KC’s and several sheds full of
brass monkeys not forgetting to
mention the wood for the sheds.
Winter 2005 / 04
No rest for the wicked and just time to
unpack, re-pack and grab a few hours
sleep before a hideously early flight to
Venezuela and the sharp contrast of
some 35 to 40 degrees.
References:
Ray Goodwin coaching
(www.raygoodwin.com)
Ray Mears (www.raymears.com)
JJ Canoeing (www.jjraftcanoe.com)
JOHN PARKIN 03/02/06
AGM REVISITED
As per the norm, the 'Kings Head' had
once again been booked for the AGM.
It's a chance for some of the members
who have moved away from the club to
put in an appearance and some old
faces were to be seen. I don't know
too many of the 'old timers' but I've
seen the faces. Steve Williams always
finds time to talk to those members
that he knows, and as he has put in a
400 mile round trip this is to be
appreciated. We will be hearing more
from Steve in a later issue, I hope.
It seemed to me that the no's attending
were down on previous years, but a
check back on last years AGM showed
that there was not a great deal of
difference. Perhaps the audience was
not so vociferous as in previous years,
and this would account for the increase
in charges going through without a
murmur. Or could it be that Gerry was
not going to have to re-mortgage as
the boat storage fees were to remain
the same? Still the evening went well
and all the official stuff was dealt with
relatively promptly. No doubt aided by
the fine 'London Pride' and other beers
on offer, and for some, gastronomic
delights from the kitchen. So after a
sort break to recharge our glasses we
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 11
got on to this years awards. I've listed
the recipients and there award below.
All received 'Nookie' changing mats
unless mentioned otherwise.
Not an annual award, but one member
sponsored a booze voucher for Dave
Goddard in appreciation for all the
hard work on the re-vamped website.
I get to choose the newsletter awards.
Two this year. For Hannah Sharp &
Rachel Holloway for their excellent
descriptive work on the DW race, from
the inside out.
And for their parents who did an
equally good feature on the DW from
the outside looking in. Not club
members so a bottle of plonk is on it's
way to them.
Most improved adult went to Denise
Peet who has now passed her 3* and
is a regular attendee on Wye / Usk
trips.
Most improved junior went to Emma
Seabridge for a steady and continued
progression through the star awards.
The volunteer of the year award went
to Sarah Belcher (honourable
mention to Terry Belcher) for
establishing the Thursday night
marathon paddling sessions.
And so to that most coveted of awards,
'The swimmer of the year'. Open to all
members but often given to a member
who's skills (the greater the better)
deserted them when they were needed
most. This year the award goes to
Martin Seabridge for several notable
incidents throughout the year, some
noted in previous issues. I'll start
worrying when he surfaces without a
smile! I've never got this award, and
sometimes wonder why, because like
Martin I could have got it on quantity if
not quality. But neither of us need
worry. Just like the 207, there will be
another swimmer along in a minute.
That's all folks. Next issue around mid
June. Taking items now.
Winter 2005 / 04
 MARLOW CANOE CLUB DIARY
START END EVENT/LOCATION MIN ORGANISER/
DATE DATE LEVEL CONTACT
02/04/06 02/04/06 Cricklade to Ha'penny bridge - 10 miles. 1* Guy Maddieson
The 1st part of GUY'S Thames tour. 01844 275418
06/05/06 07/05/06 Our 1st 1* course of the year. N/A John Norris
(I just know summer begins here!) 01494 483833
14/05/06 14/05/06 River Wey, Bowers Lock to Pyrford Basin 1* Guy Maddieson
6.6 miles. Leave club at 08:30 01844 275418
03/06/06 04/06/06 Our 2nd 1* course of the year. N/A John Norris
(Just like the first but warmer!) 01494 483833
11/06/06 11/06/06 Ha'penny Bridge to Tadpole Bridge - 9 m. 1* Guy Maddieson
The 2nd part of GUY'S Thames tour. 01844 275418
13/06/06 20/06/06 The first 2* course. Suit last year's 1*'s. 1* Tim Twitchen
(includes w/end 17/18 June) 07833 995289
18/06/06 18/06/06 Riverside open boat demo day, + BBQ See noticeboard
See box below for details.
VARIOUS 2006 This year we have pushed the boat out Check See noticeboard
ref trips and I think we've got something with and website for
for everybody. New starters, flat water, leader details / updates.
white water & touring. No surf or sea or a
confirmed yet, but watch this space. coach.

Bold denotes organised MCC event or participation

RIVERSIDE OPEN BOAT DEMO DAY + BBQ - ALL FREE.

TRY OUT SOME OF THE DEMO BOATS AVAILABLE. SPEAK TO THOSE WHO
KNOW HOW TO USE AND ENJOY THESE CRAFT.
DETAILS AND MAP ARE ON THE NOTICEBOARD.

CLUB CONTACTS

President Tim Ward 01494 Marlow David Lydiatt 01753

482959 Marathon 887773
Chairman Adrian 01844 Membership Rod Edmonds 01753
Cooper 344580 Secretary 671389
Secretary & Andy Maxted 07730
Southern rep. 852760 Newsletter John Norris 01494
Treasurer Paul Crichton 08708 Editor 483833
806962 john.norris
Safety rep. Guy 01844 @bt.com
Maddieson 275418 Social VACANT
Coaching Tim Twitchen 07833 Secretary POSITION
995289 Whitewater Martin Reed 01844
Course David Lydiatt 01753 344687
Bookings 887773 Women’s Rep Debs Hardy 07812
Equipment Don Moore 01628 749555
Officer 773555 Youth Rep George 01844
Longridge Martin Plain 01628 Cooper 344580
Liaison 483252 Inland Guy 01844
Marketing & VACANT Touring Maddieson 275418
Publicity POSITION

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 12 Winter 2005 / 04