Newsletter
117
Autumn 2007 / 03
Web: www.marlowcanoeclub.org.uk
Email: j.k.norris@btinternet.com
WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE
Editor’s Piece
Aquatic First Aid
Open canoeing in France
Praise indeed
Eight go to the Alps - Part 1
L2K Training
My return to marathon racing
Carlsberg course
Force 5 from Lulworth Cove.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
Intro to Whitewater.
Diary / Events / Contacts etc.
EDITORS PIECE
It's been a funny old summer, if you
can call it that. After a promising start
back in April things went downhill fast
and stayed at the bottom - weather
wise I mean. But from within the
gloom shone a no. of promised
highlights.
This year could be the year that the
club began to find out about it's self
once more. Trips wise we found out a
little more about ourselves. I seem to
recall hearing the Chair asking if
anyone was interested in a trip to
France, but for various reasons no club
members took him up on this offer.
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter
We've got a nice little piece by Mr's
1 Chair to set the ball rolling.
It had been talked about for some time
2 but Big Dave's ALPS trip finally got of
the ground. Such trips take a fair bit of
3
commitment and a lot of effort, but not
4 as much effort as I had to put in to
getting someone to tell the rest of us
4
about it. A busy man, what with the
9 new training standards and regional
rep. duties, Andy Maxted finally came
10 to our rescue with his ALPS part 1 item
12 (ALPS part 2 will follow in a future
edition - so I'm told). It's a bit on the
13 long side, but hey, there's a lot to tell.
I've done a no. of 1* courses now, but
I wasn't really prepared for the August
18 course. From the off, this one was
19 different. Read new member Mandy's
item on what many have said was the
most enjoyable course yet.
Andy Cook, I've seen him about a few
times but mostly I've just seen a
nameplate on the end of a fancy
marathon boat. Now it's out in the
open again and it seems to be going
that little bit faster every time I see it.
Andy's got a target in mind, and I for
one, hope he achieves it.
Finally we get around to my piece. I've
been angling to get my capella down to
the briny for ages. First one thing then
another, and it seemed as though I
might never get there. But it all came
good in the end. James and Elaine
Farquarson did us proud in introducing
5 members to the delights of sea
Page 1 Autumn 2007 / 03
kayaking. Read force 5 from Lulworth
Cove for the full monty.
Do you know what! I think I'll put
myself forward as sea sec., I'm not to
clever at it at present, but one more
trip will make me this year's most active
sea paddling member, at least amongst
those who attend regularly. I'm sure
there's a few beards out there itching
to feel the salt spray again. Feel free to
become active again and pass on some
of those skills you thought you might
never use again.
-------------------------------------------------
AQUATIC FIRST AID
On the evenings of Wednesday 13th
and Thursday 14th June eight club
members attended the first aid course.
Those present were myself, John,
Robert and Paul Norris, Melinda, Kelvin,
Richard and Nigel a new member who
will be on the next 1* course.
On arrival we met the instructor Paul
Newman who had travelled up from
Kent to run the course. We kicked off
with a couple of hours of theory and
this was presented to us in the form of
a PowerPoint show. This section
included CPR and hypothermia. After a
short break it was the bit we had all
been looking forward to and perhaps
dreading, using the Little Annies. For
those who don’t know a Little Annie is
basically a CPR trainer the shape and
size of a small adult’s upper body but
without any arms. They have simulated
lungs and a valve to make sure you tilt
the head to open Anne’s airway.
We paired up and took it in turns to
practice what we had learned in the
CPR theory section. This included
finding the correct area to place your
hands for the chest compression, the
compression to breath ratio of 30:2 and
the speed of the compressions. Paul
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter
taught us a little trick to get the correct
speed of around 100 per minute and
this was to sing (in your head) Nelly the
Elephant as it provided the right speed
and 31 compressions which we were
told is close enough. Our final practical
activity on the Wednesday was learning
the recovery position.
On Thursday we spent another two
hours finishing the theory including
breaks, sprains and strains, concussion
and compression and bleeding. One
member who must have been
exhausted from the previous night’s
excitement tried to visit the land of nod
but was swiftly brought back to the
room by a jab in the ribs by another
member.
The second half of Thursday night was
‘Scenario’ time and it was a festival of
maladies. Between us were
electrocutions, dislocations, cardiac
problems, shock, heavy things falling
on us and head injuries to name but a
few. Most of our ailments, no matter
how small usually led to
unconsciousness and stopping of
breathing. This enabled the person
responding to the situation to move
over to the Little Anne to practice more
CPR. The scenarios were to see how we
responded to the situations and to
check if we had been listening. It
turned out that we had all been
listening and as a result we all passed. I
would highly recommend this course for
two reasons. Firstly it was very well
Page 2 Autumn 2007 / 03
taught and extremely useful. Secondly
at £25 per head it was a third of the
price of an equivalent course
elsewhere.
Thanks to John for the organisation,
refreshments and use of his lounge for
the two evenings.
Andrew Young June 2007
-------------------------------------------------
OPEN CANOE TRIP IN
FRANCE
(including not very much technical stuff
about canoeing)
In June we made the long 12 hour trek
down to the Massif Central Mountains in
Southern France to canoe on the Allier
and the Tarn Rivers. I had been
promised by Adrian that it would be flat
water with the occasional rapid. It was
certainly more than that but I generally
had time to get out and walk around
scary looking sections. Of course, you
then had to walk through the long
grass and run the risk of the adders
and lizards!! So which was worse?
A taste of things to come!
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 3
Eight of us made the trip down, so we
made a lively group, and very difficult
for the restaurants to cater for with our
demands for no meat, well cooked
meat, etc. We camped at a very
acceptable campsite, fairly empty, so
no queuing for the showers etc. I was
able to buy a hot water bottle after a
few days as the weather deteriorated
so I was happy, although it wasn’t quite
the weather we expected for the south
of France.
Adrian had worked out a suggestion of
trips for each day of varying difficulty
as we were a group of various abilities
including three women of very poor
canoeing skills and experience. I had
the most experience amongst the
women, as I had been canoeing about
8 times in total!
The scenery and wildlife were beautiful
and the tranquillity (apart from us) was
lovely and restful. Adrian assured us it
was all grade 1 – 2 level. The trips were
scattered with stretches of flat water to
gain our confidence and easy rapids
etc. We did go down a couple of drops
and I walked around the mill race
(Glissieres) which looked too scary.
Kieran and his partner fell out at the
bottom and had to be hauled in on
ropes. That did for me, as we were
next in line I was out of the boat so fast
and running round the bank.
Unfortunately, I got in at the bottom
having been assured all was safe, we
went round the corner and straight over
an unexpected drop of about 3 ft. But
we stayed in and I surprised myself by
beginning to enjoy myself.
The first to swim were Guy and Kay
(I’m not sure what they did) It was
quite enjoyable to watch them climbing
out of the river, mainly because I was
so relieved it wasn’t me. I did manage
to stay dry the whole time (apart from
the rain) but only due to Adrian’s skills.
Autumn 2007 / 03
No doubt my comeuppance will occur
later.
Some of you may know that Adrian is a
keen botanist and likes to point out the
flowers he spots. The other group
members, who know Adrian well, take
every opportunity to tease him about
this. One delightful day we rounded a
bend to discover Graham and John
frolicking amongst the flowers on the
embankment, photographing
cornflowers. They tried to bribe us not
to tell the others, but bad luck for
them, they soon appeared from around
the corner!!
An Orchid shot by the botanist.
The best things about this trip, my first
foray into canoeing trips, were:
1. It was our first holiday for 20 years
without our children.
2. We ate out every night except once,
so no cooking.
All my life I have been a feeble, non
sporting person, except for bike riding,
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 4
but after a few days of going down
rapids the thrill of the wind in your face
and the rush of the water is
unexpectedly exciting. I think I may
continue and try to improve my
canoeing skills. Perhaps I could manage
some pre grade 1 canoeing on my own
one day. Marlow Canoe Club Members
may have noticed me occasionally
toiling up to Temple at a snails pace
going solo, complaining to Adrian,
unjustly, that he hasn’t taught me
properly etc, etc., as wives do!
However, I have now booked onto the
1/ 2 star canoe course for July and am
practising in advance so I don’t
embarrass myself too much. Who
knows what heights I may reach?
Maggie Cooper June 2007
-------------------------------------------------
PRAISE INDEED
Some of us know Big Dave, but I
suspect many of the newer members
do not. Big Dave can't paddle with us
as much as he used to as the young
family becomes more demanding of his
time, but Big Dave is the man behind
the website. It's where most people
make their first contact with the club,
so Big Dave's skills are very important
to the club.
I had this query from a parent looking
for a course for his daughter. As this
person had some river experience but
no 1* we took her out anyway.
Following this he contacted me again to
clarify a few points and his reply
contained the following few lines.
'btw we all read thru the joiners
notes etc and they are exceptional.
Before your reply I spent a couple
of hours yesterday seeing if I could
get her on an earlier one star
somewhere else and was
Autumn 2007 / 03
astonished how poor other sites
were and how low the standards.
Well done to you and your club!'
I know I did the joiners notes etc. but
its Big Dave's work that's being
recognised here. When he's at the club
Big Dave is always ready to hand out a
tip or two for those in need, but I
thought it important that everybody
knows who's behind the very
impressive website (not my words, but
I do concur). Let's hear it for one of
the club's unsung hero's.
John Norris July 2007
-------------------------------------------------
8 GO TO THE ALPS – PART 1
2.18 am in the back streets of Marlow
Bottom. It’s dark, it's raining and I’m
late. I said I’d pick Paul up at 2.15 but
plans have already gone awry. I packed
the car as intended on Thursday
evening and went to bed early hoping
to snatch a few hours sleep before
getting up again in the middle of the
night. Whose ideas was it anyway to
leave at this unearthly hour, just to
save a few pounds on the shuttle?
It was raining harder and there were no
street lights. Just where is Paul’s
house? I hadn’t slept much. It was just
like Christmas Eve when I was a kid. I
couldn’t sleep, I was too excited. And
then just when I thought Santa might
arrive at any moment, I’d drop off. So it
had been tonight. But here I was at
2.19 outside Paul’s house, sleepy, late,
but still so terribly excited. We were off
to the Alps…
It was probably 25 years since I’d last
seen the Alps. I do sometimes recall
those youthful, careless, child free
days. But after years of family holidays
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 5
I’d gained permission to go away with
the boys (plus Debs) and I was
determined to make the most of the
opportunity.
It was Dave Goddard who’d first
proposed the trip and during the winter
and spring plans were hatched. We
were to be nine, travelling in three
vehicles via the Channel Tunnel on the
05.50 am shuttle service. Of course by
the time of departure plans had
changed once or twice. Henry Knight
had had to drop out and so too Johnny
P. We were down to seven and then
Paul Griffin joined the crew to take us
back up to eight. Richard and his friend
Faz were keen to travel on their own,
planning to go out earlier and come
back later. That left six of us to meet at
the Folkestone Eurotunnel terminal –
Dave G, Debs and Reza in Dave’s Zafira
and Paul Griffin, Paul Crichton and
myself in my Volvo.
We were all excited as we checked in,
had the first coffee and croissant of our
trip (in the terminal building – not
particularly memorable), and queued
for our departure. We were bounced
and had to wait another half an hour,
but so what? We were going to the
Alps.
Dawn was breaking as we emerged
from the tunnel in France and the drive
south was pleasant enough - helped
considerably by having three drivers in
each car, each driving for an hour and a
half to two hour stints. Late afternoon
the pèage delivered us at Grenoble
from where the journey started to
become interesting. The final stretch up
the valley of the Romanche to the Col
de Lautaret and down the Guisane
valley (and through the Serre Chevalier
resort for the ski buffs reading this) was
spectacular.
We passed the McDonalds drive-
through at Briançon (and managed to
avoid it on every subsequent occasion
Autumn 2007 / 03
too) and arrived, with light to spare, at
our campsite, La Courounba, on the
banks of the Gyronde at Les Vigneaux.
Richard and Faz were already there and
had cooled beers ready for us. The
holiday was really starting.
Richard and Faz had done some
scouting for us so Saturday morning we
were up early, eager and keen. We
drove south down the Durance valley
for a warm up paddle on one of the
Durance’s tributaries, the Guil. The
Lower Guil from Eygliers bridge to St
Clement on the Durance is given grade
3- in Pete Knowles’ (Slime’s) White
Water South Alps but was running low
so we thought 2+ and enjoyed an
excellent introductory paddle, revelling
in the clear blue water, the sunshine
and the glimpses of the fortified town
of Mont Dauphin high above us on the
right and a magnificent waterfall on the
left.
The team pose at the 'Lower Guil'
Before we knew it we were paddling
under the road bridge and into the
Durance – a reminder of the speed of
Alpine water. The Durance was a totally
different river, wide and powerful at
this point, but soon to broaden even
further as the river took various routes
around low islands and shingle banks.
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 6
The paddling became sluggish in the
shallower water and was not helped by
a strong head wind blowing up the
valley. Fortunately this didn’t last and
the various channels came back
together and the river regained its
strength for the rapids above St
Clement where we played for a while,
surfing in the sunshine.
The rapids are not however the only
attraction at St Clement which boasts
an excellent café and kayak shop. We
stopped and shopped and enjoyed a
relaxed lunch before getting back on
the water for the run down to the
Rabioux rapids. The Rabioux wave at
the end of this stretch must be the
most famous feature in this part of the
Alps. Slime gives it 3+ in his guide and
having been through this monster,
paddler and boat eating hole, we
wouldn’t disagree. I dropped into it
without enough forward speed resulting
in a magnificent rear-ender while Paul C
took a roll. Respect!
The Rabioux was our get out for the
day and we were a tired but contented
group back at the campsite that
evening planning our second day.
Paul Crichton playing at St. Clement
Day 2 dawned bright and Dave G and
Faz had settled on the Upper Ubaye as
Autumn 2007 / 03
today’s river. It was a long drive over
the Col de Vars, but must have been an
even longer cycle for the hundreds out
on their bikes for a Sunday morning
ride, wobbling up the switchback roads
to the summit in their lowest gears.
Rather them than us!
Despite our early start it was late
morning before we arrived at La
Lauzière and unloaded prior to shuttling
the cars down to Jausiers. We arrived
back at the put in to find it was lunch
time for a huge flock of sheep and
goats which had been unloaded from
three massive trucks in our absence.
With clanking bells and animals all over
the track and trees the atmosphere at
the get in was more wild west than
southern Alps. It took us awhile to get
through and park up.
The Upper Ubaye started, if anything,
steeper, shallower and faster than the
Lower Guil had been the day before.
We were paddling again in two groups
of four and Paul C led off with Paul G,
Richard and me behind but only a few
hundred metres into our run the river
steepened some more, dropping out of
sight on a bend and Paul G took a nasty
swim. Fortunately he made it quickly to
the bank while Paul C retrieved his
paddle but it was only after a long
chase and with the help of some other
Brits on the river that day that I was
able to beach his upturned boat on a
shingle bank and wait for him to make
his way down river through the
undergrowth lining the banks.
This part of the Alps is very close to the
Italian border and the Upper Ubaye is
dominated by the Fort de Tournoux, a
maze of bastions, barracks and gun
emplacements built on and in the steep
cliffs above the road and river. In
between looking up at the battlements
and the gun ports we were enjoying a
fast little run that never dropped below
grade 2 with the occasional 3. All too
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 7
soon however the river eased off and
we drifted down the final kilometre to
the village of Jausiers, our get out, and
a welcome late lunch. Now we had a
dilemma. Did we drive down the valley
and paddle another stretch, possibly
the grade 3/4 stretch from Les Thuiles
to La Fresquère, or did we take it easy
and go and find an ice cream? It was
sunny and we had all week ahead of
us. The ice cream won, but not before
we’d scouted the next section and
stopped in Le Lauzet to look at the
Roman bridge and start thinking about
the Ubaye racecourse (grade 4) section
that Dave recommended we save for
the end of the week.
We were up later than planned the next
day (Monday). We’d driven a long way
yesterday and arrived back at the
campsite in the dark having stopped to
eat out at the Hotel de Maire in Embrun
where we had enjoyed an excellent 18€
prix net menu and discovered the local
beer – Alp & Hand brewed in La
Vallouise, just up the valley from our
campsite. The Briançon Gorge section
of the Upper Durance had taken my
eye in the guidebook, was short (only
2km), and was on the way to Dave’s
recommendation for the day, the Upper
Guisane. We agreed to give it a go.
It took us longer than expected to
queue our way through Briançon, find
the start and then shuttle cars back
down to Briançon Canoe Club and the
get out but eventually we were
changed and ready to go. While we’d
been shuttling, Faz had spotted a nasty
looking metal box, perhaps a large
section of air conditioning vent or
industrial cage just under the surface in
the centre of the river so we got on a
hundred metres or so below the bridge
and well away from the boules court
with its ‘aggressive old Gardien’
mentioned in the guidebook but
nowhere in sight.
Autumn 2007 / 03

Dave G makes a splash in the Briançon
Gorge.
We were getting the hang of this type
of paddling. Fast, shallow water with
few breakouts and were soon down at
the ‘barrage’, a modern sluice with a
well positioned wooden kayak shoot to
take us past it. I went first, ‘boofed’ off
the lip and landed nicely in the shallow
pool at the bottom. Reza and then
Richard followed with some success at
the boof. Dave didn’t bother,
submarining as he hit the pool and
careering across it, soaking the three of
us in the process.
We continued on into the gorge proper,
enjoying the easy rapids in a
spectacular situation – high sheer cliffs
on either side with glimpses of the town
and fort of Briançon high above –
before emerging in a park, complete
with high ropes course! It didn’t take us
long to paddle through the lower town
to the get out, or wouldn’t have if Dave
hadn’t taken a swim on the broken
weir, resulting in another long boat
chase as the river rushed between high
banks without a breakout in sight.
It had been an eventful morning and
thoughts turned to lunch which was
eventually taken in a pizza restaurant at
Chantemerle which was to be our get
out for the afternoon’s paddle. The
Upper Guisane is another classic run, a
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 8
fast flowing, non stop paddle in this
high Alpine valley, generally grade 2
with the occasional 3 and one named
feature – S Bend rapid which the
guidebook rates as 4-. Leaving a car at
Chantemerle we drove up to inspect S
Bend and then on up to Le Casset for
the start. Lunch had taken longer than
expected (the proprietor had had to
send out for more food while we
waited) and cloud had started to fill the
upper valley bringing with it a light
drizzle.
It was looking quite grey as Debs led
off followed by Paul C, Reza and
myself. It’s a funny thing, but while
everything’s going well you can enjoy
the ‘non stop’ nature of the paddling;
when something doesn’t, you realise
that ‘non stop’ is actually another way
of saying ‘no breakouts’. Sadly for Reza
he discovered this the hard way leaving
Paul and I to chase his boat for
hundreds of metres before managing to
find a spot to stop and empty it.
The rescue took us some time and,
while our plan had been to meet up
above S Bend with the other four who’d
set off ahead of us, we arrived there to
find them having a minor epic
themselves. Paul G had apparently
taken a swim from near the top of the
rapid and Faz had capsized trying to
retrieve his boat. While Faz sorted
himself out, Paul C and I set off after
the upturned boat which we could just
see disappearing at the foot of the
rapid. This proved an even longer chase
as we struggled with the swamped boat
and ‘non stop’ paddling. Eventually we
got a line on the boat and got it to the
side but then had long wait in the rain
while Paul fought his way through the
undergrowth on the opposite bank. It
was at this point that we discovered
that Richard also had taken a swim and
that Paul had not only been knocked
about as he’d swum, but had lost his
Autumn 2007 / 03
paddle as well. Once all eight of us
were assembled, courtesy of a
convenient foot bridge, on the same
bank and assembled a set of splits in
place of Paul’s lost paddle we agreed to
continue as one group. The rescues
and the swims and standing around in
the now quite persistent rain had not
been good for us; we were a sorry
group as we made our way, fortunately
without further incident, down to the
waiting car. Dinner was taken that
evening in the restaurant at the
campsite. It rained all night.
But Tuesday dawned bright. The
ground was soaked; there were pools
of water everywhere. My tent had
leaked. But it was sunny and bright and
there was a frisson of excitement as we
brewed coffee, breakfasted on
croissants and pain au chocolate and
started making plans for the new day.
ANDY MAXTED
-------------------------------------------------
L2K TRAINING.
Don't tell everyone but there is a new
coaching award set up coming in soon.
Word is it's not going to be cheap so
those that want to do their L2K training
need to get it in fast. Apparently it's
going to cheaper to get a BCU L2K and
convert, rather than take a UKCC
course straight off. That's why Rob & I
rolled up to the Riverside Centre one
drizzly Saturday morning toward the
end of July.
The course director was Roger
Wiltshire, assisted by Rob Yates of
Riverside. Roger was not a happy man
as a few people (me & Rob included)
did not have all of the pre-requisites to
hand. (It seems a lot of people are
trying to improve their coaching
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 9
qualifications this way, and the BCU is
struggling to get packs returned as
quickly as they have done so in the
past). Not one to harbour a grudge,
Roger let us on anyway possibly
because I had an e-mail from the BCU
confirming that Rob & I were suitably
qualified to undertake the training - and
anyway, he'd already taken the money.
Working in Oxford, I was well aware of
the conditions and had earlier queried
whether the course would go ahead.
Rob Yates replied 'no problem - unless
the river levels drop'. He explained that
whilst the river was high it would use
the flood plains, but once contained
within its banks the current increases
considerably. Pretty obvious really -
but I'd not thought of it that way
before.
A little exercise was undertaken
designed to get us to get to know one
another. I'm not a great fan of these
but it broke the ice and the course was
on. We split into two teams, I went
with Rob (Yates) and Rob was with
Roger. A warm up on the grass
provided comical entertainment to a
few faces on Doninngton Bridge, and
then it was onto the water.
The first exercise was to develop a
'new' stroke for kayaking. Considering
the increase in split paddle designs I
opted for a modified 'J' stroke. The
idea was to demonstrate the stroke,
and 'coach' your colleagues. The
instructor could then talk about your
session and how you might consider
improving your delivery. Not telling you
- but opening up other considerations.
Lunch could not come soon enough and
an upstream paddle to the centre only
delayed the fate awaiting my
sandwiches.
Saturday afternoon gave those who'd
not completed the mornings exercise a
chance to do so, but not after a slog
upstream to the Cherwell. We had a
Autumn 2007 / 03
chance to lead a group whilst Rob
disappeared to a viewpoint and
examined our leadership skills. I did
O.K., but I thought I should have been
more aware of the river. My section
turned out to be the narrowest section
on the navigable Thames so the water
was tanking through. Two older
members in our group were having
trouble with the current and I was not
sufficiently aware of their problems.
Rob delivered a critique on my
performance which was heavy on
praise and encouragement but did not
miss out those parts that needed a little
revision. Exercises completed, it was
back to Riverside for a review and
homework. I'm 52 and getting
homework, I hadn't counted on that.
We all got a (conventional) stroke to
break down into a format we would use
to 'coach' our colleagues next day.
Included in the course fee was an
evening meal at the 'Fox and Hounds',
a garishly painted hostelry on the
Abingdon rd. that to me had always
looked on the wrong side of dingy.
Fortunately it was flooded. Even more
fortunate was Roger getting us into the
'Chester Arms' which looked much more
homely.
Sunday starts off with coffee and
doughnuts in the Riverside Lounge. A
full grown hay bale floated by at a
respectable rate of knots and hinted at
some of the troubles the floods had
caused further upstream. A bit more
chat and it's an early return to the
water. An upstream slog to Hinksey
Pool and a chance to demonstrate how
much effort I had put into my
homework.
Reverse Paddling, using the I.D.E.A.S.
(Introduction, demonstration,
explanation, activity, summary) model
of delivery. I had done my homework,
thought about the stroke and wrote out
my crib sheet. I demonstrated a slow
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 10
start to keep the boat on course and
moved into a full blooded trunk rotating
efficient reverse stroke. I explained
why I did it this way and asked the
'class' to give it a go. Watching from
the bank, which was only a little higher
than the water, gave me a 3
dimensional view of the group and I
was able to offer advice as individual
paddlers passed by me. To finish, a
game of tag, paddling backwards only,
gave the 'class' a chance to use new
found speed. I summarised each
paddler's performance suggesting
where (if any) improvement might be
made. Rob again delivered his critique
using his time not to fault my
performance, but to get me to think
about 'improvements' and to suggest to
those following me how they might use
certain features to enhance their own
delivery. Either side of a hard paddle
back to the main river we all had a
chance to deliver a session and I was
made aware by my colleagues of some
failings in my own strokes.
From the outset, time permitting, Roger
and Rob had intended to include a
short spell in canoes as that's the way
the UKCC syllabus will be going. Those
on our team from Cherwell C.C. (who
don't do canoes - in fact, they don't
even own one) were not to keen, but I
was up for it. I got to go in Rob Yates'
nearly new Wenonah and was surprised
at how much less so the river affected
its forward momentum when compared
to the kayak. We had a chance to
demonstrate (not always successfully)
just how stable these boats were as
Rob had us tipping them over until a
reasonable flow of water entered the
hull.
The course finishes with the all
important C2 form. Here's where you
get to record your little bit, your own
shortcomings etc. A 1-2-1 with your
coach and he or she gets to note what
Autumn 2007 / 03
they think you need to do before
assessment. I came away feeling
pretty O.K. I need to improve my
recovery strokes and get some more
coaching hours in working with other
coaches at 2 & 3 star levels. And I
need to back off a little, over coaching
Rob called it, and guide the pupil to
learn for themselves.
All in all an enjoyable weekend in the
company of willing learners under the
tutelage of excellent coaches and well
worth the £110.00 per head.
Following a (successful?) assessment, I
hope to put just that little bit more into
the club's coaching programme leaving
a bit more room for all those new L1's
AM trained up earlier this month.
John Norris August 2007
-------------------------------------------------
MY RETURN TO MARATHON
RACING
I gave up marathon racing when I
became a parent nearly 20 years ago. I
was hoping to return much earlier than
this, but the consequences of Myeloma
(bone marrow cancer) and other life
demands delayed things somewhat.
After years of rebuilding the muscles
that cancer treatment had taken, I had
reached the point where I was able to
paddle 9 or 10 miles at a reasonable
speed without resting too much. I was
also getting more confident with the
instability of my new boat. Looking to
choose a race for my return I noticed
Windsor Veteran race 9.4 miles. A
decent distance, like in the olden days,
before the divisional system. It takes
me the 2 or 3 miles to warm up, by
then a div. 9 race would be over. In
the 2 weeks before the race I paddled
the course 3 times, so that I could get a
feel for how far it was, on the way up I
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 11
could work out how far out from the
bank to be so as not to get bottom drag
and decide upon the optimum places to
change banks.
As the race got nearer I became very
nervous. It had taken so long and so
much effort for me to reach this point
and it had been so long since I had
coped with the choppy start of a race.
I asked myself: Would I be the only
one wearing buoyancy? Would they all
have wing paddles? Would they all be
in the new fast (but very tippy) boats?
Would all those guys that are my age
and ex internationals be in my race?
Would I be left standing? Would I have
a swim?
When I arrived at Windsor I didn’t
recognise any of those ex
internationals, there weren’t too many
wing paddles or new fast (but very
tippy) boats, in fact there seemed to be
a very wide variety of people, boats and
paddles and some did have buoyancy
aids. The whole atmosphere of the day
turned out to be very sociable and
enjoyable. It was a relief to get on the
water and start warming up. There
was already a swimmer; he had wing
paddles a new fast (but very tippy) boat
and no buoyancy. He was younger and
faster than me in the race, but had
another swim so finished behind me.
The K2s went off first, then my age
group and younger, followed by the
over 50s.
At the start I coped really well with the
waves, 3 or 4 paddlers went off faster
than I could stay with, they were all in
a younger age group than me, I was
amazed to be leading my race. Then at
about half a mile a paddler in my age
group caught me up with me, he was in
a stable much slower boat called a
hobby and was using wooden Mark Gee
paddles. We were taking it in turns to
wash hang each other until the portage
at 2 miles. I actually managed to get
Autumn 2007 / 03
away from the portage quicker and left
him behind. So was I going to win my
age group? I had to keep up the
pressure for another 7.4 miles. Before
the half way turn I was over taken by 2
or 3 paddlers older than me, I stayed
on their washes for as long as possible
gaining as much as I could without
exhausting myself. At the turn the guy
chasing me seemed about a quarter of
a mile away. I kept the pressure up
but either I was slowing or the guy
behind was going faster; when I got to
the portage, 2 miles from the end he
was very close. I mustered up all I had
left and probably more, he finished just
19 seconds behind me.
I think I may have won before in the
divisional system, but I can only
remember being first twice before, one
of those being in a K4 10,000m race
and the other was K1 in the Lichfield
marathon, both about 30 years ago. I
know that if there had been more
competition I would not have won, but
I had exhausted myself to achieve it
and was extremely pleased.
It was great to get back to the
excitement and challenge of racing, the
event was friendly and sociable and
very enjoyable.
My return to racing reminded me of just
how fulfilling and enjoyable it is. I get
the impression that many club
members have not even tried fast boats
and racing. Why don’t more of you
give it a try you may find it rewarding?
I now need to lengthen my training
distances because I am planning to do
Devizes to Westminster Easter 2008,
over 4 days, in the K1. I used to
paddling alone, but it would be great if
others could join me for some of the
training. My phone no. is 01494816402
and email: cooksloudwater
@dsl.pipex.com
ANDY COOK
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 12
CARLSBERG COURSE 1*
By a stroke (no pun intended) of luck,
16 novices picked the best weekend of
the year so far, to take the 1* Kayak
course. At least the weather was
perfect. The river, though, was still
swollen from all the rain and there was
a challenging stretch of water to
navigate before we reached a more
sheltered stretch, to start an exciting
sport that for many of us will become
an integral part of our lives. The
coaches always had our safety at the
forefront of their minds, and so we
walked round to the lock while the
coaches towed the kayaks.
We were split into two groups and
spent the next day and a half learning
the rudimentary elements of kayaking.
There was a good mix of practical work,
theory and team games of tag and
polo. We quickly developed a
camaraderie within the groups, helping
each other out and working as teams.
The coaches were always on hand to
encourage us and explain techniques
over again until they were confident we
could demonstrate each stroke with the
necessary aptitude.
At the end of day one, the only
manoeuvre left to practise was the
capsize. It was agreed that we could
take the route past the willow tree
hanging over a particularly strong and
fast current. Two coaches went ahead
to mark a safe area for us to paddle
through and we set off. It was hard
work paddling upstream but all the
currents coming from different
directions made it harder. I thought I
had navigated safely past the tree, but
suddenly the current appeared to grab
the front of my kayak and in a split
second I was under the water being
dragged under the willow very fast back
downstream. Having previously had a
little capsize experience and being
Autumn 2007 / 03
determined not to panic, I collected my
thoughts before grabbing the splash
deck and tried to surface. Apparently I
had travelled a considerable way and
was totally unaware of the frantic
activity on the surface. The coaches
were totally professional, some
remained with the other 1*s and others
were despatched to assist me. After
surfacing, with the help of a work
colleague, JP towed me to the side and
I took a rather wet walk back to the
club, where we carried out some
scheduled capsizes!
Day 2 was less dramatic and after a
morning of more theory and perfecting
our techniques, after lunch we re-
grouped ready for our assessments.
The coaches were keen to put us at our
ease and we started with a game of
polo to calm any nerves and reinforce
teamwork. During the assessments, if
we felt we hadn’t completed a
manoeuvre or stroke as well as we
knew we could, we had the chance to
do it again, and again, and in my case
with the rudder manoeuvre, again!
It was with some trepidation that I
approached the tree on the way back to
the club but I was determined not to
repeat what happened on day 1. We
were all very tired after so many hours
but everyone successfully completed
the course and we were all applauded
by our fellow 1*s when we received our
badges and certificates.
So what now? Once I can lift my arms
above my shoulders again and the
multi-coloured bruises have faded, I will
be putting as much practise as possible
and may even attempt more *s. I hope
to see my fellow 1*s and coaches at
the club sessions. See you all soon.
Mandy Human 06/08/07
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 13
I don't know whether it was the
weather or the wide range of people on
the course, or just the way the coaches
approached this one may have been a
little different, but everybody involved
was of the same opinion - that this was
one of the best courses - ever! I
received a no. of e-mails from both
participants and parents thanking all
the coaches and assistants for their
efforts over the weekend.
-------------------------------------------------
FORCE 5 FROM LULWORTH
COVE
FREE campsite - Well I couldn't find
anywhere to pay!
It had been a long time coming. Last
year I got too involved in the 1*’s and
other things, this year the op. got in the
way, but James & Elaine were able to
re-schedule a weekend and so, on the
weekend of 18/19 August, a handful of
us got our first taste of sea-kayaking.
Poole Harbour seems a safe place to
start off your sea kayaking experience,
except when there is a strong wind
whipping up some serious looking
waves as it races, unimpeded, across
the Wareham Channel.
Autumn 2007 / 03
James & Elaine bought Dagger Exodus
boats which they had used on a
number of trips, as well as a glass boat,
model unknown (to me anyway). I had
my Capella (rm) and we took the club's
3 P&H Umnaks, a Derek Hutchison
design of the early – mid eighties, + 1
Invader.
Myself, Jane, Melinda, Fiona and Ian
were joined by friends of James &
Elaine - Monkey (she’s a good climber
apparently) and Robin. We were all
very green and Fiona was not at all
sure about proceeding any further. Ian
swapped his sea boat for the Invader
and Fiona decided to give it a go.
The route around the 'Wareham
Channel - Red out; Green back.
A short pep talk from James outlining
how he planned to proceed and we
were gingerly afloat. A little potter
about close to the beach to familiarise
ourselves with a strange environment
was a good plan. Fiona’s courage had
returned and we set off across the
Wareham Channel. Driving rain, waves
of about 700mm and a strong wind
ensured progress was slow, but the
750m crossing was made without
mishap. We then turned toward
Wareham and hugged the coast for
around 3km before retracing our steps
and stopping for lunch where a wooded
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 14
outcrop offered some shelter. A return
to our departure point was made by
way of a direct crossing of some 1.3km.
All beached safely with no mishaps.
We were wet, elated, and a little tired.
The plan was to meet at ‘The Square &
Compass’, a hostelry about a mile and a
half from the campsites, but we would
have drowned walking there so we
settled for something a little closer. An
odd, but friendly, pub with a long wait
for food suggests that ‘The Square &
Compass’ might be a better bet in all
but the worst weather conditions.
Sunday arrived and somebody had to
wake up Melinda. Working on the
premise that it’s easier to cool down
than to warm up she had gone to bed
armed with a sleeping bag and a duvet
and, in case the chill got through, two
jumpers, socks, night hat and hot water
bottle.
A change of plan led us to try out
Lulworth Cove. An easy journey there
and a quick recce suggested it was do-
able, though challenging. Unlike Poole
Harbour, which has a silty Thameslike
appearance, the Cove offers a clean
looking water of opaque glacial green /
blue colour. The boats were put on
and we had a chance to experience a
real tide, though it was only mildly
active as it approached near full. That
said, I was most surprised how far out I
drifted whilst setting the GPS. Waves,
serious waves, were crashing either
side of the cove entrance. Melinda and
Fiona decided to stay within the cove
with Elaine. The Farquarson’s friends
had not made Sunday leaving just
James, myself, Jane & Ian to leave the
relative safety of the Cove.
Autumn 2007 / 03

Excursion from Lulworth Cove.
As we approached the entrance a
noticeable swell developed and the tide,
forcing its way through the much
narrower entrance, was more evident
than before. As we left the Cove and
cleared the breakers we headed west
toward Durdle Door. We had viewed
Stair Hole from our recce and I thought
it would have been worth a look in, but
the waves suggested otherwise. We
might have got in, but it could have
been a long time before we got out. So
we pushed on to Dungy Head, taking a
line not too far from the coast. Past
the head and out into St. Oswald’s Bay
and, as we got further from the coast,
the swell increased considerably.
James called the conditions a force 4,
possibly a 5,
Elaine demonstrating the stability of the
Dagger Exodus!
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 15
but a look at the Beaufort scale
suggests to me that there was a fair bit
of F5. I would estimate the swell to be
around 1m most of the time with more
than that on occasions. Riding up and
down the swell with the bow rising
clear of the water and then crashing
through the next wave before rising on
the swell with the salt spray blowing in
your face was indeed a new experience
for all but Jane, who had done a
number of organised sea trips before.
It was a slog to the Door being against
the wind all the way. As mentioned
earlier it was prudent not to get too
close, so we turned and headed back.
The return journey was a much quicker
affair. Whilst James maintained a
relatively straight course the rest of us
were struggling and my skeg did not
seem to help as it was the current
doing the turning rather than the wind.
I was aware that I was getting closer to
the rocks so I paddled out and settled
for a ferry glide of about 500m and a
turn into the Cove. We had been out a
little over 2hrs. but it felt twice that.
We beached the boats, loaded the cars
and had a bite to eat before heading for
home. All agreed it was a most
magnificent weekend, despite the
weather, and all thanked James and
Elaine profusely for their time and
efforts.
I originally set out to see if we could
get Sea Kayaking back on the agenda
and we already have 5 converts. I
believe this can only grow and it is our
intention to get down to the Briny more
often. We intend to do another couple
of trips this year, as we feel confident
enough to do Poole Harbour on our
own, though all trips will be ‘peer
group’ trips. As our experience grows,
our limitations will lessen and who
knows what the future might hold. I
hope we will be able to take up an offer
made by our retired president (some
Autumn 2007 / 03
while ago) of a trip from Calshott to
Lymington. Are you still up for this
Peter Leigh? Perhaps I can round up a
few of those old paddling partners to
teach us newbies a trick or two.
As for me, well I was sold on the idea a
few years or more ago. It was going to
take a near death experience to
dissuade me and we didn’t even have a
capsize. There is an awful lot to learn
though and I’m hoping a course or two
will help.
L to R - James, Elaine, Jane, Ian,
Melinda, Fiona, & the 'Editor'
-------------------------------------------------
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR?
I keep asking if people would like a
'letters to the editor' type of column.
But I don't get any answers. My
dictionary states that a 'newsletter' is a
'printed informal bulletin of a club sent
out periodically to convey news and
points of interest'. I guess it's not to
dissimilar from a newspaper, and what
would the 'Telegraph' be without
'Colonel Angry from Tunbridge Wells'.
It's your chance to comment on any of
the current issues affecting the club or
the BCU, and I'm sure somebody must
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 16
have something to say about the new
standards being introduced for both
coaching and learning. Does anybody
remember the introduction of the star
tests? What came before them, and
was the change for the better or worse.
I'd like to know and I'm sure a few
others would as well. I've certainly got
some views on the new setup but I'm
struggling to decide whether the good
outweighs the bad. You'll get my views
in a future issue, but it's little difficult
for me to write to the editor. Maybe I'll
change my name to 'ANON'.
Lets just take this issue for example;
the previous item in particular. We do
know that there was a thriving sea
section in the past, as can be witnessed
by some quality boats lying corpselike
on the rack. Some of you could
probably tell us why James was able to
keep a straight line in the wind and the
swell but why the rest of us couldn't.
My aching arms / back could certainly
do with a tip or two.
And what about AM's Alps (Part 1) item.
I expect we've a member or two who
paddled these rivers in the not to
distant past and could probably
comment on how to handle boats twice
the length of current offerings in these
conditions.
When I took on the newsletter, I was
doing relatively little else for the club
and I hope the time I've been able to
give to it has taken it forward in a
direction that's favourable to the
membership. But apart from making it
a bit bigger (and that's mainly down to
aggressive chasing for articles) I'm not
to sure I've succeeded.
I'd like to see some recorded comment
from the membership, but if you don't
send it in……………
( Forget the 'Dear Sir' bit)
Autumn 2007 / 03
 WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY THE EA (ENVIRONMENT
AGENCY) OF A CONFIRMED CASE OF LEPTOSPIROSIS THAT
HAS DEVELOPED INTO WEIL'S DISEASE.

ALTHOUGH RARE, THIS DISEASE CAN BE FATAL, AND

SENSIBLE PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO MINIMISE
THE RISK OF INFECTION.

PREFERABLY, DO NOT PADDLE IF YOU HAVE ANY EXPOSED

CUTS AND GRAZES, BUT IF YOU MUST ENUSRE THAT THEY
ARE SUITABLY PROTECTED WITH WATERPROOF
DRESSINGS. DO NOT EAT OR DRINK WITHOUT FIRST
WASHING YOUR HANDS OR USING AN ANTISEPTIC WIPE.

SHOWER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER YOUR PADDLE

AIR / WASH YOUR KIT AFTER YOUR PADDLE

VIEW THE CURRENT THINKING ON THIS INFECTION ON

THE NHS DIRECT WEBSITE.

FINALLY - IF, AFTER YOU'VE BEEN PADDLING YOU

FEEL A BIT 'ROUGH' (FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS) GET
TO YOUR DOCTOR (SOONER RATHER THAN
LATER) AND ADVISE HIM / HER THAT YOU HAVE
BEEN PADDLING IN WATERS WHERE
LEPTOSPIROSIS HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY THE
EA.

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 17 Autumn 2007 / 03

2007 INTRO TO
WHITEWATER
I'm still waiting for summer to arrive
and a note goes round the club giving
details of the annual intro to
whitewater. A sure sign that autumn's
just around the corner. JP (who's like
half a committee member) along with
some other aficionado's organises our
whitewater calendar and generally sets
the ball rolling with this event
particularly for the newer members who
usually have yet to experience paddling
on faster flowing water and for a
session on true whitewater, albeit of a
lowish grade.
Eighteen of us set of from Kern Bridge
for the 8½ mile paddle to Symonds Yat.
Two new members ready for the start
Along the way time was taken to
demonstrate more technical
manoeuvre's when the right conditions
presented themselves. There was
more than one wobble at the breaking
in and out of eddies exercise. (I must
learn to look where I want to go and
not where the boat is heading).
A grassy bank provided an excellent
stop for lunch but this year there were
no pancakey things from the chairman's
trangia.
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 18
Paddling resumed around 30mins. later
with an estimated 40-50 mins. paddling
to the Yat. I buttoned my lip and
stifled a laugh as I reckoned on it being
twice that but thought that maybe JP
had to provide a 'little' encouragement
to the newbies.
Next stop was 'Hodges Rock', a chance
to seal launch from around 5' into the
river. I stopped at several false alarms
before discovering the real rock just a
mile or so from the Yat. It was covered
with kids (normal sized and bigger
ones) and I didn't think for a moment
they'd have an opportunity to launch so
I went straight for the Yat. 30mins
later I guessed I'd made a wrong call so
the camera was not there to record the
launches. Maybe next year.
I got a couple of runs in on the 'rapids'
before the rest arrived and found the
water to be a little higher than last
year, leading to a lesser drop at the
start and a slightly 'rougher' run
through.
Most enjoyed several runs and were
able to benefit from TT's and JP's
advice and demonstrations along the
way. I helped out where and when I
could and found time to explain 'ferry
gliding' to a couple of novices who
hadn't quite picked up on JP's
explanations. Easy for me, as just a
few years ago I was doing exactly the
same when Gary Board tried to explain
it to me!
A debrief at the Saracens head finished
the day with an excellent pint from the
'Wye Valley' brewery. JP announced
man of the day to be Aaron Stonnel, a
new member of some 3 weeks or so
who swears he's not had so much fun
since…… Lady of the day went to
Melinda Livett who I missed seal
launching of Hodges Rock, with an
honourable mention to Julie Briggs.
John Norris August 2007
Autumn 2007 / 03
 WHAT'S ON, WHEN AND WHERE
The complete and authoritive guide to all that the club hopes to do in the
forthcoming months. Please note that at the time of going to press dates cannot
be guaranteed and that the programme is subject to changes.

ALL CLUB SESSIONS; ON THE WATER FOR 10:00am. SEE D.O. FOR
D.O.
SUNDAYS FINISH. CHECK NOTICEBOARDS FOR SPECIAL EVENTS
ALL CLUB SESSIONS; ON THE WATER FOR 7:OOpm. SEE D.O. FOR
D.O.
TUESDAYS FINISH. CHECK NOTICEBOARDS FOR SPECIAL EVENTS

01+02/09 BCU 1* KAYAK NOVICE COURSE 5 TT

01+02/09 TREWERYN COACHING FESTIVAL TBC
03/09 COMMITTEE MEETING - CLUBHOUSE COMMENCING 7:30pm AC
04/09 CLUB SESSION
09/09 CLUB SESSION
11/09 CLUB SESSION
16/09 CLUB SESSION
18/09 CLUB SESSION - LAST TUESDAY EVENING THIS YEAR.

23/09 CLUB SESSION - EVERY SUNDAY, DETAILS AS ABOVE, 1*'s AT

ONWARDS DESCRESTION OF THE D.O. WATCH OUT FOR CHANGES,
PARTICULARLY AS THE WHITEWATER SEASON IS FINALISED.

01/10 COMMITTEE MEETING - CLUBHOUSE COMMENCING 07:30

07/10 CLUB SESSION / SOUTHERN REGION COACHING FORUM AM
21/10 MARLOW MARATHON - VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED
05/11 COMMITTEE MEETING AM
03/12 COMMITTEE MEETING AM

SWIMMING POOL SESSIONS AT GURNELL POOL, WEST

EVERY LONDON.
THURSDAY GET TUITION IN ROLLING, OR PRACTISE 3* SKILLS, OR
JP
EVENING ANYTHING YOU'VE GOT A BIT RUSTY ON. SEE WEBSITE FOR
9.00 - 10.30 MAP AND DETAILS OR CONTACT JOHN PARKIN or JOHN
NORRIS.

ORGANISER / MCC CONTACT CODE FOR ABOVE EVENTS

AC ADRIAN COOPER 01844 344580 adrian@familycooper.fsnet.co.uk
AM ANDY MAXTED 07730 852760 morven@ukonline.co.uk
DL DAVID LYDIATT 01753 887773 david@lydiatt.plus.com
JN JOHN NORRIS 01494 483833 j.k.norris@btinternet.com
JP JOHN PARKIN 07973 820515 johnnyp@medusamusic.com
MP MARTIN PLAIN 01628 483252 martin@longridge.org.uk
TB TERRY BELCHER 01628 851001 terry@amoffice.co.uk

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 19 Autumn 2007 / 03

 THE COMMITTEE AND OTHER USEFUL NUMBERS
A list of those members who serve on the club's committee, their role and a
contact no. should you need to contact them.

CONTACT
POSITION NAME
NO.
E-MAIL
01494
PRESIDENT TIM WARD dianne.ward@tesco.net
482959
ADRIAN 01844
CHAIRMAN adrianccooper@googlemail.com
COOPER 344580
ANDY 07730
SECRETARY morven@ukonline.co.uk
MAXTED 852760
PAUL 08708
TREASURER p.crichton@blueyonder.co.uk
CRICHTON 806962
TIM 07833
COACHING timothy.twitchen@btinternet.com
TWITCHEN 995289
01494
NEWSLETTER JOHN NORRIS j.k.norris@btinternet.com
483833
ROD 01753
MEMBERSHIP r.edmonds@etoncollege.org.uk
EDMONDS 671389
CHRIS 01628
EQUIPMENT chrisps@gmail.com
PORTEOUS 485049
MARATHON DEBS HARDY & JAMES FARQUARSON.
MARTIN 01628
LONGRIDGE martin@longridge.org.uk
PLAIN 483252
07812
WOMENS REP. DEBS HARDY hippydeborah@hotmail.com
749555
07707
YOUTH REP ALEX SHEIL sheillalex@hotmail.co.uk
953124
MELINDA
SOCIAL melinda.livett@yahoo.com
LIVETT
01628
WHITEWATER JOHN PARKIN johnnyp@medusamusic.com
476384
INLAND GUY 01844
gsmaddieson@aol.com
TOURS MADDIESON 275418
01494
SEA JOHN NORRIS j.k.norris@btinternet.com
483833
OUR NEAREST RETAILERS / SUPPLIERS
01865
RIVERSIDE OXFORD http://www.riversideoxford.co.uk/
248673
01189
MARSPORT READING http://www.marsport.co.uk/
665912
01932
WWC SHEPPERTON http://www.whitewaterthecanoecentre.co.uk/
247978
COMPTON 01926
PADDLESPORT http://www.paddlesport.co.uk/
VERNEY 640573

Please advise the editor if any contact details are wrong or if you wish
to add an alternative no. / e-mail address to the list.

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 20 Autumn 2007 / 03