Here's a nice seasonal picture from one of the Paddling.

net readers (see

newsletter 121 - editors piece, for details). Ginny Snarski found time for
a little distraction in between packing the paddling gear away and
preparing the skiing gear for the forthcoming season

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter COVER Winter 2008/04

 IN THIS ISSUE PAGE
NO. EDITORS PIECE
Editors piece 2 Christmas is coming and that, hopefully,
means presents. I often put in a piece
Kayaking kids 3 about equipment but chose not to this year
as many of the items I feature tend to be
Ferry Gliding 4 clothing orientated and can be expensive.
We are all likely to be affected by the
Blackwater Paddling 5 recession, some more than others. That
Wayne's World 7 said, there are a no. of smaller items that
are useful to the paddler. A look in the
PFD‟s 7 accessories section of the Brookbank
catalogue should provide a few idea‟s,
Three Star Sea 8 straps and drybags are two that come to
mind.
WhiteWater Grading. 10
There‟s a lot going on in WhiteWater at the
Sea Kayaking Anglesey 11 moment and if this is your particular interest
Qajaq‟s – Part 2 12 you are well catered for. The WhiteWater
team have come with a colour code, similar
Lock House sell off 13 to schemes used by other club‟s that will be
of great benefit to those who have yet to
Andy Cooks DW2008 13 fully appreciate the grading system.
The touring side is under development as
What‟s on, When &
15 well – a name has come forward with a
Where view to organising a trips and I hope to do
Committee & Contacts 16 something similar for sea / coastal options.
It‟s beginning to look like the club may be
able to offer a fuller and more wide ranging
programme in the seasons to come.

It‟s a shame none of the WhiteWater aficionado‟s have written about their exploits thus far.
I can only put in what I receive and what I compose myself. I keep a lookout for
„interesting‟ snippets, but as I (and others) have been pursuing mainly sea stuff this
summer, this edition has a somewhat salty flavour to it. On the plus side your fish and
chips will probably taste better out of it!

We are also closing in on the AGM. Details are to be confirmed but invitations will be
posted to all members in good time. It is hoped that we will secure the „Kings Head‟ at
Little Marlow again for 26th January 2009.
Speaking of the AGM, there is an award for „best item of the year‟ usually nominated by
me but by way of a chance I thought I‟d throw it open to the general readership. All of this
year‟s issues (no. 119 on) can be accessed from the club‟s website if you wish to just
glance over a past copy. If you feel there is a piece that should be nominated just e-mail
to let me know – most votes wins. Just one rule; you cannot nominate an item you
provided. Well – maybe one more; neither can a family member.

Next issue should go out end of February, copy greatfully received.

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter -2- Winter 2008/04

Kayaking Kids!
Thursday 21st August

At 6.30 on Thursday evening me, my dad and my sister drove to Marlow Canoe Club to try
out kayaking. We had never kayaked before (only canoed) and were prepared for a
challenge! (And it was!)
There was soon a small group of us gathered next to the Thames. Soon we were
introduced to Tim and John and all the other helpers, they led us into the storage shed
where we were to be given our equipment. There were now 3 dads and 4 daughters.
Firstly we changed into our kayaking gear. Then we were all assigned and fitted into our
kayaks, ours were called Dagger and Pyranha. We had to quickly grab our life jackets and
oars before our exciting lesson began! At this point me and my sister discovered an
important equipment fact; when selecting an oar make sure that you can only just reach up
and curl your fingers over the top paddle, to ensure the perfect fit.
We were really nervous when lowering ourselves into the kayak in the
water; however the coaches were all really supportive and held the boats.
When in the water we were taught how paddle; this involves aligning your
knuckles with the edges of the paddles and rotating the blade when it
enters the water.
The group paddled away from the club to the gentler waters of the
Thames and began the games. Our first game involved technique and fun
competition! The objective was to turn around three times in your kayak,
trying to beat your partner who was doing the same thing. I was partners
with Emma and my sister was partners with Jasmine. We had great fun and got soaked! I
was then able to use the special method to turn in the next game...
This was Stuck in the Mud. It was just like normal Stuck in the Mud but we played it in the
middle of the Thames instead of in the middle of a field. This was my favourite of the two
games because it included lots of action. Also if you disguised it enough, you could splash
the chaser a bit “by accident!”
After two games we were all a bit tired so we decided to head back to the club. On the way
back I found it very difficult to paddle straight, so one of the helpers gave me a special
rope with a karabiner on the end which helped me -A LOT- to paddle straighter!
We were then taught how to get out of our kayaks (like taking off a pair of
trousers!) which was:
1. Hold on to the platform and pull yourself (inside the kayak) towards the edge.
2. Put your hands behind you and pull yourself backwards onto the part behind
the seat.
3. Then turn yourself around and sit on the platform edge, whilst holding onto
your kayak with your feet.
4. Finally hold the handle at the front of the kayak and pull it out of the water!
Overall we really enjoyed kayaking and would definitely do it again! We would also love to
thank all the staff for such an enjoyable experience! John also recommended to new and
younger kayakers to bring a snack/drink for after the lesson, just to re-boost your energy-
this is great advice!

By Stephanie & Madeline Wallace

(The Kayak Kids!)

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter -3- Winter 2008/04

Ferry Gliding

It's a handy stroke to know, this one. Particularly useful when higher winter flows are
experienced as it allows you to cross the river without being flushed downstream. It can
also be used in reverse to avoid an obstacle in front or to 'buy a little time' whilst deciding
how to get around an obstacle.
But why 'ferry gliding'. The best I've managed to find out is that it is a technique employed
by ferry pilots to assist them to line a ferry up with the dock. The pilot would 'nose' his
ferry into the dock and use the current to bring the stern alongside. The technique was
extended out into the actual crossing during times of fast tidal flows.
A recent holiday on Skye afforded me the opportunity to see this in action. A 'community'
ferry runs between Skye and the mainland at Kylehera. At the time we were there the
crew informed me that the tide was running around 4knts. but could reach 9knts. on a
strong spring. On leaving the dock the Capt. (50% of the crew) edged into the rising tide
slowly turning the boat till almost parallel with the bank as the current strengthened toward
the middle, reversing the procedure as the crossing neared completion. A video of the
crossing shot from high on the land would illustrate this technique as well as any coach
could explain - shame I was shooting stills.
The photo below though does show the ferry going against the current and the wash to the
rear shows it's working quite hard. The ferry is actually moving almost perpendicular to the
flow and will end up by the concrete ramp seen 'behind'.

A very handy stroke to have in your toolbox, particularly if you are hoping to paddle with us
during the winter months or progress onto Whitewater.

John Norris

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter -4- Winter 2008/04

Blackwater Paddling
The 2nd best weekend of an otherwise fairly dour summer just happened to coincide with
a little 'sea' trip I managed to join courtesy of SESK, (South East Sea Kayakers) an
internet based group that arranges trips etc. for those living in the area. I say 'sea' trip but
this was really river estuary paddling, though anything less than a sea type kayak would
have made hard work of the conditions encountered.
The plan was to leave St. Lawrence on the Blackwater estuary and paddle to Maldon via.
a couple of islands for lunch, returning on the other side of the islands, back to the get in.
Near spring tides would be assisting us all the way, with high tide occurring just after
lunch. Six of us turned up for this paddle, all Essex boys except for me. I find it easier to
remember the boats than names so joining my Capella was a Quest LV, 2 Rockpools, an
Epic, and an Easky 13'.
Leaving the beach, you immediately notice how shallow the water is, and remains so for a
long way out. The Blackwater estuary is in fact a 'RIA', a river valley flooded by a rising
sea (eustatic) or falling land (isostatic) and in the SE we are sinking.
We aimed for OSEA Island, and as we moved away from the land a slight chop became
apparent. With the incoming springs and an easterly wind my main problem was weather
cocking, a characteristic of certain sea boats in particular conditions whereby you 'lose' the
stern and directional stability. More practice will go a long way to curing this, and so will
my skeg - when I've replaced the cable. But paddling across was enjoyable none the less
and on reaching the island the water calmed down a bit. Low horizons (there are not
many hills around here) opened up a vista the tourist people like to refer too as 'big sky'
country. An iridescent blue sky with a few scudding white clouds was a perfect illustration
of a 'big sky' panorama.
The North side of Osea, like much of the estuary is a mud flat, and in Winter is a haven for
visiting birdlife. In Summer, there's more life in a graveyard. Maldon was just visible in the
distance and we headed toward lunch via. Collier's reach and the North side of Northey
Island, a National Trust property and another haven for visiting birdlife - in the Winter.
Maldon looks like a town lost in time. Alongside the quay are a no. of old Thames barges,
and behind these the town rises on what must be the biggest hill for some way around,
displaying terraces of properties but nothing modern or out of place. The quay itself has a
well maintained promenade with a no. of little outlets vending food and drinks from wooden
sheds, not unlike Higginson's
Park until last year.

We're waiting for the tide to turn

and it's a bit later than
anticipated, but when the little
boats in the estuary begin to
bobble about it's a sure sign slack
water has arrived. The wind had
picked up a bit but we were
afforded some protection from
Northey Island ahead and East.
Rounding the island though
bought us into the full force of the
wind which was strengthening all
the time. Blowing against an

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter -5- Winter 2008/04

outgoing spring tide a heavy chop was encountered all the way over to OSEA. Mostly
around 1m or less, we occasionally hit short patches with a 1.25m wave - all on a very
short period which led to an exciting, if not exhausting ride. Much pitching of boats
demonstrated how some were better designed to cope with such conditions. The Epic
pretty much went through everything; the Rockpools rose and fell but dissipated the splash
effectively as did the Quest. The Capella did likewise but not so efficiently and the Easky
didn't, but the wider hull pushed the splash further away. A rest was called for on OSEA
and I was glad of it. 20 minutes, cake and coffee and we were ready to go again. Our
final leg was straight across to St. Lawrence and involved crossing the 'original' river
where the water was deeper and the swell at it's biggest. An exciting ride saw us all back
at the start point - where a Power boating and waterskiing competition had been going on
all day. We beached about the same time as the compere announced over the PA that
conditions were too rough for the competition to continue. Not for us it wasn't!
Once the boats were packed and racked 3 decided to go home whilst the remainder had a
pint in the Stone pub. I can't remember the last pub I was in that didn't offer a hand drawn
pint of something but the Stone didn't. Considering that much of urban Essex is a bit like
rural Bucks - and this was rural Essex - maybe the Camra people hadn't got their message
that far yet.
Joking apart, it was a great day out and one that I'd hope to repeat with SESK members.
Have a look at the website; maybe join up if this appeals to you. Please note though that
SESK is not a source of training, just an informal gathering of paddlers who, from time to
time are able to get a trip together that appeals to a no. of members. When I joined I
specified what I thought were my shortcomings, but despite the 'no training' rule I was
warmly welcomed by all who attended. I hope to partake in further paddles when the
Summer programme returns and maybe a few over the Winter as well. I've just got to ask
them what they thought of me?

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter -6- Winter 2008/04

Wayne's World
Apologies if I seemed to have disappeared at the end of the holidays without saying
goodbye following another summer season. A return to school for Thomas and the
commencement of the rugby season came upon me somewhat "unawares" so I didn't get
a chance to say thank you and goodbye 'til next May '09. I don't feel as though I managed
a great deal of kayaking this summer, probably because we didn't have one! In fact I'm
quite envious that you have all enjoyed an Indian summer on the river throughout
September whilst I have been jogging around a rugby pitch in very unseasonal
weather......and may it continue.
Next year I intend to find the dates for the new style Level 2 in April so we can plan family
holidays etc around it; I may then actually make it. My ultimate goal remains, depending on
a free (i.e. get it booked in diary early) weekend, a white water experience with you all in
north Wales. I suspect though, that I will not properly satisfy my kayaking ambitions (would
also like to try sea-kayaking) until Thomas has left school.........possibly 4 years!!!
Meanwhile, a big thank you to all at the club for making me very welcome again this
summer. Hope you all enjoy the winter water. Best wishes and good paddling. Look
forward to seeing you all in May
A final note. I am in the process of changing my e-mail address to
waynehowell@ntlworld.com effective mid-October, so please make a note for future
communications.

Wayne Howell Sept. 2008

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Buoyancy Aids
You may or may not be aware of it (I certainly wasn‟t) but there is a new international
standard for buoyancy aids. ISO 12402 is the replacement for CE EN393 that we should
all have stamped on our BA‟s somewhere. If really interested you can download the full
spec. from BSI for a measly £114.00 (just £4.07 pp) or for free here.
All manufacturers will be developing toward the new standard, so if you are purchasing a
replacement BA soon look for the new mark. Maybe you can use this to haggle for a little
extra discount.
So far as I‟m aware only PEAK has a fully certified range, but others will be on the case
soon.

John Norris Oct 2008

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter -7- Winter 2008/04

Three Star Sea
Andy Maxted posted me an item about a new course which would be beneficial for those
of us going to sea. Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning is always worth knowing if out
on the briny and is now a requirement for a 4* sea award. I‟m booked for December some
time and I‟ll let you know how it goes in the next issue. Whilst talking to the head of centre
and outlining the club‟s position in not having a practising sea coach I got my self booked
onto a 3* sea with the intention of using it as a guide to my development so far.
It‟s a long way to Dorsetshire so a 5:45 start was called for. I arrived at the WEYMOUTH
OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTRE in time for the 9:15 start. I met a few colleagues who
had done their training at the centre earlier, the coach / assessor was floating around but I
didn‟t know that yet.
Paul Hurrell introduces himself and asks what memorable paddles we had enjoyed this
year. For me this was my two trips with BADCC incorporating the coast from Bowleaze to
Kimmeridge in which a variety of conditions were encountered. For Paul it was a crossing
to LUNDY on a millpond sea. A short chat in which we get questioned a little and asked
how we might interpret weather maps etc. follows along with advice on map bearings. As
soon as we are changed and the boats loaded it‟s off to the marina for the assessment.
Before we get on the water the coach just throws in an aside about „warming up‟ so we all
go through individual stretching routines after which the coach informs us that some

WHERE WE WENT

current thinking goes against „warming up‟. If you are going to „stretch it‟s important that
you slowly extend your routine rather than just going straight in.

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter -8- Winter 2008/04

Having launched, we start off with a paddling warm up. We each get selected in turn to
lead the group around the marina in a follow my leader with the emphasis on trying a
variety of strokes along the way, whilst Paul is paddling around picking up points for a little
fine tuning. The assessment proper starts as we leave the harbour and encounter slightly
rougher seas outside, a short squall develops and we stay close to shore where an
opportunity to demonstrate turning strokes presents itself in some of the clearest water I‟ve
yet paddled in. A few wobbles but we soon had the boats turning satisfactorily and trying
more advanced techniques for the future. We followed with a paddle to a beach for lunch,
and a chance to demonstrate compass bearings etc. Heading off toward a tower on
Portland Harbour a no. of rocks breaking the surface (and some not) was just the chance
Paul had been looking for as it was here we could test our manoeuvrability with a mixture
of edging and drawing techniques. The harbour wall provides a surprising amount of
shelter as we found out upon turning into the harbour. A short way in and its towing
exercises. I favour a fitted to the boat set up but don‟t have one on my boat yet so used
an Ocean Pro belt. It has its short comings but it does the job. Its hard work towing a sea
boat perhaps 500m and I should have taken it a little steadier as I‟d no idea when a stop
was to be called. You shouldn‟t have to look for the release when you need it, but the belt
had dug in under the BA. Looking down, I saw the familiar red toggle and released the
belt on the BA. Perhaps PALM should consider a different colour toggle for accessories
and for BA‟s. Good progress in a relatively straight line over perhaps a km or so with tide
and wind coming at you from different angles leads toward a beach. We had been
working in pairs and Paul had an exercise in mind. Whilst explaining the exercise it was
surprising how far we drifted, perhaps 150m back the way we had just come. Anyway, the
exercise involves getting to the beach and realising your partner is hypothermic. My
buddy should get an Oscar for his acting – least I‟m hoping it was acting, so it‟s out with
the survival bag - but not until I get a hat on his head – then a warming drink and the offer
of some energy foods. Top marks for getting the hat on so quick and enough gear to keep
a cub pack warm. I‟ll not be carrying that much again! It‟s almost the end of the day and
no one has swum. A short paddle brings us to a sort of a bay off a bay were the tide is
noticeable but less so than previously. Starting off with supports, I‟m getting more nervous
and braver in equal measures until the inevitable happens. My first roll fails, so a gulp of
air and a colleague performs a faultless paddle presentation. We are all soon testing our
limits and it‟s not long before all the rescue scenarios are performed both as rescuer and
rescuee. Rolling finished off the assessment and all rolled successfully though Paul still
had time to offer some tips of which I took advantage. Trying out a short (13‟) squat
EASKY I rolled that as well. Back at the centre and Paul informs us all that we had passed
and goes on to give us a short talk about where to get more info and how to contact him
you need a little help. I‟m offered the chance of a 4* but feel I need a little more
experience yet so I decline; but I‟m down for stooge duty for those that think they are
ready for their 4* assessment. Can‟t wait.
What did I get from this; It gave a greater appreciation of the skills others taught me for my
„old‟ 3* and that all I really needed was to adjust them for a different boat and different
conditions. As with all the new star awards I had to actively demonstrate the strokes in a
„real life‟ situation rather than the older more „static‟ approach. Other points such as the
weather and mapping I was pretty well clued up on before but for all of us wanting to go to
sea I would recommend this centre for training and assessment. I can‟t finish without
thanking Rod & Richard who turned out on a miserable Sunday morning for a little last
minute revision. Thanks, lads.

John Norris OCT 2008

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter -9- Winter 2008/04

WhiteWater Colour Grading
Following member feedback from the Wye trip earlier this year the WhiteWater section is
changing who the away trips are targeted at. As a result, trips will now be colour coded,
green / blue / red or black. This is intended to supplement the traditional grading system
and will give the newer club members an idea of what they might expect to encounter on
these trips until such time as they are fully familiar with standard grading system.
The trip organiser will assess the trip and will be able to decide if he / she feels that a
particular member will not be able to cope and would be best advised not to attend for their
own safety and for the safety of others in the group. In such cases other alternative trips
will be suggested as more appropriate for the member‟s skill level.
But don‟t be put off, the WhiteWater team have advised me that they are able to put in
place a specific action plan tailored to any individual and that their intention is to ensure
you develop your skills at a pace which allows you to enjoy yourself without being a
possible problem for others on a trip.

The Colours
GREEN TRIPS (3*) – Anyone who is comfortable on flatwater and wants to get into WW
can attend these. They are normally 3* trips but you don‟t need to be booked onto a 3*
course to attend.

BLUE TRIPS (Dart Loop) – These are people with 3* skills and who are confident on grade
1/2 water. You should be able to break in and out and direct your boat on moving water.
You may encounter some obstacles, such as rocks & trees that need to be avoided.

RED TRIPS (Tryweryn) – These are for people who have prior WW experience and are
confident of navigating their boat safely down grade 2/3 water. You should be happy
edging / leaning your boat, know about good boat balance and have a basic knowledge of
reading water.

BLACK TRIPS (Upper Dart) – These are for more advanced paddlers on much tougher
water. Unfortunately we cannot take under 18‟s on these trips without parental
supervision. You need to have a WW roll, be able to effectively read the river and be
confident on bigger, more technical whitewater.

Over the coming months the specification might be revised a little, but I‟d hope to see
permanent copies prominently displayed within the club for new members in particular to
see, along with a few names to contact.

A variation of this is used by some of the sea paddlers I occasionally go out with and it
works well for them, I‟ve also seen club‟s successfully use a „drinks‟ based guide running
through fruit juice to spirits. Let‟s hope it works well – and perhaps we will use the same
standard for touring / sea trips in the future.

Chris Porteous / John Norris Nov. 2008

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter - 10 - Winter 2008/04

Sea Kayaking; Anglesey
Many years ago I went on a Plas y Brenan Sea Kayaking course that circumnavigated
Anglesey. Those were the days of hot summers, with beautiful weather. We spent an
idyllic week paddling round the island, camping in (relatively) remote places, and returned
salty, dirty, fit and suntanned.
This year, I saw a late advertisement from Plas y Brenin for an Intermediate sea kayaking
course on special offer. As it was sunny outside at the time, I booked on the course. It
seemed like a good idea.
Two weeks later, there we were, on an Anglesey Beach, clouds heading offshore at great
speed, winds gusting onshore force 4-5, and the forecast for worse. It did not look so
inviting.
Despite the weather, we made good use of the island (being round, there is always
somewhere a bit more sheltered), and had four out of five days excellent paddling in
challenging conditions. On the Wednesday, we only went out on an inland lake, as the
wind was force 7. A nice, contained area for a reasonable paddle, with many opportunities
rolling and rescue
practice.
On the final day,
we finished with the
classic run down
from Holyhead to
Porth Dafarch, past
Gogarth cliffs, with
Parliament House
cave, where we
had camped on
the previous
expedition.
Sadly, this time,
getting into or near
to the caves was
impossible due to
the swell. And the
effect of wind
against tide on the
waves in the race
train was a major
motivator not to get swept out. The route choice was quite important, but even as we
turned into the „chicken chute‟ at South Stack, the initial relief was tempered by the
unexpected surf coming through the confined channel.
This was a great day, but certainly a day when the 5 sea coaches earned their money.
The Anglesey circumnavigation course still runs, and I would still recommend it. Just
choose your weather.

Richard Williams OCT 2008

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter - 11 - Winter 2008/04

QAJAQS – PART 2
In the last newsletter I put in a few lines ref. qajaqs (inuit hunting kayaks), and I must admit
my research on the item was not that thorough, it was just intended to be a lead for those
that might want to find out more. Roger French, one of the club‟s older members and a
previous Secretary and Archivist to the „Historic canoe & Kayak Association‟ has a done a
little research and I have reproduced some of it here. A copy of Roger‟s complete article
can be found on the club‟s noticeboard. Roger has an „Anas Acuta‟ in the club, a GRP
design based on a low volume Greenland style boat.

A Cape Falcon boat, ribs can be seen under the skin but note the small cockpit.
http://www.capefalconkayak.com/

A good point that Roger raises is that of weight. Whilst I did not quote an actual weight the
impression I gave was that these boats are light. I revisited the Cape Falcon Kayak site
and looked on his boats for sale section. Already sold is a new 1935 sisimuit replica at
19lbs. That‟s light! But Roger correctly says that no weights were quoted for the original
boats, as these would have been made out of whatever was to hand, and so far as I‟m
aware there are no EU regulations on the size of driftwood (but give them time). Another
point I suggested was that the paddler was stitched into his boat to prevent ingress of the
very cold arctic waters. I‟m sure I didn‟t imagine this but I could not find the source again.
A quicker (but perhaps slightly less watertight) way of achieving this would have been with
drawstrings.

Replica – West Greenland Hunting Kayak

Roger‟s research was based on a no. of books (as well as his own extensive knowledge)
particularly dealing with the Arctic Ocean rim. Whilst looking a little further afield I noticed
boats used in Alaskan waters were remarkably similar to the Greenland style.

John Norris Oct.2008

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter - 12 - Winter 2008/04

Lock House ‘sell off’
I really thought, particularly with the coverage in the broadsheets, that more would have
signed this petition. Still, it drew a comment from no.10 which might go some way to
allaying some people‟s fears. Call me a cynic, but I see this as more a stay of execution.

Following a petition which garnered some 2809 signatories No.10 responded to the lock
closure issues with the following statement.

Following a meeting with the Minister Phil Woolas and MPs Martin Salter and Theresa
May and discussions with staff and river user groups, the Environment Agency have
agreed to put on hold any changes proposed by the lock house review until they have
completed a full review of Waterways staff roles and responsibilities, and terms and
conditions.

No action will be taken to sell or rent lock houses until these negotiations on the full review
are completed. The Environment Agency anticipates that this will take 6 months but this
guarantee will continue until all negotiations are completed or January 1, 2009, whichever
is latest. The Environment Agency will then review the position on lock houses with lock-
keepers and their representatives and with the MPs group.

Andy Cooks’ DW 2008

Andy Cook has been a club member for many years. Marathon paddling is his interest
and I happen to think he is pretty good at it. Andy was diagnosed with myeloma in
September 1998 following a number of years of unsolvable back pain. He then had a year
of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and then a stem cell transplant. This was very successful,
and has given Andy nearly 10 years of plateau. It should be noted that only very
occasionally does Myeloma go into remission and that for many patients, current medical
knowledge merely keeps it in „check‟. Over the past ten years, Andy has been an avid
fundraiser for Myeloma UK, raising over £1000 individually. His fundraising CV includes
musical concerts, numerous half marathons and runs, and even climbing Ben Nevis. This
year he completed the DW (a 125 mile Marathon boat race) an event he completed
several times in the 70‟s & 80‟s.

Within the race are several subsidiary categories, one of which is the „GLUCKSTEIN
TROPHY‟ an award for paddlers competing in the event who do so under conditions that
many of us would consider insurmountable. Andy was nominated for this award by Julie
Wood of Banbury CC who wrote:-

‘We met Andy in person for the first time on Friday morning at Devizes before Katie and he set off
for Westminster. What a courageous man he is – such grit and determination. A real fighter. We
obviously only met him for the four days over the Easter holiday, but every day we cheered him on
his way, either at the beginning, during the event, or at the end of a very long day. In fact, overall
he did an extremely impressive time of 25 hours, 49 minutes and 17 seconds. I (Julie) am a

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter - 13 - Winter 2008/04

canoeist myself and hand it to anyone taking part in this event, let alone completing it on your own,
in a K1 and also suffering from Myeloma.

Myeloma is an incurable illness, which you can only hold at bay – it affects the bones and on Good
Friday, Andy told us that he had back ache before he even started. He got through Friday, but then
on Saturday the weather was so awful he was planning to give up around Henley – his son
managed to persuade him to continue and he completed the whole thing, even though he was in
some distress.’

At the prize giving Paul Ralph (Marsport) said that there were 3 nominations and all were
deserving of the award. On this occasion the trophy was awarded to a disabled Major,
wounded in Iraq. The Major had sustained significant injuries in the Iraq theatre which had
cost him sight in one eye and tunnel vision in the other along with further injuries to limbs
and a shoulder. He completed the senior K2 straight through race. Andy himself thought
the major‟s effort „amazing‟ and that the trophy had gone to a very deserved winner.

In recognition of Andy‟s achievement and for the time he put into the club in the past the
club has made a donation to Myeloma UK via. Andy. His just giving page is still open and
can be accessed at: - http://www.justgiving.com/andycook1 should you wish to make a
further donation.

If you want to know more about MYELOMA look up the website here: -
http://www.myelomaonline.org.uk

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter - 14 - Winter 2008/04

 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 can be subject to changes.

ALL CLUB SESSIONS; ON THE WATER FOR 10:00am. SEE D.O.

D.O
SUNDAYS FOR FINISH. CHECK NOTICEBOARDS FOR SPECIAL EVENTS
ALL
TUESDAY SESSIONS WILL RESUME APRIL 2009 D.O
TUESDAYS

22/23 NOV 08 DART LOOP GRADE 2 TBC

29/30 NOV 08 MIDDLE WYE GRADES 1 & 2 TW
07/08 DEC08 DARTMOOR GRADE 4 (GENE17 RDAPW) CP/PC
13/14 DEC 08 3* LOWER DART & BARLE TW
CHRISTMAS WATER GRADE 3 / 4 (STOMACH GRADE 5 / 6) TBC
W/E 31 JAN WHAT‟S UP TRIP GRADES 2 / 3 CP/PC
W/E 28 FEB DARTMOOR TRIP GRADES 2 / 3 CP/PC
04 /05 APR 09 NORTH WALES SKILLS TRIP GRADE 2 TBC

01 DEC 2008 COMMITTEE MEETING - MARLOW DONKEY - 7.30pm AM

26 JAN 2009 AGM - KINGS HEAD - LITTLE MARLOW (to be confirmed) AM

KEEP A LOOKOUT ON NOTICEBOARDS AND THE YAHOO GROUP -

SOME TRIPS JUST SUDDENLY 'APPEAR' IF CONDITIONS ARE RIGHT.

EVERY SWIMMING POOL SESSIONS AT GURNELL POOL, WEST LONDON

THURSDAY GET TUITION IN ROLLING, PRACTISE 3* SKILLS OR ANYTHING
EVENING YOU'VE GOT A BIT RUSTY ON. SEE WEBSITE FOR MAP AND
9.00 - 10.30 DETAILS

ORGANISER / MCC CONTACT FOR ABOVE EVENTS

AC ADRIAN COOPER 01844 344580 adrian@familycooper.fsnet.co.uk

AM ANDY MAXTED 07730 852760 morven@ukonline.co.uk
TW TOM WESTWATER tamwestwater@googlemail.com
JN JOHN NORRIS 01494 483833 j.k.norris@btinternet.com
CP CHRIS PORTEOUS 01628 485049 chrisps@gmail.com
PC PAUL CRICHTON 08708 806962 p.crichton@blueyonder.co.uk
TB TERRY BELCHER 01628 851001 terry@amoffice.co.uk

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter - 15 - Winter 2008/04

THE COMMITTEE & OTHER USEFUL NUMBERS
A list of those members who serve on the club's committee, their role, a contact no. and an
e-mail address should you need to get in touch.

POSITION NAME TELEPHONE E-MAIL (all hyperlinked)

PRESIDENT TIM WARD 01494 482959 dianne.ward@tesco.net

CHAIRMAN ADRIAN COOPER 01844 344580 adriancooper@googlemail.com

SECRETARY ANDY MAXTED 07730 852760 morven@ukonline.co.uk

TREASURER PAUL CRICHTON 08708 806962 p.crichton@blueyonder.co.uk

MEMBERSHIP ROD EDMONDS 01753 671389 r.edmonds@etoncollege.org.uk

COACHING TIM TWITCHEN 07833 995289 timothy.twitchen@btinternet.co.uk

EQUIPMENT CHRIS PORTEOUS 01628 485049 chrisps@gmail.com

NEWSLETTER JOHN NORRIS 01494 483833 j.k.norris@btinternet.com

WOMENS REP. TOR EDWARDS 01494 vk220@hotmail.co.uk

YOUTH REP. ALEX SHEILL alex.shiell@gmail.com

SOCIAL SEC MELINDA LIVETT Melinda.livett@yahoo.com

MARATHON THIS EVENT WILL IN FUTURE BE HOSTED BY LONGRIDGE C.C.

WHITEWATER CHRIS PORTEOUS 01628 485049 chrisps@gmail.com

TOURING VACANT

SEA JOHN NORRIS 01494 483833 j.k.norris@btinternet.com

OUR NEAREST RETAILERS / SUPPLIERS

RIVERSIDE OXFORD 01865 248673 http://www.riversideoxford.co.uk

MARSPORT READING 01189 665912 http://www.marsport.co.uk

BERKSHIRE
READING 01189 425640 http://www.berkshire-canoes.co.uk
CANOES
WWC SHEPPERTON 01932 247978 http://www.whitewaterthecanoecentre.co.uk

PADDLESPORT COMPTON VERNEY 01926 640573 http://www.paddlesport.co.uk

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

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter - 16 - Winter 2008/04