Newsletter
119
Spring 2008 / 01
Web: www.marlowcanoeclub.org.uk
Email: j.k.norris@btinternet.com
WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE
Editor’s Piece
Brendan Moore
Pembrokeshire Paddle
Ian Hodges' USK paddle
Swimmerollathon & splosh sweep
Reaching for the stars
Marsh to Marlow
New Kit / AGM REPORT
I like a sense of HUMOUR!
BLAH BLAH BLAH!
Canoe Expo.
What's on and other events
Committee / Contacts etc.
EDITIORS PIECE
The sun's shining, the weathers'
warming and bookings are beginning to
arrive for this years 1* award courses.
We must be due a deep depression any
moment now. Seriously though, this is
Sometimes, if you stand on the bottom rail of a bridge and
lean over to watch the river slipping slowly away beneath
you, you will suddenly know everything there is to be known.
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter
going to be a challenging year on the
training front as all the coaches and
1
many helpers who assist during the
2 running of our courses get to grips with
the new award system. I'm sure all of
3
you have heard about the change by
5 now, and some you might know a little
about it. But all of us will benefit from
8 reading AM's item on the introduction
10 of the new awards. Reaching for the
stars provides us with the reasoning
11 behind the change and concentrates on
12 the 1 & 2* awards, with links to the
BCU site for syllabi etc. Some
13 references to coach requirements are
13 also mentioned; new L1K's please take
note.
14 We also have a rerun of an 'old'
15 favourite. Paul Griffins
'Swimmerollathon' is well on the way to
16 establishing itself as regular feature on
the club's first proper WW run of the
season. The AGM came and went, and
for those unable to attend I've thrown a
few words together so at least you
know who won what. There's a trip
report or two including an account of a
holiday paddle around St. Brides Bay,
with links to everything of note.
A. A. Milne, Pooh's Little Instruction Book
Page 1 Spring 2008 / 01
Canoexpo is the big thing this year.
Read my bit on what I thought of the
show. I've spoken to Brookbank who
are pretty sure it'll be on next year's
calendar. One final point, I'd like to try
and dispense with postal delivery of
printed copies or at the very least make
a significant dent in the no's forwarded
this way. It'll be awkward for some
but I'd really like to hear from members
who cannot get a newsletter any other
way. My contact details are on the
back page. The next big step in the
evolution of the newsletter will be to go
all e-mail. This will open up the
possibilities of more pictures, unlimited
size and possibly more issues. I'm
aiming to call time on my editorship in
the next year or two and I'd like to sort
this out before I hand over the reins.
Postal delivery will still be available, but
as the newsletter moves from a 'book'
format to screen layout the printed and
posted copy may not be such a
'friendly' read in the hand. I will ensure
some printed copies are available within
the club for visitors etc.
-------------------------------------------------
BRENDAN MOORE
For those not in the know, we've seen
the last of Brendan Moore, moore's the
pity. I don't think I've ever seen
Brendan at the club without him being
involved in a bit of ad-hoc coaching or
advice for those in need. Brendan and
Helen are of to New Zealand, and I'm
sure (after the envy has settled) we'd
like to wish them all the best for their
future. As I'd seen relatively little of
Brendan I asked him for a few words
and got a few pages. Here's about
10% of it.
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter
I first heard about MCC after going to a
KayakoJacko rolling clinic to sort out
what had gone form a reasonably good
to a useless roll which was making my
paddling very defensive and no fun. I’d
been looking for a club in the area to
join and only come across Windsor who
don’t really cover WW, but Jacko
mentioned the Gurnell pool session so I
got myself down there where I met
Andy Hibbert and Shades who said they
were from Marlow.
That was in January 2005 but it took
me until August to get down to the club
on a Sunday morning, where I met Tim
T just as he was leaving to go and
check on a 1 star course running down
at the beach by Longridge. We sneakily
ran the weir and trundled down to the
group where I got roped straight in
demoing low braces!
Brendan gets 'big air' on the Dart
More coaching in Derbyshire kept me
away from the club again until New
Years day when we did the St Patrick’s
Stream trip- a chance to take out the
lovely shiny new open boat my wife
had treated me to for Christmas! And
shortly after that a Dart trip was
irresistible too- and that’s where the
infamous ‘flying’ photo comes from!
Bottom of Triple Step and not a drop of
water in the boat, unlike Andy Maxted,
who rather embarrassingly took a swim
on the grade 2 lower- how we giggled!
Page 2 Spring 2008 / 01
Trips on the Barle, the top end of the
Thames and up to the Nene centre
followed and I got my L2C and ran a
course with Tim in summer 2006 on
which were our very own JP, Debs and
Mrs Goddard. All passed with flying
colours, though I do have a very funny
memory of JP also taking a swim- this
time in about 6 inches of water in front
of a group of gawping teenagers as we
practiced low-braces in the little
‘stream’ under the bridge on river-left a
few hundred metres up from the club.
The Teifi tour in October 2006 was
memorable, largely for Reza’s
swimming at every opportunity (and
sometimes where there didn’t even
seem to be an opportunity!), but most
of all for Debs being taken from the
river on a spinal board after having an
OBE halfway down Cenarth Falls! She
even tried taking a bite out of the front
of her boat as it landed on top of her at
the bottom of the falls, but her teeth
definitely came off worse. Fortunately a
trip to the local hospital showed no
serious damage and we got her cosied
up in the front seat of JP’s car for an
uneventful trip home.
And that brings us to the end of my
paddling career with MCC, It’s been a
great fun ride and one not to miss. Am
I sorry to be going- not a bit, but I’ll
miss the friends I’ve made at MCC and
will be happy to wish them ‘Kia-Ora’
should any of them ever make it to
visit.
Brendan Moore NOV. 2006
Brendan has promised to rub salt into
the wound by writing about G4/5 back
country Canyoning and a 140km G1/2
tour that he's heard of. Oh! I almost
forgot the bit about sea kayaking in
crystal clear waters and then there's
the………. It just goes on and on!
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 3
A PEMBROKESHIRE PADDLE
When I watched Kate (Lip Gloss)
Silverton doing her ultimate Wild Water
challenge on the BBC in August, I took
more than a normal interest, as I had
booked on a centre-based trip two
weeks later, kayaking round St Bride’s
Bay, and finishing off at the Bitches. It
suddenly looked hard. And we would
be carrying camping gear.
The trip was run by Twr-y-Felin: a
centre set up about 25 years ago by
Andy Middleton. Andy was something
of a rodeo pioneer many years ago, and
settled near the ‘Bitches’ to make a
living.
I remember going down to St Davids
for a camping trip when the kids were
very young. We ‘happening upon’
TYF, as one does when one has
planned a family holiday well, and I’d
been able to squeeze in a day’s
paddling while the family played on the
beach. It was beautiful. But I’d not
been able to get back since.
The Twr y Felin centre used to be a
windmill. The original windmill tower,
up a spiral staircase, has a common
room at the top. As you sit there,
supping your pint, you have a great
view over the Pembrokeshire coast.
It's a spectacular landscape of rugged
cliffs, with sandy beaches; a very
inviting place for a sea kayaking trip.
Spring 2008 / 01
I expected the course to be full with to pick up the pieces, and course
last-minute bookings, but if anything it participants’ skills were unknown at the
was under-subscribed. So only six of beginning of the trip.
us made the trip. Conditions were
ideal. Weather forecast was good:
Sunshine, moderate seas, with
maximum wind speeds around Force 3-
4.
The first day was inshore-based, just to
make sure that the group was
competent, and aware of safety drills;
but the rest of the trip involved 12-15
miles paddling per day, with occasional
open crossings, and plenty of time to
explore the caves and bays of the
coastline.
On Day 2, we started from West Dale
Bay, in the south, and made a
circumnavigation of Skomer Island , a
nature reserve famous for its
population of Manx Shearwaters. We
went ashore for lunch and a walk
around, before recrossing Jack Sound, It was an excellent trip, with a very
when the tides were right, to camp at experienced guide, who knew the tides,
Martins Haven. the area and the campsites well. I
The following day we headed round to would recommend it to anyone who
the village of St Brides, where we had wants to do a bit more sea kayaking in
lunch as we again waited for the tide to a unique environment. The boats gave
turn, before being helped up the coast us the freedom to enjoy much of what
to the beachside pub at Broad Haven Pembrokeshire has to offer, while
and on to a spectacular cliff top avoiding the traffic and the paddling
campsite in the grounds of the was excellent. Course details can be
Druidstone Hotel found at the Twr-y-Felin website.
The penultimate day’s trip took us up Gear was provided. The kayaks were
the coast to Solva before camping at a mix of P&H Capellas; Valley
Porth Clais. This was an ideal starting Aquanauts and Avocets, of which the
point for our trip around Ramsey Capella was overwhelmingly the
Island, but the tides required us to be favourite. The centre also provided
up at 05:30 in order to get through the some camping gear…… (but my
Sound before the tide turned south advice is to take your own!)
again. As tidal experts will have
surmised from this, the tide was slack
as we went through the Bitches. A bit Photos of the trip can be seen on the
of a disappointment, or relief, web at:
depending on your point of view, but a http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi
well designed safety feature in the d=465980&id=615226256
centre’s plan, as they did not have the
luxury of any ‘off-camera’ speedboats Richard Williams NOV.2007

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 4 Spring 2008 / 01

IAN HODGES USK PADDLE
This was a particularly enjoyable trip
despite swimming twice, I had been
looking forward to getting on to real
white water for quite a while and now
finally the time had come. I had done
the usual arranging of lifts, sorting out
times, etc. It turned out the Rod
(Edmonds) was looking to go on the
Sunday as well, we arranged to meet
at the club and head down to Wales in
Rod's Fiesta (I felt it probably best to
leave my car behind due to its fuel
consumption and the fact that Rod
knew where he was going). We turned
up to find that shuttling had already
begun (and we weren't late!), so we
hurried along the changing process
without too much faff (not sure about
the spelling, but have been accused of
this by certain members of the club,
you know who you are!). I was
surprised to see so many paddlers, why
I thought our club would be the only
people around baffles me now but
there you have it. We had a quick
briefing, during which I had to ask
about the meaning of hand signals (I
wasn't there on Saturday so how was I
to know), then we had a little warm up
with throw line practice. This all
seemed very serious to me considering
the trips I'd been on previously and I
was beginning to get a tad concerned,
but felt that there was enough
experience about to save me should I
exit my boat in an ungainly fashion.
We put on and paddled slightly
upstream just to have a little warm up,
practicing break ins and break outs and
settling into the rhythm of things, then
we were off. Generally there was some
nice gentle paddling with the flow and
the occasional wave to get excited
about, watching which routes our more
experienced paddlers were taking. As
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 5
things started to speed up the waves
turned into small rapids to be
navigated, with the occasional rock
crunching the bottom of the boat. A
few wobbles here and there and a
couple of groundings, but things were
going well. Unfortunately I don't
remember the order of the features
very well as I'm now writing this 4
weeks after the event, so I'll get on to
the big ones.
Mill Falls, now I'd heard quite a bit
about this, having spent many a
summers evening talking with JP,
Adrian and Dave G in the pub after a
Tuesday paddle. So here we were, our
leaders taking up various points along
the feature ready to advise/rescue
wayward novices. The first drop
seemed straight forward enough after
Brendan’s briefing, and the eddy was
made safely, however, I was now a
little confused as to which route to take
next and the eddy was beginning to fill
up with kayaks. Apparently we needed
to get across to the other side of the
river, where a man was standing with a
throw line, so off I went, unfortunately
I was fully aware of how quickly the
current can take you downstream, the
large rock I was attempting to cross
above was now under the side of my
boat, I made it just! Now I was faced
with another problem, there was no
eddy to rest in, I looked downstream to
see Paul C beckoning me back across
the river in order to get down the next
drop. I managed to turn my boat and
paddle in that direction; however, by
now I was heading downriver on the
wrong side between very large rocks.
Thankfully after bouncing between the
rocks and over the drop I made, not
the most orthodox route but I’d made
it, and have to say felt a huge
adrenaline rush. We paddled on and
stopped for lunch by a bridge where
there was plenty of space for everyone.
Spring 2008 / 01
 After lunch we put in and made for the
central arch of the bridge, moving on
down river we picked our way through
boulder gardens and small un-daunting
rapids, that was my second mistake of
the day, just as I crossed the small
drop to the left of a large rock, the back
of my boat was dragged down and
before I had time to react I was over,
damn it, oh well let’s try my roll, oops!
went for air and that totally killed the
roll, now I was upside down pulling my
deck, not only was it cold but I’d
dropped my paddle, I was not happy!
Thankfully Rod and Paul C were at
hand to get me, my boat and my
paddle over to the side (not sure who
got my paddle but a big thanks to
them). I was annoyed because it
wasn’t a big feature that had caught me
out and dropping my paddle was just
silly, I was also a little shocked by the
cold, however, after a cup of coffee I
was back on the river and warming up.
Spuhler’s Folly, this looked more
complicated than other features and
our leaders all seemed to be looking at
different routes over the feature, it was
time to get out and take a look at this
from the bank. I didn’t really know
what I was looking at, but with Rod
perched on a rock in the middle of the
river guiding various paddlers down I
thought I’d give it a go. The route
appeared to be, head towards Rod, turn
right before knocking him off the rock,
then straighten up as you dropped over
the edge, lots of people had gone over
and made it look doable so I decided to
go for it. All was going well I was
paddling as I dropped over the edge,
then I felt that familiar sinking feeling
on the back of my boat, this time I
managed to put in a support stroke, but
all too late, I was over again. This time
I decided to exit quickly, but hold onto
to everything. Big Dave took charge of
my rescue and got me over to the side,
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 6
not sure who got my boat this time (but
thanks anyway), I was tired and cold
now and decided to have a couple of
warming cups of coffee before
attempting to empty my boat, Paul G
popped over to check I was okay which
was much appreciated, then TT had a
little swim and came over to the bank
to join me. Meanwhile JP was over the
other side of the river boofing over the
feature on what looked like a far more
straight forward route, I’m still
wondering why we came over the other
route, answers on a postcard please!
The rest of the paddle was a series of
flatter stretches interspersed with small
rapids and boulder gardens, one of
which saw me on my side once more,
however, I was determined not to
capsize or come out of my boat again,
and held myself up on the riverbed
waiting for another rescue, this time
the front of someone else’s boat was all
that was required to hip flick back
upright. By the time we reached the
end of that days paddling I felt that I
had picked some truly useful tips for
the novice that I would like to share,
they may not all be totally correct but I
will definitely be remembering lessons
learnt on the Usk.
1) When following another paddler
on moving water make sure you are at
least 5 boat lengths behind them, if
they change direction quickly it usually
means they’ve spotted something you
can’t see and you want to be ready to
change direction yourself, also if they
don’t move and get stuck on a rock
you’ve got chance to alter course and
go around them, rather than into them.
2) When following another paddler
through a boulder garden, make sure
the person in front of you is heavier or
at least lower in the water than you
(not easy in my case even with the
Spring 2008 / 01
large volume of my boat), I did find a
couple of people but names are not
important.
3) If you do decide to follow some
of our more experienced members,
remember that they might in search of
“stonking” water and features, rather
than the easiest route, it is a good idea
to ask why they want to go a different
way than everybody else, rather than
assuming they are correct.
4) When navigating large features
make sure you know beforehand the
exact route you are expected to take,
you might not make it but at least you
know where you should have been
aiming for, finding out you don’t know
where you are going half way down a
feature is exciting but could also be
downright dangerous.
5) Don’t look at an object you are
trying to avoid hitting, it will only act as
a boat magnet, look where you want to
go, not where you don’t.
Sunday on the River Dart
I’m getting to write this short report
due to being the first and I think only
person to swim on this particular day.
The trip for me started on Saturday
night, I was supposed to be giving
Susan, Fraser and Rod a lift down to
the Dart on Sunday morning, a call
from Paul Griffin changed the plans
slightly, apparently everybody apart
from Paul C and Kieron, had taken a
swim on the Dart loop on Saturday, so
Susan and Fraser had been advised to
give it a miss on Sunday. I awoke at
5am in the morning. I was in a
stopper. That was it I wasn’t getting
back to sleep. Rod and I left for the
Dart at 7am, a quick stop off for
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 7
breakfast just outside Bristol and we
made for Dartmoor.
On arrival we were greeted by heavy
rain and several of our group standing
around trying to figure out the best
place for the get in. I have to say at
this point I was nervous, we’d seen a
lot of kayaks heading away from the
river on our way down, and after seeing
the river at the original get in, it was
clear to me that I was in need of a dry
suit and maybe even an aqualung. .
Several of the group who had
experience the Dart loop on the
Saturday had already decided to call it a
day and were heading for home.
Thankfully Adrian had some local
contacts who suggested a get in below
Buckfastleigh weir (I think), apparently
the lower Dart from here would be big
and bouncy but without any really big
features to negotiate.
We kind of sorted out shuttles, and
found a spot to put in; the open canoes
were further downriver due to the lack
of space in the lay-bys. There was a
small stream running quite fast and
parallel with the main river, the get in
was one boat at a time (unless you
were Paul C with a high seal launch),
we all got on and broke into the main
river, even from the start it was big and
bouncy and we made for the first eddy
just past the open canoe get in. As we
assembled and set off down river, there
were plenty of big bouncy waves to
enjoy and I remembered Rod’s words
of wisdom, “lean forward and keep
paddling”.
It was all going well until Paul C
decided it was time for us to take a
break and head for the eddy river left; I
totally missed it and ended up heading
off down river despite paddling against
the current. Everybody followed on
and Chris P pointed out that “Paul
would probably be quite happy to let
me be river leader if I only asked” very
Spring 2008 / 01
funny now get out of my way I see a decided to get changed into some dry
tree ahead! Generally the paddle was clothing. Four of our party ran the loop
big and bouncy as stated, and a lesson again, whilst the other two (with some
in avoiding trees and punching through of the locals) ran the same stretch of
waves (great fun and no rocks), river we had run that morning. A very
unfortunately I had forgotten a couple enjoyable trip despite the swim, looking
of my on tips, 5 boat lengths apart, we forward to more fun in the new year.
were far too bunched up and I often
found myself back paddling when I IAN HODGES DEC. 2007
should have been forward paddling.
Don’t follow more experienced paddlers -------------------------------------------------
looking for stonking water, especially
when their name is Rezza! Ten 2nd ANNUAL MCC
minutes from the end of the paddle was SWIMMEROLLATHON
when it hit, a series of large waves,
& 1st SPLOSH SWEEPSTAKE
nothing more than we had already been
through several times, unfortunately I
This year’s Swimmerollathon
hit the first one at the wrong angle, the
Spectacular was again held at Hell Hole
support stoke worked, the second one
on the Wye. The conditions were
turned me side on, now I was fighting
extremely different from last year and,
to get straight, too late! The next wave
at a guess, I would say that the water
started to tip me over and the forth one
level was at least 3 or 4 foot lower and
slapped the bottom of my boat just to
the flow was definitely reduced.
make sure I was done for. This time I
To add a bit of spice to the competition,
decided to try and stay in my boat,
last year’s most improved paddlers of
reaching up to tap the bottom of my
the year, Susan and Reza, had their
boat to signal I was in need of a
points rating doubled in recognition of
rescue, I soon realised that finding
their achievement meaning that the
someone else’s boat wasn’t going to be
maximum points on offer was 143.
very easy, I was struggling to find my
Given the more placid conditions, a lot
own boat. I knew there were a lot of
of estimates were in the low 30-40
trees in the river and so I got out, this
range however if there’s one thing
time my rescue took a little longer. I
certain in life it is the amazing ability of
had managed to hold onto both boat
paddlers worldwide to throw the form
and paddle, Paul C took control of my
book out of the window when
boat whilst Rod attempted to tow me to
presented with a nice bit of white water
an eddy. Swimming with a paddle is
and just push it one notch too far. In
something I need to practice (or
fact Dewter’s fifth law of motion (which
possibly staying upright in a kayak). At
I just made up) does try to link all of
the fourth attempt we made to the
these things together and implies that
bank, I took my time to compose
the probability of a successful descent
myself and empty the water out of my
is inversely proportional to the size of
boat. I was now totally convinced of the
the paddler’s ego combined with peer
merits of a dry suit and it is definitely
pressure and the number of Cumecs
going on my shopping list. Back on the
flowing – or to put it another way
water and paddling again I soon
grown men start salivating and a red
warmed up and with ten minutes we
mist descends whenever they near a
were at the get out. After lunch I
feature which could give them a good

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 8 Spring 2008 / 01

story to tell the boys on Monday
morning.
Having taken up position early, I
watched several groups come through
before Marlow arrived and there was an
equal split of paddlers taking a central
line or taking the more obvious route
down river right which involved a close
run with the bank, a decent cushion
wave and a nice big sticky boily bit at
the bottom ready to catch out the
unwary / hungover which had
Swimmerollathon points written all over
it – marvellous!
On arrival some of our group decided to
go straight through without scouting
and, judging from the resultant
carnage, some may wish to revisit this
approach next year….anyway it did
result in some excellent viewing for me
and this year’s chief sneak Mr Brendan
Moore.
Out of 17 starters there were 5
successful swims, a refusal and a roll
which added up to a total of 66 points.
No point in wasting column inches on
the roll of honour, you know who you
are and what you did, and no doubt
some will get reminded of what
happened at the AGM anyway.
The prize of a very nice bottle of
sparkling white wine was won by
Brendan with a score of 66 with Tim
and Susan not far behind.
The first Splosh sweepstake was always
going to be tricky this year what with
the lower levels, the general
improvement in abilities since last year
and no obvious rabbits in the field of
runners. It is pleasing to report that,
despite JPs amusing launch from the
bank with his newly christened Piranha
Dredger, nobody swam before reaching
Hell Hole although there were a couple
of rolls and an Eskimo rescue on the
way. Isn’t it funny how fast people get
to the scene when there is a prize at
stake?
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 9
Estimates ranged from around the
minute mark up to over 4 hours by
which time most people were almost on
the M4 heading home.
Despite an admirable effort by some
people to extend the mid-paddle lunch
break to influence the result, fair play
almost prevailed and Dave Goddard
won the competition by successfully
being the closest to guessing the time
of his own swim. I wouldn’t for a
moment suggest that the result was in
doubt but above the roar of the water I
thought I heard him shouting “it’s in
the bag” as he disappeared beneath the
waves.
To complete the roll of honour the
much sought after spot prizes of Curly-
Wurlys were awarded as follows:-
Kelvin for the most spectacular exit I
have ever seen from a Canoe. It would
not be stretching the imagination too
much to compare it with a skydiver
launching from a plane at 10,000ft –
except the distance between boat and
water was more like 1ft.
Digger for damaging a National
Monument with the bow of his canoe,
even above the noise of the water the
thud was clearly audible as he ploughed
into the bank.
Richard for his blind optimism in
expecting that someone would answer
his call for an Eskimo rescue as he
roared down Hell Hole upside down.
Rob for taking a sympathy swim to
make the car journey home with Dave
a lot more pleasant.
And finally Reza for taking the mickey
out of everyone who couldn’t roll in Hell
Hole by doing it, not once, but twice.
I am delighted to say that we raised
£40 from both events and this has been
sent to the Chiltern Air Ambulance.
Roll on next year!
PAUL GRIFFIN JAN 2008
Spring 2008 / 01
REACHING FOR THE STARS – coaching most beginners tend to rely
THE NEW BCU PERFORMANCE on their arms to do all the work;
training for the new One Star
AWARDS
encourages paddlers to use their whole
bodies, translating the power from the
Last September saw the launch of the
paddle through their arms, backs and
new BCU Performance Award scheme
knees or legs to drive the boat past the
which gave the club the opportunity to
paddle. Paddlers are also encouraged to
run the last of its 2007 season
try the widest possible variety of boats
introductory courses to the new
on the One Star course and choose for
syllabus. The weekend proved a great
themselves what type of boat they wish
success and resulted in an amazing
to use for the assessment. On our first
fifteen members gaining the new One
One Star course last September
Star Award – making them among the
thirteen candidates chose kayaks, while
first in the country to do so.
two opted for open canoes. Candidates
The new scheme was developed
can also choose whether to take the
following wide consultation within the
assessment paddling solo or as part of
paddlesport community and is built
a crew.
around a new approach to coaching
While the One Star gives paddlers all
which is proving very effective across a
the skills they need to join in with
wide range of sports – Long Term
normal club sessions at Marlow, the
Athlete Development or LTAD.
new Two Star is an improvement
Developed by Hungarian/Canadian
award that helps paddlers develop
coach Dr Istvan Balyi, LTAD is based on
fundamental paddlesport skills and an
research that shows that the wider the
understanding into how the paddle,
base of activities beginners are
boat and water interact. The Two Star
introduced to, the more effective their
Award is gained by demonstrating skills
learning is in the longer term.
in both a kayak and a canoe and can
Translating the LTAP principles into
again be taken either paddling solo or
paddlesport (or LTPD) has resulted in
as part of a tandem crew in, for
the new Paddlepower scheme aimed
at introducing young paddlers (typically example, an open canoe or in a doubles
racing or touring boat. Importantly,
under 14) to the breadth of our sport
Two Star candidates need to show
and its many different disciplines –
racing, touring, freestyle, polo etc – in experience of paddling different craft in
as many different boats – long and different locations and have completed
two journeys of at least two hours
straight running, short and turny, sit ins
duration or have taken part in two
and sit on tops, canoes and kayaks. For
competitions (e.g. races or perhaps
older paddlers the equivalent first step
slaloms). We are planning to run at
on the ladder is the new Paddlesport
least two Two Star courses at Marlow
Start Award, designed to be
this season (see dates at end of this
presented at the end of an initial taster
article) and will include opportunities
session of a couple of hours, which can
then be followed by the new One to for members to log the required
journey experience.
Five Star Awards.
By the time they are ready for Three
The new One Star Award is designed
Star most paddlers will have developed
to reflect basic boat control on flat
a preference for one of the many the
water and a sound foundation in
paddlesport disciplines and it is here
forward paddling skills. Without

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 10 Spring 2008 / 01

that the new awards separate. There Further information: Details of the
are currently Three Star Awards new Level 1 and Level 2 Coaching
available in four disciplines – open awards can be downloaded from
canoeing, white water, sea and surf – http://www.bcu.org.uk/bcu/2391-5-
and further awards are planned in flat new-bcu-coaching-awards.aspx while a
water touring, slalom, racing and polo. list of coaching courses across the BCU
There will be an article on the new Southern Region is at
Three and Four Star Awards in a future http://canoesouth.org/index.php?page
newsletter. =coaching. The full syllabi, trainer and
But before we finish here, a brief word assessor notes for the new Star Awards
about who coaches and assesses the can be found at
new awards because the BCU Coaching http://www.bcu.org.uk/bcu/2265-5-
scheme is also seeing some changes. bcu-1---3-star-tests-.aspx.
Coaching for the new One and Two Star
Awards should be delivered under the ANDY MAXTED JAN 2008
direction of a new Level 2 Coach (or
‘old’ Level Two who also holds the old A full list of all courses currently
Two Star Kayak and Open Canoe scheduled by the club can be found in
certificates) or higher; theses coaches the 'WHAT'S ON, WHEN & WHERE'
can also assess both of these awards. page inside rear cover.
The Level 2 will usually be assisted by
one or more Level 1 (assistant) coaches -------------------------------------------------
(or ‘old’ Trainee Level 2s) who may also MARSH TO MARLOW
assess the new Paddlesport Start
Award. Rod did a D.O. turn in January and took
Coaching can be rewarding experience us from Marsh to Marlow. This year we
and anyone with an interest whatever did not have to bother with the irksome
their level of paddlesport experience – trog down the lane! Was the water
even just watching from the bank - can fast, a little over 2 hrs. to Marlow inc.
train to become a Level 1 Coach. The the now customary tea stop is your
Level 1 course involves the equivalent answer.
of five days of training including safety
training or, for those who already hold
a Canoe Safety Test (CST) certificate,
the course can be completed over four
days. Five assessment tasks are set
during the course and on completing
these successfully candidates are
awarded the new Level 1 Certificate in
Coaching Paddlesport which is being
mapped to the national vocational
training framework and endorsed as
part of the cross-sport UK Coaching
Certificate (UKCC) scheme. A number
of centres, including Longridge, are
offering courses locally, generally over
two or three weekends although block
intensive courses are also available.

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 11 Spring 2008 / 01

NEW KIT
If you are looking for a new cag, but
like me, can't justify a SIDEWINDER top
then just maybe a PALM APEX
(ELEMENT for ladies) will fit the bill.
Same basic material but without the
Kevlar reinforcement on the arms, and
no latex neck seal. At £40.00 cheaper
this will satisfy a lot of club paddlers.
Try it out at any of the local dealers
listed on the back, (phone before
journeying) and don't forget to ask for
your 10% off. If you want something
lighter still then the PALM COBRA top
might suit you. Velcro adjusters all
round, I'm reasonably pleased with the
short sleeve version I bought.
John Norris DEC.2007
-------------------------------------------------
2008 AGM REPORT
Oh dear! Where was everybody? AM
set up the room, the grub was laid on,
but the turnout was poor. Only 17 or
so were present + a latecomer or two
as the evening moved on.
I was one of the first there and saw
Andy and Richard fiddling with the pc
and projector trying to get the
entertainment working. For a while it
was not looking to good, but something
tweaked and the show was on. About
that time the spread came in, an
assortment of sandwiches and several
trays of chips (that's real chips, not
crisps!) and they weren’t too bad. I
didn't hear anybody complain anyway.
The show started, probably about
20mins. on a very successful Alps trip.
The highlight for me was the way REZA
dealt with most things. I understand
he's still good for an underwater
excursion but surely not for much
longer.
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 12
As is the way with these things the
mundane stuff had to be sorted.
Someone's toying with the idea of being
the new Deb's but other than that it's
pretty much as before. Alex has turned
18 so if there's anyone who would like
to take on his junior rep. role he say's
he won't oppose it.
So we get round to the awards. The
committee had previously laboured long
and hard deliberating who was worthy
of the various awards this year, and in
no particular order they were;
Most improved paddler went to Mandy
Human who started late, plunged
headlong into a 2* and completed a
hectic month or so with a Wye trip
including Symonds Yat.
Newsletter item went to 'White
Feather' Briggs. You may recall Julie
provided us with an account of the
paintballing social event. It's nice to
read about non paddling events, which
keep the club together at times when
conditions prevent some members from
paddling.
Volunteer of the Year award went to
Steve Williams, of Chiswick Pier
Canoe Club. Steve is responsible for
maintaining the Gurnell pool sessions
which many members have used to
improve on various skills throughout
the winter months.
The coveted 'swimmer of the year'
went to Dave Goddard, not for the
Scarface incident, but for an OBE at
Hell Hole.
Chris Porteous picked up the other
most improved paddler award. Not
normally given to committee members,
it was agreed that Chris had come a
long way in a short time and was most
worthy of the award.
For the juniors, Doug Marsh was
judged to be the most improved.
I'm well aware not all members can
make the meeting, but it would be nice
if next year we could get back to
Spring 2008 / 01
around 30 or so in attendance. True,
the sandwiches would be a bit thinner,
but you'd be doing me a favour if you
ate a few more!
John Norris 30/01/2008
-------------------------------------------------
I LIKE A SENSE OF HUMOUR
Sent to me by an anonymous source
(well, not that anonymous) so no cups
of coffee for the first correct answer.
-------------------------------------------------
BLAH BLAH BLAH!
Rob & I went to a Riverside
presentation featuring Debs Pininnger.
A reasonable turnout and a good raffle
earned some much needed spondoolies
for the good folks at Riverside and the
youth they work with.
I wandered around and talked to a few
people I'd not seen for a while whilst
waiting for the presentation to start.
Debs was soon into her stride,
delivering an informative talk if a little
disjointed but enjoyable none the less.
For us older types who had paper
dictionaries at school there was too
much reliance on 'blah blah blah'; 'this
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 13
and that' & some other utterances
possibly found in modern street slang
but not in the O.E.D. The talk centred
around some of Debs paddling exploits
and threw in a few bits of non paddling
info as well. It also jumped about it.
Debs interest in kayaks began on a
family holiday to Bournemouth where
she first saw these boats on the sea.
To young to hire them at the time the
fun element stayed with her. Some
good fortune along the way and next
we hear about winning some
'competition' in New Zealand. There
may have been an additional sentence
or two in between but I didn't catch the
full text.
As with all people of this standard it
sometimes seems as though they are
always in the right place at the right
time. The years have taught me that
it's the hard work in between that gets
these people noticed. For Debs, this
came by way of (initially) hours spent
on a playwave adjacent a campsite in
France where she was working with
some youngsters on an adventure
holiday type camp.
In addition to paddling Debs has an
interest in photography, and is hoping
to further this side of her interests in
the near future. Good photographs of
spectacular water will become truly awe
inspiring in future presentations should
she apply the same determination as
she has to paddling.
The evening ended with a raffle. Top
prize was a garishly decorated Robson
touring paddle retailing at £200.00+,
yours for £1.00 and a lot of luck. I'd
bought a 'few' tickets and enjoyed a
good run of luck but not that good.
Would I go again? I'm more radio 4,
more David Attenborough, these days
but despite the criticisms mentioned
earlier I think I would. Debs had a few
notes around (I think) but often went
off at a slight tangent offering the
Spring 2008 / 01
chance to deliver the odd nugget of
trivia that's probably not worth knowing
but occasionally surfaces from the
depths of the mind. Next time she's
around give it some thought. It cost a
fiver on the door at Riverside and you
won't get much for that these days.
John Norris Feb. 2008
-------------------------------------------------
CANOEXPO
It's off to Coventry for the new show. I
half expected the NAC to be a smaller
NEC, but it turns out to be the National
Agricultural Centre. We (me, Rob,
Chrisp, & El Presidente) rolled up
around 9:40 and were sheperded in to
a free nearby carpark. A short walk to
the main hall, home printed tickets
scanned and we were in. Just 80 mins.
from Stokenchurch - much quicker than
Birmingham.
Once inside, you can see all 4 walls of
the hall at the same time, but when you
realise that it's ALL devoted to canoeing
topics it's probably more sq. footage
than at the old show. A separate hall
with theatre's and classrooms was
available for the many lectures and
demos offered.
I spent the morning looking at sea
kayaks and sea kayaking tuition. There
were a no. of providers of training,
including KAYAKOJACKO, who
recommended a provider with a similar
ethos to himself, and with whom I'll be
in touch with later. I'll be looking into
others in greater detail, some of whom
have offered a small discount should
enough of the clubs 'interested' sea
paddlers be interested.
Next up was the boats. Starting off
with nicely finished exotic material
constructions and working my way
Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter Page 14
down to plastic. I've a few ideas for
boats should the club invest in some
basic sea stuff at a later date.
Lunch was scheduled for 12:00,
sandwiches and the like looked a bit
pricey (don't they always?) but at £6.50
a pop both 'El Presidente' and myself
thought the hot meal was reasonable
value. There were plenty of tables in
the foyer and a newsstand where you
could buy a sweetie or two. No-one
seemed to mind if you were eating your
own. Drinks were O.K., mainly vended,
but I'd have happily paid a little more
for a decent coffee.
First thing after lunch was to purchase
an open paddle of the correct size. I'd
bought my first because I was 'allright'
with Rob's paddle. A session last year
under the tutelage of 'El Presidente'
pointed out the now obvious failings of
incorrectly sized paddles. Fortunately
the man himself was on hand to advise,
and although his 'formula' was slightly
different to the man on the stand the
answer agreed.
I went over to the Wolfson theatre for a
travelogue on sea kayaking by Gordon
Brown. He's a big wheel in Scottish sea
kayaking and handy with a camera too.
I got there a bit late and it was packed.
El Presidente attended a lecture on
ropework by Franco Ferrero that was
equally well attended. Not so the UK
Universities 4 borders bash, but
reasonable photography and a video or
two was enjoyed by those that
attended.
I'm sure it'll continue here next year,
feedback was favourable from those I
asked and for us it's a doddle to get
too. If you go, check out the lectures
first and plan your stall crawling around
the ones you want to see. I'll probably
see you there.
John Norris Feb. 2008
Spring 2008 / 01
 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
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2008
23 / 24 FEB WYE & USK TRIP (LOW LEVELS - CHECK WITH CHRIS FOR LATEST) CP
03 MARCH COMMITTEE MEETING, GEORGE & DRAGON COMMENCING 7:30 AM
14 / 16 MAR OUTDOORS SHOW - FOR THOSE WHO WANT MORE THAN CANOES EXHIB
15 / 16 MAR UPPER WYE & USK TRIP (IF THERE'S ANY WATER LEFT) CP
21 MARCH GOOD FRIDAY - ANYONE WANT TO ORGANISE SOMETHING?
29 / 30 MAR L1 COACH TRAINING AT LONGRIDGE (PART 1) AM
APRIL 2008
01 APRIL TUESDAY SESSIONS COMMENCE (TO BE CONFIRMED) DO
03 APRIL BUCKS COACHING PANEL AT LONGRIDGE - PADDLESPORT LCO
07 APRIL COMMITTEE MEETING, GEORGE & DRAGON COMMENCING 7:30 AM
13 APRIL CST / PADDLESPORT SAFETY AT LONGRIDGE
26 / 27 APR. L1 COACH TRAINING AT LONGRIDGE (PART 2) AM
MAY 2008
10 / 11 MAY NOVICE COURSE 1 - VOLUNTEERS PLEASE TT
12 MAY COMMITTEE MEETING, GEORGE & DRAGON COMMENCING 7:30 AM
JUNE 2008
02 JUNE COMMITTEE MEETING, GEORGE & DRAGON COMMENCING 7:30 AM
07 / 08 JUNE NOVICE COURSE 2 - VOLUNTEERS PLEASE TT
14 / 15 JUNE IMPROVER COURSE 1 - 2* AWARD PART 1 TT
21 / 22 JUNE IMPROVER COURSE 1 - 2* AWARD PART 2 TT
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 15 Spring 2008 / 01

 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 THIS EVENT WILL IN FUTURE BE HOSTED BY LONGRIDGE C.C.
MARTIN 01628
LONGRIDGE martin@longridge.org.uk
PLAIN 483252
WOMENS REP. JULIE BRIGGS
07707
YOUTH REP ALEX SHIEL alex.shiell@gmail.com
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
BERKSHIRE 01189
READING http://www.berkshire-canoes.co.uk
CANOES 425640

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 16 Spring 2008 / 01