It’s the WhiteWater season again, though for a long time it didn’t look

like it was going to make it this year. There’s a healthy amount of rain
drumming on the roof even as I write. Here’s Rob in his new Big Dog
Havoc seal launching of Hodges’ Rock (Symonds Yat weekend – see
inside). At least that’s what it was called on the Saturday when Alison
Coles caught the moment on her Canon G10, but I believe it might have
been renamed since.

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter COVER Winter 2009/04

 CONTENTS EDITORS PIECE
TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE 3 The WhiteWater season is finally here. In
most areas apart from the South East the
HOLIDAY 2010 6 rivers seem to have gone from reasonably
placid to raging torrents in a matter of days.
2008 / 2009 HASLER RESULTS 8 In fact so much rain has fallen I‟m sure the
sea has risen a little! I‟ve even seen a picture
HOME GROWN SALTY STUFF 10
of the Miner‟s Bridge (Betwys-y-Coed)
WEYMOUTH SYMPOSIUM + 12 disappearing under the Llugwy.
Meanwhile the Thames, in a very old fatherly
SYMOND’S YAT WEEKEND 14 style, slowly increases its flow and I expect
before to long we will be looking at one way
2010 AGM 15 trips. This might be a good time to re-visit
last issues piece on roof racks. Look forward
A BEGINNERS GUIDE…… 16 to some faster water in reasonable safety so
long as you keep a look out for what‟s up
NEWSLETTER DELIVERY 17
front. There‟s nothing for our new starters to
FACEBOOK GROUP 18 be concerned about yet.
This issue gets underway with an item by
WHAT’S ON, WHEN & WHERE 19 anon. Anon may or may not have written for
us before but I really took to this item,
THE COMMITTEE 20 especially the new noun. We follow this with
an item on a sea kayaking holiday in the
Turkish Med. Jane forsook Rod the Australian this year but there are links to both 7Capes
and Sea Kayak Milos for those that might want to paddle in the warm next year.
Andy Cook has done a précis on the Hasler series and tabulated the results for club
members competing in the series. He has done the same for selected national results.
More sea stuff next as some members enjoyed a trip I sort of planned but was unable to
attend due to a flu type thingy. Looked like the best weekend of the year. Following this
some members enjoyed a day at the Weymouth symposium, which is becoming a firm
favourite with some club members. And then we are into the WW season with a piece or
two on the first Wye weekend.
The committee is looking at a new format for the AGM and I‟ve strung a few lines together
explaining what we hope to provide and why. Larry‟s brother has completed pt.1 of a
piece entitled „A beginners guide ………‟ on possibly the smallest piece of equipment that
should be found in the WW paddler‟s kit.
I‟ve put together a small montage of photos sent in by club members to fill up the last
page(s). Do take a look at the What‟s on, When and Where page as we have a fuller
programme, both WhiteWater and Touring than I‟ve seen for a long time.
I hope to see some or all of you at the AGM or various events prior to then, but for those I
don‟t can I take this opportunity to wish all members / readers a very happy Christmas.

JOHN NORRIS AUGUST 2009

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter -2- Winter 2009/04

PROLOGUE

Once upon a time…….. there was a contented rower – or was he? Was there something
missing from his life? Why could he not pinpoint this source of discontent? What was this
nagging feeling at the back of his mind that he was doing something drastically wrong?
Suddenly, the answer came out of the blue.
Shock, horror – the realization was almost too much to bear. He had been going up the
river the wrong way‼!
Desperately he searched for a solution for his terrible predicament, then
suddenly he saw the light. He would cross to the other side and embark
on a new journey. So the adventure begins.

CHAPTER 1 – NO SPANDEX

So it came to pass the rower found himself booked onto a 1* course

eternally grateful to his already enlightened wife. Upon arriving at the
training establishment the rower was somewhat confused to be out of
his natural (or some may say unnatural) habitat. Where was the bar,
the hot showers and toilet facilities? Yet worst of all, not a single piece
of spandex in sight! He drew small comfort knowing that buried deep
within his kit bag he had provided himself with his own spandex „all in
one‟.

CHAPTER 2 – THE OTHERS

He was soon joined by other curious people attracted to the sport of kayaking all of whom
seemed perfectly normal so maybe his initial fears had been somewhat
premature. The day began with meeting course
members and instructors, swiftly followed by the
allocation of strange objects called buoyancy aids.
Surely this would inhibit ones „catch and tapping down‟
manoeuvre he thought to himself. After a brief lecture

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter -3- Winter 2009/04

on hypothermia and some other ghastly diseases that kayakers could catch it was time to
choose from an array of brightly coloured plastic. Fortunately the rower had recently
acquired his own polythene from a somewhat dodgy source and hoped that this bargain
would not spring a leak! Having been given a stubby stick with a blade on each end he
was set to hit the water.

CHAPTER 3 – H20

After squeezing himself into the rather confined space of plastic cockpit the rower was
disconcerted to find he was being instructed to „paddle forwards‟ this being a totally alien
method of transport to him. Why would this craft not go in a straight line and where was
his Cox? (Some may say this about all rowers but this is another story). The rower was
desolate without the rest of his crew, but bravely pushed on
alone struggling with the concept of forward paddling. After
practicing this for a while another new skill was introduced, this
being „backward paddling‟ at which he was delighted. This
seemed much more familiar, not being able to see where he was
going. Other skills included using the thing called a paddle to
move his boat sideways, stern rudder and sweep stroke moves
in order to be able to move his plastic out of the way of other
river users. The rower thought this somewhat odd as whenever
he and his crew are on the river they never have to move for
anyone? Taking avoiding action seemed extremely strange.
Lunch came and the picnic table provided was no more than a slab of concrete sparsely
decorated with weeds but the rower was too hungry to care. When all were fed and
watered a whole new array of plastic and fibreglass was paraded before him. He liked the
look of the long skinny one called a marathon boat was disappointed that the budget
seemed not to have run into providing stabilizing riggers.

CHAPTER 4 – THE GETTING WET BIT

The day was fast drawing to a close the sky was darkening and an eerie wind began to
howl across the bleak water. To his horror the rower realised that the time had arrived to
get wet. He had heard tales of kayakers voluntarily throwing themselves to the mercy of
the river in some sort of ritual called a „capsize drill‟ but thought it only legend until
now……
There was no escape so following a swift change out of his familiar
spandex and into stuff called
neoprene he braced himself for
the cold, grasping depths of the
river. The rower and the others
duly formed a sacrificial line and
one by one threw their plastic
over into the water coming up
suitably relieved to see sunlight
once again (poetic licence
actually the sun had long gone

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter -4- Winter 2009/04

 by then). Once executed the rower was informed that
he now had to perform this again wearing a skirt
called a spray deck at this point he seriously began
to wonder whether kayakers enjoyed being upside
down more than the right way up. What was the
purpose of this spray deck then in a eureka moment
the answer came in a flash, it was to cover the
„kayak belly‟. Yes that was it he had seen waves of
kayakers disappearing into the tea shop at Temple to
eat cake and cultivate their kayak bellies
Rowers favoured the six pack look.

CHAPTER 5 – DRYING OFF

Having survived this unceremonious dunking a cold, cold rower was permitted to return to
the salubrious men‟s changing room to don suitable warm clothing before facing the
debriefing and final judgment of his efforts to join the ranks of the roughie toughies. He
waited in trepidation of the result and breathed a huge sigh of relief when told he had
passed and was now officially fledged as a one star

‘Rowaker’

EPILOGUE
Since starting this tale the rowaker was struck down with kayak sickness and felt the need
to pursue his calling to the other side by completing and passing a two star course. This
still not being enough to sate his appetite he went on to teach himself to perform the much
envied and macho „Eskimo roll‟ deftly pulling this off in the river at the drop of hat or should
that be kayak helmet!

THE END

The author would like it known that the identity of the rower
has not been disclosed in order to protect his anonymity
thereby preventing any reprisals from purist kayakers.

12111553 22259924 AUGUST 2009

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter -5- Winter 2009/04

WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR YOUR HOLIDAY
NEXT YEAR?

Many of the clubs older(?) members will know that each year Andy (my husband) & I tend
to go off sea kayaking somewhere warm enough that you don‟t need to wonder whether
your thermals & wetsuit will be dry in the morning, but just pack a swimsuit & carry plenty
of water. I thought I‟d write a quick summary of our experiences for anyone who thinks
they might enjoy sunshine, warm water and fantastic sunsets - from a kayak.
For the last few years,
we have alternated
between Turkey & the
Greek island of Milos ,
in the Cyclades .
Last month we tried out
a little outfit called
Seven Capes in Turkey
.This is run by an
English guy and his
Turkish wife and is a
nice mixture of guest
house & camping, so for
anyone new to
expeditions, it‟s a good
combination. The first
few days were exploring
& camping on islands in
the bay of Fethiye,
where the sea is
generally relatively
calm, then two nights in a guest house with a half day paddle/skills session, before
paddling along the Seven Capes – including the Bad Cape, the Devil‟s Cape… you
probably get the picture. So I learnt more about surf launches, surf landings, and staying
in the boat between the two – but it was never scary. In fact, there were two Russian girls
in the group, one of whom had only been in a kayak a couple of times, and she coped
fine. This may have been because she didn‟t know enough to be worried – so when she
was stuck on rocks with waves breaking over her, she‟d sit smiling & wait for someone to
sort it out.

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter -6- Winter 2009/04

The coast here is very interesting – a mixture of sandy beaches, rocky headlands, caves,
ancient ruins, the sound of goat bells, the smell of thyme… Distances were around 20km a
day, though one day was much longer & I was feeling the burn. One excellent thing I
hadn‟t met elsewhere – a short yoga session in the boats each morning before setting off.
Proper stretching seriously made so much difference to our muscles – especially after a
night „sleeping‟ on the beach with two Scops owls trying to outdo each other in their
imitation of a smoke alarm!
So it was a great holiday, easy to get to, out of the Euro zone – I‟ll leave some brochures
in the rack at the club.

However – if you
don‟t mind a more
complicated journey,
and want to learn a
lot, have a really
fantastic time, come
home very confident,
learn to roll, be able
to handle a sea
kayak in wind &
waves – get yourself
out to Milos & learn
with Rod, our
favourite guide &
coach! If you are
lucky enough to find
a sea kayak guide in
Turkey with good
kayak skills, this is
often because they
have been trained by Rod. My ambition for next year is to paddle from Milos to Santorini
with him. See seakayakgreece.com or talk to me!

JANE OXLEY SEPT 2009

Click on the pic. for a link through to SEA KAYAK MILOS and read about what Rod and
Mrs. Rod can offer. Something for almost everyone it would seem from Jane‟s hoped for
Santorini crossing for the more experienced sea kayaker or one of his multi day packages
returning each night to the B&B.
If enough people are sufficiently interested we may look at a club holiday.

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter -7- Winter 2009/04

Following on from what can only be described as an outstanding DW for the club, it‟s not
escaped my notice that one or two other people are out in the marathon boats. They are
not for everyone but we now offer these boats out to try for all on the 1* courses so many
more are giving them a go. Hopefully Melinda will be able to offer her Wednesday evening
session again next year and perhaps with a little assistance from the more experienced
marathon paddlers in the club we may be able to make it „mainstream‟ rather than a
sideline for the general membership. Andy Cooke, who has always been a marathon
paddler (and more) has put a piece together for us explaining how the Hasler series came
about and the results at various events pertaining to club paddlers.

MARLOW CC HASLER RACES

RESULTS FOR 2008 / 2009 SEASON
Ever seen the film “Cockleshell Heroes” - It was based on a WWII mission undertaken by
Major Hasler and 11 other Royal Marines.

From Marathon Web site:- The story behind the Hasler Trophy

One of the most daring raids of World War Two took place on the night of 11 December
1942 in the enemy-occupied port of Bordeaux in France. Operation Frankton involved 12
men in six canoes being taken by submarine to a position 10 miles south of the Gironde
estuary on 7th December. One of the canoes was ripped passing through the hatch of the
submarine, but the other five then had an 85 mile paddle ahead of them. Two boats were
lost in the tidal race and the remaining three carried on for three days, paddling in
darkness and lying up during the day. One more boat hit a submerged rock and sank and
the final two boats went on to Bordeaux harbour, where they attached their limpet mines
and, assisted by the ebb tide, paddled silently back down the river. The mines detonated
and severely damaged four vessels and sunk one. The four remaining men beached
before reaching the sea, scuttled their canoes and travelled overland to try to reach safety.
Two were captured, but Major „Blondie‟ Hasler and Marine Bill Sparks made their way to
Spain – the only two of the original ten who survived. Hasler was awarded the DSO and
Sparks the DSM.

After the war, Hasler went on to found the Single Handed Transatlantic Yacht race after a
bet with his friend Francis Chichester. The Hasler Trophy was presented by Lloyds
Underwriters to commemorate the raid of the so-called „Cockleshell Heroes‟ and has been
competed for since 1957. Major Hasler died in 1987 and Bill Sparks died on 30 th
November 2002, only ten days short of the sixtieth anniversary of the raid. In 2003 the
Marathon Committee decided to inaugurate a new trophy named in honour of Bill Sparks,
which goes to the highest placed veteran K2 in the highest division at the Hasler Final.

The Hasler Trophy is won once a year by the best Marathon Club in the Country. This is
decided at the Hasler Final, in 2009 it is at Reading on 27th Sept. The Hasler final is a one
day contest between the top clubs from the regions, four from the Southern Region. The
competition for those 4 places throughout the ten Southern Region races of the season
has been very hot. Reading, Banbury, Pangbourne and Southampton made it, with

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter -8- Winter 2009/04

Basingstoke missing out by one point. Marlow gained 13 points beating Longridge which
had 7 points. Bourne End J S C had 29 points.

MARLOW CC HASLER RESULTS THIS SEASON

SINGLE
DATE VENUE DIV NAME RESULT DETAILS
DOUBLE

05.10.08 Elmbridge 8 Single Andy Cook 11 of 20

12.10.08 Windsor 8 Single Andy Cook 19 of 39

19.10.08 Longridge 8 Single Andy Cook 8 of 31 Less than 1 min. off promotion

Swim due to clash of paddles

17.05.09 Basingstoke 8 Single Andy Cook Last
also broken rudder.

With A Archondakis of
14.06.09 Royal 7 Double Andy Cook 2 of 5
Longridge

Richard
21.06.09 Oxford 7 Single 12 of 25
Hammersley

8 Single Andy Cook 4 of 20 16 sec. off promotion

Steve
9 Single 3 of 37 Promoted to div 7
Backshall

Steve
Backshall
12.07.09 Pangbourne 7 Double 3 of 13
Richard
Hammersley

Steve
19.07.09 Wokingham 7 Single 2 of 22 Promoted to div 6
Backshall

8 Single Andy Cook 7 of 27 1&1/2 sec. off promotion

SELECTED NATIONAL RESULTS

NATIONALS 9 K1 STUART LOGAN 1 of 10

NATIONALS 8 K1 ANDY COOK 4 of 18

NATIONALS K1 ANDY COOK 11 of 15 MEN aged 49 - 55

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter -9- Winter 2009/04

The rules for Hasler races are very complicated, you can read them on the Marathon
Website if you wish. Put simply there are 9 divisions with a single and a double race in
each. Divs. 9, 8 & 7 race over about 4 miles, 6, 5 & 4 over 8 miles and 3, 2 & 1 over
approx. 12 miles. Paddlers can be any age and in any type of boat kayak or canoe. Using
a very complicated formula the fastest paddlers in a div. usually get promoted into the div.
above. At Hasler races there are also Lightening (single) and Hoddy (double) for children.
Other longer non-Hasler races we have done are: Watersides, Thamesides, The Royal
Marathon, Avon Decent, Windsor Veterans and the DW.
We have had great fun and satisfaction training, racing and keeping fit this season. Why
don‟t some of you join us this / next year. The club has a number of different suitable boats
to get you started.

Andy, Stuart, Melinda and others are waiting for YOU!

ANDY COOK SEPT 2009

HOME GROWN SALTY STUFF

JURASSIC COAST AND WEYMOUTH SYMPOSIUM (AUTUMN)

Of the potential seven people who were going on this trip organised by John Norris only
three made it due to illness and other reasons, (John himself being a casualty).
So I joined up with Jane Oxley and Mark Steel at the campsite at Corfe Castle on the
Saturday morning of a very promising sunny day. Although Johns plan was to do some
training in the harbour we had all been in the sea recently and decided on a trip. ( Poole
has a double high tide, one was 10.15am and the next 14.22pm with not much fall.) We
drove to the Studland bay side Poole Harbour parking up near the harbour ferry. Carrying
the boats through the bushes we found the harbour choppy, cold and windy compared to
every else. We loaded up (including some warm gear just in case) we paddled through
some chop to the harbour entrance just as a cross channel ferry was entering. Ploughing
through the waves we made it through the entrance and out into the open sea. After
pottering along the first piece of coast we then paddled directly across Studland Bay to a
small beach just before the Old Harry rocks. After a short breather we then had to decide
what to do about the overfall / race at Old Harry rocks. The first attempt was to go through
the gaps in the rocks but not enough water so we paddled straight through the
overfall/race which was quite mild as it was only just after high water. We then followed the
cliffs along towards Swanage and stopped at an isolated beach for lunch/cigarette/ sleep/
tan top up.

We then continued on towards Swanage but eventually turned back and headed for Old
Harry Rocks. As had been happening all day the sea was moving/ changing not helped by
the wake from the power boats, jet skis‟ and everything else thrashing up and down the
coast. Closing in on the rocks Mark stopped to talk to a sit on top paddler who had just
been terrified paddling through the overfall/race so we decided to have a look for a better
way. (For those who might not know the water from Studland bay was trying to get into
Swanage bay as the tide went out, down the English Channel, creating the fast water
overfall and basically we had to paddle “up stream”.) Yes there was a gap in the rocks,
Mark with a lot of scrapping and manoeuvring eventually managed to make it back into

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter - 10 - Winter 2009/04

Studland Bay , Jane followed, unfortunately I sit deeper in the water but was able to find
another way through the streams of water. Another paddle along to a tea shop, then
passed the nudist beach (I think there‟s a saying that the less beautiful the body the more
people are prepared to take their clothes‟ off, it was certainly true that day) heading to
Poole Harbour entrance.

Now this is where it started to get interesting. All the big power boats heading for the
Harbour entrance were making waves and the closer to the entrance the bigger the swell/
waves, so much so as we passed a point of land a wave dumped into the boat having
popped the spray deck. Reverse paddle, quick pump out and carry on. How do you get
through the harbour entrance with all the turmoil, ferry etc? We edged closer, the ferry
went across the entrance to the far side, it seemed like a good time, Mark went through,
followed closely by myself, unfortunately at the other side was a massive stopper. Mark
eventually paddled out, Jane somehow avoided it but I was stuck. Paddling flat out for 30
seconds I had not moved an inch! Fortunately the ferry started coming back and it
disturbed the stopper enough to paddle through into the harbour, quite tough really.
Eventually landing, dragging the boats over the exposed shore, through the bushes to a
much relived seat in the car.
So we returned to camp, reflected
on the day, planned the next and
then took a mile and half walk to a
pub in Corfe Castle. Lovely
seafood meal, a few drinks and
taxi back.
The Sunday also started very
brightly and we set of for

Kimmeridge, a lovely bay east of

Lulworth Cove (a few other
paddlers had the same idea). Our
principle destination being
Chapman‟s Pool some way to the
east and the possibly a little
further to St Aldhelm‟s Head
where it has more overfalls / race.
We set off in a slight swell and
hazy/ overcast, just a gentle
paddle over the rocks and weed beds until we got to Chapman‟s Pool, a small bay really,
with plenty of rocks for manoeuvring between. Another brief landing (which I thought was
lunch) but no off again towards St Aldhelm‟s Head. At this point the swell and wind got up
briefly; that combined with hunger convinced me to land whilst Jane and Mark went to
explore the overfalls/race. On their return they commented in unison that “it was twitchy”.
So after a proper break for lunch/cigarette/ sleep/ tan top up the decision was, go point to
point to Kimmeridge or go back along part of the coast? As point to point would have been
just a boring flog on a hot sunny afternoon it was back along the shore which had changed

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter - 11 - Winter 2009/04

now the tide had be running for a couple of hours. We are glad we did, more rocks, small
waves to surf and eventually a glassy sea, you could see the bottom with all the seaweed,
plants and occasional fish, brilliant. It wasn‟t all easy going, the occasional wave/ larger
swell from boats way of shore meant you had to keep watch as they threatened to upset
you.

So all in all a great week-end, and almost two days‟ solid of sun.

WEYMOUTH SYMPOSIUM & SESK TRIP

Having taking an active interest in sea kayaking it was a natural step to go to the
Weymouth Sea Symposium in September. Starting on Thursday this ranges over four
days with a number of activities you select on booking.

Having planned to camp I arrived late on a very windy but cloudless Wednesday afternoon
at a campsite high up on the Downs overlooking Fleet Lagoon and Portland Bill. After
some searching I found a sheltered spot for myself as well as Jane and Mark who were to
come down at different times. A beautiful evening was followed by a glorious red sunset
and a clear sky in which you could see the Milky Way.

Thursday dawned windy, so down to the Centre and off to do some Rough Water
handling. However the morning was quite tame and the afternoon trip to Portland Bill was
called off as being to dangerous, BUT the surf was up in Weymouth Bay! So after lunch
we drove down to the Marina on the River Wey and paddled to the open sea. What are
those big humps going up and down, a hollow pit in the stomach at the sight of the five foot
swell. Ah well lets give it a go, so out we paddled across the swell with the aim of getting
some way down the beach before surfing in. After a time there were yachts bearing down
on us from the World Championships that were taking place in the bay. Quick change of
course and the threat went away. Right says the leader Paul “spread yourselves out and
try surfing in”. A few short runs but soon there were bodies in the water all over the place,
a couple of half attempted self rescues but we were all swept into the beach. Empty the
boat, re-launch, spray deck on and paddle out through the pounding surf. As you paddled
out, the breaking waves gave way to bigger breaking waves and bigger rollers, all of a
sudden it was exhilarating paddling over and through these waves with a satisfying thump
each time you pounded through one and the bow thudded down onto the back of the wave
ready to attack the next, you just wanted to keep going. Then turn around (not an easy
task, wait for a lull) then try again. Another short run then all of a sudden you are going,
disappointment turns to elation as you are moving and continue riding that wave, cries of
“whoopee, ride „em cowboy etc” and you run for ever, then you notice the bow gradually
turning into the wave, how do I get off, too late its tipped you off, so what only a foot of
water, boy what a ride. Back to base for a hot shower and reminisce.

Friday dawned grey and windy, there were supposed to be two groups but all fourteen of
us piled into a minibus with a trailer carrying fourteen kayaks and set of for Kimmeridge.
The trip was to be Kimmeridge to Turners Pool a trip I had done with Mark and Jane some
weeks before. It started off flat with a slight headwind which grew in intensity, hence the
chop increased. The problem today was having layered up against the wind and cold I

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter - 12 - Winter 2009/04

was actually overheating. Within half a mile of Turners Pool we landed on one of the
ledges and had lunch, some so cold that they used the storm shelter. Then back on the
boats to finish the trip to the Pool with which promised some interesting rock hopping.
Now the wind was really up, head down to reduce wind resistance and just paddle. A
sizable swell was going onto the rocks but most people were getting in and out without too
many problems. The advice was if you get washed against a rock hug it and present the
hull to the incoming waves. The reality was the rocks were worm ridden and looked very
sharp so grabbing it would probably cut you to pieces so when pushed against a rock it
was lean the other way, brace, brace and brace again until the wash took you away and
you could move on. Further on whilst waiting to pass inshore of two rocks a larger than
normal swell came through and gave me “an inadvertent surf” right through the gap and
onto the back of another boat that had been pushed back into my line. Well after hilarity
all around (actually very dangerous) we disentangled ourselves and set about getting out
again. There must be some physical law which says when you cycle or kayak into a wind,
then turn to go the other way the wind dies down or changes direction, so off we set and
quite a flog back to Kimmeridge. A challenging but enjoyable day for everyone but at the
end of which we said goodbye to the Weymouth Centre as on Saturday we intended to
paddle Ringstead to Lulworth Cove with the South East Sea Kayakers group.

Saturday was a bright cloudless day and we drove to Ringstead, just east of Weymouth
down a narrow road to a reasonably priced privately owned area/ car park where we met
about ten other paddlers from South East Kayakers. Launch and then east to Lulworth, a
bit of chop but soon we were passing glorious chalk cliffs‟. A short stop on a steep shingle
beach then off again rock hopping, through arches, through beds of sea vegetation where
you had to wait for gaps in which you could place a blade. All of a suddenly there were
climbers practising their skills on the cliffs, (with the odd one falling into the water as they
tried to negotiate an overhang,) and there were excellent examples of rock formations
where millions of years ago shifting Teutonic plates (earths crust) pressing together had
created great folds in the surface of the earth, to a glorious sundrenched Lulworth Cove
where we stopped to lunch. Laying back looking at the sun beating down, a conversation
overheard between a Marlow member and another member of the group….

Well where do you keep your ducks

In the chicken house.
Well where do you keep your chickens?
maybe you had to be there.

The trip back had more rock hopping, more sights but overall a bit of a haul back to
Ringstead for tea.
There were more things to do at Weymouth such as the Saturday night paddle and round
trip of Portland Bill on Sunday but after three great days I headed for home.

CHARLES PAIN SEPT 2009

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter - 13 - Winter 2009/04

SYMONDS YAT WEEKEND.
The WW season is underway, well it will be if it starts raining, and it traditionally starts with
a trip to Symonds Yat, an ideal introduction to the genre for the seasons new starters.
JP put together a weekend to encompass a down river trip on the Saturday and some
specific WW intro and skills practice on the Sunday.
I was surprised not to see more people turn up for the Saturday – just 6 of us – and just 1
who may not have done the trip before. Perhaps we did not make it sufficiently well known
what a beautiful river the Wye is. About 8 miles of „moving‟ water offering a variety of
features that provide an ideal introduction to touring with the option of „shooting‟ the rapids
at the end of the day.
Being a little later than usual there were not so many hire craft on the water as usual but a
sizeable gaggle left Kerne Bridge 10.45. This river lives and from the start, even in low
water, there is a noticeable flow (much better than St Pats. Stream). We all knew the river
reasonably well with the possible exception of Ali who had her own L3K on hand. The
start of this trip follows the road down to Lydbrook but it‟s still quite. Very quite. A few
cars, a bit of wildlife but no background noise. I think some of us have forgotten what
silence is.
I first heard of LYDBROOK rapids a few years back courtesy of TT, the river just speeds
up a little here and when low offers a little ripple. It‟s an easy ride through but capable of
providing a „thrill‟ for the first timer. At Lydbrook the river bends a little. Probably due to
the location of an island the flow here is actually faster on the inside of the bend. It‟s best
to take the outside line here as trees on the inner bank can prove dangerous. Shortly after
we come to a favoured eddy location most suitable for practising break in‟s and out‟s. I
like this spot – If I‟ve got time to think about it I still tend to wobble a bit on breaking out,
but you can practise safely here.
After here it‟s a gentle paddle downstream in blissful silence. The river has entered
countryside proper now and it‟s a gem. Wildlife is there to be seen for those that look but
mostly it‟s a time to enjoy the river and practise those all important eddy turns on any of
the numerous bankside features the river has to offer. Lunch was taken on a small beach
in the shadow of Symonds Yat, the sun struggling to reach the river as Autumn continues
its march toward Winter. As always a far better spot was just around the corner. But had
we continued that spot may have been in use when we arrived. For the most part even
larger groups are enjoying the serenity and make little in the way of noise. We reach
Huntsman‟s bridge and those not familiar with the geography of the Wye might be
surprised to find that we are just 20mins. walk from where we started. The trip down to the
rapid gets a little more commercialised with a funfair / theme park on the right bank and a
few short trip cruisers.
We come to the „ROCK‟. It‟s been given a no. of names over the years but on Saturday it
was still Hodges rock. A 2m slide and a 1m drop into the river makes for a rather special
„seal‟ launch.
It‟s my first time on the rapids since the BCU invested heavily on „improving‟ the feature for
our benefit. Outwardly it doesn‟t look a lot different but a more distinct channel through the
middle offers a bouncy passage for the hire canoes in the lower levels. I had a few runs
through and a chance to practise a little and thought the passage straight through had
been improved a little whilst able to offer a better environment for WW practise. I have
seen people paddle up the old Yat, I don‟t think they‟ll do it know.

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter - 14 - Winter 2009/04

It‟s too late for food at the Saracens Head, and a plate of chips going to waste on the next
table was almost more than I could take. A shame the purchasers of the chips were still at
the table looking all dewy eyed at each other, I reckon I could have got the chips without
them even knowing they‟d gone! But they did have „Botty Burp‟ on offer. It‟s been
rumoured that this is a good pint so I had to have some. And the rumours were correct. A
wonderfully smooth pint to round of a wonderful day. Thanks to JP, Ali, Rob, Alex M, and
Kelvin.

John Norris October 2009

AND ON SUNDAY
Sunday 10:00am at Symonds Yat and 10 souls from beginners to coaches gathered for a
day of basic instruction, skills refreshing and just plain remembering what WW is all about.
The first thing you notice upon entering the car park is that the slide is closed (boo) but
after enquiring the one at the other end of the car park is open (hurray).
After some basic introductions, swapping of objectives and what to do if at the receiving
end of a throw line, there was the slide and a refreshing splash to get us in the mood.
More basics on horizon lines, ferry gliding and inspecting the rapids then first move of the
season (or ever for some) into the rapids with ferry gliding, crossing, eddy hopping etc.
However, whilst we were there it became busier as more groups arrived. After completing
the first set of manoeuvres, it‟s down to the beach and a portage back up to the top. JP
encouraged everyone to try out the rapid in their own time. However, it kept getting busier,
every time you looked up you could see helmets and paddles as another flotilla came
downstream. This was not helped by the odd canoe getting in on the act as well as quite a
few sailing through. With all the gear they were wearing Davy Crockett could have slipped
through unnoticed. Beach, portage and lunch.
The afternoon started with a trip up to the rock, most had a go being led by JP, entering
the river almost vertically with the grace of an Olympic diver (and almost no splash) to be
totally submerged, the remainder registering different levels on the splashometer.
Then back to the rapids which by now were almost deserted. So with the sun shining
brightly the Marlow paddlers had another hour or so of uninterrupted paddling. There were
a few swimmers in the afternoon but this was testament to the effort being applied. So
ended a very enjoyable day out.

P.S. The KARNALI owners club all enjoyed their new toys.

CHARLES PAIN October 2009

THE 2010 AGM

Many successful AGM‟s have been held at the King George pub, Little Marlow, but it can‟t
have escaped many people‟s notice that the attendances have been falling. To that end
the committee are looking at alternative options. That‟s why there is no „flyer‟ printed
within the newsletter this issue. All members will get a postal invitation once a new venue
/ format has been agreed upon. Our new hoped for format will be a more general one that

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter - 15 - Winter 2009/04

will reflect the more „casual‟ paddler that many of the newer membership tend to be whilst
not alienating the „hard core‟ paddler of old. All are welcome. The evening will be billed as
a social event / quiz night (possibly with a fish / chicken & chips basket meal). Lee Niven
has offered to write a quiz which I hope will include a no. of paddling related questions that
the new member can reasonably expect to answer amongst several other rounds. Time
for a chat, basket meal (hopefully), a cuppa and on to the AGM. Once the essentials are
out of the way we can conclude the evening with the prize giving. Prizes are normally on
offer for the following categories (see below) and sometimes for additional ones. If you
feel that anyone in particular is deserving of consideration for an award please let your
views be known to the committee.
Best new starters / most improved – Adult (men and women + junior[s]), Newsletter item of
the year, Swimmer of the year (only awarded to those who should have known better) etc.
The meeting is scheduled for Monday 1st February and all members will be advised of the
time and location by post just as soon as a venue is confirmed.

ON BEHALF OF THE COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 2009

A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO NEW EQUIPMENT PT.1

Whilst most courses concentrate on the virtues of correctly fitting helmets, buoyancy aids,
spray decks and the correct air pressure in air bags, although it has to be said helium is
very much lighter for the weight conscious paddler, an often overlooked piece of
equipment is the humble ear plug.
Ear plugs come in many materials and colours although by necessity shape is pretty much
a personal matter of choice. But before going into the relative merits of foam v wax v
cotton wool v blutack (don‟t groan - desperate times can call for desperate measures) it is
worth spending a few minutes on the iconic device and why spending 50p on a pair will
represent considerably better value than the several hundred pounds you spent on your
favourite wee boatie.
For the novice paddler nothing can beat the sense of anticipation of your first trip away and
the prospect of sharing a bunk house with a bunch of people you might rather not
introduce to you nearest and dearest at home. Car pooling is the norm on a first trip and is
generally recommended as scat navs are notoriously unreliable when trying to find the
location of a bunk house in the dark in the middle of winter. The journey down probably
also represents you first chance to spend quality time with a more seasoned member of
the club…but beware! Your host will probably be trying to find out if we have any new
snorers on board and the trip down is definitely not the time to mention that you have
represented your country at snoring – unless you want to find yourself abandoned at the
first service station.
Of course it is your first trip and you want to soak up the whole experience but where to
sleep? Bunkhouses come in all shapes and sizes but generally only one temperature and
that will be 2 degrees below anything you vaguely consider warm and the water will be a
further 2 degrees colder than that. When selecting a bunk remember that carpets absorb
sound and hard floors don‟t. It is also better to avoid a corner in case a food fight breaks
out. As for the top bunk v bottom bunk dilemma, go with the flow but remember that a big
person below will make the whole Heath-Robinson death-trap a lot more
stable…sometimes.

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter - 16 - Winter 2009/04

If you happen to hear people saying that they have brought bags of ear plugs with them for
other people get set for a very long night. Their attempts at charity, whilst commendable,
are normally the foretaste of a musical performance that will make you believe in
werewolves and other ghoulish creatures. It is perhaps also worthwhile avoiding a bunk
share with anyone wearing a beard. Known snorers may well identify themselves and
generally find safety in numbers.
So, assuming that you will not get any sleep, how best can you prepare? One obvious way
is to drink yourself into oblivion. It is a tried and tested approach and nothing works better
than a belly full of the excellent Wye Valley Brewery Botty Burp - but although scientific
research has shown that, in the absence of any other factors, hours of sleep does increase
in relation to amount of alcohol consumed so, unfortunately, does the volume and decibel
levels of snoring. You could get to sleep before the snorers but is it worth the risk and the
inevitable hangover? It is also tactically not good to slope off to bed early because, as
some of you will find out, some of your new friends will do room service and bring another
beer to your bedside.
A backup plan is always useful but make sure nobody else has the same idea. Last year I
identified a very comfortable sofa in the bunkhouse hall only to find Reza in it at 3am when
I finally gave up all hope of getting to sleep. My only option was the Zafira which may well
have 7 seats but a bed it is not!
So, back to the original question: - foam v wax v cotton wool v blutack. Often it comes
down to whatever you can get in Boots or what you have in the cupboard from that last
long distance flight. I prefer the foam torpedo shape ones from the Chemist in Ashburton.
This is an excellent establishment although I did have a bit of a job persuading the lady
that I really had come in for ear plugs….what else would you need from a chemist on a
Saturday night before going out for beers with your Mates, sorry, friends? Actually their
sales nose dived last year but have since recovered. Any suggestion of a link to one of our
members going away to NZ and then coming back is just scurrilous rumour mongering.
Hope that has been of use and do watch out for A beginners Guide to Essential Equipment
Part 2 which will be appearing soon and as Nick Ross used to say, don‟t have nightmares,
do sleep well.

P. ADDLER NOVEMBER 2009

NEWSLETTER DELIVERY
Following a short trial which was generally liked by those that viewed it, I‟ll be posting
future newsletters on a community publishing site – SCRIBD – where the newsletter can
be viewed in book layout. It also makes it easier for others to view our newsletter as well.
I‟ll probably be giving up the newsletter soon (it‟s time for me to take a back seat) so would
hope this would allow a new editor to advise of a new edition by e-mail but not eat into
their usage allowance. Fortunately, I enjoy virtually unlimited usage so it‟s not been a
problem for me.
If you are interested in putting together the newsletter (4 issues per year) then I‟d be happy
to hear from you and would look forward to working with you over the next year to achieve
a seamless transition.

THE EDITOR NOVEMBER 2009

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter - 17 - Winter 2009/04

FACEBOOK GROUP
It seems some of the younger members of the club
have formed a FACEBOOK group. It has since
become quite widely adopted to announce a variety
of events, but in particular the WhiteWater events
organised by JP and the touring events organised
by Lee Niven. There is a wide range of contributors
to the site (some of whom surprised me) and it looks
like this site might become the main source of
contact, at least until the new website (possibly with forum facilities) is up and running.
Click on FACEBOOK for a link to the site where you will need to register and log-in. We
older types might have to fiddle about with things a little but it soon falls into place. Dan
Miller has produced a couple of logo‟s which are crying out to be put on a black tee, but for
the traditionalists he has agreed to my request for a redraw of the original paddler logo.
Not so much an update, as the same basic design but in a more PC friendly format.
Facebook offers trip providers the chance to expand on the one liners I put in the What‟s
on, When & Where page and allows you to comment on proposals. The site also offers us
the chance to host photos and videos. I‟ve copied a few below to illustrate what some of
the membership has been up to just recently.

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter - 18 - Winter 2009/04

 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
TUESDAY SESSIONS FROM 6:30 pm, ON THE WATER FOR
ALL
7.00pm. SEE D.O. FOR FINISH, CHECK NOTICEBOARDS FOR D.O
TUESDAYS
EVENTS etc. (PUB PADDLE or ALTERNATIVE)

DEC. 13 FLAT WATER TOUR – RIVER WEY – GUILDFORD TOURING TT

DEC. 26 > CANOE TOUR – LOUGH NEAGH (NI) or RIVER TWEED TOURING LN
JAN. 01 > NEW YEAR WHITEWATER, NORTH WALES – TBC WHITEWATER RE
JAN. 04 PRE AGM COMMITTEE MEETING – MARLOW DONKEY CLUB AM
FEB. 01 AGM – 7.30pm – VENUE TO BE CONFIRMED CLUB AM
FEB. 07 LEVEL 2 COACH TRANSFER TRAINING TRAINING AM
FEB. 13-14 CANOE CAMP (OR B&B) – RIVER THAMES - RUSHEY TOURING LN
MAR. 13-14 CANOE CAMPING – RIVER SEVERN TOURING LN
MAR. ????? SCOTTISH WHITEWATER WHITEWATER DG
APRIL 07 > CANOE CAMPING – LOCH / RIVER TAY TOURING LN
APRIL 30 > OPEN CANOE ASSOCIATION – CANOE FEST TOURING LN
SEA TOURING / TRIPS CALENDAR HAS YET TO BE CONFIRMED. ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE
MADE ON THE YAHOO GROUP AND THOSE INTERESTED WILL NEED TO FOLLOW THE
INSTRUCTIONS THEREIN. NOTE! ALL SEA TRIPS ARE ‘PEER’ GROUP AS WE HAVE NO SEA
COACHES.

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
LN LEE NIVEN 07824 828024 leeandsue@talktalk.net
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
DG DAVE GODDARD 01494 863862 dcgodd@googlemail.com

Marlow Canoe Club Newsletter - 19 - Winter 2009/04

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.com

EQUIPMENT CHRIS PORTEOUS 01628 485049 chrisps@gmail.com

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

WOMENS REP. VACANT (Temporary – Melinda Livett, see social)

YOUTH REP. ALEX MILLARD 07787 978036 trials_me_crazy@hotmail.co.uk

SOCIAL SEC MELINDA LIVETT Melinda.livett@yahoo.com

MARATHON POST VACANT – CAN YOU HELP OUT?

WHITEWATER CHRIS PORTEOUS 01628 485049 chrisps@gmail.com

TOURING LEE NIVEN 07824 828024 leeandsue@talktalk.net

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 WARWICK 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 - 20 - Winter 2009/04