Winter racing on the Soar

The last of the 6 races held on the River Soar at Thurmaston is due this weekend. Competition has been fierce over the winter. At least between members of the club if not in terms of medals!  :¬0

More details of this weekends race (click here).

Watermead Winter Series 2014 – Race 6

March 14 @ 9:15 am - 2:00 pm

Thurmaston Scout HQ,

Unicorn Street, Thurmaston, LEICESTER LE4 8AW United Kingdom

A series of 6 kayak/canoe races (time trials) over a course of 4.5 miles (no portages) on the River Soar, Grand-Union Canal & River Wreake starting and finishing at Thurmaston. Race format: individual starts at 1 minute intervals. Entry Fees: £5 per Adult, £3 per Junior per race Any boat welcome! Any age welcome! Check-In from 09:15Hrs.  Briefing: 10:30 Hrs   First Boat Off: 10:45 Hrs Pre-Race & Post-Race Refreshments available! Prizes for each race and for the whole series

Photos from the December race by Dom (click here).

RCC Matters - Spring 2015

Well what an action packed winter we’ve had – awards; Bonfire Night Paddle; paddling excitement on reservoir and river and Sarah O inching ever closer to the penultimate leg of her round the world expedition – the solo row across the Atlantic Ocean.

Many thanks to all who have contributed words and to Mike Cockerlll for the photos that accompany all of the attached features apart from Sarah’s expedition.

Happy reading……(click here)

A tad windy on the lake

We paddle on Rutland Water most Sundays throughout the year even when its a tad windy. More images here.

First Sea Trip - Oban

Andy writes;

"We were on Holiday about 15 years ago on Mull at the Singing Sands, near Kentra when we saw a couple in a double sea kayak come ashore and tootle up the beach to their car. I thought at the time how magical that looked and vowed that at some stage I would love to do the same."

The full story can be found here.

River Soar at Barrow - July 2014

Eight paddlers took a meandering route along and around the River Soar at Barrow.  It was a sunny, leisurely paddle allowing us to take our time and take in the sights where we normally race by oblivious.   We entered uncharted territory en route to Mount Sorrel – although we knew how the route started and  finished we weren’t sure what happened in the middle – as it turned out a mystery tour through reeds and tunnels, floating barges full of cross dressing party animals and a mega bumpy weir or two.

More photos here . . . .

Denford to Oundle - 17/May/2014

 

  

We came (to Denford) and

we pootled and
we powered,

we portaged and
we cheated (. .  well, mostly we cheated),

we paddled under a blistering sun and
we glided over glistening pools,

we crashed and
we grounded,

we camped and
we picniced.

It was all right really.

Thanks to all; Ron and the girls, Mike, Lynette, Trevor, Christine, Richard, Judi, Ben, James and Vivien.

More photos here.

Paddling the Newark Loop

An eclectic mix of open canoe, sea kayak, five wavehoppers, two short boats,  and a tourer took to the water for the Newark loop on a fine day better than forecast.  It was an interesting  paddle taking in the sights of Newark – complete with castle, industrial heritage, pretty countryside and waving children.  We had to concentrate in parts to follow the current and anticipate the swirly bits.  Most elected to portage the first weir although James and Lynette chose to shoot it in a rather bumpy style, with James finding many rocks on which to wedge himself.

Ben managed to salvage a snail encrusted wheelbarrow which he loaded into his boat alongside the group’s helmets and packed lunches. It was hard work in places against the wind and current and Richard gallantly towed Ben and wheelbarrow to get past the worst of it. 

There were two or three capsizes at the weir, but Ken, Dom, Lynette & Richard had some successful rides;  Richard being so elated with his success that he turned straight back to face the weir again and promptly capsized.  James was as usual the first to throw himself headlong down the weir and Mike was expertly proficient with the throw line.

Thanks to all – Vivian, Judy, Steve, Ken, James, Mike, Dom, Ben, Lynette & Richard for a great paddle.