As you know we have a huge fundraising task facing the Club to refurbish the old Clubhouse. We're applying for grants and donations to cushion the blow but cannot rely on them.

We have a fundraising launch on the 24th September with paddling, BBQ, VIPs visiting and games to mark the occasion - please put the date in your diary and spend as much time at the Club as you can.

After the usual morning paddle, Susan Kramer, MP for Richmond and Honourary Club Member, and the Mayor of Richmond Councillor Robin Jowit will be joining us at 11 to launch the fundraising campaign. And of course our own Tim Joiner will be on hand.

After a full blown South African style BBQ lunch we'll have fun and games on land and shore.

We look forward to seeing you on the 24th.

If you're interested, the Flatwater World Championships racing kicks off today. You can keep an eye on the action at the website.

Great Britain has a team of 16 at the races.

Paddlers of Richmond Canoe Club

This weekend is the National Marathon Championships in Worcester, the pinnacle of the marathon racing calendar (well that and possibly the Hasler Final). It's just like a normal marathon race except with a lot more people present. Every marathon racing club worth its salt will have lots of people racing.

It would be nice, and rewarding for those that do, to get a good Club presence at the meet.

There are a lot of pre-entries, take a look. So it promises to be a lively paddle, what ever division/race your paddling. Full race information, details and a map here.

It’s a great opportunity for people who haven’t raced much this year, to refresh some of those skills and in so doing represent our club at the national event.

If you're driving up, let someone at the Club know so we can make sure everyone can get a lift.

Good luck.

Membership renewal is coming round and it's good to have so many active members with the current situation in the Clubhouse.

With that in mind, it's an opportunity, with a couple of months notice, to encourage you to take out Life Membership. The cost is ten times the annual membership fee.

As you know we need to raise funds for the Clubhouse refit and this is a great way to help your Club.

Thanks.

If you didn't know Richmond are Senior and Junior C4 champions after a phenomenal performance up in Nottingham.

Heroes of the event, the Junior C4 crew, Josh Smyth, Matt Duck, Ed Kilby and Ollie Sims, covered the 1000m course in 4.54 minutes. The Senior Men’s (Marcus Gohar, Tim Joiner, Sean Martin and Derek Hall) completed the course in a more leisurely 5:31.

Film footage (thanks to Tim "Spielberg" Kilip), with sound, of Senior C4 and Vets K4 .

Another video - these boys are less than 12 years old!!! Boys K2

And another video - and these boys are less than 10 years old!!! Boys K2

Five Richmond paddlers went out to Spain over the summer to take part in the famous Sella descent and the Nalón racing series.

Overall, while the Richmond team didn’t produce dazzling results, (and probably wouldn’t have been allowed to under Spanish rules!), this can in part be put down to inadequate boats, and in some cases to many ciders!

Surely the spirit of Europe wins through over any dodgy rulings?

A good show in numbers and performance. Read Henry's account here.

The new Marathon Season opens in September with the race at Marlow Canoe Club on 4th September, building to the Hasler Finals in September 2006.

We need to get Club paddlers at these events. Every paddler - regardless of level - contributes points to the Club total. It's a good day out, good for your paddling and good for the Club.

Marlow is the first race of the season. Dates for your diary below. Dates for the rest of the year at Paddle Point.

Marlow CC - 4 September

Henley - 11 September

Elmbridge - 2 October

Pangbourne - 9 October

Richmond - 23 October

We want to get a good Richmond presence at all Hasler Series races throughout the coming year. Talk with Trevor, Sarah Johnston or Peter Barnes about transport and other details.

The annual Hasler Final is the high point of the Kayak Marathon year. For the first time in 10 years Richmond failed to qualify for this year's final in Norwich. We dont' want to see this happen again.

The Galley Rota is looking a little vacant again. If you can spare a couple of hours on a Saturday to staff the Galley all paddlers would be very grateful. If you can help out, please sign up on the rota or contact Alison. Not sure what it involves but suspicious that one of your lifelong goals is to use a tea urn? Again, have a chat with Alison?

The Great River Race takes place on the 17 September. It's a 22 mile race from Ham down to Greenwich in traditional craft - we'll be using the restored C8.

We're looking to get a strong 8 person team out to support Tim Joiner, our Vice Commodore and Mayor of Westminster. We will be entering as a Riparian Borough so there is a trophy up for grabs.

If you're interested in taking part, please contact Peter Hutchison.

While space is limited please park bikes considerately - in particular bikes in the area around the shower and changing facilities get in the way.

Also, please note that the Club cannot take responsibility for kit left in the changing rooms.

The Port of London is looking to appoint a River Project Officer to co-ordinate and manage activies on the Thames from Richmond to Putney.

Interested? Details. Good luck.

Congratulations to Katherine, Lizzie and Ed for selection to join international development squads by the BCU.

Katherine has been selected for K1, and Lizzie for K2 for the Tour de Gudena in Denmark. Ed, still just 14, has been selected to travel to Sobeka, Belgium with the Under 16 squad in the C1 event.

Selection highlights their potential as bright prospects for the future and is part of the World Class Start Programme that supports talent identification and nurturing for the future development of athletes.

Congratulations also to Trevor and Marcus for getting the teams this far - we're all behind you.

Service has been a little lacking. Not sure what you've been up to, but I've been away.

Send news of races, activities, holiday snaps (preferably of you doing something in a kayak) and we'll get this website up and active again. Email address here.

Watch this space for activity on club developments and fundraising activity.