Another marvellous set of snaps from our very own Neil Thomas, photographer extraordinaire - my, what an attractive, enthusiastic, phenomenally motivated bunch of paddlers we are.

Enjoy.

Check in from 9.30

Div 7-9 - briefing at 10, start 10.30.

Div 2-6 - briefing 12.15, start 12.45

Full details.

At the most recent committee meeting, Neil Thomas resigned from the position of House Steward and was co-opted into the previously vacant role of Coaching Secretary. His job will be to encourage more paddlers to become coaches and ensure that existing coaches are aware of further training opportunities. If you want to learn about qualifying as a BCU coach or are an existing coach interested in developing your skills, please contact Neil.

This change of role leaves vacant the role of House Steward. We are therefore looking for a volunteer willing, as the Club Constitution puts it, to be "responsible for the condition of the club premises and services and for the supervision of paid servants". So, if anyone has experience of taking care of boathouses or looking after servants, great - please contact a Committee member. If you don't have the experience, what a great learning opportunity this could be for you. Guess what, contact a Committee member.

Thanks.

With such a good turn-out on Saturday, a few dates for your October diary. Three races, two very local, all Hasler series.

2nd October - Elmbridge

9th October - Pangbourne

23rd October - RICHMOND

Full details here.

Make them all if you can - ask Trevor and / or Peter Barnes about details and transport.

If you can only make one, attendance on the 23rd October is obligatory - failure to turn up means you'll be doing Galley for at least a month.

A great welcome greeted the Mayor of Richmond, Cllr Robin Jowit, the MP for Richmond Park Susan Kramer and our own Vice Commodore Tim Joiner, Lord Mayor of Westminster, to officially launch the club fundraising campaign on Saturday.

A massive turn-out on the handicap race showed what a force we are. The Big Man (that's Trevor) reckons we had about 80 boats out on the water. The Bell Boat Race was great fun, even if our guests got a little wetter than planned. The Blue Boat won the day, but they if you put Sydney Gold Medallist Tim Foster in the boat you're going to get a head start.

We raised just shy of £600. Big thanks to everyone who dipped their hands in their pockets. Of particular mention is the person who didn't get change for £20 for a 'boerewors', and the lady who went to buy a kit kat and said "keep the change" because her kids had such a great time. Twenty for a kit kat - well, it is nice chocolate.

Watch this space for pictures here.

Thanks to everyone for turning out, made easier by great weather. And thanks to the many, many people who put in their time to make it come together. By this time next week, we'll be...

Saturday 24th September - 11am to 1pm, continuing until 5 or so.

We’ve got the Fundraising Launch, BBQ and Club Sports Fun Day starting at 11am this Saturday (24th). You can download a plan for the day here.

Please bring kit, a change of clothes, money, blankets to sit on and wear a Richmond Canoe Club shirt if you have one.

The weather is reasonable for the time of year – 18°C, sunny intervals, light wind – so bring your family and friends and we should have a good day.

Thanks

Hello All,

Firstly, congratulations to all in terms of the achievements over the summer. I do keep a close eye on what you are all up to and it is fantastic that Richmond is as prolific and successful as ever - and without a permanent abode!!

All is good at my end. My wife and I have bought our first house, 3 bedrooms and detached on a big block of land. That was and is a very exciting move and it already feels like home even though we have only been in residence for 3 weeks to date.

Cassidy our daughter is doing really well although she has the unnerving habit of saying 'Mama' in a really deep gravelly voice sometimes (it sounds like something out of the exorcist). I can't think where she picked it up from!

The job is good and I continue to rush around and do some work between business lunches and golf. On a serious note though the company have looked after me well and the ability to move between countries and work for the same organization is a real plus point when working for a large multi-national.

Up until a few weeks ago I was getting out in my boat once a week but alas with the move my kayaking has taken a back seat so to speak, although I will soon remedy that. We are only two minutes drive from a large lake, so back to work I go. Still pushing the weights though so not quite in armchair mode just yet. I still dream of being fast again but sadly there just isn't the time these days and those who know me well know I am not prepared to get on the line just to make up the numbers!

The Turrell Clan are over for Christmas (22nd December - 13th January) and we will be in London for a few days during that time. We shall make a point of dropping by the club on one of the Saturday mornings (Sat 24, 31 Dec, and 7 Jan) and it will be fantastic to touch base with some of you then.

Happy Paddling - My thoughts are with you.
Gavin, Lisa and Baby Cassidy

Congratulations to Suzy and Nick Garner on the birth of Henry at 12.10 today, 20 Sep, at Queen Charlotte's Hospital. Henry came in at 8.5 lbs and will be receiving a junior membership form shortly.

An 8-strong crew groaned through the 22-mile course from Ham to Greenwich of the Great River Race to win the Riparian Cup. The team of Sean Martin, Richard Hendron, Henry Hendron, Peter Hutchison, Mark Pearce, Ed Kilby, Marcus Gohar, Tim Joiner and Spyce Martin beat last year's time by eight minutes coming home in 2 hrs, 28 mins.

The team was 15th fastest down the course, out of 286, but after some incomprehensible handicap calculations Richmond finished 68th overall.

Congratulations to the team and thanks to Club Members who cheered support from the pontoon, throwing other boats off course.

Good conditions failed to change the reality that the C8 - love her as we do - is a tanker of a boat. Who knows what we could achieve with a bit of training with the best paddlers in the Club. Here's to next year.

Full results here.

Fresh news from the Richmond team at the Tour de Gudena in Denmark.

Lizzie Broughton and her partner Fay Lamph (Wey) came first in the Junior K2 81km event in 6.43.46, about 9 minutes ahead of the 2nd placed crew making them the fastest female K2 in the event.

Kathryn Hall racing in the under 16 K1 class (57km) came 2nd, only 30 seconds behind the winner, after 4 hours 28.57 worth of racing.

Lizzie and Kathryn were recently promoted in the sprint rankings. Kathryn to Girls B and Lizzie to the elite Girls A.

Congratulations to Lizzie and Kathryn.

Despite being the most vagrant and homeless club in the UK the sucesses keep rolling in - Gudena, Notty, Nationals and Liffey - a little video snippet here of what our "little 'uns" get up to - if they can do this aged 10 or 12 then what lies ahead?! Notty September Clip - speakers on please.

There was theft and vandalism at the clubhouse shed this weekend. We assume this took place on Saturday afternoon / evening. The door was not forced which means someone left it open.

Can we all take a bit more care. If you are last out, even if you think other members may be around please CLOSE THE DOOR AND MAKE SURE IT'S SHUT PROPERLY!!

This time we were lucky, next time the kids might choose to trash the place.

Richmond put out a great club performance for the Liffey Descent in Ireland. Sean Martin won the Men's Senior Wild Water Racer category. Lindi Harmsen came third in the Women's Senior Racing Kayak group.

Around 30 paddlers made the trip over to Dublin for what is the highlight of the Descent calendar.

Full results available here. Gallery NOW ONLINE. Special Liffey Blog now on the Gallery. More pictures here.

Junior's September Newsletter out now - click here.