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Keeping a straight line is easier said than done
By Hannah
Farquharson
CAREFULLY balancing so as not to fall in I was apparently in one
of the Richmond Canoe Club's most stable boats. Standing on the bank
our photographer was just waiting to snap away with his camera
should I end up swimming and I could just imagine the laughs I'd get
when I crawled, dripping, back to the office.
As I sat in the kayak listening to Tim Joiner giving me my
instructions all I could think about was remaining upright and going
in a straight (ish) line.
Richmond Canoe Club has been in existence for 61 years and, like
many people on a Saturday morning, I decided to find out what all
the fuss was about.
It was over-cast and windy as I took to the River Thames under
the guidance of Tim, one of the club's 20 coaches.
In front of the clubhouse at Landsdowne Boathouse, Petersham
Road, Richmond, I was asked to paddle in wide circles slowly
learning to co-ordinate the rudder at my feet with the paddle in my
hand.
Once Tim was certain I had some kind of control we headed off in
the direction of Eel Pie Island.
As we glided across the top of the water, me wobbling from time
to time, Tim continually gave me advice on my stroke explaining that
canoeists use their whole bodies, not just their arms, to propel
themselves.
Pulling furiously with my arms I was unstable yet alongside me
Tim, who has been canoeing for five years, was moving
effortlessly.
He told me to keep looking straight ahead and turn the paddle
into the water twisting at the trunk and gently pushing off my
legs.
As we reached Eel Pie Island Tim decided it was time for me to
demonstrate my control as we slalomed between five buoys.
He paddled off in front and I decided to take it slowly and
eventually made it through without missing a space.
Much to my relief we then took a quick break on the beach in
front of the White Swan pub before climbing back into our boats and
heading out for some interval training.
Used by those who compete in sprints I was to paddle hard for 20
strokes and then return to my normal pace.
So off I went, pulling as hard as I could trying to remember the
technical aspects of the stroke.
Tim was, of course, miles ahead of me by the time his 20 strokes
were complete but it gave me a very brief idea of what the
competitors at the club put themselves through.
"We are probably in the top five clubs in the country," says Tim
who describes Richmond as a very friendly club. "Some of the best
paddlers in the country will stop for a moment to help improve your
stroke. The standard to which people aspire is fantastic."
As we paddled back towards the clubhouse I realised the impact
the wind has on the river, struggling hard as it blew in my
face.
Founded in 1944 Richmond Canoe Club attracts mainly local members
although their reputation means people do travel.
"Until about four or five years ago we had a couple of hundred
members," says Tim. "Now we have about 350 members, the largest
canoe club in the country. Everyone gets on and is determined to get
out and enjoy themselves."
The club recently secured its future on the riverside with plans
for accommodation above the club.
As I enjoyed a cup of tea and warmed up I chatted with member
Peter Hutchinson.
"There are a range of disciplines," he explains. "In paddling
there are two types of boats, kayaks and open canoes."
Disciplines that can be competed in include 200m, 500m, 1000m and
2,000m sprints and 5,000 to 20,000 Olympic events with people
competing on their own in K1s and with a partner in K2s.
"Richmond's best performing discipline at the moment is the
Devizes to Westminster race," says Peter explaining that competitors
paddle non-stop for 24 hours eating as they go through locks.
"That's the big thing at the moment, people talk about it and tend
to do it in K2s. A crew has got four people to support them. They
build up camaraderie and last year 14 crews from here did it."
For those who would like to give paddling a go Richmond Canoe
Club offer trial sessions for just £10 on Saturday mornings. It is
run on a first come first served basis but once people have attended
for two or three weeks they are guaranteed a place.
On a sunny morning there can be as many as 120 people paddling on
the river. There are six or seven different groups and paddlers move
up after three to six months.
"Paddlers are encouraged to race and invited to join the club for
a cost £90 a year," explains Peter.
"Once a coach is prepared to sign you off you get a club key and
you can come down at any time. We are very safety conscious and we
don't sign you off until we are confident you know what to do if you
fall in."
People begin in stable boats as I did and are then encouraged to
move on and change from flat paddles to wedge paddles.
The club's top instructor is former Olympic coach Trevor
Weatherall and there are many others who have chosen to qualify -
something the club funds - to pass their knowledge onto others.
So what attributes make a good paddler?
"Someone who likes the water," says Tim. "Not necessarily a
brilliant athlete, but almost certainly a swimmer. A person who gets
an enormous thrill out of doing something well."
Last summer there were fears river sports would suffer after
sewage poured into the Thames during heavy rainfall killing
thousands of fish.
But Richmond Canoe Club was not put off and neither were their
members as they were encouraged to continue paddling but ensure they
remained above the lock for three or four days.
"For us it was very local and very short lived," says Tim. "It
washed away quickly and we took sensible precautions for about a
week."
Paddling on the river was relaxing and provided a completely
different perspective of the borough and it left me wanting to know
more about the technique and when I could have another go.
9:28am Friday 17th June 2005
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