16/04/2004

I have just been sent a copy of our recent appearance in the Richmond and Twickenham Times

21/04/2004

Right, I am not sure how those two did it but the Hendrons have managed to get themselves and Richmond mentioned in a House of Commons early day motion after their recent success in the DW. So there you are then… We have influence in the highest places.

"That this House congratulates all who competed in the gruelling Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Marathon; further congratulates Henry and Richard Hendron of the Richmond Canoe Club for winning this event which took place over the Easter weekend in a time of 18 hours, 34 minutes and 50 seconds; and further congratulates all who have participated in the 55 races in the past who have helped to raise many thousands of pounds for charity."

15/04/2004

News of a scam to watch out for and a section of the BCU website that may interest you.

25/04/2004

Richard stormed to another fantastic win over the weekend taking division four, and establishing him as Richmond’s top marathon paddler. Craig managed a second in division seven beaten by a young lady who was a lot tougher on the water than you would imagine. Melissa and Charmien came seven in div 5&6 K2.

24/04/2004

As part of it’s bid to encourage paddlers, particularly our younger ones to taking up canoeing (as apposed to kayaking) the mighty Richmond eight was manhandled out of the boat shed. This ‘historic beauty’ – well she is old and beauty is in the eye of the beholder – was saved from the scrap heap last year by Peter H who patched her to get her river worthy and then put together a scratch crew to race her down the tideway as part of the Great River Race, a feat that we hope to repeat again this year.

18/04/2004

One of the Clubs aims for the 2004 season is to ensure that Richmond qualifies for the Hasler finals and that we have at least 30 qualified paddlers able to represent us.

As the Marathon Secretary, Melissa takes this task seriously, so with her words of encouragement resounding in our ears, 13 of us met up at the club on Sunday to travel to Wey and take on the world in our respective divisions.

In weather really only suitable for amphibians, Richard Holt and Tim J took 1st places respectively in Divisions 4 and 6 and Craig took a very well deserved 3rd in Division 7.

Nettie and Anna took the honours in the 5/6 race Zdenka's steering and Phil's power in their K2 and Charmian's watermanship and Melissa's growling in theirs ensured both those crews also finished in single figures.

With extraordinary panache, Peter with novice Helen also entered 5/6 K2. They started behind the pack, stopped halfway through to change seats, and still managed to finish ahead.........of all the Div 6 K1s!

The Richmond boys in Div 3/4 K2 took a well earned 2nd place in their race, and So with pots in hand, a happy and exhausted bunch returned to the club determined to do even better at Tonbridge next week.

If you want to make Melissa a very happy bunny, all you need to do is present yourself at the club next Sunday morning at 9.00 prepared for another day of paddling and pot winning - BE THERE!

12/04/2004

Richard and Henry won the senior event by 65 seconds, the smallest in the history of the event. Well done !!! Recovering from a slow start and followed by a capsize (They hit a submerged tree) our lads stormed down the Tideway. They beat some other crew that have got first mention on the DW site but I just think that's a little local bias.

09/04/2004

It was a brilliant day and the event was fantastic with young Sam pulling off a brilliant performance in the boys 200m, the full results can be seen using the results link above.

Thank you to everyone that halped, a special thank you to Di Lawler and Elmbridge for the help they gave us.

We even managed to get a photo of Ollie out in his rather swish looking new boat... but he seemed a little hesitant to wash hang in case it was scratched.

08/04/2004

Sean had a blinder of a weekend, placed 8th in Senior and 1st Veteran at the British Open Championship (WWR ) he qualified for the Irish Team and a place at the World Championships in Germany. The race was held on the 2006 Worlds course, Sean always liked the river but was really on form producing his best result in the UK ever (Thats 16 years we are talking about). Pushed for a quote I got “i am happy!".

Photo Courtesy: Miranda - WWR Webmaster

07/04/2004

The Surf ski world cup takes place in Cape Town this weekend.  Michelle Eray is in the SA team (she was at Richmond until late last year), a great achievement!  The team and her biog (No mention of us mind you!) can be found using the link above under teams & entries.  There are also a lot of canoeist competing in the individual section, some of whom have been at Richmond.

07/04/2004

After a few mishaps and team rearrangements we now have 14 boats and 28 paddlers, there is an unconfirmed report that Daan will be taking part in his K1. The Hendrons are currently down as a university team but we are hoping that will be corrected soon - return to the fold tba.

06/04/2004

A fair old contingent from Richmond travelled up to Nottingham in the hope of some fine weather and flat paddling... but it was not to be. The wind was strong enough to see paddling suspended for over an hour following a mass swim during a C1 event.

The full results can be seen by clicking on the results link above. Lots of people did lots of really good things in water that could not be called placid by any stretch of the imagination. This event formed part of the selection process for the Olympics with Trish flying the clubs colours in this regard (I am still hoping for an update from her).

Congratulations to Richmond star, Sam Hyman who manged to get himself promoted straight from Boys C to Boys A at his first outing, this despite being disqualified for racing in the wrong final.

Our reigning Senior National Champion, Gavin Turell paddling Kayak Doubles with Steve Tingay stormed to victory in the the Elite 200 metre pairs, winning the race by 2.62 seconds from Moule and Sowry in 2nd place and Maycock/Maycock in third.

I have been asked to draw attention to the three individuals who slunk out of town on Saturday night having decided it was all a little too much for persons of their delicate disposition.

05/04/2004

05/04/2004

The Hendron brothers, our home grown superstars, have been paddling at Richmond since they were in short trousers and their victory at the Waterside Series has seen Richmond talent bringing back the Blue Ribband trophy after a break of more than 10 years - when the trophy was captured by the not-so-identical Wells brothers!

The Waterside Series is a set of four build up races to The Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Marathon. Beginning in February the series covers the upper part of the Kennet and Avon Canal, the early part of the DW course. Each race builds the pace, getting progressively harder as the series goes on. It starts with Race A which is 13.5 miles and 21 portages and finishes with Race D which is 34 miles long and 35 portages.

They are looking forward to this years DW but acknowledge that the competition, as ever, is tough. Right now they are the pre-DW race favourites, but are taking nothing for granted. With a narrow winning margin in Waterside D and rumours of a strong Irish crew next weeks DW looks like an exciting competition with Henry saying “it is going to be a close race, with only a matter of minutes separating the top three crews, that’s my prediction." - keep those Ambulances on standby!