20-23 May 2004

Tricia Davey raced the Ladies K1 1000 finishing just outside the medals in 4th place.

Full results can be obtained on the Official web site at www.pzkaj.pl/poznan-seniors

This info courtesy of the Marathon newsletter

30/05/2004

An opportunity to try out the new course that will be used for this years Nationals saw a change from the usual suspects at Wokingham on Sunday.

Craig managed a third in Div 7, revenging last year when they pried his third place medal of him after realising they had forgotten about another finisher.

Special mention must of Alison taking part in her first marathon in the back of a K2 Photos, she must be a quick learner as I heard a number of other Div 7 K2 paddlers 'discussing' the advanced race tactics she had been using.

Full results can be found by clicking on the results link above.

23/05/2004

Didn't we have a lurverly time the day we went to Wey.....

Actually we did. The sun shone, Tim's weight proved too much for a stilletto which split, and new girl Becky proved that white water paddlers do have stamina and balance.

Machetes in hand, the triumphant 13 fought rapids, shallows, fallen trees and overwhelming undergrowth to reach the division of canal and river, and in smart diamond formation we sprinted the final five miles or so to reach their confluence.

These summer jaunts are huge fun, so get your name down for the Chichester harbour trip - date to be announced.

16/05/2004

I have still not tracked down the results yet so you will have to take my word for it. Craig has been swaggering around the club all week having got a joint first in Div 7 K1 against his archrival. (he has no comment on rumours that her boat had a hole it or how it got there).

Ollie did very well in his race despite a capsize and being brought to a stop by a wayward motorboat blocking the course. I will have to await the results to say much more.

10th May

I have loaded the following new galleries

Bottom 9 photos are new from Neil - Photos

Two Random Shots from Neil that I cannot place - Photos

Photos from Nottingham in May - Photos

19/05/2004

Our Sam Wetherall is responsible for running the lightning races and has set up a web site as part o this.

13th May

Planning permission has been granted, and subject to final legal agreement and the approval of club members through an EGM, work on the top of our building is now imminent.

At that point we will be owners of our building and the time will have arrived for us to begin refurbishment to bring our facility up to modern standards.

If you have ever been to any of the 'modern' clubs like Reading or Wokingham you will have some idea of what we need to achieve. To help us create the best possible facility, we are inviting members to contribute suggestions and wish-lists of what they would like to see included in the new clubhouse.

The columns in the boat house cannot be removed, and some of the walls around the galley and club room may need to be retained but generally we can start afresh.

One suggestion already under discussion is to move the ladies' changing rooms downstairs to the rear of the boathouse to allow the men's changing room to be extended. Any thoughts and ideas you might have will be very welcome.

Tim - tjoiner@zoom.co.uk
Tony -
Sean - wjmartin@mac.com

10th May

Forty or so jubilant paddlers and support crew descended on the Naked Turtle on Monday night to commence the first round of celebrations to commemorate the outstanding success of our teams in the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe and Kayak Race (DW to its friends).

After a good session at the bar to lubricate tired joints and restore weary muscles we selected crew tables. The menu was outstanding, the wine flowed, and music was sung.

It bears repeating that this year's race was an outstanding event with Richmond achieveing a clean sweep of all the key trophies, Senior Doubles, Mixed Doubles, Women's Doubles, Veterans and Veteran Women (although they won't tell us who they are).

In addition we won the Team Trophy and the Civilian Trophy outright and in the civilian race our teams came in 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

Trevor highlighted the key achievements in inimitable style, and Tim in a rather less stylish red waistcoat highlighted the contribution of the coaches and the coaching and support crew programmes that ensured that a success of this magnitude could be delivered.

More (and more) champagne and wine was consumed, and the happy crew variously wandered staggered and were carried to their various resting places.

A brilliant start to a very successful 60th year - and the good humour and fun which predominated throughout the event is a telling reminder that we are not only the best club in the country, but also the one it's most fun to belong to!

Cheers!!

PS: If anyone took photos could you please send them in.

Weekend 8th -9th May

Saturday had not yet really dawned when the Elite Richmond Sprint Squad took to the road to Nottingham. Whilst Gavin and Trish were dreaming of winning places in European competition, the remaining non-drivers slept during the 3 hour journey, their occasional twitches betraying their excitement at the thought of a fifth place in the 3rd final of the Vet B race - or some such equivalent trophy.

The conditions were excellent, and the stars of the show, Neil, Rupert, Sam, Sue, Gavin, Trish, Ollie, Andy, Nettie, Anna (an honorary member), Tim and our new South African member Troy Squires all contributed hugely to the RCC role of honour.

Trish won the 1000m womens A in grand style;in the 200 metres Gavin was just pipped into 4th by Olympic Bronze medallist Tim Brabants and Sam slept through some of his races and came either first or last in the rest.

Loudest cheers of the weekend for Tim and Neil for their 1st and 2nd places in the 1000m final (actually Mens Vets B 3rd Final), and a pint of beer for Sue who capsised following a false start in her race, but still managed to complete the race faster than either Tim or Neil!

Andy, Ollie, Anna and Nettie also turned in superb performances.

The team meal was consumed with gusto at a local hostelry, and we returned hoarse and content from a fantastic weekend.

These Nottingham Regattas are great fun. We are looking for a good turnout for the Nationals in July, and a stupendous turnout for the Inter Club Regatta on the 4th and 5th of September of which more later - see you there!

07/05/2004

Members are asked to help out in the galley one weekend in the year as part of your contribution to the running of the club. Debbie Harrison has taken up the job of organising this and has introduced a rota system that will allow all to see who has and has not done their bit. To do your bit email Debbie harrisondebbie@hotmail.com

01/05/2004

The Elmbridge regatta was held on bank holiday Saturday. The weather was overcast and a bit windy but 6 paddlers set out from Richmond to compete, with coach Trevor in support.

The paddlers attending were Sam Hyman, Ollie Sims, Andrew French, Lizzie Broughton, Gemma Mungovan and Sue Back

Good performances from Sam Hyman who won the 500m time trial in the fastest time of the day and also came 4th in the 200m event. Sam paddled with Ollie Sims to take 2nd place in the 200m race. Good performance also from Andrew French who was 6th in the 200m and 9th in the 500m time trials. Andrew then teamed up with Lizzie Broughton to match Sam and Ollie with a 2nd place in their 200m race. Sue Back and Gemma Mungovan completed the team with good performances in their events both breaking 1 minute for the 200m time trial.

Next regional regatta is at Wey on May 15th.