We need to get the final list of entrants for the Hasler Finals sorted today (Thursday), although we may be able to sort something out tomorrow as well.

If you've qualified - or you know someone who's qualified - check these lists. If you want to go, Adrian needs to enter you and fast. You can contact him by email.

Qualified and Entered

Qualified and Not Entered

Ladies and Gentlemen - we present the Thomas Photography Portfolio of Richmond Canoe Club's First Regatta.

Important details from Adrian about the Hasler Finals for those qualified to race. See Paddle Point.

There are pictures of the Reading nationals available on the Reading website - take a look here.

A huge thanks to all for the great turn out over the weekend for the First Richmond Canoe Club regatta.

68 people turned out on Saturday, including a few sneaking in from Royal and Wey - see what a friendly club we are - with 10 juniors. Sunday was equally impressive with 50 on the water, with 6 children.

Prizes galore in a medal ceremony that could still be going - take a look at the results and you'll see how many had to be given out. Sprint results - names in red are of people who raced outside their normal division for some reason. Marathon results.

Special mention to Peter Quibell, paddler in extremis who somehow managed to snap a paddle by force alone.

Of course many thanks to Rox, Ulrich and Neil for sorting out the whole weekend. Well done guys.

Pictures coming soon.

Twenty two Richmond paddlers made it to the National Championships in Reading where Piran Shelley took 2nd in Div 3 and Netty Kelly took first pace in Div 5.

Rebecca Killip took 3rd place in the U10, with Ben Killip taking 2nd in the U12, and Jack in 4th. Ben and Jack also took 2nd in the Fun K2.

Lizzie Broughton and Kathryn Hall took 2nd and 3rd in the Jnr Ladies K1.

Last but not least the great Trevor Wetherall paired up with Robin Avery of Maidstone to take 3rd in the Veterans. Apparently Trevor is Over 55 - doesn't look it, does he.

Full results on the Reading Canoe Club website.

You can also see pictures on the Reading site.

If you're not racing in the Club Regatta, Karen would like some help in the Galley. If you can help, drop Rox an email.

If you can't do that weekend and have a burning desire to serve sandwiches and get intimate with a tea urn, we need volunteers to run the Galley every Saturday. It's easy to do, can be fun, and you'll be helping your club. The rota is by the Galley, or talk to Alison.

The National Championships at Reading take place this weekend (Sat 12 and Sun 13 Aug). If you have not already registered with Adrian or the organisers, late entries are possible on the day (as long as you do so more than an hour in advance of your race).

Race information on Paddle Point.

The RCC Tour Group are off again, but not until September. We had planned a trip for 20th August but now realise everyone will be paddling their hearts out in the RCC Championship.

The group had such a good time paddling the upper reaches of the River Arun, getting stuck in reeds and watching Wayne and Roger dive for Sonia’s glasses, we have decided to go back for more. This time we will be starting from Arundel, paddling upstream through the South Downs to Greatham Bridge, and returning on the tide. We will gather at the club at 7.30am to load the kayaks and return about 8pm (a little later than normal because of the tides). As usual we will be pooling transport and asking for a small contribution toward petrol costs etc.

If you would like to join us, please email Jim or speak to Steve, Sarah, Marie-Do or Peter Barnes at the Club.

A shoplifter who tried to escape justice by jumping into the Thames was captured by a group of canoeists. Police had been chasing the man when he plunged into the water near Kingston Bridge in a bid for freedom. But he was surrounded by the group of canoeists, who blocked his escape and forced him into the arms of his pursuers.

Witness Steven Harrigan, 38, was sitting outside a nearby pub and watched last night's drama unfold.
The restaurant manager said: 'I was having a quiet drink with a friend when all of a sudden a few policemen came tearing past me. They were obviously chasing after this guy. Then they just stopped and were standing at the side of the river looking a bit confused. You could see the man's head bobbing above the surface of the water and the officers were shouting at him to swim back.'

He was obviously very keen to get away and determined not to be caught. But his escape route was blocked by the canoeists who forced him towards the police.'

The man was taken to a south London hospital as a precaution. He was later arrested on suspicion of shoplifting and is being held at a south London police station. A Scotland Yard spokesman confirmed that officers from the from the Marine Support Unit recovered property from the river.

A police spokesperson has not made any comment about developing a squad of crack canoeists to prevent a potential crime wave.

If you are planning to enter the Club Championships - and you should be - it would be a great help if your entries for the Sprints (on the Saturday) are in by Monday 14th August so that we can do the timetabling. If there are more than 8 boats in any one event it will be necessary to have heats and this will obviously affect the race schedule.

Please get your entries in now - hand it in to your coach, or to Neil Thomas, Ulrik, Roxane or to the galley.