With the nights closing in, please be aware that you must have lights on your boat if you are going out after sunset. PLEASE DO NOT EXPOSE THE CLUB TO COMPLAINTS. BE A RESPONSIBLE RIVER USER AND FIND A WAY OF ATTACHING LIGHTS TO YOUR BOAT AND USING THEM EVERYTIME YOU GO OUT AFTER DARK.

We still really need to push the fundraising - latest total is around £215,000 and we need £245,000 - so there's a Quiz Night on 17th November at the Rose of York. We have a mystery compere this year, but the questions are being prepared by Mr Stonehouse who also produced last year's tricky teasers. So trawl your favourite website for history, results and bizarre facts. And tell your family and friends not to expect any Christmas presents, as you'll be giving all your money to the Clubhouse Funds.

Last weekend nine hardy racing paddlers represented Richmond at the UK's prestigious interclub marathon championships - the Hasler Final. While vastly outnumbered, the Richmond colours were proudly displayed. Six of us were the fastest senior paddlers in our divisions. Daan came third overall in Div 3(cruelly pipped after leading for 12 miles!) and was promoted to Div 2. Piran was placed fifth (second fastest senior). Adrian was fourth overall in Div 6 and promoted to Div 5.

Tom was fourth in Div 7 and promoted to Div 6; and Ulrik and Sarah were fifth in Div 7/8 Doubles and were promoted to Div 6. Henry, Kathryn and Mat all displayed gritty competition. To give you an idea of the size of this event, some of the starting line ups consisted of up to 40 boats! Thanks again to all of these paddlers, they gave Richmond 12th place out of the 34 clubs in attendance.

To put this into perspective, the winning club (Reading) had 45 paddlers and the second club (Elmbridge) had 45 paddlers. Congratulations to those two clubs!Now a new Hasler season has begun with the NEXT RACE being at Elmbridge THIS SUNDAY 1 October. We encourage all members to take part in this race to help Richmond qualify for the next final and emphasise our racing status. Also, it will be a great warm up to defend our home marathon on 22 October.

Details. http://www.richmondcanoeclub.com/documents/Elmbridge_Hasler_2006.pdf AdrianEd. Many thanks to Adrian for driving this and getting Richmond back where it belongs at the Hasler Finals. Let's all push for qualification and greater numbers for next year's final and give Reading and Elmbridge a run for their money.

Congratulations to Lizzie Broughton and Fay Lamph who finished 12th at the World Marathon Championships today.

Lizzie is heading off to Nottingham University for 3 years of a) studious learningb) non-stop debauchery c) hard core training at Holme PierrerpointFind out over a farewell beverage or three at the White Cross after the 10K tomorrow. Three weeks from now, she'll be saying "Richmond what?"

Word is - the Sunday group run by Sarah has now moved to Saturday afternoon. Peter's Saturday morning group continues to run in its restricted form.

Dynamo Richmond, the Wild Weather Wizards have emerged from the National Club Championships in 3rd place, the Men of Thames finishing shoulder to shoulder with the Men of Trent

1st Wey Guildford Canoe Club - 475pts

2nd Leighton Buzzard 455pts

3rd Joint - Nottingham and RICHMOND!!!! 440pts

Floundering hopelessly in our wake were such luminaries are Reading, Royal and Elmbridge!

Other news just in: Despite much testosterone fueled flailing, the Intra-Club Pogo Championships was won by... a girl!

DRAMATIC PICTURES NOW IN THE GALLERY

Photos from Neil (and assistants) Regatta photos