A little legal stuff....

This newsletter is a free publication for the Marlow Canoe Club.

Whilst every care is taken, the newsletter and the Marlow Canoe Club do not accept respons-ibility for the opinions expressed or the goods and services mentioned in this publication.

© 2012.

INSIDE YOUR SUMMER 2012 ISSUE

3 Perivale to Little VeniceJohn Norris goes back up memory lane, or is that memory canal?

6 Asmat canoeJust what you need if you want to go headhunting for expertise in stand up paddleboarding.

7 New Sea Kayak DVDJohn Norris invites you to come and watch telly with him.

8 Club exclusive Nene sessionsThey say caring is sharing, but not where white-water is concerned. Photos from the two exclusive bookings of the Nene this year.

10The Oxford tourNot a punt in sight.

12The last postIf you want to keep receiving a copy of the newsletter through the post then you had better be prepared to grovel most humbly.

12Captain Stern Rudder A fascinating, sublimely researched, in-depth analysis of the pros-and-cons of stand up paddleboard.

14The Old Boys ClubWhat your committee gets up to whilst we lounge around in smoking jackets sipping single malts, all on club expenses.

15Committee members & RetailersLook folks, two old boys are required, one salted and the other not, err, so old.

16CalendarRumour has it that something is going on this summer down at Dorney Lake, but who cares, this is all you need.

COVER PHOTO

The cover photograph for this newsletter was supplied by Adrian Cooper and it entitled "One of the mini-gorges on the Tees in County Durham".

EDITORIALWell what a weird summer we are

having. Will it ever stop raining? The river Thames has been in full flow

and at times it has caught a few people out. Be careful out there paddlers.

But for the whitewater peeps it has been just heavenly, with gates open and weirs at full gush. All good practice for those club-exclusive Nene sessions in April and June this year as shown by our centre pages.

Not to be out-done by the whitewater action, we have reports on canal and river tours too.

The committee has responded to accusations of being an old boys club by officially adopting the title, so there!

We have decided to stop automatically posting newsletters out to members. Sorry about that but, with our growing membership and increasing postal charges, we had no option really. Paper copies will always be available in the club-house and should still be posted to those that specifically request it. See the article on page 12 for details.

Rodney Casbierd, Editor.

2

3TOURING

Perivale to Little Veniceby John Norris

‘Anyone fancy a paddle – I’m doing a recce on the Grand Union canal to check out a possible Scout trip – Perivale to Little Venice’. The message was out and I was up for this. I’ve thought about a canal paddle for a while, we do have some very picturesque canals around the country and some quite close by, but this wasn’t one for the views. I’ve done this trip before and was keen to revisit it, since last time was close on 50 years ago on my 20” Hercules pushbike!

The numbers grew as the event widened to include CPCC members as on this day the Thames was shut! When a big river event takes place (rowing race) it is possible for the (tidal) river to be closed to other traffic. I arrived at CPCC, a small boat storage facility underneath the RNLI station and picked up a few extra boats, then we drove over to the car park at the foot of Horsenden Hill to start.

There were 8 of us in all, myself, Jason Cole, and a number of CPCC members whom I’d not met previously. This first part I knew very well as I often used the towpath to cycle home during my apprenticeship days. At least I thought I knew it. The tidy rows of terraced housing to the south of the canal looked rather more ramshackle now with various extensions on the back and on the roof and as we approached the Alperton

Road I noted that the Glacier Bearing factory was now a Sainsbury’s and several housing blocks. Wolf Electric Tools just down the road, to which I was apprenticed, is now just an anonymous Currys. We had passed a few anglers with no problems, lines being mostly drawn in as we passed. Up until here though the canal was relatively clean and, on one side at least, picturesque. It always was more industrial from here on in and most of the old 1930’s units had been replaced (or refaced) with various forms of sheeting.

Crossing the aqueduct

4TOURING

The next point of interest is the aqueduct over the North Circular Road. Perhaps bridge building technology was not at its peak, or maybe later road widening schemes were responsible, but the canal is divided for the duration of the crossing and sports the old Middlesex County shield at either end.

Now it’s wall to wall industrial premises pretty much all the way in. Occasionally a cul-de-sac stops just short of the towpath giving people access to

a corridor of relative calm so different from the world just a few hundred metres away. At times it’s like a man made valley. Considering much of the architecture most of this must have been there when I did my bike trip but I didn’t notice it.

A recycling plant manages to lend a heavy aroma to a dull atmosphere which suits the grey waters and still naked trees. Acton Lane Power Station is now just a major sub-station and the cooling towers we looked up through on a junior school trip have long since gone. Before its demolition it was used as a set for a number of high profile films, the AXIS CHEMICAL works in the 1989 BATMAN movie being one.

There is not much change now and a determination to see it through to Little Venice sees us past the Old Oak Common freight yards and the old great Western Railway, unseen but not unheard. Kensington Gas Works sits on a little elbow of land twixt canal and railway, with the vast Kensal Green Cemetery on the opposite bank and then there is another Sainsbury’s. I can’t remember what this one is built on! A recent development on the South Bank contrasts starkly with a tenement row on the Harrow Road. The canal is beginning to brighten a little, the new developments seeming better suited to the scenery than the older more sombre 1800’s housing, one notable

Ancient and modern housing

Little Venice

5TOURINGexception being the Grand Union pub, which sports more black than a miserable undertakers. There are a lot of people out, mainly taking mums out somewhere (or bringing them back), as we paddle under the Harrow Road and Westbourne Terrace into Little Venice.

The sun comes out and once we are assured the group is safely on the bank for lunch Jason and I go for a little excursion into the Maida Hill Tunnel. We don’t go in far as we’ve no lights and on the way out we see the sign that says we shouldn’t have gone in at all.

Our way back is the same as the way in, but we don’t dawdle. The sky is slightly threatening and the wind against us, though it has abated a little, and the pace takes its toll on one of the CPCC members. Jason is kitted out for a sea tow and heroically tows all the way back to the start with some assistance from the towee.

A short shower breaks as we disembark at Perivale. We’ve done 15 miles at a moving average of just over 3.5 mph and I’m glad to be back. To tell the truth I’m cream crackered.

Would I do it again – I don’t think so. I’ve pedalled it and paddled it and was pleased to have revisited it but it’s not got the interest that took me there all those years ago probably because I know where it ends. But I might go the other way, past whatever’s on the Rockwell Glass Factory these days, Glaxo’s, Lyons food plant, and the Taylor Woodrow offices and under Spikes Bridge where a kid could play with catapults and air rifles all day and no-one would bat an eyelid. Who knows – I might come across another Sainsbury’s. Care to join me?

Maida Hill tunnel

6CANOEPEDIA

Headhunting by canoeby Rodney Casbierd

California may claim to be home to the stand-up paddleboard craze, but here is evidence to suggest that its true origins may have been in the Coral Sea.

The homeland of the Asmat people of south-west New Guinea consists mainly of densely forested swamps drained by numerous large and small rivers. Canoes are essential to life in the Asmat region, providing the only means of transportation for fishing and food-gathering expeditions, visiting neighbouring communities and, in the past, for embarking on headhunting raids. When paddling the canoes, the paddlers stand erect, skilfully maintaining their balance as they dip the blades in the water.

All large Asmat canoes have carved prows, and those of large communal canoes, such as the one shown above, are especially ornate, adorned with images of ancestors and headhunting symbols. Nearly fifty feet long and capable of carrying twenty people, this canoe was carved by the master woodcarver Chinasapitch of Per village, assisted by other men. The seated figure on the prow depicts his deceased sister Banditis, while the reclining figure represents a young man who had recently been killed by members of an enemy village.

So how old do you think this canoe is? 100, 200, 500, maybe one thousand years old? Wrong!!! It dates from the 1960s, scarily recent methinks. So heed my advice and beware if you get a call from a headhunter offering you a new life in New Guinea.

7SEA KAYAK

New Sea Kayak DVDby John Norris

I’ve just renewed my subscription to OCEAN PADDLER magazine, a bimonthly glossy magazine known by many in the sea kayaking community but a good occasional read for all paddlers, and the subscription included a ‘free’ copy of SEA KAYAK Vol.2 with Gordon Brown.

Gordon Brown and filmmaker Simon Willis have followed a similar pattern to SEA KAYAK Vol.1 (reviewed in MCC newsletter no. 127) in which a number of exercises are demonstrated during a kayaking tour around the St. Kildan archipelago.

The DVD allows you to watch the tour, the exercises, or everything – the recommended option. For those not up to the mark with their geography the St. Kildan archipelago sits 40 miles west of the Outer Hebrides and takes the full force of

everything the Atlantic Ocean has generated in 2500 miles since the weather left the North American continent. There is only one landing place in the whole archipelago, and the trip across can be paddled but most choose to use a mother ship, the MV CUMA.

The group of 12 or so include a couple L5 coaches, some aspirant L5 coaches and a variety of paddlers with differing capabilities. Leaving the mother ship and returning each night to eat and sleep allows paddlers of all abilities (subject to weather conditions) to enjoy the St. Kildan islands. As the group moves around the islands exploring caves and tunnels and viewing towering cliffs a no. of exercises are demonstrated and used in ‘live’ conditions. These range from simple exercises to improve balance up to a rough sea entry which leaves Gordon slightly breathless, testimony to the authenticity of it all. In between are a variety of demonstrations on rescues and towing with a number of top tips thrown in.

It’s almost 2hrs. running time and includes an interview with the first paddler, Hamish Gow, to make the crossing (in a frame and canvas double) backed up with some cine film of the voyage. It should be noted that the crossing had been rowed previously by the St Kildans and one can only admire their accomplishments.

Get it now and watch whilst the evenings are still short, or put it by for next winter. You’ll not be disappointed.

http://www.seakayakwithgordonbrown.com/Main.html http://www.paddlepressmedia.com/http://www.kilda.org.uk/

8WHITEWATER

It's carnage, dial photos by Jon Garner

In April and June this year the club booked the Nene White Water course in Northampton exclusively for use by Marlow canoe club members.

This is an artificial white water course that is about grade 2. It is suitable for introducing those new to White water and is a fun, relaxed venue for all. Three pumps control the discharge of water down the 300 metre whitewater course allowing the Centre to control flow rates thereby altering the course's difficulty and skill Levels required to paddle it.

Simon crushes something running the drop

Tim Ward makes playing in the

main drop look soooooo easy

It was wall to wall Marlow plastic

A classic tail squirt

9WHITEWATER

Nene Nene Neneand Andy MaxtedBoth sessions were well attended. To support White Water novices a number of experienced paddlers and coaches were available on both days to help find their water wings. But as these photos show, even experienced paddlers can get a flap on!

Thanks to Dave Goddard for all the arrangements.

Smile and the world smiles with Erika

Dan gets that sinking feeling

Newbie running a feature

CLUB TOUR 10

The Oxford tourby John Norris

It’s the first event on the Club’s 2012 touring calendar. Andy Maxted is going to lead a short tour around Oxford using the River Thames and the Oxford Canal. It’s been done several times in the past by the Club but never by me so I was up for it.

So I found myself in the Port Meadow car park with a few others awaiting the rest of the participants. In all there were to be 12 of us in 10 boats, a mixture of opens and kayaks. I took the Club’s Fusion (s).

A nice spring morning with a bit of a chill in the air, but this was held back by a bright sun. Clouds scudded across the sky but the wind did not bother us in the car park. A short safety preamble and we set of. From the start it was clear the river was low, a line of rocks visible under Godstow Bridge which were normally submerged. We took a little detour up to the weir, which could easily be dangerous in wetter times, but today it wouldn’t scare a goldfish. Past Port Meadow, which is almost as low as the river and the wind whistled across it unabated. Boats were blown this way and that and for a short while I thought the skeg might come in handy; as it happened we were soon in the lee of a higher bank and then some trees and without the wind it was really very pleasant.

Turning left into Castle Mill Stream we had intended to enter the canal here but decided on a short detour into Oxford. I knew this stretch well, my office used to be

11CLUB TOUR

located here alongside Morrells Brewery. It’s about as close as water gets to the centre of Oxford and we considered portaging the weir and paddling down to the river just upstream of Folly Bridge, but it didn’t look good so we retraced our way back to the canal.

Paddling up (?) the canal I noticed a lot had changed since my lunch time walks of some years ago. Through Jericho (often featured in Morse) the boat builder was now closed although the boat hire centre was still open. A little further on and Lucy’s foundry was flats. Smart cost a bomb flats that complemented the development on the other side of the canal, occasionally visible over the tops of moored narrow boats and through the trees which were just starting to come into green. Up past Summertown and the development was old school, with gardens running down to the canal, and much more pleasing to the eye. The weather had closed in a little, grey skies and brackish canals don’t make for an inspiring view so it was a relief to take a short lunch break at the Plough.

The Plough is a pub I’ve not visited before and I had an excellent pint of Banks’ dark bitter, many others had a tipple from the Black Sheep brewery that was equally enjoyable. Some had food and it looked good – I understand that the pub has a reputation for good lunches and if I do this trip again I’ll not be taking any food with me! But the most unusual thing about the Plough is that it had a Library (bar). Imagine that, ‘just popping down to the Library dear, don’t wait up’. A good book and a pint (or two) and I might get back into the habit of reading.

Lunch over and we are on our way again. There is a lock or two and one of the many balanced drawbridges which are common on this canal to negotiate, and then it’s under the A34 and A40 to Dukes Lock where we turn West and head back to the River at Kings Weir, encountering a directional signpost on the way. We take the route to the river and are soon at Kings Lock, the last (or first – depending on your direction of travel) manually operated lock on the river. The lock keeper sees us all through safely and following a short paddle downstream we cut back into Wolvercote Mill Stream and back to our start point. It’s been a nice day out, early enough in the year not to have to bother about hire boats, providing an easy paddle in amiable company.

The Club’s touring calendar can be found on the website and a selection of photo’s can be found on the Club’s FACEBOOK page. Take a look, see what you’ve missed and maybe come along on the next one.

15 July Kennet & Avon CanalStart : Hungerford (SU338687) Finish : Newbury (SU473673) 14 km (9 miles) Relaxed canal paddling with locks, swing bridges and pubs

19 August Hamble Start : Swanwick (SU495093) Finish : Swanwick (SU495093) 16 km (10 miles) A tidal treat in the home of British yachting

23 September Great OuseStart : Huntingdon (TL245718)Finish : Huntingdon (TL245718) 13 km (8 miles)A circular trip on the Great Ouse and its tributaries

12CLUB NEWS

The last postAction is required if you want to keep

receiving the newsletterRecently the club committee decided to discontinue the automatic postal delivery of the paper version of the club’s quarterly newsletter. This decision means those members currently receiving the newsletter this way need to take action if they want to keep receiving their copy.

The Marlow Canoe Club’s success and the Royal Mail’s lack of success have forced this decision upon us. The club membership has been increasing dramatically in recent years and with it so have the number of paper newsletters that we need to print and mail out. This number was already at the limit considered sustainable by the club, but the recent increase in membership will make this unmanageable. The final nail in the coffin for automatic postal delivery was delivered by the Royal Mail’s decision in the Spring to increase postal charges by well over 40%.

To put it bluntly we believe that you prefer the club to spend your membership fees on equipment, facilities and club events rather than stamps and stationery.

But at the same time we recognise that we obviously need to ensure that all members still have the opportunity to receive the newsletter, including by post. And the great news is that you still can, but you will have to take some action to do so.

OnlineBy far the simplest way to get the newsletter is just to look at the club website www.marlowcanoeclub.org.uk. Click on the newsletters area and that will take you to the SCRIB’D webpages where you can view the current and all past newsletters in full colour.

Yahoo groupIf you are a regular user of the club you really should join the club’s Yahoo group. Members of the Yahoo group automatically receive a full colour version of the club Newsletter by email as soon as it is published. To join the Yahoo group simply email Chris Porteous at chrisps@gmail.com.

Personal emailIf you fancy receiving the newsletter by email, but do not want to join the Yahoo group, then just email the editor, Rodney Casbierd, at rbcasbierd@yahoo.co.uk. You will then be Bcc’d a full colour version of the club Newsletter by email as soon as it is published.

13CLUB NEWS

Paper newsletterCopies of the paper newsletter, usually including some printed in colour, will always be

available in the club-house for collection by members. However for members that want a paper newsletter delivered by post to their home, you should contact the editor, Rodney Casbierd, preferably by email or text message (otherwise a phone call is acceptable, see contact details on page 15), to request that a copy be sent to you. Provided we have your current address in our records, we will post you paper newsletters printed in black and white for the remainder of the membership year. Note that the club reserves the right to ration postal deliveries on a first-come, first-served basis.

We hope that you understand this decision and that you continue to enjoy reading the club newsletter now and in the future.

Captain Stern Rudder

He first hacked into the Yahoo group and now the newsletter and won't be stopped until he

has his say...I dunno about all this talk of stand up paddleboard, stand up paddle-bored more like if you ask me.

After I saw you lot gassing about it on your yahoo group I had a word down the pub with Newquay Jake. The beachbum knows loads about this sort of guff, he even once had a wetsuit, dontchaknow, although if you saw the state of the gents toilet you’d know why. Anyway, he couldn’t believe what all the fuss is about, he reckons it’s just a pathetic fad so you tragic paddlers can try to make yourselves seem cool. A beardy old soak at the bar reckoned it was a fascinating new watersport requiring exceptional balance. But I’m not sure if he was talking about Stand Up Paddleboard or using the pub's urinals after five lagers.

Hmmm... I think I can see the attraction now

14COMMITTEE

The old boys club

Discusses money, gyms, otters,

beavers, SOT, SUP, discipline and

ChristmasAt a recent meeting of the Marlow Canoe Club committee, it was reported that apparently some members view the committee as an out of touch “old boys club”. The committee are hurt and wounded by such comments and indeed the chairman was so distraught that he has subsequently required counselling (despite the fact that he actually is an old man). Mel's not too happy either!

So, in retaliation for this lack of appreciation, we have decided to dedicate a page of the newsletter to report committee proceedings and hence bore you all to death with our turgid discussions over sips of orange juice and mineral water.

• We are in liaison with the Marlow Rowing Club to support their bid for government cash to rebuild their club-house. If the bid is successful we will gain access to discounted seminar rooms and gymnasium facilities.

• The club finances remain healthy, despite the treasurer’s addiction to online bingo.• At the last count we had 143 members. Circa 60 members have yet to renew. This

year membership could potentially peak at 220+ members.• A new website www.thepaddler.co.uk lists the club contact details.• We have purchased some left-handed kayak paddles. We also intend to buy otter

and beaver-tail canoe paddles.• An event will be organised to promote stand-up paddleboard to members. Yes, we all

know it is just another fad, but the club secretary is very excited about it so I have to mention it here otherwise he will throw another tantrum.

• After some discussion we decided not to purchase a sit-on-top kayak. But we will look into buying some boats suitable for people of small stature (is that ok Mel?).

• We will purchase some neoprene spray decks.• Boat storage space is now extremely limited. We have decided to introduce a

“gentlemanly” limit of circa 3 boats.• Club events such as the Nene session, the inland tours and the pool sessions are all

very popular and going extremely well.• We are taking action to address the lack of discipline in red & amber river conditions

by introducing a ducking stool to punish offenders. We will improve the organisation of Duty Officers and Leaders plus encourage development of Leaders and Coaches.

• Posting the newsletter out has become unmanageable. To address the problem we will ask members to “opt-in” if they want to keep receiving hard copies.

• The Christmas meal has been booked for Saturday 22 December at the Marlow Donkey.

15COMMITTEE

LOCAL RETAILERSRiverside, Oxford. 01865 248673. http://www.riversideoxford.co.uk

Marsport, Reading. 01189 665912. http://www.marsport.co.uk

Berkshire Canoes, Reading. 01189 425640. http://www.berkshire-canoes.co.uk

WWC, Shepperton. 01932 247978. http://www.whitewaterthecanoecentre.co.uk

Paddlesport, Warwick. 01926 640573. http://www.paddlesport.co.uk

PresidentTim Ward01494 482959wards@btinternet.com

SecretaryJonathon Garner07765 226790joncgarner@googlemail.com

MembershipRod Edmonds01753 671389r.edmonds@etoncollege.org.uk

EquipmentTom Baileyblast1102@ymail.com

Women's RepresentativeCatherine Harrisharrc014@rbwm.org

Social SecretaryMelinda Livettmelinda.livett@yahoo.com

ChairmanAdrian Cooper01844 344580adrianccooper@gmail.com

TreasurerKelvin Abbott01753 654923kelvin.abbott@btinternet.com

CoachingAlex Shiellshiellalex@yahoo.co.uk

Newsletter EditorRodney Casbierd07960 900980rbcasbierd@yahoo.co.uk

Youth RepresentativeVacant

WhitewaterChris Porteous01628 485049chrisps@gmail.com

1* Course Co-ordinatorSimon Knowles07786 836012simonknowles16@googlemail.com

Pool sessions organiserDave Goddard01494 863862dcgodd@googlemail.com

SeaVacant

TouringAndy Maxtedandymcoaching@gmail.com

Feel free to contact us to discuss a relevant issue or share your views

Monday 2 JulyCommittee meeting7.30 pm – 9.30 pm, Marlow Donkey PH

Tuesday 3 JulyNene trip, 6 pm – 9 pm

Saturday 7 JulyPool session7.15 pm – 8.15 pm

Sunday 8 JulySummer Barbecue Club Session

Sunday 15 JulyClub tour – Kennet & Avon Canal10 am – 4 pm

16CALENDAR

Saturday 4 AugustPool session7.15 pm – 8.15 pm

Weekend 4-5 August1-star training course10 am – 4 pm

Weekend 18-19 AugustIntroduction to White-WaterRiver Dee

Tuesday 14 AugustNene trip, 6 pm – 9 pm

Sunday 19 AugustClub tour – Hamble10 am – 4 pm

Saturday 1 SeptemberPool session7.15 pm – 8.15 pm

Monday 3 SeptemberCommittee meeting7.30 pm – 9.30 pm, Marlow Donkey PH

Tuesday 4 SeptemberNene trip, 6 pm – 9 pm

Sunday 23 SeptemberClub tour – Great Ouse10 am – 4 pm

Tuesday 2 OctoberNene trip, 6 pm – 9 pm

Only jokingA man gets home from working the night shift one morning and his wife greets him at the door, wearing nothing but a skimpy nightie and a smile.

"Tie me up", she says, "and you can do whatever you want!"

So he does, and half an hour later he's on the river.

CLUB SESSIONS

Every SundayDoors open at 9.30 am.On the water for 10 am.

Every TuesdayDoors open at 6.30 pm.On the water for 7 pm.

POOL SESSION

Once per monthSaturday 7.15 - 8.15 pm,

see calendar for datesChalfont Leisure Centre, Nicol Road,

Chalfont St Peter, SL9 9LR.

£5 adults, £3 juniors

ACTION IS REQUIRED TO KEEP RECEIVING THIS NEWSLETTER - see page 12