News

If you have any news or photos you’d like to share with other members.  We’d be delighted to include them on the website. Please use the contact us link or speak to Shirley Boyt

Such is the popularity of the Women in Canoe training days, Sam has announced a third one!  It will take place in the morning of August 15th and will be followed by a Canoe Sprint Regatta for both males and females in the afternoon.

Click here for more information.

Following the success of the Women in Canoe Day last month (see press report) Sam is putting on another, open to all Women who would like to try high kneeling canoe.  It will be held on Sun 27th June 2010 at Wokingham Waterside Centre – more details

A small contingent of Wokingham paddlers raced in Sunday’s Reading Circuit Hasler race – well done to all who took part.  The wind, particularly during the morning session, made for difficult conditions but nevertheless there were some notable performances:  Congratulations to Rene Miklos and Bob Sutherland, winners of div 7, K2 and to Hafsa Kabeer and Magnus Gregory who won their individual U12 lightning races and also won the Hody race. And finally, commiserations to Thomas Burns in his first ever race – he swam twice but still had a big grin at the end.

Results

Our Monday night time trial is starting again on Monday 12th April. This is open to racing paddlers of all abilities and ages. Just turn up and be on the water for 6:30pm.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Results Spreadsheet

Prospective new members are welcome to join us for a trial session on the first and third Wednesday of the month. The paddle  starts at 18:30 but please arrive at 18:00 in order that we can go through safety procedures and get you kitted out with equipment.

Thereafter two further trial sessions on Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings will be permitted.  There will be a charge of £5 per session.  This charge will be deducted from the membership fee if the prospect becomes a club member.

No refunds will be made if you decide not to join.

When the Thames is on ‘red boards’  all members are reminded of the need for caution.

The Environment Agency makes the following recommendations:
RED BOARDS
Caution strong stream
We advise users of all boats not to navigate because the strong flows make it difficult and dangerous.
YELLOW BOARDS
Caution stream increasing (up arrow)
We advise users of all un-powered boats not to navigate and users of powered boats to find a safe mooring. This is because river flows are likely to strengthen and red boards could be displayed very soon and without warning.
Caution stream decreasing (down arrow)
We advise users of all un-powered boats not to navigate and users of powered boats to navigate with caution.

The following is an extract from the club rules:
Water Activities During Strong Stream Warnings
Section E3.16 Members must acquaint themselves with the information on Environment Agency Strong Stream Warnings - displayed on the notice board **
Section E3.17 Whenever Cautions or Strong Stream conditions exist, the Club advises that:
1) Adult members, inexperienced on moving water, should not launch
2) Adult members, experienced on moving water, launch at their own risk
3) Junior members should not launch unless they have previous written consent from a parent or guardian
4) All members deciding to launch, wear buoyancy aids, irrespective of their competency
5) No members should launch during hours of darkness

**There is a link to the EA website on the home page of this site, to enable members to check the current situation.

Club sessions are likely to be affected by the prevailing river conditions and may be subject to a change of venue or cancellation. We will try to give notice of any changes on the club website – so please check before setting out. Alternatively please phone our Sessions Officer, Lindsay Askew on 07803 943818

Congratulations to Darren Crocker, Earl Hewett and Hafsa Kabeer who won WBSP awards this year.  The awards ceremony took place on Friday 27th November at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre. Guest of honour was Jo Ellis, a member of England’s Olympic hockey team, who presented the awards.

Hafsa won the Ivor Baker Award for U14 Girls , in recognition of her winning the U10 National Championship. This category had a large number of nominees from a wide range of sports and Hafsa was the youngest of those nominees.

Darren and Earl won the Spirit of Sport Award for their success in finishing third in the epic Yukon 1000 race. Unfortunately Darren was unable to attend the ceremony so Earl collected the award for both of them.  The club had two other nominees, Sam Rippington and Aaron Thompson who were mentioned but did not win on this occasion.

It was not exactly a brilliant turn out for the AGM but thanks to those who made the effort to attend. Thanks also to all those who have agreed or were press-ganged into standing for the Committee. There are however, a couple of  posts which remain vacant ~ Youth Development Officer and Events & Trips co-ordinator – If you are interested please contact Marion Quemby for more detalis.

Your Committee for the coming year is:

Chairman ~ Earl Hewett

Secretary ~ Marion Quemby

Treasurer ~ Mike Pateman

Membership Secretary ~ Hilary Pearson

Recreation Officer ~ Steve Finch

Racing Officer ~ Sam Rippington

Sessions Officer ~ Lindsay Askew

Publicity Officer ~ Shirley Boyt

Social Secretary ~ Sandy Goatham

Health & Safety ~ Rod Hart

Bosun ~ Phil Millman

Youth Representative ~ Sarah Burness

A new sheet of Committee contact details will be put on the noticeboard shortly. In the meantime if you wish to contact any Committee member please do so via the ‘contact us’ button on this website.

Finally, don’t forget to put in your nominations for the ‘Club Award’ ~ you should have received an email about this.