Newssheet August 2005

Editor Pete King

Editorial

As Mark says its been a dry summer and maybe we can start looking forward to some better water. As a rough guide 10-15cm up won't hurt. 30cm up you'll certainly notice things happen faster. Much more than this tell someone you haven't paddled the site this high before. But don't stop paddling. It doesn't take long to get used to these levels and its great fun.

Soon we'll run out of light evenings. Club nights (Tuesday) and slalom training will continue under floodlights, and of course Sunday mornings will get more popular.

The next happening at the Goyt is the Slalom on 3/4 September..nicely before the start of Term. This is a two day event with two different courses. Do give it a go.

Gossip

I hear about some things but not others. Then some I hear about and forget before I get round to writing. Noteable Ned Price, Rod Steele and a friend did the Cheshire Ring and broke the class record. This is a nice local event that takes about 18hours, but you can enter a team to do it in relays which makes it easier than the few who do it solo. Full report in the next newsletter.

There's some new Tshirts/sweatshirts on the way keep your eye on the Web site I expect they'll be about before the next newsletter.

There have been trips to Anglesey and another to the Tees but apart from seeing some photos I 've no write up.

Remember this is your Newsletter. I rely on your input. Not just from those who've done it all before but the fresh view of those who've done it for the first time.

There wasn't much response to Mark's invitation to tell the Committee your views after the last Mini. So I'll let you have mine.

Wouldn't it be nice to see MCC paddlers in contention for Olympic places in 2012.

If every member brought along a friend (or best enemy for that matter) the club would be twice as big. Bring them to the baths or the Goyt…..if you enjoy it why shouldn't they.

Recent Awards obtained by Members

Gill Hay

Congratulations to all for achieving the following award

17th April - One star award

11th June - Three star award

5th & 12th July - Two star Award

Gill congratulates the paddlers but the Instructors should also be thanked.

In the meantime Dave Bradshaw is now a Level 2 Slalom Coach. He really should be Level 3.

Chairs Chat

For all you hardened paddlers out there, little can be gained from the river .Goyt at such low water. Bring on the rain I here you shout. But for many of the members much has been gained this year, regardless of river levels. So congratulations to all those who have passed their BCU 1* (18 members), 2* (12 members) and 3* (3 members) personal proficiency awards. What is even better than these members collecting their tickets, is meeting these same people again and again down on the water at the site.

To keep the momentum going and to keep the interest up, look out for club trips being posted either in the News letters or on the web site. I've asked the committee members to each organise at least one club river trip per month. Trips I hope will give members the opportunity to travel to some of the more interesting and rewarding rivers that we have in this region. So keep your eyes open and your river kit ready Mark Davies

Baths

Sessions start again in October on Sunday evenings. As before split into 7.10 to 7.55 and 7.55 to 8.40.

There will be 4 beginners courses (5 weeks) and 4 rolling courses(4 weeks) Courses start 2nd October,13th November,8th January,19th February.

2 General Safety courses lasting a whole evening will be on 18th December and 26th March.

As a finale a Diamond slalom/games on 2nd April.

Prices

Beginners course £40

Rolling £35 (non members £40)

Safety course £5.50

Session £3.50 Double £5.50

Non members £1 extra

Boat hire £1

Couses must be booked and paid for in advance. Charges include boat hire.

The beginners course roughly corresponds to BCU 1*. Rollers should be about 2* standard with a good hip-flick to get maximum benefit.

General use of the baths will be available for at least 10 members during courses and 20 at other times eg 11th December. Bookings may be made in advance but only for a single session. For 3 or more people please pay in advance. Those who book and don't turn up, or cancel too often will not be allowed to book again.

New Members

HELP

Gill is looking for people to run or assist at Baths courses. There are 4 beginners and 4 Rolling courses planned. Assisting on the beginners courses is a good introduction to coaching .

People who can get there early to help get boats out (and put away) are also needed.

The club relies on paddlers with some experience to teach beginners. The more load that can be taken from our experienced coaches the more they can do to run advanced courses.

Slalom

Bits of slalom news. I really don't have that much…can't have been listening. Most people I talked to seem to have had bad results. Maybe that's why there are no write ups.

Dave Bradshaws course for beginners went well. Look at the Mini results.

SEPt 3rd/4th.

Do have a go either at the ranking event or the club series (ask for a judges entry on Saturday as well). The club event is only £1 for Juniors and £2 seniors.

If you get excited about your results at Marple there are a couple of Division 4 (entry level) and 3 coming up.

Unless the rivers are in flood nothing harder than Marple. Ask Dave or me about them.

Polo

From 5th Sept. we will be using Oldham baths for Polo. 33M and wider than Irlam. Time 9.30 to 11 on Mondays.

Scott Shepherd

Results of Mini Slalom July 17-18th

Dave Chidcaw 211 Fiona Carlisle 156 Anthony Newman149Minime Kay Bradshaw 155 Tom and Ruth 193
Veterans Benjamin Poulette
Dave Sykes 131 Tom Rawlings 180 Lauren Wright 169
Dave Higson 135 Kieran Bown 178 Maeve Higham 196
Paul Newman 140 Matthew Jones 172 C1
Pete King 154 Piers Wilkinson 214 Dave Bradshaw 133
Ian Carpenter 159 Senior Ladies Tom Carlisle 135
PA Brunt 238 Hayley Newman 156 Paul Newman 156
Ian Bown 267 Karen Seeley 159 Mark Davies 176
Senior Men Ruth Robinson 175 Pete King 177
Ashlee Dack 136 Gill Hay 194 C2
Mark Davies 144 Junior Ladies Lily and Dave 181
Samual Wotton-Turner 201

Forthcoming Attractions

Slalom 3-4th September. A double Div3-4 Ranking event Plus a Mini Plus a Sprint.

Organised by Paul Newman with the usual excellent canteen by Barbara.

Please come and help run the event, put up the course (Friday afternoon) or best of all PADDLE. Doing all 3 is best. Entries on the day by 10am. More information from Paul but try Dave Bradshaw or Pete King.

Mersey Tour Saturday Afternoon 10th September Pete King

From Jacksons Boat near Trafford Water Park to Little Ees Lane. Club boats should be available but you'll have to arrange to get them there and back. If you havn't a roof rack I may be able to find someone to help you Pretty easy at normal levels. Suitable for those who are happy on the Goyt (including the bottom pool.) To those who feel up to it a chance to play on slighty bigger water, but its easy to float down the rapids.

Please contact me… the Mini might be a good time.

Interclub Slalom Team.

Nathan Stevenson, Ashlee Dack, Josh Howcroft, Mark Davies, Tom Raper, Dave Bradshaw, Kay Bradshaw, Karen Seeley, Gill Hay, Geoff Wells, Tony Newman, Steve Hesford/Tom Carlisle. + Paul Newman.

If you've got this far…what about writing something for the next Newsletter. I need it by mid October. Email, floppy, typed, handwritten. Why wait