MANCHESTER CANOE CLUB

December 2005 News-sheet

Chairman Mark Davies

Editor Peter King

AGM

The AGM will be at the Navigation Hotel Marple at 7.30 January 20th

This is the formal calling notice. You are reminded that any motions or nominations for Secretary must be made to the secretary at least 21 days before the meeting. Requests for matters to be discussed may be made up to the start of the meeting but it is helpful if they are received in advance.

The meeting will be held upstairs and a buffet at £5 will be available (order in advance).

Two motions will be proposed by the committee:

1.It is 2 years since the last increase. The Committee propose that subscriptions be increased to:_

Full£26.50Youth£16Family£7.50Group£7.50

2. That boat hire fees be increased to:

For non-members £10, but they be given up to 2 vouchers against membership.

Members £5 per session, £10 per day £30 per week.

Chairmans Chat

As you can see we are holding the AGM at the Navigation Inn, Marple. This is a change from holding the venue at the clubhouse. Although a lovely building in all respects, we felt that a more welcoming and warmer venue may be a public house. The AGM will be held in the large upstairs room, where we will hold the meeting at 7.30, followed by 'entertainment', prize giving and buffet afterwards. I hope that in future years we may have an even more lavish venue towards Manchester, as someone pointed out to me that we are not 'Marple Canoe Club'!

Please book the buffet with Gill at Training@manchestercanoeclub.org.uk

Editorial

Happy Xmas to all. Especially to Newsletter contributors and very much to the newcomers who have appeared. It makes my job easy apart from providing a better newsletter. Only thing missing is criticism. The praise is great but we do seriously want to know how to make things better. I took on the Newsletter last year for 2 years. If anyone wants to take over or to help me before taking over it only needs half a whisper to be dragged in.

To newcomers the AGM is a pretty informal affair, which we hope to make more of a social event. Do come and have your say…but be advised, keep a low profile till all the jobs are filled.

I am sorry that I have had to hold over one article, but news-sheets are limited in size. It will appear in January.

The Mersey Race

Kelly Paddock

I woke up to a particularly frosty morning and had a sudden thought that I must be mad not only contemplating a race but on such a cold day too!! I arrived at The Deckers restaurant in good time and followed the different shapes and sizes of kayaks to know that I was in the right place. There seemed to be a buzz of excitement from the people around me, quite a few teenagers who seemed like they'd been doing this for years and others who seemed fairly new to racing too, which put me at ease a little this being my first attempt. I paid my dues and picked my bight yellow bib, number 30 it didn't make me feel lucky but at least it wasn't no. 13.

People started to arrive from Manchester with various boats of their own, including two teams of open boats who seemed to be having a race of their own - boys v girls and have to say was secretly hoping the girls would beat the boys, girl power and all that! We transferred cars and left them all at the finish line, at this point we were becoming late and so a quick dash back to Deckers.

Time was ticking on and I was becoming more nervous, I think because I knew that I'd be pretty much flying solo, which I have never done, there'd always been others around me. We boated across the lake and got to the river where Dave was patiently waiting for us latecomers and once on the river got lined up ready to go, 10, 5, 3, 2, 1, go…. And I was off! There were shouts of encouragement from the waters edge from those that were setting off after me that was much appreciated, made me go that little bit faster. It was a strange feeling paddling down alone, at one point I had to rethink that I was supposed to be in a race and get my paddling arms going as I was gently dawdling along. And then the worst happened…I was overtaken, twice! Not that I wasn't expecting to be but I had to put in as much effort as possible to keep on going, I was getting extremely tired and every corner I thought was the last, but turned out not to be. Finally the end came near and again there were shouts of encouragement to help me along to the finish, which by this point I definitely needed - my arms felt like lead! - I past the finish line and have never felt to glad to get out of the water, more practice is needed if I am to do more of these races, it was surprising how much energy it took out of me.

A quick change and the results were given out to all those who entered the Div races (the professionals!!) and then the Quinzine. Seems like fun was had by all, everyone had done really well - no capsizes, as far as I known and I'm going to say that I've now gained a personal best, may as well have something to aim for next time :. And afterwards we were lucky enough to be able to get into the cricket club for a well-deserved drink.

Results

Veterans
1Ned Price15.30
2Ian Carpenter18.57
3Tony Orton19.31
Senior Men
1Chris Davidson16.23
2Ashlee Dack16.26
3Mark Davies17.10
Poussin
1Brendan Orton26.10
Senior Lady
1Gill Hay20.49
2Kelly Paddock24.00
C1
1Paul Kelly19.40
C2
1Lance Davenport/Mike Cambden18.46
2Ruth Robinson/Georgina Clark27.45

New members

Welcome to you all. If you think you should be on the list please tell me or Lorna.

Lets celebrate!! George is the 50th new member this year.

Boat Store

I have been asked to remind all users to ensure that the store is locked. If you think someone on the water or getting changed may want to use it check with them…they may be taking their boat away for the weekend! Its your boat at risk.

Electricity

Is expensive. Very expensive if you forget to turn the Heaters off. We don't want to start a witch hunt but do please make sure that they are down to "10" and don't leave it to the other chap.

Warning at Roman Lakes 2 members had valves removed from their tyres a few weeks ago. It may never happen again But…

Forthcoming Attractions

Sunday 18th December

Darley Dale to Matlock Grade 1-2

Its likely to be cold so take a hot drink and something warm to change into. Please book with Gill.

(My apologies if the news-sheet is too late)

Boxing Day Race and Tour.

Haven't had details from the Race organiser so I'll make some up. Tour starts 10.30 below the weirs. I'd like to know who's coming. (That's me Ed.) We need to get of sharpish to get out of the way of the race,starting at 11.0. Bear in mind that tourers get to the mince pies first!! Oh by the way we start at Brabyns Park.

Wednesday 28th December Burrs Trip

Grade 1-2 but possibly 3 if the tours extended. Meet at Burrs Country Park at 9.30 prompt. Same remarks about it being cold. You must be confident of breaking in and out for this trip. 2-4 hours long so take some food as well. Changing facilities may be open. Please contact Lance Davenport if you are coming.

For all the above children under 14 must be accompanied. We will try to sort out escorts on the day at the Boxing day tour but better fix something for yourself in advance. The Goyt can get a bit upish in flood. Only you know how good(bad) you are.

January 20th

AGM see front page

Sat February 11th

Goyt Race Div B and Quinzaine

Organised by Dave Bradshaw . Sorry you'll have to look on the web site to get details.

Next Newsletter at end of January so Please let me have articles calendar entries etc by the Monday after the AGM. This tends to be a bad time of year so please do put fingers to the keyboard. Emails best as an attachment in word, Arial 10pt