Reading Assessment and Hasler Races

According to some, the reason football is the most popular sport in the world is down to it being unpredictable. There's the offside rule to start with and then as only a few points (aka goals) decide the winner, the team that wins isn't always the best team. Really, it’s true; Games Theorists who think about these things say so.
Perhaps Reading Canoe Club has come to the same conclusion. Contrast Saturday's assessment race with Sunday's Hasler race.

The assessment race was run with the new international circuits. The competitors can be seen by a stationery spectator and maybe this has some merit as round and round they go. But come on, be honest, isn't it just a little boring to watch? And counting the number of DNF's perhaps too tedious for many of the competitors.

And so how to add the element of unpredictability? DSQ those that don't pay attention to the briefing! Good try but apparently the selectors weren't looking for an ability to recall minor details. I'm not sure whether teams are allowed to bring along a pacer to international events either but that is another story.

In complete contrast, Sunday's divisional races were held over a there-and-back course. From the club house to a big buoy 2km upstream for the short and middle distance races and somewhat further for the longer course. Back down past the club to turn around the island to finish for the 7,8,9 paddlers. And this is where it started to get interesting for the 13 and 19 km races.

Unpredictable element number one: the race went behind Caversham Lock across a recreation ground on a mega-long portage. Bare feet? I would have stuck a pair of hiking boots in the back of the boat had I known!

The paddle continued on down to Kennet Mouth and up to a portage at Blakes Lock where we have unpredictable element number two: a jetty there to taunt us (as it was reserved for the return leg) while some struggled, others patiently waited to put in on the tiny piece of water 3 or 4 foot below. There followed a short loop with lots of potential to get lost while absorbing Reading's industrial heritage along the way. Back over Blakes Lock, back over Caversham Lock (puff puff puff) to finish outside the club.

Now I'm sure the best paddlers did win through and it was only those at the back of the race (like me) who got held up at the portages but it was a thoroughly enjoyable Sunday outing nevertheless. I have no doubt that Sunday's paddlers will have a lot more to talk about that those that raced on Saturday. Vive la difference!