Timetable for the May BCU Canoe Sprint Racing Regatta

...is now available at http://www.weykayak.co.uk/Sprint/National%20Regatta%20Timetables/2013/Timetable%20May%202013.pdf

Boat, Equipment and Clothing Sale at Wey Marathon, Sunday 28th April

Boats for sale 

A list of boats will be displayed at the Wey Sale Table in the hall. 

The boats will be available to view/try after the races.  See Jed.

 

K1

5 x playboats

9 x stability 2

2 x stability 3

1 x stability 4

1 x stability 5

1 x stability 7

 

K2

4 x stability 2

 

Clothing and Equipment Sale

If you have any paddling clothing, shoes, paddles, v-bars, dry bags, spray decks or any paddle/ racing related items that you would like us to sell on your behalf, please bring them to the Wey Sale Table in the hall.  If it is too large to bring, then bring a photo.  Items that we manage to sell for you, we would appreciate a 10% donation of the sale price towards Club funds.  See Sonja or Michele from 9am.

 

Sunday, 28th April 2013 Wey Marathon Timetable

9am Kitchen open

10am Booking starts

11.30 Morning races start

12.45 Afternoon races start

13.00 approx. Morning prizes

15.00 approx. Afternoon prizes

41st Amsterdam Waterland Marathon

A small team traveled to Amsterdam for the 41st Amsterdam Waterland Marathon part of the ICF World Classic Marathon kayak series for 2013. The race is completely different to the normal international races no 4.3km laps, it's a 23km race with 2 portages on the canals and waterways of Amsterdam.

We were invited by Edwin De Nijs, Ex European marathon champion and regular visitor to the UK in the past for our national marathon championships.

Race day saw clear skies but some strong winds which would make some of the exposed areas very challenging! There were 60 boats on the senior men's start with international athletes from Sweden Italy Belgium Germany Ireland and Hungary, a larger start line than at most world cups!
 
The 1st 1km was on a very wide canal straight into the wind, with Robin Koenders Dutch 1000m paddler in the middle of the field it was always going to be a very fast start. Jon Simmons and Tim Pendle (Norwich) both had great starts on either side of the canal, the race turns into a narrow canal so you can't afford to be trailing. A large group turned into the canal with Jon and Tim in close attendance. The canal at this point is similar width to the River Wey, a road running beside the canal meant I was able to watch the lead group with Edwin driving the route.

Jon started to struggle and as it we found out later had injured his shoulder soon after turning on to the narrow canal hanging on to the back of the lead group as Tim piled on the pressure at the front.

The first portage would see the lead group break up with Tim and Joep Van Bakel (Holland) taking a small lead. This portage is up and over a lock and nothing too challenging. The race then headed out on to a wide lake with a cross/head wind wiping up the waves for the next 3km.

The second portage was more challenging involving running the boat aground on the reed bed before running down a road and across a field of sheep before getting back into the boat from a floating reed bed. By this point Tim was away with Joep,  a second group more than a minute behind contained Keith Moule (Chelmsford). Now the waterways were even narrower weaving through the fields for another 4km before emerging on the the large canal where the race started.

It was all coming down to the finish now with Joep and Tim keeping a very high pace, the race victory in a very quick 1hr 41.04 went to Joep with Tim in 2nd, Jon crossed the line in agony in 13th 6 minutes down on the leaders.

Edwin organised everything for us including fantastic accommodation an athletes meal the night before the race and a sight seeing tour of Amsterdam afterwards.

 If you want a race that is very different and always has a very strong field you must go next year www.kvviking.nl

Wey Paddlers in Sprint World Cup Team

The team selection for the first two Sprint World Cups have been announced which includes no less than 5 Wey Paddlers!  World Cup 1 takes place in Szeged, Hungary (10-12 May) with Liam Heath and Rachel Cawthorn competing.  A week later they will be joined by Matt Welch, Dean Terry and Peter Bannister for World Cup 2 in Racice, Czech Republic  (17- 19 May).  Full details can be found here.

Update to April Regatta Results

Some promotion/demotion changes and missing results for race 61 have updated - see www.weykayak.co.uk under Sprint, Results

Guest Coach

Here is this week's guest coach in action...

Important reminder to coaches and experienced paddlers

If you are paddling on the river when it is flood (red boards are displayed), you MUST indicate your presence on the river by displaying the yellow board (under the red warning board).

If you paddle beyond Millmead, you must also use the yellow indicator at the lock there.

Any questions (e.g. what is the number for the combination lock on the boards) - please contact a coach or Jim.

Beginners brave the swirls.

Here are the eager faces of everyone on week two of our April Introductory Course.  All smiles!

Just off the picture on the right is a somewhat mardy nesting swan (who joined in our figure-of-eight practice later), and on the left you'll see some swirly water (technical term).

I think everyone built on their week-one skills and/or knowledge, even if it was just how to fall out of a kayak more gracefully.

Most people went for a little swim today since conditions were a bit challenging (there was quite a reasonable flow on the river), but everyone managed to maintain their smile - or at least get it back once they were rewarded with a cup of tea at the end of the session.

Well done everyone for braving the conditions.  See you next time for fun in "a selection of boats" - from open canoe to sit-on-top, white water, K2 and perhaps even a K4 if the weather is good.

Paddler's Post

April's edition has been posted

MAY REGATTA

Attention all Wey Sprinters.
OK you have seen the results from last weekend but it is now time to stop looking at the pictures of yourself on AEphotos as there is no time to lose: you need to get your entries in to your cheerful team leader by this weekend, 21 April. Don't disappoint him; he is eagerly waiting for your email. Just don't forget to use those forms.
For anyone else whose appetite has been whetted by the news and photos posted and want to give the May Regatta a try, come and see me on Thursday or Saturday.
Look here for the May Regatta Race Plan.

Finally a bit of warmth - invitation to paddle

Since the clocks have changed, and the temperature has finally risen, it's time to start the Rovers again.  This is a Thursday evening recreational paddle for adults.  Meet at the club at 6pm and go up or down stream depending on our whim.  We'll go at a very gentle pace, so don't be worried if you haven't been training hard  (at all) over the winter.

Talk to me, or any of the other coaches if you've got any questions.  Otherwise, see you on Thursday.

BCU April Regatta final results posted

You can download the results here: http://www.weykayak.co.uk/Sprint/National%20Regattas%20Results/2013/Results%20Cover%20April%202013_merged.pdf
(minor update 17/4, 7am)

Congratulations to Andy Reeve on promotion to Masters B!

If you want to be notified quickly of results and our news, then you can either get this blog by email (enter your address in the box below on the right hand side. "Get WKC News by Email", or follow @weykayak on Twitter

Lost Property ......... Used and New Kit & Equipment Sale

 

LOST PROPERTY NOTICE All Lost Property will be sold on Sunday 28th April 2013 at the Wey Marathon and all proceeds to WKC.  Lost Property needs to be reclaimed before Saturday 20th April, otherwise it will be sold!     USED AND NEW KIT & EQUIPMENT SALE Make some money and pick up a bargain. If you have any kit and equipment that you no longer need, or things you do need, come to the Wey Marathon, Sunday 28th April. Everyone has kit that they don’t need any more and it might be just the thing for someone else. Paddling clothing, shoes, gloves, hats, sunglasses, dry bags, books, DVDs, paddles, boats, spray decks, paddle bags and boat spares, anything paddle related. How it works: · You label up your items or just donate them to WKC. · You keep the proceeds of your sold items and WKC receives a small %. For details on how to sell or donate items contact fundraising@weykayak.co.uk Would you like to help with the sale? Helpers get first choice at purchasing. J

BCU April Regatta provisional results posted

Please see www.weykayak.co.uk and look under Sprint - Results

Photos from the Nottingham Regatta

are available here

http://aephotos.co.uk/gbregattaapr2013.  

April Nottingham Regatta Video

Watch some of the Senior A races from the April Nottingham Sprint Regatta here.

Elmbridge Junior Half Marathon

Easter was cold but the sunday morning dawned bright and sunny and lifted temperatures just enough for the 25th anniversary running of the elmbridge 1/2 marathon from the wey clubhouse to the thames lock just shy of the elmbridge clubhouse. Wey had three paddlers ;Oliver Banks in the u15 boys and in the u13 girls Lucy Tozer and Sophie Thompson. All three acquited themselves very well with Oliver just dipping under 2 hours and the girls finishing within 40secs of each other ; lucy (2hrs 20mins.28) just pipping sophie (2hrs 21.08). All were suitably tired but proud at completing the distance as were the support dads Nathan and Paul. Nathan relied on strong legs running the whole way and providing excelent support for lucy whilst i pedalled the towpath and seemingly arrived late at every lock ! Thankfully, with the event very well organised by elmbridge there was plenty of excellent help at all locks and road crossings and i spent a lot of time delegating help for sophie to them! Further support was provided by Norma,Carol and Rebecca who drove to various locks and kindly took some photos .and  Mike and Amanda . All in all it was a very enjoyable day and hopefully there will be many more representatives next year from the wey.

Race Report:

Longridge hosted the first assessment race of the year in order to select members of the Great Britain marathon team. The normal format is on a 4.3km lap with a portage each lap, the senior men doing 7laps, senior women 6laps, junior boys 5laps and junior girls 4laps, the organisers decided to shorten the men's race by one lap over concerns about the race length but kept the women's race the normal length therefore the same distance as the men.

Wey had high hopes of success with members of last years world championships team being ready to race after a hard winter of training.

Seniors men's race saw the expected race between Jon Simmons and Tim Pendle(nor) develop. A large group of 6 paddlers stayed with them for the first 4 laps before Jon and Tim showed their class and pulled away. Coming into the finish Tim held off Jon to take the win.

Senior women's race was also another Wey Norwich battle Fay Lamph took the race out hard from the start and by the first portage she was in a 2 way battle with Pheobe Ayres (racing for Norwich but we all know she's a wey paddler). Pheobe showed some new marathon strength staying with Fay for most of the race finally dropping back with 2 laps to go. Fay finished the race ahead of Pheobe.

Juniors boys saw Jack Childerstone and Ed Haws lining up on the start line, Jack showed his 200m speed off the start with Ed keeping close order. By the time they returned to view Ed was in a lead group of 4 with Jack a further 50m back. With Ed battling hard with Bruce Jones (ELM) for most of the race before pulling away for the win. Jack remembered he was supposed to be racing on the final lap working back through the field to finish 3rd.

Over all a very successful start to the marathon racing season for all Wey paddlers.

41st Wey Marathon Announced:

Details have been posted on the site (under Marathon > Race info) about the Wey Marathon on 28th April.

Come and race! - all levels welcome.  

If you're not racing, then please feel free to spectate, or even better, volunteer to help out for an our or two (please email chairman@weykayak.co.uk for details).

Gent Marathon:

Here is a race report by James Smythe.  Brrr!
http://www.marathon-canoeing.org.uk/marathon/media/Gent2013report.pdf

British Summer Time

In celebration of the first club night since the start of BST we ran a time trial for those hardy enough to endure the coldest April day for 40 years (air temp 2ºC, a mean wind and flurries of snow). Seven arches and back is 2.8 km and on a good day the bench mark is 14'40" for Div 5: add about another minute for each division below. Three efforts makes for a full training session but I don't blame you if you found the showers more appealing after only one or two!

We will think about running another Thursday time trial next month.

Name	Class	2.8k T1 (mm:ss)	2.8k T2 (mm:ss)	2.8k T3 (mm:ss)
Andy R/Mike W	K2	14:01	14:25
Calvin		14:44	14:17
Pete G		14:25	14:22	15:09
Dan J		14:42	19:39
Joe S	C1	15:17	15:28
James W		15:23	15:43	15:49
Cesar		16:26	20:04
Richard HJ		16:32	16:56
Allan B		16:53
Paul T		16:55	17:22	17:34
Roy B		17:45
Jackou		17:47	18:47
Ottie		17:47
Ollie H		19:43
Susanna		20:17	27:22
Rebecca		22:42	27:29
Helen C		27:57

When in Seville....

So I have just returned home from GB Canoeing’s almost ritualistic March Seville training camp and apart from myself and the rest of the 1000m men’s team experimenting with our feminine side, (all part of growing up I’ve been assured!) what else did we do in the warmth of Southern Spain?

Well we trained. Lots. There were a lot of very

Club Night Thursday, 4th April

To celebrate the start of British Summer Time this coming Thursday, the club will be running a series of time trials at the club from 6 pm.

Programme
• Get yourself ready and on the water
• Warm up downstream
• Set off (30 sec intervals) from the club, around the 7-arches and back
• Repeat one or two more to make a full session

So come along this Thursday, find out how fast you are on the water, and help the coaching team find an appropriate training group for you.

As usual supper available afterwards from 7.30 pm.

Here's looking forward to a season full of long balmy evenings (Poggies, cags and spray decks are still available from the club shop).