Bristol Canoe Club Magazine – Spring 1999
In This Issue
* Polo News
* Slalom Report
* The Exe Euthanasia Tour
* Marketplace
* Pool Rolling Competition
* Marathon
* Kayak Safety Course
* Kayaking in the Ardeche
* Club Dinner
* Pantomime Horses
* Photo Gallery
* Programme
* Membership list
Polo News
Pitbulls without the two Judas’s.
Last Saturday (30/Jan/99) was the Pitbulls pen ultimate pool tournament in Div 4 this year. All players were supposed to be available, but the two Judas’s came up with some lame excuse of having to work so we were without Simon Curtis and Justin. What made matters worse was Lee our usual goalie was swanning around the US ostensibly on business, and Darren had “bruised” his ribs (Jenny_.?)!!. Rather fortuitously both Tony and Crispin offered to play as reserves along side the Pitbull superstars including myself (of course), Simon Reid, Dylan, Rob, and not forgetting Harvey.
The crucial game in this tournament was against Aberfan A, who were demoted from Div 3 last season, and had won all their games, including our previous encounter. Our first game was a nice warm up against Stonehenge, winning easily by 3-0. The next game was against Aberfan A but unfortunately with a long wait in between caused our highly trained physiques to cool down; so much for a nice warm up!
The game kicked off with an aggressive start. The first goal was scored by the Welsh, but a sudden break by the Pitbulls gave us a “Classic” Goal. At half time it was 1-1 although we had to soak up incredible pressure in our area. During the second half the Pitbulls tried to come out, but their number zero who looks a bit like a cross between Popeye and TinTin (Massive forearms and a tuff of hair), quickly got a break and scored a crushing goal. Further attempts to gain the equalizer led eventually to the same thing happening again, and the score ended up 3-1. On a positive note several people form other teams came up and congratulated us on the game, and how exciting it was!!!! (and no we did not pay them!!!)
Our final games were between the Harvey look alikes of Guernsey and Aberfan B. Guernsey played a tough game with strong tackling and excellent defence, but with plastic boats they were too slow for our attack and we ended 3-0 winners. The final game was a heroic battle. To ensure all our players had a far amount of water time, Tony and Crispin played their first full games for the Pitbulls. However, each time we scored Aberfan pulled one back. What made matters worse was some interesting decisions by the Aberfan A referee against us, but I obviously can’t make any comment about that REFEREEEE!!! This was an extremely tough game, with Simon Reid running up and down the pool screaming like a Bristol City football hooligan trying to get us back on track!! Fortunately, in the very last minute we got the winning goal.
Overall it was unfortunate we failed to get a result against Aberfan A, so the two Judas’s have a lot to answer for! The league looks like being won by Aberfan A, with the Dragons coming second. The top two get into the play off so we need some teams to beat the Dragons if we are to compete for a place in Div 3.
Finally many thanks to Crispin and Tony for helping out.
This is Mark Gillett for Match of Day. Over to you Des_…
Slalom report
I’m afraid that the BCU have decided that Bristol Canoe Club’s voluntary efforts to run a slalom are not sufficient, so they will not let us run a ranking slalom at LLandysul this year. We have therefore had to cancel the event. Salisbury Canoe Club are running a div 2/3 event at LLandysul over the Whitsun weekend, and we wish them the best of luck. But I still don’t expect they’ll have many entries.
Conor
The Exe Euthanasia Tour.
If I was a gambling man I would reckon on a safe return on Christine and Pete swimming, still life is full of surprises! A cold +3 C struggled to register on the defrosted thermometer Avis, Pete C, Christine, Steve B, Tom, Jan (Prophet of Doom) Prior, the most excellent Mr. Reaper and Paul C assembled at the docks. 1 hour 45 mins later two balls of string and some juggling by Steve to balance five Kayaks on his roof we were off!
Our arrival at the Exe was greeted by the local Constabulary, allegedly some depressed old man was missing presumed to be wandering around the river (was Quent here too)?
All the kit was thrown in a heap in Steve’s van (probably explains why I am in possession of a pair of Knickers)! Shuttling of Vans done and we were on the river.
Our first challenge was Bolham weir! A quick inspection established that both a 2m tow-back and Mr. Reaper (willing death, destruction and at the very least a swim) were evident.
Running down the Chicken Shoot was option one (safe provided the correct line was taken), option two – portage can’t go wrong! Option three run the weir!
All options were favoured! Me option one, Avis option one or maybe option three! (frantic hand waving by me and equally frantic paddling by Avis got her on option one). The other guy’s option two……….and Steve B……….!
Well the brown stuff hit the fan…..with style! Sitting at the bottom of the weir and seeing Steve approach the top middle part is….. well interesting to say the least. Mr. Reaper was most suitably impressed. In the thick of it went Steve, a couple of Flat spins’ and more than his fair share of low braces and Steve was……..OK, not too happy but OK and no sign of panic either. While Steve was entertaining everyone, the subject of discussion headed to the
“should we rescue him or just pretend we don’t know him and leave him”.
A very important deciding factor fell on the fact Steve had the Keys to his Van, the dry kit was in his Van. Attempts of shouting to Steve to throw the keys to us fell on deaf ears. Eventually Jan sprung to action after pushing me and my ready throwline aside (that’s women for you), the concept being a throwline being secured to a Kayak and the Kayak is thrown into the Weir so the Victim’ can put his/her keys in the Kayak Cockpit and we pull the Kayak and Keys to the Riverbank and bugger off (leaving the Victim’ to sort out his own mess). Unfortunately the things didn’t go according to plan, Jan got her bit right, Steve didn’t, when offered the Kayak he grabbed it and was pulled out of the Weir and half out his Kayak in the process! (Does that count for a nomination for Fish of the Year)? Normally in films the Hero rescues the Victim’ and they fall in love and live happily ever after, some how I don’t think this’ll happen – do you?
Just after the Weir was a rapid. Pete overcome with the excitement decided to cool down with a quick swim! Christine however remained upright Mr. Reaper mildly disappointed! Next time anyone paddles with Christine watch her lips, they move faster than her paddle action, (she later told me when she sees a Rock she says Rock’ repeatedly and any other time she says Paddle repeatedly – strange woman)!
Tiverton Falls’ provided fun but alas no swimmers! Just after Tiverton Pete had another look at all the little Fishes. Christine still upright – Pants, looks like I would lose a bet! The remainder of the Trip up to Bickleigh was uneventful….
Just above the Bridge Jan and Christine got out and disappeared for some twenty minutes allegedly portaging but successfully getting lost in the process…….Avis, myself, Tom, Clive and Steve shot the Rapid which to say the least was a bumpy ride! Pete being ever adventurous decided to have a crack. Normally one goes through the Arches of a bridge (you know the bits with fresh air through them) well Pete decided to go through the Bridge too (literally attempting to go through brick and mortar) unfortunately the third swim came in the form of sliding on one’s Butt over the stoney slope leading to the wave at the bottom! Ouch! All in all a good trip, Pete enjoyed himself despite the odd swim, but fair play, you learn from your mistakes. Oh and next time Jan predicts disaster listen to her…. “many a true word spoken in jest”!
Paul Coyne
Pool rolling Competition
Pool rolling competition – 10th Feb 1999.
Paddle rolls – time for three rolls (seconds)
1 Simon Reid 6.46
2 Simon Curtis 6.52
3 Tony Barrass 7.85
4 Conor O’Neill 7.88
5 Harvey Lyons 8.10
6 Paul Niblett 8.64
7 Quentin Nichols 9.24
8 Steve Bennett 9.45
9= (Not a fix, honest!)
Chris Hewer 9.57
Beth Hewer 9.57
Hand rolls – time for three rolls (seconds)
1 Tony Barrass 5.06
2 Simon Curtis 5.57
3 Simon Reid 5.77
4 Harvey Lyons 6.00
5 Chris Hewer 6.44
6 Paul Niblett 6.57
7 Conor O’Neill 8.55
8 Beth Hewer 8.81
[ Note that for some odd reason Conor is the only person who rolls quicker with a paddle than hand rolling! ]
Marathon
Exe Descent Nov 1998 19 miles, Tiverton to Exeter
3 K2s from the club entered – Tony Musson and Kevin Williamson, Stuart Balkwill and Austin Watkins, and Steve Bennett and Rob Knott.
Kev & Tony crashed on the first weir – ‘navigation problem’, and in front of all those people too!
Stuart and Austin had mechanical failure just before Bickleigh and had to pull out – ‘dodgy MOT’.
Nobby and Steve finished 11th with no swims. A load of close shaves: ‘run us through Thorverton again’ – Ed. A good result in the conditions – very cold and low water. We ran aground 4 times (Lardies!)
Stour Descent 12 miles, Stourminster Newton – Bouynston (?) School
Colin Chudleigh and Steve Bennett – K2 – 5th
Nobby – K1 – 4th
Tony – K2 – Did not Finish – mechanical failure
Conditions – low water – b. freezing!
An excellent downriver race. Very tricky, 2 weir shoots, very narrow and winding river / ditch. Club members did very well against very strong field.
Taunton / Bridgewater Canal race. Dec 1998
A revived race, run on the canal for 13 or 14 miles, 3 portages, time trial.
Steve B – K1 – 2nd
Ron S & Kev W – in new K2 – 5th
Keith S & Tony M – K2 – 4th
The race was great fun and well supported – finished at the pub under the M5. Most excellent.
Steve B.
Kayak Safety course
Gordon Summers is running a Kayak Safety course in May
If anyone is interested, please coordinate with Paul Coyne
Kayaking in the Ardeche
Looking for kayaking in Ardeche ?
I recommend you a nice place to go, Camping *** La Digue. It is located near the little village of Chauzon, a few miles away from RUOMS, an important commercial and tourist centre, in the heart of southern Ardeche. This region is greatly appreciated for the mildness of its Mediterranean climate and for the beauty of its four rivers. It is an ideal place for kayaking with rivers difficulties ranking from II to V. Numerous climbing sites are also situated a few miles from the camping site. On the ridge of the Ardeche river, among the trees, the camping site is shaded and peaceful. It is the perfect place for holidays with the family, for relaxing and for sports. The camping is open from March 20th until September 30th and during autumn holidays. Customers could camp with their own tents or caravans or choose to hire a lovely wooden chalets or mobile homes which included all facilities. Groups are very welcome and are offered special prices. Delicious Mediterranean food could be provided upon request.
For more information please visit the web site:
http://www.camping-la-digue.fr
or E-mail: bernard@camping-la-digue.fr
and I will also be happy to answer your questions.
Fabrice Duprat
Club Dinner
After the success of last year’s dinner at Melbournes in September, Paula is organising another in May. This will be on Friday 21st May, and will probably be somewhere a bit cheaper. You will need to give Paula a deposit of œ5 to confirm your place. Contact Paula for more details.
Pantomime Horses
[ This is Lisa’s impression of certain members of the club’s trip in March. They took their glass fibre boats down the Plym, and wore them out. They ended up looking like pantomime horses walking down the rocks. ]
Photo Gallery
(All Courtesy of Tom Evans)
Demonstrating that the water-measuring device on the Bristol Frome is still the place to be seen at.
Justin Sims in show-off pose. I’m not sure which river this is!
Paul Coyne in show-off pose at Tiverton weir on the Exe
Simon Curtis in show-off pose seal-launching on the Dart.
Tom Evans in show-off pose at Lover’s Leap on the Dart.