Category Archives: Historical

From the dim and distant past

History of club trophies

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2021 Phil Longrigg Trophy Conor O’Neill
  Whitewater River God Avis Noott
  Most improved whitewater Julie Watts
  Best performance racing paddler Alex Petsch
  Polo Most Improved Player Steven Pike
  Polo Most Valuable Player (Not awarded)
  Chunder Bucket Not awarded this year; no nominations!
  Fish of the Year Tom Brockett, for swimming on the Upper Usk in an open Canadian; Barney the dog, and Ella are co-swimmers
     
2020 Phil Longrigg Trophy Mark Gillett
  Whitewater River God Furloughed (not awarded this year due to lack of paddling because of the Covid-19 situation)
  Most improved whitewater Furloughed (not awarded this year due to lack of paddling because of the Covid-19 situation)
  Best performance racing paddler Furloughed (not awarded this year due to lack of paddling because of the Covid-19 situation)
  Polo Most Improved Player Furloughed (not awarded this year due to lack of paddling because of the Covid-19 situation)
  Polo Most Valuable Player Phil Charman
  Chunder Bucket Not awarded this year; no nominations!
  Fish of the Year Ruby (Lynne & Nick’s dog) for 5 swims on the Wye on the Glasbury weekend
     
2019 Phil Longrigg Trophy Iain Hissett
  Whitewater River God ‘Random Slovenian Dude’ (“Pablo”), for helping after the confusion on the club trip on the lower Soca in Slovenia
  Most improved whitewater Tom Brockett
  Best performance racing paddler Colin Chudley
  Polo Most Improved Player Isaac Johnson
  Polo Most Valuable Player Lewis Downward
  Chunder Bucket Not awarded this year; no nominations!
  Fish of the Year Dave Hill, for swimming on the flat eddy just above Euthanasia on the Upper Dart, and for various marathon escapades
     
2018 Phil Longrigg Trophy Nick Wainwright
  Whitewater River God ‘Random French Dude’ (“it is possible”), for helping with the carnage on the club trip on the Ubaye racecourse
  Most improved whitewater Matt Cownie
  Best performance racing paddler Colin Chudley and Iain Hissett
  Polo Most Improved Player Sam Rice
  Chunder Bucket Not awarded this year; no nominations!
  Fish of the Year Rich for the rescue turned to a swim on the Ubaye racecourse
     
2017 Phil Longrigg Trophy Emma Newman
  Whitewater River God Bill Pickles (‘Big water Bill’), for paddling in Idaho
  Most improved whitewater John Roadnight
  Most improved racing paddler John Wrightson
  Best performance racing paddler Rob Knott (Nobby)
  Polo Most Improved Player The whole “Bristol Penguins” team
  Chunder Bucket Not awarded this year; no nominations!
  Fish of the Year Morgan Hardy, for extensive swimming in France, and elsewhere
     
2016 Phil Longrigg Trophy Avis Noott
  Whitewater River God Dave Hill
  Most improved whitewater Elinor Griffiths
  Marathon/ racing award Tris Turner & Greg Tonetti
  Polo Most Valuable Player Lee Nicholls
  Youth [ not awarded this year ]
  Chunder Bucket Not awarded this year; no nominations!
  Fish of the Year Morgan Hardy, for extensive swimming at the Tryweryn
     
2015 Phil Longrigg Trophy Christian Knipprath
  Whitewater River God Stewart Anderton
  Most improved whitewater Paul Blight
  Marathon/ racing award Joe Green
  Polo Most Valuable Player Gail Watts
  Youth [ not awarded this year ]
  Chunder Bucket Not awarded this year; no nominations!
  Fish of the Year Mark Heeley
     
2014 Phil Longrigg Trophy Simon Pearson
  Whitewater River God Richard Puttock
  Most improved whitewater Chris Taylor
  Marathon/ racing award Evangelos Zympeloudis (Evo)
  Polo Most Valuable Player Will Bolton-Jones
  Youth Issy Norman
  Chunder Bucket Not awarded this year; no nominations!
  Fish of the Year Bill Pickles; for his entertainment on the Claree in France
     
2013 Phil Longrigg Trophy Conor O’Neill
  Whitewater River God Lisa Fitzsimons, for not swimming in California
  Most improved whitewater [ not awarded this year ]
  Marathon/ racing award Danielle Clarke
  Polo Most Valuable Player Zach Gillett
  Most improved Youth [ not awarded this year ]
  Chunder Bucket Not awarded this year; no nominations!
  Fish of the Year Keith Sanders, for a ‘shopping trolley’ incident, on the docks
     
2012 Phil Longrigg Trophy Mark Gillett
  Whitewater River God Harvey Lyons (for taking the museum piece down Chateau Q in France)
  Most improved whitewater Lisa Fitzsimons (for not swimming in France)
  Marathon/ racing award Rob Castle and Tom Verber – for paddling the Devizes to Westminster race.
  Polo Most Valuable Player Simon Pearson
  Most improved Youth [ not awarded this year ]
  Chunder Bucket Not awarded this year; no nominations!
  Fish of the Year Conor O’Neill, for swimming at Cardiff, after a 12 year gap
     
2011 Phil Longrigg Trophy Lisa Gunton
  Whitewater River God Mike Millington
  Most improved whitewater Bill Pickles
  Marathon/ racing award Kevin Littlehales
  Polo Most Valuable Player Richard Russell-Johnson
  Most improved Youth [ not awarded this year ]
  Chunder Bucket Not awarded this year; no nominations!
  Fish of the Year Steve Bennett, for swimming before the start at a race at Woolacombe
     
2010 Phil Longrigg Trophy Teresa Treasure
  Whitewater River God Ben Wetherill
  Most improved whitewater Elinor Griffiths
  Marathon/ racing award Mark Bessell
  Polo Most Valuable Player Mark Gillett
  Most improved Youth Becky Day
  Chunder Bucket Not awarded this year; no nominations!
  Fish of the Year Rich Steptoe, for 3 swims in one day at Cardiff, among others
     
2009 Phil Longrigg Trophy Steve Bennett
  Whitewater River God Richard Russell-Johnson
  Most improved whitewater [ not awarded this year ]
  Marathon/ racing award Helen Harris & Colin Chudleigh
  Polo Most Valuable Player Rich Gibbons
  Most improved Youth [not awarded this year ]
  Chunder Bucket Robin Wilson, for Martin’s stag do
  Fish of the Year Steve Bennett, for multiple occasions
     
2008 Phil Longrigg Trophy Avis Noott
  Whitewater River God Ray Latham
  Most improved whitewater Richard Steptoe
  Marathon award Helen Harris
  Polo Most Valuable Player Jon Seager
  Most improved Youth [ not awarded this year ]
  Chunder Bucket Neville Contractor (for his Speedos)
  Fish of the Year Brian Walker (climb out of Briancon Gorge)
     
2007 Phil Longrigg Trophy Nick Clendon
  Most Improved Youth Adrain Samarra
  Marathon award Tristram Turner
  Polo Most Valuable Player Mark Gillett
  Whitewater River God Mark Shackleton
  Chunder Bucket Andy Maycock (missed selection race)
  Fish of the Year Steve Bennett (swimming at the Nationals, and DW support crew)
     
2006 Phil Longrigg Trophy Lisa Gunton
  Most Improved Youth Mark Shackleton
  Most Improved marathon paddler Iain Hisset
  Polo, Most Valuable Player Chris Stone
  Whitewater River Goddess Kath Aplin
  Chunder Bucket Jon Kerswell (picnic paddle weekend)
  Fish of the Year Teresa Treasure (rescue of ‘random’ swimmer at Saltford)
     
2005 Most Improved Whitewater Jon Kerswell
  Whitewater River God Robin Wilson
  Most Improved Youth Hannah West & Lucy Coles
  Phil Longrigg Trophy Steve Bennett & Tristram Turner
  Polo Most Valuable Player Harvey Lyons
  Best Marathon Swimmer Tristram Turner (?)
  Most Improved marathon Paddler Zoe Betteridge
  Chunder Bucket Harvey Lyons (during the Devizes – Westminster race!)
  Fish of the Year Tristram Turner
     
2004 Most Improved Whitewater Mat Jones
  Whitewater River God Nick Clendon
  Most Improved Youth (not awarded)
  Phil Longrigg Trophy Mackey
  Polo Most Valuable Player Mark Gillett
  Best Marathon Swimmer  
  Chunder Bucket Tony Barrass
  Fish of the Year Baldrick
     
2003 Most Improved Whitewater Baldrick
  Whitewater River God Richard Gunton
  Most Improved Youth Sam Howlett
  Phil Longrigg Trophy Teresa Treasure
  Polo Most Valuable Player Mackey
  Best Marathon Swimmer Lee Taylor
  Chunder Bucket Tony Barrass
  Fish of the Year John Leopold
     
2002 Phil Longrigg Trophy ?
  Most Improved Youth ?
     
2001 Phil Longrigg Trophy Harvey Lyons
  Most Improved Youth Lee (West?)
  Most Improved Whitewater Richard Gunton
  Most Improved Marathon Paddler Andy (Maycock?)
  Most Improved Slalom Paddler Bernie Cole
  Polo Most Valuable Player Dylan Thomas
  Chunder Bucket Justin Sims (and Mandy)
  Fish of the Year Paul Niblett
     
2000 Most Improved Whitewater Clive Weston
  Most Improved Youth Lee Taylor
  Phil Longrigg Trophy Steve Venton
  Most Improved Marathon Paddler Pete James
  Most Improved Slalom Paddler Lawrence Doddy
  Chunder Bucket Ben Wainwright
  Fish of the Year Pete (Carter?)
     
1999 Most Improved Whitewater Pete Carter
  Most Improved Youth Ben Wainwright
  Phil Longrigg Trophy Paul Niblett
  Most Improved Marathon Paddler Ruth Bishop
  Chunder Bucket Tom Evans
  Fish of the Year Steve Bennett
     
1998 Most Improved Whitewater Gary Sweet
  Most Improved Youth Beth Hewer
  Phil Longrigg Trophy Clive Weston
  Polo Most Valuable Player Ben Wainwright
  Best Marathon Swimmer Lee Taylor (?)
  Most Improved Slalom Paddler Avis Noott
  Chunder Bucket Ron Knott
  Fish of the Year Ron Stinchcombe
     
1997 Phil Longrigg Trophy ?
  Most Improved Youth ?
     
1996 Phil Longrigg Trophy ?
  Most Improved Youth ?
     
1995 Phil Longrigg Trophy Tim Johnson
  Most Improved Youth ?
     
1994 Phil Longrigg Trophy ?
  Most Improved Youth ?
     
1993 Most Improved Youth Justin Sims
  Phil Longrigg Trophy Conor O’Neill
  Chunder Bucket Vicky Davison
     
1992 Most Improved Youth Jennifer Eldridge
  Phil Longrigg Trophy Martyn Green
  Chunder Bucket Nick Amesbury
     
1991 Most Improved Youth Lisa Dent
  Phil Longrigg Trophy Steve Lee
  Marathon Shield Bernie Pagon
  Chunder Bucket Janet Adcock
     
1990 Most Improved Youth Kevin Williamson
  Phil Longrigg Trophy Quentin Nichols
     
1989 Most Improved Paddler Ed White
  Phil Longrigg Trophy Tony Cox
     

History of the committee

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Year Chairman Treasurer Secretary Membership
2021 – 2022 Tom Brockett Conor O’Neill Fran Bamber &
Tanya Cownie		 Nick Wainwright
2020 – 2021 Tom Brockett Fran Bamber Ezra Watts Nick Wainwright
2019 – 2020 Tom Brockett Fran Bamber Patrick Rainey Nick Wainwright
2018 – 2019 Jeremy Sykes Fran Bamber Tanya Cownie Nick Wainwright
2017 – 2018 Jeremy Sykes Conor O’Neill Richard Puttock Nick Wainwright
2016 – 2017 Simon Pearson Conor O’Neill Adrian Clancy Nick Wainwright
2015 – 2016 Simon Pearson Conor O’Neill Adrian Clancy Nick Wainwright
2014 – 2015 Lisa Gunton Meghan Young Simon Pearson Nick Wainwright
2013 – 2014 Lisa Gunton Richard Russell-Johnson Richard Puttock Conor O’Neill
2012 – 2013 Nick Wainwright Conor O’Neill Richard Puttock Conor O’Neill
2011 – 2012 Nick Wainwright Conor O’Neill Richard Puttock Conor O’Neill
2010 – 2011 Nick Wainwright Conor O’Neill Helen Harris Robin Wilson
2009 – 2010 Teresa Treasure Richard Puttock Conor O’Neill Robin Wilson
2008 – 2009 Teresa Treasure Richard Puttock Helen Harris Robin Wilson
2007 – 2008 Conor O’Neill Richard Puttock Helen Harris Robin Wilson
2006 – 2007 Conor O’Neill Reg Morris Helen Harris Robin Wilson
2005 – 2006 Conor O’Neill John Leopold Teresa Treasure Lisa Gunton
2004 – 2005 Dominic Morgan John Leopold Teresa Treasure Jim Ratcliffe
2003 – 2004 Tony Barrass John Leopold Teresa Treasure Jim Ratcliffe
2002 – 2003 Lisa Gunton Tony Barrass Harvey Lyons Jim Ratcliffe
2001 – 2002 Lisa Gunton Tony Barrass Paula Budge Jenny Jewell
2000 – 2001 Nick Wainwright Conor O’Neill Paula Budge  
1999 – 2000 Nick Wainwright Conor O’Neill Paula Budge  
1998 – 1999 Quentin Nichols Conor O’Neill Lisa Gunton  
1997 – 1998 Mark Aplin Kath Cotton    
1996 – 1997 Mark Gillett Conor O’Neill Lisa Gunton Conor O’Neill
1995 – 1996 Mark Gillett Conor O’Neill Lisa Gunton  
1994 – 1995 Quentin Nichols Conor O’Neill Avis Noott  
1993 – 1994 Quentin Nichols Martyn Green Avis Noott  
1992 – 1993 Quentin Nichols Martyn Green Avis Noott  
1991 – 1992 Tim Johnson Martyn Green Janet Adcock  
1990 – 1991 Tim Johnson Liz Murnaghan Quentin Nichols  
1989 – 1990 Tom Scott Liz Murnaghan Quentin Nichols  
1988 – 1989 Tom Scott Nick Pagon Quentin Nichols  

New committee for 2018-2019

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The Bristol Canoe Club AGM 2018 was held last week.

The new committee for 2018-2019 is:
Chairman: Jeremy Sykes
Treasurer: Fran Bamber
Secretary: Tanya Cownie
Membership: Nick Wainwright

Other committee members: Conor O’Neill, Dave Hill, Mark Gillett, Emma Newman, Iain Hissett, Lee Nicholls

Neil Cox Iceland Cost-to-Coast May 2017

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Neil Cox, and Leanne Dyke, both members of Bristol Canoe Club, crossed Iceland with a Packraft (a type of inflatable kayak) in May 2017.
Here is Neil’s write-up, including video, and a river description.

https://www.neilcoxmisadventures.com/packrafting/2017iceland-report

Neil comments: “We believe this is the first recorded source-to-sea descent of the Þjórsá, with Leanne also being the first recorded woman to complete a packraft traverse of Iceland.”

Congratulations to Tim Trew in DW

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Very many congratulations to Tim Trew who came 10th in the senior doubles class in this year’s Devizes to Westminster race on the Easter weekend, with a time of 20:17:53 (non-stop). He was paddling with a friend Adam Dumolo.

Also congratulations to recent new member George Botsford who paddled in the four-day event, finishing with a time of 22:31:22, coming 49th, paddling with Alfred Barnicoat, both from Bredon School.

Anyone who’s ever been involved in the race knows how much of a huge achievement this competition is, so very well done to everyone.

The full results are hard to find on the official DW website at the moment, but should be visible here: http://www.dwrace.org.uk/results/2017/results.html

 

Bristol Canoe Club’s first newsletter

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I have a copy of the very first newsletter distributed by Bristol Canoe Club.

This is “Issue 1, Number 1”, December 1962. The club had obviously been founded before this, but we don’t know how much earlier.

Note that this includes a suggestion to paddle the river Dart from Dartmeet in Jan 1963, “Rough water grading unknown, since, to the best of our knowledge, it has not been previously canoed, but probably R.W. III-IV.”

I have scanned this in, so have a look here.

Bristol Canoe Club Newsletter Issue 1 Dec 1962

Trophies 2016

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At the 2016 AGM, various trophies were awarded, as follows:

White-water ‘River God’: Dave Hill, for his enthusiasm for getting people onto the water.
Most improved white-water: Elinor Griffiths
Marathon award(s): Tris Turner, and Greg Tonetti
Most ‘Most Valuable Player’: Lee Nicholls, for passing his referee qualification
Phil Longrigg Trophy: Avis Noott
Chunder Bucket: Not awarded!
Fish of the Year: Morgan Hardy, for extensive swimming at the Tryweryn

New committee for 2016-2017

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The Bristol Canoe Club AGM 2016 was held last week.

The new committee for 2016-2017 is:
Chairman: Simon Pearson
Treasurer: Conor O’Neill
Secretary: Adrian Clancy
Membership: Nick Wainwright

Other committee members: Mark Heeley, Rich Puttock, Dave Hill, Mark Gillett and Emma Newman

Montenegro, Tara gorge, Summer 2015

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In Summer 2015, a group of us went to Montenegro to paddle the Tara gorge, a beautiful three-day trip through a deep gorge.

We found that the (limited) available information was sometimes misleading, so I created something to help future trips.

This document isn’t really a trip write-up, instead it describes the logistics and journey times (both on roads and rivers) to give some help with trip planning.

Montenegro Logistics

I hope this is useful!

Conor