Club Calendar

Did you take the challenge last year? Whether you did or you didn’t, you need to take up the challenge this time around! Bring your friends and family too. Lots of portaging. Great practice for the Devises to Westminster race. Start and finish at the same place.

See the draft route map below.

Take up your paddles…take up the challenge!

– 13 to 14 miles
– 10 portages
– Open to canoes and kayaks, singles and doubles, juniors, seniors and veterans
– An experience very similar to the Kennet and Avon section of the Devises to Westminster race

We will need a goodly number of volunteers to assist and organise on the day. Please let the race organiser Bill Hansell know if you would like to help out. The usual stuff: check-in, starts/finishes, marshals, car parking, paddlers food etc.

Click here to sign-up online

Download the Race Rules here.

The B3C Hasler marks the start of the Southern Regional Hasler season after the winter break.

Download your Race Notice and Entry Form here

The B3C Hasler marks the start of the Southern Regional Hasler season after the winter break.

This will be a peer paddle to see the London sites from Putney Embankment to Tower Bridge and return. This is a busy tidal section of the River Thames therefore paddlers must be of Explore or 2* standard and be able to carry out deep water assisted rescues. The distance is approx 17 miles and there will be some tidal flow potentially up to a max of 6knt. The trip is timed to low water at Tower Bridge. Paddlers should be confident in messy water as the wake from fast/big boats bounces off the river walled embankments and can be confusing. got questions ask me, want to go tell me. group size will be limited to 8 on a first come first served basis. Rick rick.covell@ntlworld.com (and yes I know its Fathers Day but you’ll be back in time for tea – hopefully)

Launching at Wargrave and paddling to Hurley and see the sights of Henley on the way.  a one way trip of approx 9 miles and a shuttle of cars to get us back. Probably meet at the barn 09:30 and be back around 4pm. let me know it you want to go. Rick

Saturday 19th November, Jubilee River, probably launching near Maidenhead and coming out at Windsor. there are 3 weirs to be played with preferably in flat bottom boats such as play or white water boats, see picture coming next. You should have experienced some moving water (i.e. been away from the canal ) and be competent with a spray deck and capsize drills. the total distance is close to 9 miles but with some flow, so as a gauge if you can do ash lock and back in a play boat you’ll be ok. The weirs are portage-able but those wanting to give them a try will take priority. This will be a peer paddle as its outside my remit for sheltered water. we will be in the hands of Kevin White who has done this before. It will be different, so let me know if you want to go.
Rick

Depending on conditions we’re looking at Abbey River from Chertsey Mead on the River Thames or a River Wey loop from Bowers lock.
both paddles are in the region of 5-7 miles and will contain some upstream element and take most of the day.
Contact me Rick Covell rick.covell@ntlworld.com for more detail or if you want to go.

Touring trip on the upper Thames around Cricklade/Lechlade area

A circuit race on the RiverThames.
Suitable for all abilities, though other river traffic is to be expected.
Portages are either natural bank or pontoon
www.reading-canoe.org.uk
info@reading-canoe.org.uk

The Southampton canoe race takes place on the River Itchen where it runs through Southampton City. The section of river used for the race is where the fresh water meets the estuary at Woodmill Activity Centre, down stream to St Mary’s football stadium. The course travels through contrasting sentry from green tree line areas, parks, marinas and some industrial landscapes. The race starts at Riverside Park with all divisions covering two laps of varying distances to achieve they required divisional race distance. Due to the nature of the river banks in this area there are no portages at this event. The spectating areas are limited but we do have very good view of the start and finish area, with competitor going passed a few times. Good facilities from Bitterne Park Social Club with good parking.

This is a standard Hasler race set on a broad and beautiful stretch of the River Thames. The course (suitable for all paddlers from novice to international)winds from the dreaming spires of Oxford down through the gentle rolling countryside of Oxfordshire, and back to the start. Spectators can stroll along the towpath – taking in the race, the punts the occasional pleasure cruiser and our world-famous rowers. Cake, coffee and snacks will be available for all. There’s parking on site – and the sun always shines (!?)

Launching at Lower Swanwick, or if you want something a little longer Warsash, going up to Botley across to the Horse and Jockey and back.

Respond on spond if you want to go.

Sea trip out to see Old Harrys Rock between Studland and Swanage.

Need to be at Explore or working towards Explore level and be competent at deep water rescue  and use of spray deck

The first Hasler in the season for the Southern region, a race suitable for all ages and abilities onthe River Thames. This is a circuit (approx 4miles) race between Whitchurch and MapledurhamLocks, with a natural portage for Divs 1to 6 on each of their circuits.

Shepperton to Ham approx 12 miles with the flow, try the Rollers, See Hampton Court from the river. this will be a shuttle and the trailer may be used so not to worry if your short of a roof rack. Great day out.

Race description * A typical canal race situated on the Oxford Canal that can be winding and shallow in parts. Suitable for all abilities and ages. Div 1-3. 14 portages. Div 4-6. 6 portages. Div 7-9. 2 portages. U14’s. No portages. We advise suitable footwear when portaging. Divisions 7 / 8, and 9 portage. Assistance can be offered at the portage for the U13’s. The paddler must hold the front of the boat and the paddle unless it is in the boat. The assister must not put the boat into the water or offer any assistance that will be deemed to be unfair. Note that the water under the motorway bridge 200 yards north of the 1st portage can get a little choppy. Please ensure the rules of the road are followed here. Lower division paddlers please note this. The start will be ½ mile north of the car park starting just past the Hennef Way Bridge and finish at the bridge here at race HQ. Please note that it is important that divisons 1-6 get on the water first. Divisions 7, 8 and 9 must wait until all the higher divisions are on the water to avoid congestion at the pre-starts. There will be pre-start marshals that bring each race up to the start. Please pay attention to their instructions. Please ensure that you are around the start area in good time as it can get congested. Divisions 1-3. Turn 40 yards north of Bridge 147. This has a nice wide turning area. 14 portages in total. Divisions 4-6. Turn just south of Cropredy village. There will be a Canadian canoe or similar marshalling here. Divisions 7-10. Turn just south of Bourton Lock. There will be a marshal on the bank and it is important that the nose of your boat goes past the marshal. Note that this is a very tight turn and our apologies for this. Start list to be given on the day with some divisions split between odds and evens. Directions to race. Follow signs to Castle Quay Shopping Centre car parks and then for Canoe Race. Note: We have exclusive use of the car park area where we hold the event. Please do not park in the Coach Park behind the Garden Centre or on the road as this will incur a parking fine. There is plenty of parking available in the other car parks if the event area is full. We will try to accommodate trailers in the event area and if necessary double park.

Launching from Arundel, getting out at Pulborough and shuttling. Sign up on Spond if you want to go