November 2006 - Canoeist Magazine

November 2006 

Incorporating Ocean Kayaker and Paddlers World 

Brighton access proposals - the small print 

Skye guide. Angus coast explored

Contents 

2 

Travel 

Recipe for real adventure 18 

Philip Oakley 

A dozen Explorer Scouts from Ripon crossed 

Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains on foot and by 

kayak. High water levels made the gorges more 

interesting than had been planned. 

End to End 46 

Peter Hart 

How 3 days were taken off the record from 

Land’s End to John o’ Groats with additional 

activities along the way. 

Angus explored 74 

James Carron 

The coast of Angus boasts a wealth of 

spectacular natural landmarks, including sea 

stacks, caves, blowholes and narrow inlets only 

accessible by kayak. There are wonderful strips of 

golden sand backed by grassy dunes and 

towering red sandstone cliffs. 

Access and environment page 10 

CANOEIST November 2006 

Recipe for real adv

enture page 18 

Competition 

Slalom 48 

World Championships - Chloe Nelson-Lawrie 

European Championships - Chloe Nelson-Lawrie 

European Under 23 & Junior Championships - 

Chloe Nelson-Lawrie 

Freestyle 49 


Wild water racing 50 

Mezzana Race - Rick Barrow 

Lofer Race - Chloe Nelson-Lawrie 

European Junior Championships - Chloe Nelson- 

Lawrie 

Bell boat racing 55 

National Championships - Chloe Nelson-Lawrie 

Sprint 56 



European Under 23 & Junior Championships - 


Polo 67 


Marathon 68 

National Championships 

Sailing 74 

Inland Championships 

Multisport 67 

British Championships - Simon Hammond 

Lifeguarding 68 


Regular columns November 

Calendar 4 

Forthcoming events for the next two months. 

Editorial 5 

Stuart Fisher 

We have our reservations 

Undercurrents 6 

New canoe centres. 

Up the Creek 9 

Foxy’s cartoon feature. 

Access and environment 10 

Brighton University access report struggles for 

something to show. 

Incident file 17 

Canoeing class members rescue drowning man. 

Eureka! 24 

First Venture Xtreme multisports venue will be in 

Rotherham. 

Books 28 

Sequel to Argonauts of the Western Isles. 

Films 31 

Pilates at your level. 

Letters 32 

Grade 5 public portage and the Flying Brick. 

Guide 33 

Isle of Skye - Southwest Coast. The best scenery 

in Britain. 

Do you know? 45 

Early Scottish descents. 

Back then 79 

What we reported in earlier decades. 

Classified 79 

Including association contact addresses. 


National Marathon Championships page 68 

3

TOURING 

November 

5/6 Tyne 

A/B/C - Proficiency/Proficiency +/Advanced. K/C - kayak/canoe. 1 - 6 - 

grade. 

MARATHON 


11 22nd Gorges de l’Ardèche 

19 Exe Descent 

H - Hasler final qualifier. K2 - no Div 1 K1. K1 - no Div 1/2 K2. L - long 

course. S - short course. Yearbook £4.50 from Diane Bates, 11 Cranley Rd, 

Burwood Park, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey KT12 5BX. 

SLALOM 


18 1st E & Central Africa 

Championships, Kenya 

19 Orton Mere 

25 ACM, Holme Pierrepont 

December 

17 Orton Mere 

A - restricted entry international. B - invitation international. C - unrestricted 

entry international. P - Premier division. 1 - 4 divisions. Cl - club event. 

Yearbook £4.00 from Jim Croft, 12 Holmscroft Rd, Luton, Beds LU3 2TJ. 

Publisher contact 

Canoeist, 4 Sinodun Row, Appleford-on-Thames, 

Oxon OX14 4PE 

Fax 01235 847270 

Email mail@canoeist.co.uk 

Disclaimer 

Opinions expressed in this magazine are not 

necessarily those of the editor or publishers. 

References to waters do not necessarily imply that 

access or passage is legally permitted or that they 

are safe in all conditions. The editor and publishers 

can not be held responsible for any omissions of 

references to hazards from notes on these waters. 

They do not necessarily support advertising claims 

nor do they hold themselves responsible for 

inadequacies in items of equipment reviewed here. 

Governing body enquiries 

Canoeist is an independent magazine. Enquiries to 

governing bodies and associations should be 

addressed to them, not to this magazine. Addresses 

are to be found on the Classified pages. 

4 

WILD WATER RACING 


4 Hexham, Wh 

5 Lower Dart, Cl, B/O/U 

11 or 25 Mersey, Cl, B/U, NW 

Championships 

11/12 or 25/26 British Univs 

Championships, Washburn 

12 or 26 Irwell, Sp, B/U, National Y 

Championships 

18 N Tyne, Cl, A/B/O 

18/19 Tees 1 - 3 & ACM, Cl/Sp, A/B/O 

December 

3 Clyde, Cl, B/O 

9/10 Nith 2, Cl, B/O, RAF 

Championships 

W - world ranking. A - restricted entry international. B - invitation 

international. C - unrestricted entry international. Cl - classic. Sp - sprint. 

A/B/C - Divisions. OC - open canoes. U - under 14 and under 16. Yearbook 

£3.50 + 57p A5 SAE from Sarah Wright, Church Lea, 26 Church St, 

Hemswell, Lincs DN21 5UQ. 

Cover: A Moroccan lad 

in the driving seat during 

the Ripon Explorer Scouts’ 

expedition across the High 

Atlas Mountains. 

Photograph by Jon Church. 

The full feature begins on 

page 18. 

Periodical Publishers Association 

Independent Publisher Awards 

Inaugural 

Achievement Award 

winner 


SPRINT 


13 S American Games, Buenos Aires 

18 1st E & Central Africa 

Championships, Masinga Dam 

December 

1 - 15 Asian Games, Doha 

MULTISPORT 

December 

3 Weavers Down Winter Warmer 

SAILING 

December 

23 Xmas Cracker, IC, Hayling Island 

P - Premier. 2 - Secondary. IC - International Canoe. OC - open canoe. 

POLO 


4 Stockport, W2 

4 Luton, Y1 

18 Leeds, 2N 

18 Coventry, 2S 

18 Derby, 3C 

18 Dagenham, 3S 

25 Dagenham, 4SE 

December 

2 Coventry, 2S 

2 Bristol, 3S 

2 Stockport, 4N 

2 Derby, W2 

9 Leeds, 2N 

9 Derby, 3C 

9 Luton, 4C 

9 Dagenham, 4SE 

9 Stratford-upon-Avon, Y1 

N - national teams. C - club teams. 1 - 5 - divisions. ID - indoors. OD - 

outdoors. Yearbook £3.00 + 50p P&P from Beverley Dancer. 

LIFEGUARDING 

December 

8 Herts 21st Riverboat Party 

DRAGON BOAT RACING 


18 Congress, Henley-on-Thames 

December 

23 Samia Festival, Bumbe 

MISCELLANEOUS 


9 Epoxy Workshop, Romsey 

10 - 19Kendal Mountain Festivals 

30 Fibreglass Boat Repair Course, 

Romsey 

December 

1 - 11 Salon Nautique, Paris 

2 Fibreglass Boat Repair Course, 

Romsey 

Italics - change, late addition or late notification. I - international. O - open. 

WC - world cup. GP - grand prix. EC - European championships or Europa 

cup. M/L/W/B/G - men/ladies/women/boys/girls. S/J/Y/V - 

senior/junior/youth/veteran. U18 - under 18.

Editorial summary 

For several years there has been access planning blight. Any questions 

about access to those in power have simply brought the response to wait 

for the 2006 Brighton University study, intended to show that access 

agreements are the way forward in England and Wales, even though 

they have failed us for over half a century, just as they failed the 

ramblers. The spin being put on the outcome is that it is all a success 

because there is something to show on each of the four rivers, even if 

the total of 72km is less than a quarter of what ought to have been 

achieved on the non tidal sections of those rivers, the total amounting to 

a tenth of 1% of the canoeable rivers in England and Wales. In the 

foreseeable future the EA intend to take a look at agreements in East 

Anglia, the southwest and Wales. Of the four agreements so far, the 

BCU have rejected two out of hand, another is a rehash of part of an 

agreement set up by local paddlers in 2001 and the remaining one is so 

unattractive that canoeists are showing little interest. 

There is very little 

here for touring and 

We have our 

reservations 

white water paddlers, 

the groups singled out 

in the past by 

Brighton University 

as being the most 

disadvantaged. The 

only canoeing winners are clubs who now have some local water they 

can use legally on a regular basis, up to a point, without outside 

interference. 

The launch took place at Bungay on the Waveney, a high profile two 

Minister job, Sports Minister Richard Caborn and Environment, Food 

& Rural Affairs Under Secretary of State Barry Gardiner. The BCU had 

put out a press release the previous day condemning the report and 

CEO Paul Owen, who also missed the Llangollen and Chester access 

demonstrations, delivered a snub from the BCU by staying away 

although access officers Chris Hawkesworth and Kevin East attended. 

Paddlers International/Canoeist was not invited but felt it important to 

attend. (I had difficulty finding the venue by road, previously having 

been by kayak, and CJ had problems from the air, having to use his 

helicopter because there was no runway for his plane!) MP Martin Salter 

was one of the anglers invited but was prevented from attending by a last 

minute constituency problem in Reading. 

The gathering began with the two Ministers taking an open canoe on 

the river for the cameras. Short speeches followed from the EA and from 

each of the Ministers to round off the morning. Richard Caborn said it 

cost £100,000 to keep a kid in jail and that watersports had brought 

some back onto the straight and narrow. In Doncaster he had met 5 

Asian troublemakers who had been transformed by a 3 day canoeing 

course. Before he left I asked Barry Gardiner if he knew how much it 

had cost to secure these 72km of access. ‘No,’ he said. ‘Tell me.’ I 

explained that I didn’t know but wanted to do so. I can understand the 

figure was not something he had to hand but he did not offer to obtain 

the information for me. Professor Neil Ravenscroft, head of the research 

team, was also not forthcoming although I suspect he knew the figure 

rather better. It had had been put at £12,000/km by his team in 2004. It 

is important that we know how much access negotiations of this sort 

cost, where we will find the cash and how long it is all going to take.) 

The Minister also told me he did not believe there was much unmet 

demand for access because of what the earlier Brighton University report 

had said (not quite what he told a BBC regional TV interviewer) and 

suggested I prove it with a study if I thought there was a larger demand. 

This seems quite a shift in position from Elliot Morley’s promise of 1997 

that a Labour Government would help canoeists with access whenever 

possible. 

After lunch Professor Ravenscroft gave a further presentation on the 

implications. The full report was still not available, only the EA’s 

summary of it, and it was not to appear on the Brighton University 

website until the following week, too late for the daily and weekly 

media. It was odd that it was not available for consultation at the time of 

its launch meeting. I was the second of the questioners but before I 

could put my questions the day’s proceedings were suddenly closed by 

the EA official in charge and everyone dismissed. I was able to talk at 

length directly with Professor Ravenscroft afterwards, however. 

The EA have made it clear in several places, especially in their 

report, that if negotiations do not produce results in future it 

will be the fault of the BCU, notwithstanding the BCU’s efforts over 

the last half century. Brighton University have now prepared a website 

toolkit to be the answer to all our problems, replacing the 1999 EA 

book Agreeing Access to Water for Canoeing which was to be the answer to 

all our problems, replacing the original NRA book which was to be the 

answer to all our problems. Professor Ravenscroft says it will be easier in 

future to negotiate agreements as everyone can see it works. I suggested 

it will be harder in future as he has simply picked off easy rivers and, 

even so, backed off whenever anglers have refused to negotiate. Unlike 

me, he was surprised that 99% of landowners were prepared to consider 

access. The figure for angling clubs was nearly as high but ‘consider’, 

not very deeply, was frequently the operative word, again no great 

surprise to me. We are told that expectations are too high, expectations 

of wanting to share our rivers as in Scotland and the rest of the world 

rather than expectations of retaining exclusive control by one interest 

group whose numbers are declining. In fact, there was also positive 

support from many quarters. As usual on the rivers, there were some 

very positive anglers. Positive support came from golf clubs and others 

in permitting access but the law is skewed to favour the negative ones 

and these cause problems way beyond their own ownership. 

We need to be numbered, apparently. Ramblers, cyclists, anglers and 

others by rivers are entitled to their privacy but we need to be 

identifiable, regardless of the implications of men sitting by the river and 

being able to identify children on the water. Some would also like to be 

able to identify their vehicles. The end point of the Mersey agreement 

was changed because paddlers were not happy about the security of the 

parking there. Wye licences will allow identification of paddlers, says 

the report. (OK, so you recall the EA promising that licences would not 

be imposed on canoes on the Wye public free navigation in the 

foreseeable future.) There would also need to be charges because anglers 

want us to have to pay something to somebody because they have to 

pay for bailiffs, restocking with fish and the like. The insistence of 

infrastructure might give them a point. Personally, I find angling signs 

everywhere in the countryside an eyesore and am no keener on 

canoeing signs. There needs to be a way for governing bodies to 

regulate non members, the overwhelming majority, whom the report 

acknowledges are no more likely to misbehave than are governing body 

members, unlike the way that the Ramblers’ Association do not need to 

regulate walkers. If people on foot behave sufficiently badly you call the 

police. The suggestion of the spread of farm diseases by canoeists is a 

scurrilous slur without any evidence and I am not aware of canoeists 

leaving gates open and letting out livestock, much more likely to be 

those on foot. 

Rivers are used by everyone from swimmers to rowers yet these 

agreements are for canoeists (except for the confused details on the 

Wear). Are the other groups supposed to make separate agreements or 

comply with canoeing agreements in which they have had no input and 

which are frequently not applicable? Are the BCU to be responsible for 

making agreements for everyone else? Do we need some kind of agency 

to represent the interests of boaters? 

Interestingly, even this report suggests canoeists need to lobby if they 

want a better deal. 

Coincidentally, this report was produced in Eastbourne, home of 

Douglas Caffyn, who wrote the book on why we should already have 

access to all rivers in England and Wales, not mentioned in this study. 

Going round the corner to talk to him might have produced a more 

robust and much quicker outcome, if not the one the EA and DEFRA 

wanted. 

A further concern is that DEFRA officials have been claimed to have 

put pressure on local interests on at least two of these rivers to sign up. 

They were determined to have something to show, however shaky. 

This comes at the same time as part of the DEFRA fine imposed by the 

EU for mishandling of farm subsidy payments has been passed on to 

boating by way of grant cuts. Presumably there will not be DEFRA 

pressure to sign in future and there will not be any Ministerial eyes on 

the process or lack of it. 

Regardless of rhetoric, there can be very few people who honestly 

expect negotiations to produce access where they have failed over the 

decades. The planning blight and the stock answers will continue but 

the Government have washed their hands. There are those who will be 

happy that they won’t see any improvement and that we are to have 

just some token reservations, as the American Indians had for their 

canoes. In the May 2001 editorial I suggested the whitewash bucket was 

being prepared by Brighton University for the Government. I rest my 

case. 

Stuart Fisher 

5 

CANOEIST November 2006

Desperate pool 

Desperate Measures 

are to run the canoeing 

pool at the London 

Caravan & Outdoor 

Show at ExCeL on Nov 

16 - 19th. Visitors will 

have a chance to get 

afloat and to purchase 

a range of models. 

Out for a duck 

Favourite media 

picture of late has to be 

from the Times on 29th 

Aug. A kayak sits 

surrounded by 15,000 

tightly packed rubber 

ducks in dark glasses at 

the start of the 18th 

annual Duck Race on 

the Illinois River at 

Peoria. 

Welsh open 

canoe group 

proposed 

Paul Samuels is 

hoping to start an open 

canoe group in 

southeast Wales. Email 

him at 

sewalesrco@hotmail.com. 

Water activities 

centre shortlisted 

The water activities 

centre in Whitlingham 

Country Park, 

Norwich, was 

shortlisted for a 

Building Construction 

Industry Award for 

2006 as well as for the 

Prime Minister’s Better 

Public Building Award. 

The modular wooden 

cabins were inspired 

by boat design. 

Everest lecture 

Would you like a 

lecture about kayak 

descents of Everest to 

K2, Maoists to grade 

5+ and the like? Daz 

Clarkson is your man. 

[07752 234173] 

Give geography 

its place 

Over 1,300 

geography lecturers 

and teachers have 

signed a petition 

entitled Give 

Geography its Place 

with a letter going to 

Tessa Jowell to 

complain about 

inadequate attention to 

geography, particularly 

by the media. If you 

travel and want to add 

your voice, go to 

passion4geography.co.uk. 

6 

Trips 

Kayak 4 a Kure will be a 3,780km kayak trip from the 

source of the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico next spring 

to support a cancer fund. 

Piotr Chmielinsk’s Polish team, who ran the Colca 

River canyon in 1981, have made a 25th anniversary return 

trip to the Peruvian river which forms the headwaters of 

the Amazon. The 121km trip took them a month with 

rudimentary equipment but they went on to complete the 

first full length descent of the Amazon. They did not return 

home because of the political situation. This year’s return to 

the 3.2km deep gorge was just a reunion without paddling. 

An attempted crossing of the Adriatic from Split by two 

American paddlers was called off near the halfway point in 

excellent conditions after the harbourmaster radioed them 

for their position and then threatened them with all kinds 

of reprisals. Presumably they would have been harder to 

find if they had not given the required information 

correctly. 

Alwyn Dunn from Flint, Paul Filby of Criccieth, Rob 

Tovey of the Mumbles and Richard Bowles of Little 

& Broad Haven have completed an 80km canoe trip 

down the Dee from Trevor to Flint and raised over 

£1,000 for the RNLI’s Rapid Response Unit, of 

which they are members. The 4 day trip in 

September had special permission from anglers to 

use the river. They were hit by some heavy 

thunderstorms. Boats and kit were loaned by the 

National White Water Centre. The unit are ready to 

fly anywhere in the world at short notice. To 

contribute call Alwyn on 07762 187319. 

Lonnie Dupre and Eric Larsen have finally succeeded 

in becoming the first people to travel to the North 

Pole in summer, arriving on Jul 1st. Last year 

(shown) they had to give up because of unusually 

deep snow and frequent leads (Jun 05, p10). 

Mark Warford/Greenpeace Laura Kerr 


The announcement that Alison Jackson had tied the 

knot with Simon Dark came just too late for our last 

issue, in which their exploits on the Murray were 

featured. Best wishes for the future. 

Matt Hawkins and 5 others are to spend 2 months in 

northern India and will raise funds for Equal 

Opportunities Adventure. There will be a month of 

warming up on known white water rivers and then a 

month exploring new areas. 

New world distance record 

Brandon Nelson has set a new world paddling record 

of 235km in 24 hours. He used a 3km oval course on 

Lake Whatcom in Washington state and raised $10,000 

for hospice care. Since then he has set a new record of 

40 hrs 37 mins 5 secs for the Yukon River Quest, the 

world’s longest race. 

Where the big money goes 

The Financial Times are running the conference 

Where Sport Meets Business on Nov 1st in London. It 

will address such questions as ‘Who is going to bankroll 

our Olympic dreams?’, ‘Has sport sold its soul?’ and 

‘Can our industry hang onto its sponsors?’ The one day 

conference costs £1,028.12 per head including cocktail 

party. 

Cardiff course begins 

Approval has been given for an artificial white water 

course by Cardiff Bay, to be completed by Easter 2008. 

It will be pumped at 8 - 16m3/s from a clean reservoir 

and will also have a return conveyor. The French 

company Hydrostadium, known for their Olympic 

courses, have undertaken the design, which will include 

their adjustable Omniflot obstacles. South Wales is 

Consulting Engineers of Alberta are another body 

using canoeing to entice engineers to emigrate for 

a better lifestyle. 

Alison Jackson

The Rainbow Circle Association are building 110 plywood stitch and glue catamarans. They will be used by 

Sri Lankan tsunami victims to allow them to go fishing after losing their own boats. The work was shown at 

the IWA diamond jubilee National Festival & Boat Show at Beale Park. Some of the Tsunamicats have been 

built by volunteers from detainees at Gosport. 

badly served by canoeing facilities but a purpose built 

venue in the capital will help change that. 

Jubilee River 

under capacity 

It has been accepted that the Jubilee River will only 

carry 90% of its design capacity and no further attempts 

will be made to improve it, despite the efforts of local 

resident groups. The EA’s designers, Lewin Fryer & 

Partners, have paid £2,750,000 in compensation 

towards repairs and improvements. The only time it has 

been used in anger, in January 2002, it suffered severe 

damage. Problems with its ability to act as a legal 

navigation have yet to be addressed. 

* Residents in Northampton are also complaining 

that EA stormwater protection calculations on the Nene 

fail to take the 1947 figures into account and 

underestimate the potential for flooding. 

* The River Valency is to be widened and lowered to 

increase its ability to handle flash floods in the aftermath 

of the 2004 problems in Boscastle. Trees and other 

vegetation will also be removed from the valley and the 

lower road bridge rebuilt downstream. 

East Hall goes west 

The East Hall at the London Boat Show has been 

dropped for next year. This is the hall which contained 

the pool with its run of technical problems. It also 

contained the smaller watersports, including canoeing 

although the ACT abandoned the 2006 show. Next 

year the national polo championships will be unable to 

take place here. There will be many new features for 

boaters, however, including a fog tunnel for testing 

navigation skills and an anchoring feature for those who 

need to tie themselves securely to the bottom. 

Dodging the 

Wilts & Berks’ problems 

The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust have opened Jubilee 

Junction, the point where the canal will link to the 

Thames when restored. Recent housing in Abingdon 

means the junction has had to be moved 2km south of 

its original position. The new arm is 150m long, enough 

to indicate serious intent. 

However, only 3km away a large problem is looming. 

Thames Water are proposing a 4km diameter reservoir 

centred on the line of the canal, big enough to hold half 

a year’s leakage from their pipes. Designers include 

former IC sailor Peter Hunter. Watersports are being 

considered but not powered craft. (The BCU Southern 

Region are amongst hundreds of stakeholders listed.) If 

TW prevent the canal enthusiasts from restoring their 

canal you would expect them to provide a diversion as 

one of the inevitable sweeteners they will need to offer 

hostile locals. Far from it. The most generous offer so far 

Jubilee Junction where the Wilts & Berks Canal will now join the Thames. 


Show within a 

show within a 

show 

Next year the 

International Canoe 

Exhibition will be part of 

the Water Sports Show 

which will be part of the 

Ordnance Survey 

Outdoors Show. It will 

take place at the NEC 

over Mar 16 - 18th. 

Canoeing, windsurfing, 

water skiing, dinghy 

sailing, surfing and 

diving share about a 

third of Hall 2, the rest of 

which is occupied by 

the Adventure Travel 

Show and the Adventure 

Sports Show. 

Scottish beach 

study available 

SNH have produced a 

detailed report of 

Scottish beaches 

including dunes, links 

and machair, based on 

studies carried out over 

1969 - 81. The Beaches 

of Scotland report can 

be found at snh.org.uk. 

They don’t all 

sit in front of 

computers 

A study by the Youth 

Sport Trust and BSkyB 

suggests a quarter of 11 - 

16 year olds do more 

than 5 hours a week of 

sport in their own time. 

The idea of obese 

schoolchildren spending 

all their time at games 

consoles cannot be 

applied uniformly. 

Capital club 

Cardiff Bay Kayakers 

have been established. 

They are based in Cardiff 

Bay Water Activity 

Centre. 

[rirogers@cardiff.gov.uk] 

Women more 

adventurous 

Research by 

Carrentals suggests over 

20% of people prefer 

their holidays to be 

adventurous rather than 

relaxing. Women are 

more positive than men 

with over 25% of them 

seeking adventure. 

Hereford 

golden jubilee 

Congratulations to the 

Hereford County Canoe 

Club who are 

celebrating their golden 

jubilee. 

7

Laura Mackin photographs 

Carol Spicer 

Deputy Mayor Melvin Pitt and Lady Mayoress Abigail Pitt (his daughter) watch community development coordinator Paul Lester from 

British Waterways and Chris Hawksworth of the BCU open the Brownhills centre. 

New canoe centres 

A new canoe centre was opened at Brownhills on the Wyrley & Essington Canal in June, funded by BW, the EU and the Lottery. It quickly 

attracted its first graffiti merchant but the youngsters using the centre found the culprit and made him restore the damage. 

The Helix is being promoted by BW Scotland, Falkirk Council and the Central 

Scotland Forest Trust and has received a £250,000 Big Lottery Living Landmarks 

development grant. It is hoped to build a new section of Forth & Clyde Canal 

beside the River Carron. A canoeing and watersports centre is proposed for 

siting between the canal and the M9. 

Kayaks were just one activity experienced by visitors to the free Rockley Holiday 

Park sponsored Poole Afloat weekend, the second time it has been run by the 

BMF and Poole Tourism. More than 500 people took to the water on a range of 

craft and experienced other delights from face painting to sea shanties by the 

Wareham Whalers. 

8 


Canoeist Simon Bamford has been appointed as 

BW’s manager for London. This includes the build 

up for the 2012 Olympics and waterways 

developments likely to take place in east London. 

The 45 year old was previously operations director 

for Land & Water Remediation Ltd. 

is to allow the canal enthusiasts to build a new canal 

from scratch along the required longer line round the 

outside at their own expense. 

Further down the line, Swindon offers another major 

obstruction. It has been suggested that the centre of 

Swindon should be bulldozed now in case the canal 

restorers get that far. 

No end in sight for Oxford 

For years there has been a hope that there will be 

restoration of the Oxford Canal terminal basin, currently 

a carpark. Oxford City Council’s hatred of private cars 

would seem to give cause for hope. However, there is 

more money to be made out of building and some see it 

as a better bet than restoring one of Oxford’s tourist 

attractions. A questionnaire circulated by the council has 

been seen as strongly biased against canal use of the site. 

Swamps to greet 

new arrivals 

Plans have been floated for a 9km barrage with road 

and railway bridges between Shoeburyness and Grain 

and Sheerness to hold back tidal surges. On the way 

across the Thames estuary there would be three islands, 

one connected to the south end of Southend pier. 

Saltmarsh is the flavour of the month with large 

expanses of it, up to 2km wide off the Isle of Grain. 

How enthusiastically the residents of Sheerness would 

Debbie Walker

greet a kilometre of swamp dumped off their beach 

remains to be seen but, clearly, some planners think it 

will be welcomed as it also occupies large parts of the 

islands. 

It has been pointed out that the scheme has a high 

bridge close to a sunken US Liberty ship containing 

4,500t of TNT. When a similar one went up at 

Folkestone in the 1960s it measured 4.5 on the Richter 

Scale. 

Rare dolphins off Bardsey 

Risso’s dolphins, which are rare around our coasts, 

have been seen as a pod of five mothers off Bardsey at 

the end of the Lleyn peninsula. With them were five 

young calves, suggesting it is a breeding site. Harbour 

porpoises are also found here. The dolphins were in 

close enough to be viewed by people on foot. 

Buckingham Palace 

record attempt? 

Shaun Baker was one of the guests at Buckingham 

Palace for the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Duke 

of Edinburgh’s Award scheme. Another guest was Sir 

David Jason, who happens to be an enthusiast of all 

things jet and rocket powered. There was discussion 

about Shaun’s activities and Sir David asked the 

Countess of Wessex whether the jet kayak world record 

could be set on the lake in the grounds of Buckingham 

Palace. It’s a long shot but bigger things have begun 

over a social drink. 

West workshops 

West Systems are running more product workshops 

this winter. Beginners courses on epoxy are due on Nov 

9th and Jan 25th while Nov 30th and Dec 2nd will have 

glassfibre boat repair courses. There will be a lot of 

hands on experience and attendees take home up to 

£50 worth of materials. The courses take place in 

Romsey. [01794 521111] 

Lakeland 

mountain festivals 

Kendal Mountain Festival and its associated book 

festival over Nov 10 - 19th are now well established but 

an upstart Keswick Mountain Festival is to be held over 

May 16 - 20th. Some of the lecturers at the latter might 

include unexpected paddling. Sir Chris Bonington’s 

lecture I Chose to Climb will include his career as a 

photojournalist, of which one of his assignments was the 

Mike Jones Inn expedition for the Daily Telegraph colour 

supplement. Alan Hinkes will look at a range of outdoor 

activities and it should be remembered that he once told 

Canoeist that the Devil’s Water was his favourite paddle 

so his skills go rather wider than just climbing all the 

world’s highest peaks. 

Pinkston Basin on the Glasgow branch of the Forth & Clyde Canal has been 

reopened after 40 years. The basin, a wall of cascading water and other 

facilities return life to what was formerly the busy canal area at Port Dundas. 

Lifeboats’ busiest year 

A disadvantage of the improving weather is that more 

people get on the water to enjoy themselves and the 

accident rates increases as a result. The RNLI have had 

their busiest year with 3,830 launches, 70% by inshore 

lifeboats. The busiest stations were Tower Pier (109 

launches), Rhyl (78), Poole (74) and Southend (73). 

UP THE CREEK 

Another paddler with aspirations, maybe achieved 

for all I know. ... the only handhold on the sheer canyon walls suddenly came away... 

9 


Ian Jacobs

Brighton 3 - the small print 

Following on from the Brighton University proposals for 

negotiating access discussed in the editorial we show you what they 

proposed in detail for the four rivers. 

River Mersey 

This should have been and was the easiest agreement of the four, 

28km between Stockport and Carrington. Until recently it was too 

polluted for fish life although it is getting cleaner. Its banks are mostly 

owned by local authorities so it could be asked why public servants 

were preventing public use in the first place. 

One of the main problems reported is a lack of interest by canoeists. 

Brighton University cannot understand why canoeists are not wanting 

to paddle this polluted flat water in droves. These are the same people 

who told the Government in an earlier report that there was little 

unmet demand for access to rivers for canoeing. 

New launching platform, information board and portage notice 

on the Waveney at Bungay. 

River Waveney 

Claimed as 33km of new water, it is actually a rehash of the 48km of 

the 2001 agreement which allowed unrestricted use. There is little 

mention of that previous work by local canoeists in this report and only 

the briefest of references to all the launch platforms installed. The 

previous agreement has been the only recent attempt at a full source to 

sea agreement on any river in England or Wales, as apart from bits of 

river, and it would have been useful to have seen some analysis of the 

strengths and weaknesses of an agreement which attempted to do what 

EA portage point notice at Ellingham. It is a 3km walk 

downstream to permitted tidal Broads water. 

this report says is the way forward. That work may have been 

inadequate, according to Professor Neil Ravenscroft, but it fooled 

canoeists and it fooled the EU, who funded it. 

The river is extensively used around Bungay, where a new canoeing 

clubhouse has been built. Elsewhere the river has only light use. The 

authors fail to say why there should be a flood of canoeists now to 

disturb the anglers and wildlife when there was not under the much 

freer 2001 agreement. They accept that there is no evidence that canoes 

disturb otters but they fail to make reference to the Tryweryn, the most 

heavily canoed and rafted site in Wales for the last 30 years, where 

nature trail boards draw attention to the otters present. 

Canoeists are given credit for staying away from angling contests. The 

authors seem not to appreciate that angling contests are not things 

which naturally appeal to canoeists and that we would rather avoid 

them, other things being equal or, usually, preferable. An annual 

exchange of competition dates is to be made in future, the canoeing list 

being rather shorter, presumably. (At one stage we proposed publishing 

the dates of angling contests nationally but the information is not held 

centrally and is unduly extensive. There is no use just publishing it 

locally.) 

The latest agreement omits the top 15km of the river. It also omits 

3km at the top of the tidal section, a legal anomaly meaning that the 

right of navigation does not start until the abandoned Geldeston Lock. 

The anglers claim that a tidal section from which boats are banned is 

rare and valuable but the tidal range 40km inland must be minimal and 

not enough to excite the fish. Most canoeists will not think of it so 

much in terms of the legal ownership of each section as a river with a 

gap in the middle which is 

too long to portage 

comfortably. When I ran 

the 80km from Diss to 

Breydon Water in 2001 it 

was only at the bottom end 

that I became aware of 

significant tidal effects. The 

Broads Authority, who do 

encourage canoeing, have 

promoted one of half a 

dozen canoe hire centres on 

the Waveney at Bungay, 

now cut off from the 

Broads. Anglers are reported 

to have said that they will 

pull the plug on the whole 

agreement if anyone uses 

this 3km middle section. It 

could also be significant that 

Government Ministers Barry Gardiner and Richard Coburn try their hand at canoeing at the Bungay launch. 

10 


The scene upstream at Holmersfield the same morning. On the near bank is a new combined angling and canoeing platform, intended 

to reduce conflict between users. On the opposite bank is one of the canoeing launch platforms installed for the 2001 access 

agreement, virtually ignored by the latest Brighton University report. The new approach is not user friendly for canoeists, either. 

the powered craft users have said they would like to extend the deep 

water navigation on this river up over the watershed to connect the 

Broads with the rest of the inland waterways system and this would be 

the first section they would need. 

The authors admitted that they could only identify and contact 95% 

of the landowners, even with their toolkit, so the shorter 2006 

agreement still has some holes in it. 

Paddlers must belong to recognized clubs or associations or buy day 

tickets. Booking must be done in advance so you can’t just wait for a 

fine day. Do the authors know that advanced booking like this has 

resulted in death on the Dart when water levels were unsuitable and 

dates could not be changed? Day tickets will include third party 

insurance. Do you remember the EA promising that they would not 

apply the need for third party insurance for canoeists under their 

Transport & Works Order application, which has still not reached the 

Public Inquiry stage? Who will sell day tickets and from where? Who 

will inspect them? Who will decide which clubs to recognize? Will they 

just be the clubs with compulsory third party insurance? 

Ten days of closures per year will be permitted for angling matches 

plus closure for other reasons and even canoeists will be permitted to 

close sections for competitions although this is unlikely to be a frequent 

occurrence. Night time paddling will not be permitted. I guess there 

will not be a great demand for moonlit paddles but I used to do a lot of 

my race training in the dark on the Thames at Marlow and on the 

Kennet at Woolhampton and there may be other competitors with 

daytime jobs. Certainly it was memorable, an experience to be 

recommended. 

River Teme 

For this river we are offered approaching 2km from Linney 

Recreation Ground to Case Mill Weir at Ludlow, four weirs which 

were rebuilt recently by the Teme Weirs Trust with fish ladder slots just 

too narrow to take canoes although canoe shoot areas have now been 

added. The offer is 6 hours 6 times a month, slightly more for Ludlow 

College, booked in advance. All the other extensive paddling which 

takes place on the whole river without permission at present has to stop. 


Professor Ravenscroft claims they could not find the evidence of 

Romans carrying lead from Felindre the full length of the river in 

coracles so that time immemorial usage has been discounted and he does 

not accept that any bridges have navigation arches. 

The BCU have rejected the agreement out of hand. 

River Wear 

Half of the 9km agreed for the River Wear around the Durham loop 

is so heavily used by rowers, hire boats, the Durham Regatta and even a 

floating restaurant that this has had to be called a boating agreement 

although all the details relate to canoeing. The section will be closed for 

two periods totalling three and a half months each year. From May 

through the summer to August use will be allowed on 4 evenings a 

month while morning use will be permitted from November to 

February, these dates being lost if there are angling matches. There must 

be no rolling or such manœuvres and no paddling in the dark. 

Participants must be members of recognized clubs. The extensive use of 

the upper river must cease. Any failure to comply will result in a ban 

from the whole river. The BCU have rejected the agreement as not 

worth the paper it is written on so it will be interesting to see if all boats 

are now banned. 

The report fails to mention the navigation, the improvements to 

which are commemorated by the statue of Nelson in Durham market 

square. The agreement stops several kilometres short of the 16km tidal 

section down to Sunderland. 

The authors make much of the anglers’ concerns about damage to 

fish and declining values of angling licence payments. They fail to make 

reference to the adjacent River Tyne, the only whole catchment 

agreement in England and Wales, where the salmon catches are the 

highest in England and Wales and the licence fees have not declined. 

They have not explained how making the existing paddling legal on the 

Wear will cause new problems. 

Download the full 123 page report from 

brighton.ac.uk/chelsea/newsevents/canoeaccess.htm. 

11

Anglers 

dope tested 

Anglers were tested for 

drugs at their world 

championships. This was 

said to be to bring them 

up to Olympic standard. 

Change not 

uniform 

A report by the Centre 

for Environment & 

Hydrology for SNH 

suggests that different 

species are reacting to 

climate fluctuations at 

different rates. There is a 

danger that some will 

emerge earlier in the year 

than their traditional food 

species. 

Ribble Link 

locks weak 

The locks on the Ribble 

Link have shown signs of 

weakness and are to be 

investigated. The 

connection, joining the 

Lancaster Canal to the 

River Ribble in Preston, 

was opened in 2002. 

Coe tree danger 

A tree has fallen across 

the River Coe two thirds 

of the way down the 

gorge section. It can be 

avoided on the left at low 

flows but would be 

dangerous with the river 

up. 

Meanwhile, paddlers 

have removed a fallen tree 

on the Conwy. 

Welsh 

coastal paths 

A 1,300km footpath is 

to follow the Welsh 

coastline from the Dee to 

the Severn. This follows a 

200km footpath opened 

around Anglesey. 

However, the Welsh 

Assembly have decided 

not to extend open access 

to coastal areas. 

Alwen study 

The WCA are looking 

at Pont Barker weir on the 

Alwen. Currently its 

design is lethal and it is 

also a barrier to migrating 

fish. The Rhug estate, who 

made the development 

plans which led to the 

withdrawal of cooperation 

by anglers and the current 

problem on the Dee, have 

approved altering the weir 

if funding can be found. 

With the danger removed 

there will be potential for 

a worthwhile stretch of 

paddling. 

12 

DEFRA officials have been fined for late payments 

to farmers via the Rural Payments Agency. Regardless 

of the reasons (and there have been some very serious 

allegations) a substantial fine has to be paid to the EU 

and it has been decided to obtain the money by grant 

cuts across DEFRA’s departments rather than footing 

the bill from the Treasury. BW and the EA are 

prominent victims. Scottish payments to BW will be 

made in full as agreed. 

The EA had already announced increased navigation 

restoration this winter but are now proposing craft 

licence increases which will total some 40% rise over 

the next three years. This increase is expected to drive 

some 1,400 to 1,800 boaters off the waterways. 

BW are facing a 15% grant cut, some £9,000,000, a 

figure which could total £60,000,000 by 2011. They 

will push up licences by 2.7% for 2001 and are 

considering much bigger increases thereafter, reduced 

mooring, reduced maintenance, property sales, 

postponing restoration work and closing canals. 180 

staff, 10% of the workforce, are being made redundant 

just as BW were recovering from when they last had to 

go through this exercise, which does not come at the 

start of a financial year but after they have already spent 

half of their annual budget. BW’s attempts to move 

from Watford to cheaper premises at Apsley have also 

been foiled as they have been gazumped on the new 

property. 

Powered craft users are still facing having derogated 

red diesel withdrawn, pushing up fuel prices, to add to 

the licence increases. Boat hire businesses will become 

decreasingly viable and a spiral of closures of water 

related businesses will set in. 

OK, so you don’t use powered craft and perhaps you 

don’t use the deep water navigations so why should 

you worry? Do you take part in any form of 

competition or coaching for which you are forced to 

pay for BCU membership? If so, that is also likely to 

rise as licence charges go up. 

The IWA have put £10,000 into a fighting fund and 

the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities, the 

Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council, the 

BMF and several other interests including the BCU 

have been persuaded to give their support. At the BW 

AGM there was considerable anger directed at the two 

officials who attended in place of Minister Barry 

Gardiner. All boaters have been asked to write to their 

MPs and ask them to sign Early Day Motion 2757. 40 

signatures are being sought. Canoeists got way in access 

of this over river access, even with opposition from 

angling MPs, so there should be no problem meeting 

the current target. Letters were requested by the end of 

October so please add your voice as soon as possible. 

Boaters campaign 

against DEFRA cuts 

Do not write to Ministers as this only gets a Civil 

Servant reply. Write to your MP, who cannot be 

ignored when he forwards it. 

A Save Our Waterways petition has been set up and 

you are asked to sign it even if you do not use the 

canals or the towpaths yourself. Go to 

saveourwaterways.org.uk. 

A message being spelled out to DEFRA officials is 

that the canals have been one of their greatest successes 

and now all their achievements stand to be thrown 

away. 

Chris Tizzard, chairman of the Grantham Canal 

Restoration Society Ltd, put forward the following 

discussion points for the last meeting of the 

Parliamentary Waterways Group: 

1. Can DEFRA appeal against the fine imposed by the 

EU? 

2. If not, can DEFRA take a leaf out of other EU 

members’ books and just refuse to pay? 

3. If DEFRA have to pay the fine, can Government 

withhold the equivalent money in our contributions to 

the EU in protest? 

4. Can Government bring pressure to bear on the EU 

for its own inefficiencies, ie the refusal by EU’s own 

auditors to sign off EU’s accounts due to huge 

discrepancies for several years running and the EU’s 

inability or reluctance to explain the discrepancies? 

5. Would all the members and associate members press 

other MPs and Ministers to support BW’s efforts to 

replace lost grant funding from other Government 

department resources in order that BW may be able to 

carry out Government’s own stated policy of 

waterways’ part in regeneration. 

6. Are Government planning to abandon their own 

policy of regeneration of the waterways? If not, how 

do they propose to enable its continuation in the light 

of BW’s predicament? 

7. Should Government now be seeking to have 

Britain’s inland waterways declared a World Heritage 

Site? Our waterways are unique in that they are still 

much as they were designed and built during the 

period of canal mania in the middle to late 18th 

century. 

8. Can we risk loosing the £6,000,000,000 of 

regeneration for which BW are the deliverer and 

catalyst, for a comparatively few million pounds of 

grant cutting to BW? 

9. Can Government afford to loose the huge volunteer 

force helping in this regeneration through 

disillusionment? 

I have also heard resentment issued against the 2012 

Olympics over this issue, this being seen as a less 

deserving and far more expensive cause. 

Access support scheme launched 

Noting that it took the Ramblers’ Association 11 full time staff members to secure the CRoW Act, the WCA 

have set up the Access Supporters Scheme to raise funds to fight for access. Membership costs £20 per year and will 

bring such personal benefits as Tryweryn discounts, WCA supplies discounts and the right to attend access events 

and be kept informed. It does not include insurance, canal licences, voting rights or BCU reciprocal membership. 

Because the money is ringfenced for access it may appeal to those who want to support access but not the BCU. 

Alan Pugh, the Minister for Culture, the Welsh Language & Sport, was made the honorary first member after being 

taken for a trip down the Conwy estuary by Colwyn Canoe Club. You are encouraged to sign the WCA access 

petition at http://petitionthem.com/default.asp?sect=detail&pet=2856. The Welsh Sport’ers Club has been set up 

by the Welsh Sports Association to offer discount to club members when buying goods online. In addition to a 

personal discount, a commission will be paid to the member’s club. The WCA have decided that any money they 

receive from this source will be used for access., was made the honorary first member after being taken for a trip 

down the Conwy estuary by Colwyn Canoe Club. 


Further postponements 

to T&WO application 

There have been further postponements to the EA’s 

Transport & Works Order application, the one which 

would allow the EA to impose third party insurance on 

canoeists on rivers which they control or might control 

in the future. The EA have said they do not intend to 

use the power at present but third party insurance is 

being quoted as part of the cost of day tickets for 

Brighton University access agreements, enthusiastically 

supported by the EA. I’ve lost count of how many 

times the application has been postponed since 2004, 

probably every couple of months, but this carries the 

date into 2007. At the last count Paddlers International 

was the only canoeing body recorded as objecting to 

the order and prepared to take part in a public inquiry 

but the BCU claim they also objected and were to 

write to complain about not being listed. 

Concerns over 

Broads Bill addressed 

The IWA expressed concern over aspects of the 

Broads Bill including the following points made by 

chief executive Neil Edwards: 

‘According to the Sandford Principle, where the two 

national park purposes of conservation and recreation 

cannot be reconciled, greater weight must be given to 

the conservation of natural beauty. IWA believes that 

the Sandford Principle is not appropriate for the Broads 

because of the authority’s third purpose to protect the 

interests of navigation. Calling the authority a National 

Park Authority and the area a National Park (when the 

authority and area would be neither of those things) 

could trigger the principle. IWA does not share the 

Broads Authority’s view that a change of name of the 

area, but not of the authority, would not trigger the 

principle. IWA would only support the case for 

making explicit the Broads Authority’s national park 

status if the Broads’ unique navigation functions were 

protected in primary legislation, and the correct 

procedures for the achievement of National Park and 

National Park Authority status were followed, which is 

not currently the case... 

‘IWA supports the requirement for compulsory third 

party insurance for powered vessels on the Broads, and 

believes that this would provide valuable safeguards for 

waterway users. However, IWA does not agree that it 

should cover all vessels. IWA would not wish people to 

be deterred from using small unpowered vessels due to 

the cost of insurance, and seeks an exemption for these 

craft... 

Whether or not a separate navigation account is kept, 

IWA considers it essential that there is transparency to 

show that navigation tolls are being used for the benefit 

of toll payers. Not only should navigation tolls be 

safeguarded but also other sources of income that go 

into the navigation account, and the reserve that has 

been built up over the years.’ 

The Broads Authority have responded by dropping 

the title Broads National Park from what is now being 

called the Broads Authority Bill. Chief executive John 

Packman told Paddlers International ‘we are a canoefriendly 

park and small non-powered craft will be 

exempt from the compulsory third-party insurance 

provision’, excellent news from what is more user 

friendly of any of the national parks. 

Amanda Strang 

Part of the Rochdale Canal was blocked at Hebden Bridge by flash floods at the 

beginning of July with other slips through to Todmorden. It took several days of 

work with a digger to clear a route through for boats. The largest slip alone 

involved about 1,000t of material. 

EA to respond 

to safety concerns 

One of the presentations at the IWA National 

Festival & Boat Show at Beale Park in August was by 

Julia Simpson, the EA’s head of recreation and 

navigation, promoting what the EA are doing for 

boaters, although the steep increases in fees are higher 

on the agenda for most. Aspects covered included 

restoration and safety so Paddlers International asked 

why the restoration at Culham lock on the Thames 

had still left sides which were too high for many 

canoeists to use and why the portage route on the 

Jubilee River’s public navigation still required 

climbing over a high fence with barbed wire on top. 

She promised to look into these issues and report 

back. Meanwhile, portage difficulties will be 

considered when Bray lock is restored this winter. 

After the session the IWA suggested giving canoeists a 

chance to present their case at next year’s show in St 

Ives. 

Sir Menzies wants 

fair society 

Speaking at his party conference, Liberal Democrat 

leader Sir Menzies Campbell told delegates that he 

wanted a country which was true, fair and green. In 

1992 he told Canoeist ‘I am afraid that I cannot agree 

with you that all rivers should simply be recognized as 

public rights of way, attractive though that might 

appear. Many other people have rights, including 

those concerned with fishing, and in my native 

Scotland the value of fishing has a significant part to 

play in the local economy, particularly in remote areas. 

‘As a member of the Scottish Sports Council I was 

closely involved in setting up arrangements for access 

to rivers. I am satisfied that these can be made to work 

with commonsense and goodwill on both sides.’ 

Fortunately, Scotland has moved on and he is hinting 

that he has as well. 

Who owns Scotland? 

While it can be impossible to locate all the owners of riparian land south of the border, as Brighton University 

found out, the situation is less fraught in Scotland. The website whoownsscotland.org.uk/about.htm has browsable 

maps and details of land ownership plus contact details. 


Police warn 

photographers 

Photographers taking 

pictures of minors on 

Welsh rivers to 

demonstrate trespass 

have ended up in 

trouble themselves. 

Police have been 

alerted, have arrived 

swiftly and have 

warned the 

photographers, at the 

same time greeting the 

paddlers positively. 

The advice is to log 

any actions of this 

nature. 

And I quote... 

... the website of the 

Welsh Liberal 

Democrats. ‘In 

Scotland, where the 

Welsh Liberal 

Democrats are in 

Government, they have 

open access to their 

water for all groups 

who wish to use it’. 

You’ll forgive the slip 

as the item called for 

better access rights for 

canoeists in Wales. 

Drought or not? 

While the EA 

complain about low 

water levels and 

drought, BW continue 

to say that their 

reservoirs are at good 

levels, well above 

previous minima. BW 

credit their results on 

back pumping and the 

sophisticated computer 

control they have 

installed. 

13 

Hannah James

Stanley gate 

opened briefly 

Landowner Mike 

Smith opened the gate 

to the Tay at 

Burnmouth. Paddlers 

were asked to note 

the new advisory 

signs which indicate 

cooperation anglers 

would like to see in 

return. Paddlers had 

tended to agree in 

principle to paying for 

parking on his land 

but not for access to 

the river, a legal right. 

Then he locked the 

gate again so the SCA 

have asked for their 

signs to be taken 

down. One man’s 

fight goes on. 

Anglers attacked 

Anglers have been 

attacked this year by 

hunt saboteurs. In 

particular, a group of 

at least 30 broke up 

tackle at Caton on the 

Lune. There has been 

an attack on a trout 

farm near Lanark by 

the Animal Liberation 

Front while the 

Lobster Liberation 

Front have destroyed 

lobster pots and 

sprayed slogans on 

fishermen’s sheds in 

Scotland and slashed 

a fisherman’s nets in 

Dorset. Saboteurs are 

also blamed for 

releasing 50,000 fish 

from a reservoir in 

Kent. 

Anglers 

breaking ranks 

The claim that 

canoes disturb fish is 

being undermined by 

the anglers 

themselves faster than 

by anyone else. 

Increasing numbers of 

anglers are moving 

onto sit on top kayaks 

as they discover they 

can reach fish that 

those on land cannot. 

In the USA at least 

two canoeing 

magazines have 

carried angling 

special issues this 

year. As anglers 

steadily break ranks 

with the diehards it is 

rather like watching 

the Iron Curtain being 

breached. Kayak 

angling courses are 

already being run in 

north Wales. 

14 

Culham lock on the Thames, still with no take out point despite all the expenditure on it. 

Boating, hunting 

and fishing 

declared illegal in USA 

The arrest of six men for fishing on floodwater 

outside the normal channel of the Mississippi has 

resulted in a court judgement stating that boating, 

hunting and fishing are illegal except in deep water 

navigations in Louisiana and perhaps throughout the 

USA. The case was, by this time, at appeal. The 

suggestion that it would give a situation as bad as in 

England and Wales has created uproar and there is a 

general expectation that the status quo will be restored 

after a hearing in November. While boaters alone do 

not carry that much weight, anglers and hunters are 

another matter and this draconian reinterpretation 

of the law is not appreciated. 

Scots law continues 

Apparently Scots law applies to rivers 

which rise in Scotland even when they 

continue into England. This would seem 

to have positive access implications on the lower 

parts of the Whiteadder Water, Tweed, 

Till, Glen, Liddel Water and Border 

Esk. 


Do noisy paddlers 

disturb salmon? 

A respected fish scientist, writing in the serious Atlantic 

Salmon Trust’s magazine, has expressed the opinion that 

canoeists and rafters disturb salmon by making noise in a 

way that powered fishing boats don’t, regardless of what EA 

research found. He claims they cause salmon to move when 

they should be resting up on their way to breeding sites. 

Because they do not eat in freshwater they run out of 

energy more quickly and so cannot complete what they 

came to undertake. In the Tyne catchment, which has a full 

catchment agreement, there does not seem to be enough 

disturbance to prevent the highest 

catches in England and Wales. 

Thanet 

clean seas 

There should be cleaner 

seas around the Isle of 

Thanet from next autumn. 

Sewage will be pumped to a 

treatment works on the Stour, 

given advanced treatment and then 

pumped back to Margate for discharge 

into the sea, a round trip of 22km for 

much of it. Pump failure will result in 

tipping it into the sea untreated, 

together with large EU fines. 

* The two lead options for 

cleaning up the Thames in London 

ahead of the 2012 Olympics are both 

pipelines. One is to run 30km, intercepting 

discharges and taking the water for treatment 

in east London. The other is for two shorter 

pipelines in east and west London. A decision 

will be made in the new year. 

Edmonds new 

IWAAC chairman 

John Edmonds has been appointed the new chairman of 

the Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council. A 

DEFRA statement said ‘The Government has decided to 

reconstitute the Council as an independent body with wider 

terms of reference.’ How the IWAAC can still be seen as 

independent when John Edmonds is also the EA’s board 

member with responsibility for navigation issues remains to 

be explained

Welsh access survey shows 

paddlers feel threatened 

A WCA survey of 573 paddlers has shown that, of 

74 Welsh rivers considered, 45% had paddlers who 

would not use them because of the level of conflict by 

others. 81% of the paddlers were not resident in Wales, 

three quarters were recreational paddlers, less than half 

were club paddlers and over half went paddling 

whenever the water was suitable. Half were in their 

mid 20s to mid 40s. 40% paddle flat water whereas 80% 

paddle grade 3, making you wonder where Brighton 

University got their figures on water requirements. 

Most paddling takes place without conflict but any 

conflict that does arise might occur on a river with an 

access agreement and not just on one that does not 

have one. 

Scottish Executive to 

have final say on Braan 

In a long dispute between nPower Renewables on the one 

side and nimby SCA and Sportscotland officials on the other, 

or so they have been portrayed despite the further opposition 

of the Tay Salmon Fisheries, the power company has won an 

important round in removing the water from the Braan to 

generate power for up to 2,000 houses. Perth & Kinross 

Council staff had recommended their officials to oppose the 

scheme, which would have triggered a public inquiry, but, in 

a surprise outcome, their officials offered no objection to the 

scheme. The Scottish Executive now have the final say. 

Closing down of the river would not only ruin the canoeing 

but also falls which are an important beauty spot for the area. 

Canoeists and power officials each blame the others for being 

less than honest with the figures presented. 

The Olympic legacy 

Some of those most excited about the 2012 Olympics are those involved with the forgotten waterways of east 

London, notably the old River Lea, Bow Back River, Waterworks River, City Mill River, Pudding Mill River, 

Three Mills Wall River, Prescott Channel and Channelsea River. BW and the IWA ran a media tour round some 

of them in July to show that it is possible to get a narrowboat through the weed even now. Plans include battering 

back some of the banks which are currently high, vertical and forbidding, making them less intimidating for boaters 

as well as for bank users. Various Olympic legacy waterways have also been proposed although cuts are already 

being made to the list. Still, the thinking is positive and it is hoped that Docklands style regeneration will result. 

There was some pondering whether the owners of a near derelict works with an enthusiastic 2012 banner knew 

their building would be demolished to make way for the event and, if so, whether they were thinking of 

compulsory purchase cash. The hope is that much of the delivery of Olympic venue materials can take place by 

water rather than by road. A new lock near Three Mills would be an important start to allow 350t barges to use 

these waters. 


On your bike, 

after all 

BW are encouraging 

cyclists to use their 

towpaths. This comes as 

an interesting contrast to 

earlier years when 

barriers have been put up 

to frustrate them or 

licences have been 

charged, leading to 

protest cycle rides by 

groups. 

Coastal access 

report delayed 

A consultation 

document on coastal 

access was to have been 

published in October but 

this has been put back to 

December because 

Natural England took 

over in October. 

Requests from Paddlers 

International to DEFRA 

officials to confirm that 

‘improved’ access will 

not result in worse 

access, as it has on rivers, 

have failed to bring any 

positive response. 

Above: A building with a 2012 banner but 

likely to be demolished as a result. 

Left: Typical high banks and an overgrown 

former lock entrance. 

Three Mills form a striking set of tidal mill buildings. 

15

Half an 

argument 

Apparently, EA rod 

licence cards carry a 

telephone number 

for anglers to report 

conflicts with 

canoeists. They don’t 

ask canoeists to put 

their side of the 

case. Thus, the EA 

only receive a one 

sided story, OK as 

long as everyone is 

clear that a biased 

picture is being 

created. 

Welsh access seminar 

The WCA have hosted an access seminar at the 

Tryweryn, attended by the BMC, Ramblers’ 

Association, RYA, Cambrian Caving Council, 

River & Lake Swimming Association, 

International Mountain Biking Association, Cycle 

Touring Club, CCPR and canoeists. Most thought 

it positive. This approach is long overdue despite 

the fact that it is what changed Scotland’s access 

laws. 

* The disparate interests being pulled together 

to fight the canal funding cuts form the first 

attempt at a similar grouping in England and 

maybe something bigger could emerge than just 

the resolution of the current DEFRA funding 

crisis. 

Marine Bill consultation 

Although Canoeist is on the DEFRA mailing list, no information on the 

Marine Bill consultation was obtained until after the consultation closed. An 

ISKA response addressing many of the questions was hastily assembled as 

indicated here. I am assured the policy team will consider these points although 

the ISKA name will not appear in the consultation document. 

Response on behalf of the 

International Sea Kayak Association. 

The lack of detail means that worst case situations must be 

considered, especially where there are similar situations already in 

existence elsewhere. The situation on rivers and the refusal to give 

straight answers on DEFRA’s coastal access study do not give 

confidence on the outcome of this study, regardless of anything that 

might eventually be promised. Get the situation resolved on rivers and 

there will be more confidence in the motives of legislators with respect 

to the sea. 

Q1 Spacial planning is only required for those activities which cause 

damage or danger. Regulation for the sake of it is unacceptable. For 

sea kayaks the sea offers ‘a special kind of freedom’, to quote an 

expression which has been used for decades. Regulation is the last 

thing wanted by outdoor activities enthusiasts and those who want to 

leave their regulated working lives behind. It would be contrary to the 

line taken for ramblers with the CRoW Act, where regulation is being 

eased. 

Q3 On rivers the Environment Agency have a statutory duty to 

promote navigation and have shown that canoes do not have 

significant impact on wildlife yet 98% of rivers remain closed at all 

times to small environmentally friendly craft, virtually no improvement 

has been seen in recent decades and little improvement is foreseen in 

the future. There is suspicion that this bill is intended to include similar 

unnecessary restrictions on the sea. Where there are local problems, by 

laws should be able to address them or legislation should address 

specific issues rather placing widespread constraint on the boating 

public. 

Q4 Opposed to marine spacial planning. Once the option exists 

there will be legislators who will abuse it, as is widespread on rivers. 

Where activities create genuine concerns, eg firing ranges, oil or 

nuclear pollution or excessively noisy craft, they should be restricted at 

national level to avoid a NIMBY approach by local authorities. 

Making noisy craft go elsewhere usually results in increased travel, fuel 

usage and other environment damaging results, as well as the noise 

problem for their new hosts. 

Q6 River Basin Management Plans are a prime example of how 

zoning can be abused and be unacceptable. 

Q7 There will be increased burden on regulators, businesses and 

especially those regulated. 

Q11 The abuse of the use of rivers by the Environment Agency, the 

access situation in England and Wales being the most repressive of any 

country in the world, should be a warning to all and no action should 

be taken which would permit such policy. 

16 


Dee agreement rejected 

An agreement has been reached between Dee Anglers 

and the Dee Valley Users Group but it has been rejected 

by the WCA and BCU as unacceptable as it is only for a 

few days per year and does not permit public access. 

WCA access officer Ashley Charlwood suggests the 

DVUG are a secretive body with competition interests. If 

so, they should be identifiable by the WCA and BCU, 

who have effective control of all competition. Blackleg 

action of this king undermines the strictures that much 

larger numbers of recreational paddlers have endured over 

recent years in order to bring pressure to bear and pull the 

problem into public view, now happening in Wales with 

discussion up to Assembly level. A WCA statement says 

they ‘can only endorse sustainable and liberal agreements. 

This is not one of those arrangements.’ 

Q14 Spacial restrictions for specific activities should only be 

undertaken by national bodies with full technical knowledge. Local 

councils banning people because they think wildlife is more 

important, even if disturbance is not actually caused, is the complete 

antithesis of that position. Take, for example, opposition to increase 

in the number of yachts on the Crouch in case it disturbs the birds at 

the mouth of the river, which currently live comfortably with 10,000 

yachts based on the river. Many authorities are unaware that people 

on foot cause more disturbance to wildlife than do people in boats or 

even on horseback or that people remaining in one place cause more 

disturbance than people moving past and leaving the area. Many 

creatures seek out human activity, such as gulls around rubbish tips 

and fishing vessels or dolphins seeking fish congregating around 

outfalls whereas clean water has less wildlife, eg L Ness. Wildlife needs 

to be alert for dangers; keeping people away to avoid disturbance is 

not a natural situation unless the disturbance is excessive. 

Q15 Generally opposed to spacial restrictions. 

Q17 This should only be done at national level, when genuinely 

required, to avoid the NIMBY approach. 

Q18 Activities with the potential to cause serious damage or 

danger, such as active firing ranges or nuclear or oil pollution, not 

activities which simply fail to give wildlife or favoured users total 

precedence. 

Q19 Legislation should only address real problems and be updated 

as required rather than giving blanket powers to officials. On rivers 

the Environment Agency are building up a folio of threats such as 

charging licence fees and imposing third party insurance where they 

are not required at present even though they say they will probably 

not use them in the short term. Authorities should not be given 

powers just-in-case, especially when they have poor track records 

with existing powers. 

Q20 All relevant data should be made available. Contrast this with 

the Environment Agency paper Effects of Canoeing on Fish Stocks & 

Angling which does not support the EA’s policies on river usage, is 

reported to have disappeared from their library and is extremely 

difficult for interested parties to obtain. 

Q23 Preferred areas are another term for education and are quite 

acceptable if well founded, especially if there is a two way information 

flow which allows the educators to be told when they are incorrect. 

What one interest prefers may be different from what is preferred by 

others. Outright bans are not acceptable without very good reason. 

Q24 The idea of maps is abhorrent. They will give all the expense 

and problems which have resulted from the CRoW Act with the 

added complication that many users will not know precisely where 

they are on the sea. There are no hedgerows, footpaths or other 

guides. Areas such as water skiing zones may occasionally be buoyed 

but they are the minority. For example, there is nothing to mark the 

restricted zone fronting the nuclear submarine base on L Long while 

the light giving the leading line marking the northern end of the 

restricted area on the Gare Loch is almost impossible to see in daylight 

from sea level, particularly by a small craft launched at the north end

and moving south, yet the restricted areas are marked on charts. In 

the Firth of Forth the restricted areas around the Forth Road Bridge 

piers are obviously important for tankers but totally irrelevant to sea 

kayaks, which could collide with the bridge at top speed without 

doing any damage to the bridge. Close by, the Royal Navy do not 

know whether the restricted areas around their moorings are for 

collision limitation, which would not apply to kayaks, or for security, 

requiring kayaks to paddle right out into the centre of the estuary 

with large ships rather than staying close inshore, which would be 

safer in some conditions. 

Q25 Sustainability is ‘Development that meets the needs of the 

present without compromising the ability of future generations to 

meet their own needs’ (Brudtland Report, 1987). By definition, the 

position on rivers is not sustainable because it does not meet the needs 

of the present. It would be unacceptable for the marine environment 

to go in the same direction. Environmental considerations are 

currently often being given far too high a priority by those not in full 

knowledge of the facts. 

Q26 There would be more confidence if planning on rivers and 

footpaths in England and Wales was seen to be open, transparent and 

inclusive (as it is in Scotland). 

Q27 The rights of individuals will be negatively affected. The 

uncertainty is by how much. 

Q28 It worked in Scotland with respect to the Land Reform Act 

but there is no indication that we shall see such thinking south of the 

border, where we have bodies such as the Environment Agency with 

its heavily biased track record. 

Q32 Sea kayaks and other such small craft do not require licences. 

Inland, the cost of licences and difficulty of obtaining short term 

licences keeps many people off the water, especially at the 

introductory level. At the other extreme, licensing has led directly to 

death because the river conditions were unsuitable at the time for 

which the licence was previously issued. This is even more likely to 

result in deaths on the sea. 

Q33 If something is not already an obvious problem then you 

should not be trying to restrict it. 

Q34 Bodies which already have licensing should be required to 

show that they are not simply using those licences to prevent the 

relevant activities and should need to show that they are undertaking 

their statutory duties before more powers are handed out. 

Q35 Do not impose them when not absolutely necessary, do not 

use them as a form of restraint and learn from the abuse of inland 

water licences. 

Q36 You cannot ensure a reduction in burdens. Licensing will 

produce burdens and costs which do not exist at present, in direct 

contrast to the Government’s promise to reduce red tape for business. 

Q37 It sounds good in theory. Make it work inland first to prove 

that you can do it. 

INCIDENT FILE 

Canoeing class members 

rescue drowning man 

A drowning man was rescued by canoeists preparing for a coaching 

class at the Riverside Centre in Oxford. The man, believed to have 

taken a drug overdose, was being chased by police on foot and in a 

helicopter. There was also a friend with him when he fell into the 

Thames. Instructor John Bolton jumped into his canoe, paddled across, 

reached below the surface and grabbed the man by the collar, holding 

him and squeezing him to control him as he was making a lot of noise. 

John got them both to the bank where the students helped get them 

from the water to await the arrival of an ambulance. 


Q39 Option 3 is close to what has been suggested above, subject to 

not having licensing when not essential. 

Q40 In most cases the existing regulatory regimes do what is 

necessary. Option 1 is appropriate in most cases. Draconian measures 

are not needed for where there are shortfalls. 

Q42 On rivers navigation is what is considered with recreation 

once fisheries and wildlife have been satisfied. Any controls on 

navigation need to be vested with a body which will present their 

interests and not give other activities precedence. Option 2 is not 

acceptable. Navigation and recreation on rivers need to be placed 

with a body able to present their interests, not with the Environment 

Agency. 

Q57 This is too vague to answer but could be seen as a veiled 

threat. There are those who assume that people or boats must disturb 

wildlife and so must be banned from proximity, regardless of the facts, 

even though some craft are the way to watch wildlife with least 

disturbance. Some existing restrictions on the sea and on rivers are 

based on incorrect assumptions. For example, seals, whales and many 

seabirds will come to investigate sea kayak users yet there are those 

who interpret this as disturbance. 

Q70 Legislation is a last resort unless there are serious problems, 

such as kite surfers dropping their heavy kites amongst other users. 

Even then, licensing is not the issue unless education fails. 

Q71 Education should be used, not regulation. 

Q72 This is a very dangerous path and should be strongly resisted. 

Many people who support wildlife do not want statutory no go areas 

imposed but are happy to be advised where their activities could cause 

problems. 

Q73 Education and having concerned eyes present to report any 

inappropriate behaviour. Poachers are very pleased that canoeists are 

banned from rivers. I have disturbed poachers on two rivers on which 

I was trespassing and so unable to report them. 

Q74 The Environment Agency’s appalling track record should 

preclude them but any restrictions should be subject to full scrutiny 

from users as well as wildlife enthusiasts. Too many of the latter are 

ignorant of what happens when wildlife and craft interact, for 

example. Wildlife interests should not automatically take precedence 

over others. 

Q86 Where a body would need to decide between two conflicting 

interests it is inevitable that one will be treated unfairly, as is the case 

with conflicting interests under the control of the Environment 

Agency on rivers. Recreation and boating are not incompatible with 

wildlife but may be seen as such by some. In turn, angling is often 

seen as incompatible with other activities although many people fish 

from boats. The controlling body must take an informed and even 

handed position or the interests must be represented by different 

bodies. 

Q89 In the event of a conflict of views with another body, the 

MMO should not automatically take precedence. 

Wave ski helicopter exit 

Top wave ski rider Jem Howe had to be rescued from a local break 

on the Gower which normally requires climbing a cliff to exit. He 

popped his knee while being trashed by a wave and could not manage 

the climb, even with the help of four friends. A lifeboat was 

summoned and Jem was eventually taken out by helicopter. 

Jet skis recovered from bore 

Five jet ski riders got into trouble on the Severn bore, failing to 

understand its power. One swam ashore at Slimbridge although his 

machine was found several kilometres further up the river after there 

had been a two hour search for him. The other four became trapped in 

mud and had to be recovered by helicopter from Chivenor because 

they could not be reached by lifeboat. Severn Area Rescue Association 

said they had risked the lives of others as well as themselves, their 

presence being a great danger to other surfers. 

17

Recipe for real adventure 

Take 12 teenagers aged between 14 and 18 yrs. Add mountain 

walking and kayak training. Blend in some fund raising. Simmer 

slowly over 12 months. Extract commitment and team work. Transfer 

to the edge of the Sahara desert and point them north. Leave for 

eleven days. Collect from the other side of the High Atlas Mountains 

after crossing it on foot and in kayaks. This is what Explorer Scouts 

from North Yorkshire did during their Easter holidays in 2006. 

Record snowfalls for 40 years, bad weather and high rivers made the 

174km 11 day journey more challenging and problematic than first 

envisaged. 

Providing a challenging and testing expedition for youngsters in 

today’s politically correct climate is to put your head on the chopping 

block. Society encapsulates young people in so much cotton wool 

with expectations of not getting even a scratch after something 

‘adventurous’ so our young people experience dumb down adventure. 

However, with careful planning, preparation, training, constant 

(realistic) risk assessment, using a suitable destination as a relatively safe 

but adventurous environment, it is possible to provide real adventure. 

Morocco provides an ideal venue for real adventure. With very 

experienced instructors and careful group management, risks can be 

greatly reduced and the rewards of personal development 

immeasurable. This adventure is about the personal development of 12 

young people, helping them develop valuable life skills. 

This was the second trekking and kayak expedition to Morocco I 

had organized. The first was in 2004. With the help of Hamish 

McMaster, the boss of Water-by-Nature, a global rafting and kayaking 

company, I was able to create a wilderness travel experience for my 

Scouts. 

A year of build up 

Preparation for such an expedition starts at least a year before 

departure. A fair amount of the time is spent fundraising (we raised 

£13,100) as a team which not only helps keep the overall costs down 

but also helps develop teamwork and commitment. 

The 2006 team consisted of myself as expedition leader, Mike Reid 

(assistant leader), Ed Collins, James Child, Steve Hickey, Simon 

Walmsley, Stuart Fairbairn, Jack Newsome, Thomas Hughes, Stuart 

Wallace, Matthew Harris, Oliver Gibson, Richard Davill and Sam 

Lowe (team members). 

One of the reasons I chose a kayak expedition was because each 

team member would be required to develop a new skill and would 

need to rely on this skill to keep him safe. I was already a Level 3 

coach and able to do much of the training. Most of the team gained 

their 3 Star or were not far from achieving it and several had achieved 

their 4 Star. All could roll and all had been on white water river trips. 

Most had done the Canoe Safety Test. Also, Ed and I did the White 

Water Safety and Rescue course. On the trekking side, all the team 

had done the Scout Mountain Activity Award. Overall, I was satisfied 

that the team were adequately trained. 

After more than a year of planning, training and fundraising, 

18 


departure time had finally arrived. Our flight touched down at 

Marrakech airport late Friday evening. The following morning we 

were woken at 5 with the early morning call to prayer from the 

numerous loudspeakers on the Youssef Mosque. We needed an early 

start as we had an 8 hour journey in front of us to cross High Atlas 

Mountains to the Sahara Desert, first by minibus and then later that 

afternoon transferring to the back of a truck when the road stopped 

and dirt track began. Although not very comfortable (and very dusty) 

it was fun and added to the adventure. 

Loading the mules. 

Berber whisky, bread and 4x4s 

Camp that night was literally at the end of the track, just outside the 

remote village of Amajgag. Tents were pitched and evening meal soon 

being served by our Berber muleteers, who would be carrying our kit 

on their Berber 4x4s (or mules). Omar was our Berber guide, who 

spoke reasonable English as well as French, Arabic and Berber. 

Breakfast (bread, jam, cheese, honey, tea and coffee) was ready for 

7.00am and departure from camp about 8.00am. This became the daily 

norm. The first day’s walk was relatively easy, mostly on the flat. The 

first couple of hours were spent wading through ankle deep river, 

flowing through spectacular red rock gorges towering 200m above us. 

Beyond these gorges were fertile plains with villages perched on top of 

small hills and beyond this the Mgoun mountain range, rising to more 

than 4,000m, which we would start crossing the following day. A local 

invited us into his house for mid morning break of Berber bread, 

dipped in olive oil and Berber whisky which is sweet mint tea.

Local boy with goat. 

Berber tea break. 

That day we covered 20km. Our GPS 

made it possible to keep track of the 

distance and travel times each day. Camp 

was on a hillside outside a village in the 

foothills of the Mgoun range. It wasn’t 

long before local children turned up, 

showing great interest in us. Before 

evening meal Omar arranged a hamman 

(a sort of Turkish bath) for us in the 

village. This was our first wash in two 

days. That night the weather turned for 

the worse. Rain and wind lashed our 

tents throughout the night. The tents, 

which were supplied by the trekking 

company, had seen better days! They 

were fine for summer weather but not 

the sort of weather we were going to 

experience for the next 36 hrs. 

Morning dawned with the rain still 

falling. A few people had wet sleeping 

bags and flattened tents but morale soon 

picked up when the rain stopped and 

breakfast was served. After three days of 

eating ‘different’ food, people’s stomachs 

were staring to develop minds of their 

own. The morning saw a steady flow of 


team members dashing off to secure their places behind boulders, 

which hadn’t seen previous action. Throughout the expedition 

nobody became ill, just minor upset stomachs. This is probably due to 

a good standard of personal hygiene from expedition members and the 

Berber guides who did all the cooking. 

We set off on day two, trekking with a slowly emerging sun and a 

steady ‘assent’. In front of us was a 3 hour ascent to the 3,000m pass. 

At the pass the wind was about 60 mph, making it very difficult to stay 

on our feet. Rain started falling and morale dropped again. That night 

we spent the night in a derelict mountain hut which was now used by 

goats as our tents would not have stood up in the high winds and rain. 

For goats it was 5 star accommodation as it had a roof, walls and doors. 

However, room service hadn’t been round that morning and the goats 

had certainly not cleaned up after themselves. It took quite a bit of 

cleaning before we could use it. Morale at this point was low. Most 

just wanted to pack up and go home. Being uncomfortable, wet, cold, 

dirty, tired and not knowing how long it would last was pushing 

people into new areas of personal development. Most had never 

experienced this before. 

Support your local coven. Camping in jalabas. 

‘Drip, drip, drip...’ Then ‘Drip, drip, thud.’ Rain was coming 

through the roof and bringing down chunks of plaster. Kit was hastily 

moved and the sleeping area rearranged to avoid falling plaster. 

Throughout the night wind and rain lashed the hut. We were at the 

remotest part of the expedition. The nearest village of any size was at 

least 5 hours away by mule. There were no roads. If we had an 

emergency we would have to rely on the satellite phone we were 

carrying. 

The following morning was bright with a warming sun. Kit started 

19

to dry out and we were able to brush off the goat muck which was on 

everything. Soon after leavening the hut we found ourselves climbing 

a rock face to avoid the swollen Mgoun River. Our main challenge 

that day was to cross over another 3,000m pass. Once over this we 

would be heading down into a popular trekking valley and home to 

the trekking guide’s training school where Omar had trained. We 

walked 22km that day. Omar told me that this 6 day trek was for ‘fit 

men, not boys’ and could not understand why we were doing such a 

hard trek with such a young group. I think he was more use to groups 

doing easygoing, holiday trekking, not a group wanting a challenge. 

After a good night’s sleep, day 4 started with blue skies which 

accentuated the snow capped mountains. Morale was high. The day 

was going to be easy along a dirt track road. The day is best summed 

up from Stuart Fairbairn’s entry in the group diary: 

‘Woke up at 6.30am by Sam kicking us. Had breakfast, then went 

walking. Lovely hot weather and nice easy road to walk on. At the top of 

Tizi-n-Tsalli-Imenain had a snowball fight. We walked for 14.12km before 

we stopped for lunch.” 

The weather was becoming much kinder to us, clear blue skies and 

a pleasant 32 degrees. By mid morning we reached a viewpoint where 

we could see La Cathédrale Rock in the far distance. This was to be 

the end point of the trekking and the start of the paddling. This put an 

extra spring in the step of the group as they were looking forward to 

paddling. However, it was still 3 days away. 

By day 5 the trekking was becoming easier. We were loosing height 

all the time as we headed down to the river. However, most team 

members were now visually tired. Blisters started to give some people 

problems. This was, again, another long day of 5 1/ 2 hours, covering 

20 1/ 2km. Our campsite for that night was just outside a small village. 

Numerous children appeared and joined in a game of Frisbee. Sam, 

Jack and Matt decided to take them on at football. It wasn’t long 

before the older teenagers from the 

village joined in and our boys had quite a 

battle on their hands! Not sure who won. 

Stick to the Frisbee next time, boys! 

Our last day of trekking was only 

15 1/ 2km. To most this was not a day too 

soon. It had been quite a physical 

challenge during the last 6 days, much of 

which was at 8,500 ft. La Cathédrale 

Rock once again came into view but this 

time it was much bigger. By lunch time 

we had reached the Hidden River and 

the end of the first part of the expedition. 

We had just walked 114km from the 

Sahara Desert and crossed the highest 

part of the Atlas Mountains. Now we 

were about to paddle down a white 

water river for a further 5 days. 

Omar, our trekking guide, had done a 

fantastic job of helping get the team 

safely through the mountains. The 

wellbeing of the group had been his main 

priority. He was very impressed with 

what we had achieved with such a young 

group. He had kept the group motivated 

with his wit and dry sense of humour. 

We said our farewells to our muleteers 

and Omar. 

20 

The group by an old casbah. 


Later that afternoon a large white Transit van with trailer pulled up 

and out jumped four big, mean, tough looking river guides who 

introduced themselves as Blue, Olli, Clive and Dougie from Waterby-Nature. 

Our next adventure had just begun... 

A bombproof roll required 

Spaghetti bolognaise was on the menu that night. The Explorers 

where happy, food they recognized! Clive, the river team leader, 

briefed the group about camp hygiene and etiquette. Our trip was 

going to take us into a remote area where road access was at least 5 

hours way. The only contact with the outside world would be by 

satellite phone so falling ill because of poor hygiene could affect the 

whole trip as well as being very unpleasant for the individual as the 

only runs they would want would be down the rapids. 

Day 7 was our 9th day of continuous travel since leaving Ripon, a 

challenge in itself. The team were about to be physically and mentally 

stretched and their kayak skills tested beyond anything they have ever 

experienced before. Due to the exceptionally high winter snowfalls 

(highest in 40 years) the river was at least a metre higher than it should 

have been. This caused concern among our river guides. Clive had 

seen the team paddle at the Tees Barrage earlier in the year and had an 

idea of their ability. Normal river levels would not have been a 

problem. However, with a more powerful river the remoteness of this 

expedition made the consequences of a swim or an injury more 

serious. A bombproof roll was important, which some of the team 

were still trying to master on moving water! Although there were 

options to portage the grade 4 sections, much of the river was grade 3. 

Having multiple capsizes and swimmers would test the guides’ 

leadership and kayak skills to the full. After the first day there was still 

access to a dirt track road (about 3km from the first night’s camp). This 

would be the last opportunity to make other arrangements if paddling 

skill were not up to the river ahead. 

The morning was very busy, boats fitted out, kit issued and safety 

briefs. All kit was double checked in anticipation of any swims ahead! 

Also, the 1 1/ 2 ton kit raft (which Dougie was paddling) had to be 

loaded and launched. While all this was happening, Jono, our video 

photographer, recorded events. 

Pinball rafting 

By 11am we were on the water. Clive organized us into three 

groups so the better paddlers would form one group and would wait at 

various places to help provide safety cover for the others. The swiftness 

of the water took most by surprise. It was not long before Sam took 

the title as first swimmer. After about an hour of paddling we were at 

our first serious rapid with large undercut banks. Everyone portaged 

this because being washed into the undercut could have been fatal. 

Even the raft had to be helped past, using ropes. At lunch stop Big 

Stuart said his big toe hurt. This turned out to be an ingrowing toe 

nail. It hadn’t troubled him during the 114km trek; however, after one 

Running the first gorge.

morning sitting in a kayak it was turning septic. The toe looked 

extremely painful and he assured us it was. 

That afternoon we did our first substantial grade 3 rapid, a series of 

tight bends flowing into a narrow gorge. Steve helped Dougie in the 

equipment raft to fend off the gorge walls as it pin balled its way 

down. While I waited with the lead group above the gorge, we saw 

Sam’s boat and paddle float past without Sam. His attempts at rolling 

were failing but he was giving it a good go. Sam was rescued before a 

nasty swim down the gorge. Ed and James went chasing his kit. Then 

Matt missed the eddy before the gorge. I chased after Matt and saw 

him capsize against the gorge wall in large turbulent water. My heart 

beat faster as I pictured him being pinned but his bombproof roll got 

him back up. Sam walked the 500m to the bottom of the gorge while 

everybody else got through OK. 

Using a ducky on white water. 

The group on continuous white water. 


Marvo the mystical magician 

In camp that evening Big Stu’s toe was not looking good. It was 

inflamed and turning septic. After applying iodine and a dressing the 

decision was made that he could not continue the trip in a kayak so 

Clive made arrangement using the satellite phone to have a ducky (a 

long inflatable boat) brought in the following morning. We were at the 

point of fully committing ourselves to the river for the next 4 days and 

there would be no road access beyond this point. WbN had a store 

about 2 hrs’ drive away so it was possible to get the ducky in. It dawned 

on the team that something as minor as an in growing toenail could 

have serious repercussions on the expedition. 

Our second day of paddling would be another full day of grade 3. The 

level of the river presented numerous river hazards, rocks, pourovers, 

holes, large boils, pinning problems. Many sections would need the team 

Riverside campsite. 

21

to paddle a specific line to avoid these hazards and Wee Stinky was also 

ahead of us, 600m of grade 4. Only three of us were allowed to run this 

section. It was the last hole which gave James and me a good beating. 

Clive led with James following. James misjudged the last bit and dropped 

into the hole. Steve ran the hole further left, got sucked under and 

popped out the other side. I misjudged the line and dropped on top of 

James’ boat, which was being recirculated. I then joined it. This was the 

most powerful hydraulic I have ever experienced. After what seemed 

like an eternity and attempts at rolling overridden by the power of the 

water, I banged out of my boat. When I surfaced I remember seeing 

James on the end of a throwline and Steve smiling smugly from the 

eddy. I was then off on a long swim down grade 3 with Olli in the chase 

boat. After the carnage was sorted out and equipment retrieved, the 

group continued down the river, expecting to find the gear raft around 

the next corner with our lunch. Dougie hadn’t made any of the eddies 

until that evening’s camp. Although hungry, the group were relieved to 

reach camp after an adrenalin pumping day. The river guides where also 

relieved to have completed the day without serious injury. 

The following day we had our first day of non travel since leaving 

Ripon. We had been on the move for 11 continuous days. The team 

were now visually tired and were pushing themselves further than they 

had ever done before. We were going to spend two nights at this remote 

campsite with 100 metre red rock cliffs towering around us and the river 

crashing through the grade 3 rapids, a nice location for a day of rest but, 

no, a full day of white water rescue training awaited us, theory, practice 

and scenarios. Unfortunately, the river level was too high for actual 

practising in the river. Secretly, most of the group were glad of not 

having a physical day. That evening we had pizza and chips and sat 

around the camp fire being entertained by Marvo the mystical magician 

and other silly sketches by the group. 

White water rescue training. 

Steve and Tom prepare traditional English food, pizza. 

22 


Rock the Casbah with the casbah on top of the cliffs. 

Sam rolls and rocks the casbah 

The following day was back on the water. Jono had fitted a small 

video camera to the front of a boat which captured the facial 

expressions of Ed and Steve as they ran the rapids. It wasn’t long 

before Tom was the first swimmer of the day and only 200m from the 

camp. After getting Tom back in his boat we looked upstream only to 

see the kit raft pinned and Dougie struggling to free it. This was going 

to be another full day of paddling and problem solving but it was also 

the day when Sam did his first successful roll and just above a big hole! 

The main rapid of the day was Rock the Casbah (named so because of 

the casbah on the cliff above). This was grade 4 with risk of serious 

pinning at the bottom if we messed up on the way down. Again, the 

guides only let four of us run this 600m section. All the others 

portaged. With no dramas on this one, Jono was a bit disappointed as 

carnage makes for good video footage! As the day progressed, the 

Playing the rapids.

whole team where now paddling with confidence and skill. Although 

Clive, Blue and Olli where still concerned about the potential 

problems ahead, they were more confident in the group’s ability. The 

team looked more relaxed and at ease as they crashed through rapids. 

That evening morale was high as we sat around the campfire. 

Adrenalin had been pumping all day and had left the team physically 

and mentally drained. It was an early night for all. 

The final day of paddling had arrived. The river was starting to 

mellow. As WbN literature says ‘Paddle mellow Morocco’! This must 

be the bit they meant. Our first rapid, called Cheeky Monkey, was just 

past the campsite. At grade 3+ everyone ran this but care had to be 

taken as a large cushion wave crashed against the cliff face on this tight, 

righthand bend. All got through OK but the ducky managed to get 

pinned on a rock in the middle of the rapid. The rest of the morning 

we paddled through narrow gorges, at times no wider than 10m, with 

The end of the river. 

Emerging from the final gorge. 


intimidating red rock cliffs towering 300m above us. The river still had 

to be treated with respect. Although no more rapids, there were still 

tight corners with large boils and rocks on which to get pinned for the 

unwary and there was no riverbank to which to swim, just rockface. 

By lunch we emerged from the gorge. The river was now wider and 

slower moving. All could relax and the guides took a big sigh of relief. 

They had got everybody down safely. They had used all their skill and 

experience well. Throughout the trip the team had been filled with 

confidence, drawing on the guides’ kayak and leadership abilities. All 

had gained better paddling skills but, more importantly, had gained in 

personal confidence and self belief. They had demonstrated courage 

throughout the trip and pushed themselves further than they had ever 

experienced. The last 6km was crossing the Bin el Ouidane reservoir. 

Fortunately WbN had organized a motor boat to tow us across to 

where the minibus was waiting. We had travelled from the Sahara 

Desert across the High Atlas Mountains, first on foot covering 114km 

and then paddling 60km down into the fertile foothills in the north, an 

11 day continuous wilderness travel experience for a group of 

teenagers who had made a commitment 15 months earlier. 

Our last 4 days in Morocco were spent in Marrakech and at the 

coastal town of Essouiora where we could relax and buy souvenirs. 

The trip had been a great success. Everybody had been pushed 

physically, mentally and emotionally, beyond what he had ever 

experienced. All had worked well as a team and had done what was 

asked of them. We had been the first youth team to complete this 

journey. It will be something to remember for many years to come 

and will, hopefully, open their eyes to the world about them. Many 

thanks must go to our river guides who did a fantastic job on the river, 

a very professional approach throughout. Without the help from 

Water-by-Nature and Hamish this trip would not have been possible. 

So why put your head over a chopping block and organize such an 

expedition for young people? When a mum says that her son went 

away as a boy and returned as a young man, is that worth not worth it? 

Or when they start helping in their community as young leaders? 

Go check out Water-by-Nature’s website for your adventure 

(www.waterbynature.com). Contact Hamish to see if he can help with 

your expedition. 

Philip Oakley is Ripon Explorer Scout leader and was the expedition 

leader. 

23 

Jon Church and Phil Oakley photographs

Outdoor 

hygiene 

The Clean Feel 

handheld bidet is a 

wind up unit suitable 

for use in the 

outdoors. It costs 

£16.90. [01569 

730819] 

Brookbank 

buy Stirling 

Brookbank have 

bought Stirling 

Canoes from Carlisle 

Canoes. The manager 

is Cam Allen, who 

was recently with 

Pyranha, to whom he 

moved from Kogg in 

Perth. 

Sunglasses 

which float 

American firm 

Habervision have 

produced Magnum 

sunglasses with air 

chambers in the 

temples so they float 

if dropped in the 

water. They cost 

$155. [00 1 800 621 

4381] 

Fishing pen 

Mailspeed have a 

pen which extends to 

be a 1.2m long 

fishing rod at £24.99. 

With 2.5kg line and a 

spinner it might be 

useful for catching 

fresh mackerel for 

your evening meal. 

[0870 118 2627] 

West CD 

West Resins have 

produced their user 

manual and product 

catalogue on CD in 

English and a dozen 

other languages. It 

also includes two 

issues of Epoxy 

Works Magazine, a 

publication of other 

uses and full 

distributor lists. 

[01794 521111] 

No minimum 

embroidery 

order 

Ravenspring are 

offering a service of 

embroidering club 

logos onto their 

range of shirts, 

fleeces, jackets, caps, 

bags, accessories and 

even drysuits. There 

is no minimum order. 

[01803 867092] 

24 

Rotherham will have 

first multisport venue 

The first Venture Xtreme project is to be at 

Rotherham and will feature an Olympic standard slalom 

course as well as a host of other sports from simulated 

skydiving to a dive tank via the world’s largest ice wall, 

BMX track, snow room and the country’s longest zip 

slide and first indoor surf centre. There will also be 

conference, hotel and leisure attractions plus specialist 

sports retail outlets. One of the prime movers is Steve 

Jones, who competed in canoeing to international level. 

[01772 883888] 

Nautical accessories 

SealSkinz, noted for their waterproof breathable gloves 

and socks, have now added headwear. Their fleece lined 

Beanie in medium or extra 

large gives extensive stretch 

coverage and costs £19.95 

from Nauticalia. Also in 

Nauticalia’s current catalogue 

is a battery operated triple LED 

light which clips to a helmet or 

hat rim, no need to have an 

extra strap round the head. It 

costs £7.95. [01932 244396] 

Howies catalogue is always the best publication on 

the outdoor lifestyle for young people in Wales, as 

much as for their clothing products. As usual there 

are thought provoking pages, including a booklist 

of which we regret we can only hold up one title. A 

separate booklet includes lists of the 10 best of 

everything. Twr y Felin just makes the list of places 

to stay, Heritage Canoes are one of the best in 

Cardigan and sea kayaks rank right up on the list of 

adrenalin highs. The best surf spots are Freshwater 

West, Llangennith, Hell’s Mouth, Whitesands, Rest 

Bay, Caswell Bay, Newgale, Barmouth and the 

Gower while the best sunsets include the Gower, 

Barafundle Bay, Manorbier Bay, the Wye valley, 

Mwnt, Poppit Sands and St David’s Head. [01239 

614122] 

Peli’s 2680 Heads Up Light is the first to feature 

Recoil LED technology. A 1W beam is reflected 

forward as a white beam of 33 lumens. The light is 

submersible to 150m and the 4 AA batteries last 30 

hours. [01457 869999] 

Great River Canoes are making available Alicia 

Enterprises Ltd’s Skeena canoes and Miramichi 

kayaks. Hand built in Canadian cedar with a 

glassfibre finish, prices are expected to range from 

£1,249 to £1,450. [01207 281060] 

First Enable newsletter 

Simon Stevens has published the first issue of Splashdown online. It deals with various issues often not raised by 

general watersport traders and mentions some products made by his company, Enable Enterprises. As someone with 

cerebral palsy, Simon brings some original thinking to watersports. To be listed for the newsletter, contact 

simon.stevens@enableenterprises.com. 


Chris Bradley photographs Gill Lack

Kate O'Sullivan photographs 

Jon Goldsmith 

Katrina Morphet Laura Griffiths 

The Ergolife Sol 

seat is made in 

Sweden from birchwood and gives lower 

and upper back support. When not being 

used it can be rolled into its own 10mm 

diameter bag. It is being imported by 

Clever Little Ideas Ltd. [07768 242789] 

Holmenkol SportPolish is ideal for 

plastic or gelcoat surfaces to provide 

cleaning, sealing and surface 

preparation for AquaSpeed which is 

said to reduce hull friction with the 

water, resist dirt and contaminants 

and be self restoring if damaged. 

Respective prices are £21.09 and 

£28.13 and the effects last for several 

races. 

Sally Stone 

Helly watersports shoes 

Helly Hansen’s Hydrator Racing uses splash resistant 

materials, heel cushioning, protection against high impact 

forces, midfoot stabilizing and reflective stripes for £85. The 

£50 Vala uses breathable materials, again with comfort, grip 

and reflectivity stripes. Between them at £60 is the Hydro 

Power with Lifa mesh panels and perforated water release 

pockets in the sole and the same high grip as the Hydrator. 

RxSport has opened a specialist sports eyewear 

website. As well as exact prescription requirements 

it will consider the needs of any sport. A range of 

leading brands are on offer, for which RxSport are 

authorized dealers. [rxsport.co.uk] 

Helly Hansen’s Hydrator Racing and Vala shoes. 

After taking pupils from Oakmead College of 

Technology to their centre in SW France for 

eight years, Rockley Watersports opened up the 

trip to whole families this year. The 11 - 18 year 

olds had separate instructors but were able to 

join their families for meals. [01202 717380] 

Kirton Kayaks have added a smaller roofrack which 

would suit such models as the Lightning. [01363 

773295] 


More flights to 

the Western Isles 

Air services to the 

Western Isles are being 

increased. Highland 

Airways are linking 

Benbecula to Inverness 

and the service 

between Inverness and 

Stornoway is becoming 

more frequent. 

JJ counts the 

achievements 

In the last three world 

slalom championships, 

paddlers coached by 

Jim Jeyes have achieved 

a 2nd, two 3rds and a 

4th. Jim believes he is 

the most successful 

slalom coach of recent 

times, his pupils over 

the last 20 years 

including David Ford, 

Violet and Helmut 

Oblinger, Paul 

Ratcliffe, Scott Shipley, 

Campbell Walsh and 

Ian Wiley. Jim is 

currently taking 

bookings for his 

coaching services for 

2007. [01691 718102] 

Cool dry housings 

Fantasea Line now 

have waterproof 

housings for Nikon 

Coolpix L2, L3, L4, P3, 

P4, S5, S6, S7, S7c and 

S8 cameras. The L6 and 

S9 housings are to 

follow. [fantasea.com] 

Virgin sponsor 

top competitors 

Virgin Atlantic are 

sponsoring 450 of 

Britain’s top 

competitors. They will 

get flight discounts, a 

dedicated booking line, 

excess baggage 

waivers, lounge use 

and upgrades. The 

scheme is worth up to 

£1,000,000 over one 

year and due to be 

extended. The relevant 

competitors are part of 

UK Sport’s World Class 

Podium Programme. 

Paddles for 

under £10 

Compass Marine are 

importing Caviness 

paddles from the US. 

They have kayaks 

paddles on split 

aluminium shafts at 

£24.99 - 26.99. They 

also have canoe 

paddles at £9.99 - 

28.99 in laminated 

wood. [01803 835915] 

25

Death of Roger 

Symes 

We record with 

regret the death or 

Roger Symes. Roger 

was one of the two 

founders of Arrowcraft 

and had been 

responsible for all the 

manufacturing. In due 

course he became 

allergic to glassfibre, 

to the extent that he 

had not been able to 

enter his workshop in 

recent years, but this 

was not thought to be 

relevant to the blood 

clot to his heart which 

caused his demise at 

the age of 59. He 

leaves a wife, Eileen, 

son, daughter and five 

grandchildren. Canoe 

Sport should continue 

as before but David 

Pincent may reword 

the name of 

Arrowcraft 

Composites. 

Rare river trip 

Adventure- 

Whitewater are 

running a trip on the 

Subansari over Dec 8 - 

17th. The largest 

tributary of the 

Brahmaputra, it is a 

big volume grade 4 

but also offers gold 

panning. In four years’ 

time it is due to be 

dammed. The cost for 

a kayak paddler with 

his own boat is £1,420 

from Delhi or boats 

can be hired for 

US$250. [0870 443 

0240] 

Skye pipes 

A Canadian couple 

by Loch Scavaig on a 

sea kayak trip run by 

Wilderness Scotland 

had been well briefed 

on the history of clan 

battles. On a calm 

night and a long way 

from human 

habitation they were 

shocked to hear the 

unmistakable sounds 

of pipes coming out of 

the darkness. Was it 

the ghost of a past 

clan member? 

Eventually it was all 

resolved. Their guide 

had gone for a night 

time paddle and 

couldn’t resist 

finishing off with a 

few tunes, carrying his 

pipes with him as 

ever. [0131 625 6635] 

26 

Rosker have become the British importers for SteriPen, which works by UV light and is claimed to be the 

fastest, easiest and most effective handheld water purification system. It runs off 4 AA batteries and 

destroys the DNA of microbes in seconds. It weighs 100g and is programmed for 5,000 applications with a 

warning after 4,900. It costs £90. Also available is the SteriPen Adventurer, slightly lighter and smaller yet 

able to treat 5m 3 . It will treat 1l in 90 secs. It costs £120 while an extra £45 will supply a solar charger for 

the two CR132 lithium batteries. 


Crewsaver have released a selection of new 

clothing items. Sirius trousers are made from 

BR1000, a PU coated Nylon with a ripstop 

weave, are breathable and have sealed 

seams, elasticated braces, ankles and back 

waistband, reinforced seat and knees, high 

top and self sealing thigh pocket with 

drainage hole and D ring. It costs £49.99 or 

£42.50 for the junior version. The Sphere 

cagoule has prebent arms and there are 

water resistant zips on the front and on the 

free draining front pocket, prices here being 

£54.95 and £46.75 respectively. The high 

buoyancy 80N Ravine buoyancy aid has a 

tough polyester outer over soft foam panels, 

pockets everywhere, waist belt, karabiner 

park, whistle and retro reflective tape. It costs 

£99.95 with the option of adding a harness 

at £14.95 or cowtail at £23.50. Juniors are 

offered the CSR wetsuit with soft, stretchy 

and warm titanium neoprene panels, flatlock 

seams (but none around the shoulders), 

water resistant back zip and reinforced knees. 

With various colours and sizes, it costs 

£39.95. Smaller products are also on offer. 

The Dry Towel in microfibre fabric absorbs 4 

times its weight of water but dries quickly on 

being wrung out and packs small. A Dry Case 

and Dry Wallet are available to keep valuables 

dry. The Oasis Hydration Pocket is a 2l 

neoprene bladder with side drinking tube and 

will fit most buoyancy aids. [023 9252 8621] 

Ralph White photographs

Oana Matty photographs 

Micros cleats by Clamcleat are very small lightweight cleats can 

be used with lines 1 - 4mm in diameter. As they are half the size 

of other rope cleats on the market they can be fitted in locations 

previously unsuitable for larger products. The CL263 is 

manufactured from a high performance Nylon that outperforms 

more expensive glass reinforced plastics in both load holding 

and durability. It is available in black or white as standard. The 

CL268 and CL270 are manufactured in aluminium to eliminate 

rope burn damage. Both are available with either a silver finish 

or hard anodized for maximum protection against corrosion. 

There are no moving parts that can fail because they have seized 

or become corroded through use in salt water. Lines are held 

under load in a series of V grooves. A tensioned line is pulled 

down into the V grooves. To uncleat a line, simply lift it up and 

out of the jaws of the cleat. All are 44mm long and can be 

mounted on flat or curved surfaces. The CL263 and CL268 are 

16mm in height. The CL270 has a becket facility so that a 2:1 

purchase can be achieved when extra power is required. It is 

slightly higher at 18.5mm. [01707 330101] 


Higher sights 

for Surf-Lines 

Surf-Lines have 

become the 20th UK 

firm to join One 

Percent for the 

Planet. 1% of their 

net sales will be 

donated to 

environmental 

organizations. They 

invite north Wales 

environmental groups 

to apply for support. 

On the home front 

they are literally 

raising the roof. An 

extra 2.5m of height 

on their building will 

help them to run the 

outdoor activities 

degree course for the 

University of Wales’ 

Bangor campus. 

Lee canoe 

hire centre 

David and Glynis 

Webb have set up 

Lee Valley Canoe & 

Cycle, a waterside 

hire centre 

temporarily based in 

the former Water’s 

Edge public house at 

Stonebridge lock. A 

Harringey police 

officer for 30 years, 

David was involved 

in the rehabilitation 

of youth offenders 

and set up Harringey 

Youth Paddlers in 

1999 to provide free 

canoeing for local 

young people, teach 

them water safety 

and divert them away 

from crime. The club 

is now housed in the 

Stonebridge Lock 

Waterside Centre, 

opened last year. In 

2000 David and 

Glynis moved on to 

set up Take the 

Plunge, coaching in 

canoeing, water 

safety, lifeguarding 

and first aid. The new 

centre will be open 

11am to 7pm at 

weekends and bank 

holidays and will 

also offer courses in 

canoeing, first aid 

and orienteering. 

[07747 873831] 

27

The Barefoot Navigator 

Jack Lagan 

Adlard Coles Nautical, 38 Soho Sq, 

London W1D 3HB 

0 7136 7429 6 

2006 

240 x 170mm 

148 pages, paperback 

£14.99 

It seems increasingly as if the typical 

yachtsman plugs his GPS into his laptop 

and waits for it to tell him which way to 

go to the next waypoint. ‘Barefoot 

navigation in its purest form is a 

collection of technology-free techniques 

based upon observation of the natural 

world’ says this book. As such, it is much more akin to the methods 

used by those of us who are limited in the kit we are able to carry, 

regardless of whether we wish to carry it. 

The first part of the book is an admiration of the voyages of the 

ancients, particularly the wide ranging Polynesian canoe voyages, 

carried out without any navigation equipment and with nothing 

written down, so that the charts and all relevant information were 

always in the navigator’s head. 

The author comments that these canoes were allowed to bend as 

there was not the technology to make rigid crossmembers, a suggestion 

that should be considered with the fact that Inuit kayak frames often 

had bone articulating joints included to assist flexing. 

The major and most valuable part of the book is no-tech navigation, 

navigating without equipment by using the sun, wind, waves, stars, 

clouds, birds and even water quality to give clues. Often it relates to 

ocean out of sight of land but some is applicable much closer inshore. 

The final parts suggest how to make your own economical 

equipment and how to assemble a grab bag to take when abandoning 

ship, of limited value if space on board is the criterion. 

The humour is dry. ‘The resulting, now moving, build-up of water 

curls over at the crest and spews plastic ironing boards and young 

people who talk a strange language onto the beach... 

‘For the navigator, this increased height of a series of waves can be 

an indication of shallowing and, therefore, the possible proximity of 

low-lying land and a bar serving drinks.’ 

Illustration is with black and white drawings, printable copies of 

which can be downloaded from the author’s website if you wish to 

adorn your boat. 

Finally, it is worth bearing in mind the quotation of 1770 by 

astronomer Jean Dominique Cassini, ‘It is far better to have absolutely 

no idea of where one is - and to know it - than to believe confidently 

that one is where one is not.’ 

This differs from every other navigation book and contains 

important principles overlooked by the official yachting navigation 

texts. 

Emrhys Barrell 

Adlard Coles Nautical 

0 7136 7636 1 

1993. 3rd edition 2006 

230 x 160mm 


£15.99 

The significant change for the latest edition of this book is that it is 

now in full colour, many of the pictures being taken from shots closely 

related to those shown previously in black and white. 

28 

Inland Waterways Manual 


Reviews of new books 

and publications 

Since the last edition (May 03, p38) the 

cost of powered craft seems to have risen 

sharply. There are few changes to the text 

although there is now a section on living 

aboard full time and there is enthusiasm for 

night time travel. As before, it is not a book 

which tells you what you should be doing 

so much as one which tells you what larger 

craft are doing and why their crews are 

likely to behave in certain ways, ways 

which may effect you. 

There are fewer changes to the gazetteer 

of waterways than might have been 

expected, mostly a change of tense where 

an anticipated restoration has now taken place. 

The Adlard Coles Book of Knots 

Peter Owen 

Adlard Coles Nautical 

0 7136 8152 7 

1999. 3rd edition 2006 

A5 


£7.99 

The first change with the third edition of 

this book is the title. Previously it was The 

RYA Book of Knots (Oct 04, p24). 

Because it relies on drawings it is much 

easier to follow than some other knot books. 

An extra colour has been added to the 

drawings this time, making them clearer again. Otherwise, the 

alterations are only cosmetic with no change of content, other than to 

add colour photographs at the starts of chapters, ornamental rather than 

useful. 

As these knots, bends, loops, hitches, seizings, splicings and more are 

used in a marine situation it is useful to have some nautical terms 

explained. Furthermore, advice on rope materials and layups, tools and 

stopping fraying of ends are further important subjects which are not 

always easy to source. 

Turkish Waters & Cyprus Pilot 

0 85288 841 4 

1984. 7th edition 2006 

358 pages, hardback 

Italian Waters Pilot 

Rod Heikel 

Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson Ltd, Wych House, The Broadway, St 

Ives, Cambs PE27 5BT 

0 85288 913 8 


A4 


The Turkish coast is still largely undiscovered by boaters although 

holiday villages (to which the author is opposed) are springing up 

along the coast. Of Bodrum he says ‘the place has become a sort of 

“little England”, in the pejorative as well as the literal sense, with signs 

everywhere for “English pubs”, “fish and chips”, “English breakfasts”, 

and everything else you would want to sail a hundred miles to get 

away from.’ 

The Turkish book covers the Sea of Marmora, Mediterranean and 

Black Sea coasts plus the whole of Cyprus, despite the objections of

the Greek Cypriot authorities, 

copied out in the book. There is 

the usual concentration on 

harbours and moorings with 

chartlets but not as many pictures 

as in most Imray pilots, none in 

the Black Sea section, which is 

covered only briefly. Of particular 

value is identification of areas 

closed for military purposes and of 

winds with their directions and 

times of day, these being marked 

on the chartlets. 

Various features of interest are 

included, particularly the 

archaeological remains, some from 

important past civilizations, 

including a beach Cleopatra had 

imported from north Africa for 

Mark Anthony (confirmed by 

current grain analysis) through to 

such modern features as a fixed 

commercial harbour light in 

Gelibolu which is a bit weak, 

being a street lamp painted red. 

Other curiosities include a 

philosopher who had a remarkably 

accurate picture of atomic theory 

2,500 years ago, why stockings are 

hung up for Santa Claus and an 

eight centuries old shipwrecked 

amphora of liquid, still to be 

analysed. 

The Mediterranean coast of 

Turkey, in particular, offers 

significant sea kayak potential and 

this is one of the few books to 

introduce this coast for boaters. 

The Italian volume excludes the east coast of Italy north of Brindisi 

(featured in Adriatic Pilot, May 05, p35) but covers Elba, Sardinia, the 

Aeolian Islands, Sicily and Malta. Concentration on ports and marinas 

does give the impression that the coast is becoming one continuous 

marina, not the case although there are many which are new or being 

extended, the future extensions being indicated where known. 

There are many restricted nature reserves, shown with their various 

zones. Zone A frequently bans swimming and navigation while Zone 

B often permits rowing with oars, suggesting these are not something 

we can ignore, being disruptive to coastal paddles. 

Wind details are particularly valuable and conspicuous landmarks are 

pointed out in the vicinity of ports and marinas, perhaps warning of 

places where extra care is required. Italian food and wine have to be 

included and historical details range from the Knights of St John at the 

crossroads of Europe and Greek myths including Scilla and Charybdis 

to the home waters of the Romans. 

Atlantic Spain & Portugal 

Martin Walker & Anne Hemmick 

Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson Ltd, 


A4 


This yachtsman’s pilot carries on 

from South Biscay (Jul 06, p37), 

featuring the west coasts of Spain 

and Portugal from La Coruña to 

Gibraltar. As usual, it includes 

aerial photographs and chartlets 

with much on moorings and 

marinas. Details of forbidden areas 

and winds are important. The best 

surf beaches are pointed out for 

those who seek them out or wish 

to avoid them. Coastal location is 

helped in places by some small 

comparative identification photographs of lighthouses. Pontevedra and 


Porto are two Iberian marathon courses which get some coverage. 

There are some large protected lagoon areas on this coast which ask to 

be explored by shallow draught craft, leading to some interesting 

estuaries. Thus, Esposende is ‘not recommended for any vessel larger 

than a canoe.’ 

A dozen chartlets cover the complex flows through the Strait of 

Gibraltar. 

Anne Hammick seems to have found less of a nightmare than we did 

trying to get in and out of Gibraltar by car on a weekday in February 

three or four years ago and the Rock less obviously a way of making 

maximum profit for minimum effort so it is to be hoped that things 

have improved there. However, the paddler might still final coastal 

destinations northwest of here, as described in this book, to be more 

attractive. 

Public Benefits from Historic Waterways 

BW, Willow Grange, Church Rd, 

Watford WD17 4QA 

0 903218 28 3 

18th Jul 2006 

A4 


Free from 01923 201120 or 

britishwaterways.co.uk 

Sensibly, BW are placing heavy 

emphasis in their annual report and 

accounts on the fact that they 

provide a service for many more of 

the public than those who pay fees, 

£16,000,000 coming from boating 

and £500,000 from angling at a 

time when the Government are 

looking for excuses to cut grants. 

Surprisingly, the network of canals, 

historic buildings and everything else is valued at only £56,000,000, a 

figure for which you couldn’t build very much canal these days. 

BW say there are 29,000 boats on their network, of which 474 have 

bought unpowered craft licences, putting the BCU’s compulsory canal 

licence in context. 

A picture of a raft of kayaks on the Tees shows canoeing has not 

been overlooked. However, the proposal to give 28 days’ notice 

before removing an unlicensed boat offers little threat. Allowing day 

licences to be bought online, not just annual licence renewals, would 

do more to encourage payment. 

BW say they are listening to their users but they have still to respond 

to our concerns over a year after the Stoke Bruerne meeting in which 

we put them and freight usage is still being promoted without 

addressing the opinion in some parts of BW that small craft must be 

banned where freight is introduced. 

One of the proposals of particular interest is the building of student 

accommodation by the canal basin at Loughborough, particularly if 

they can get the water as clean as it appears in the architect’s drawing. 

Where to Launch Around the Coast 

Diana van der Klugt & Roger Hunter 

Opus Book Publishing Ltd, 20 The Strand, 

Steeple Ashton, Trowbridge, Wilts BA14 

6EP 

1 898574 10 3 

1986. 6th edition Jun 2006 

210 x 140mm 


£9.95 

If you need to launch a support boat or 

anything of similar size off a trailer around the 

coast you will need this book. Perhaps the 

biggest change since the last edition (Sep 00, 

p40) is that the number of launch sites no longer available is greater 

than the number of new ones. The layout of the book is the same, 

including the charge, the nature of the launch area and the times to 

launch. Websites have been added where applicable. 

An addition to the preamble is that overrun braked trailers must 

have the weight and year of manufacture clearly marked. 

29

QuickTide South West 

1 902830 33 4 

QuickTide South East 

1 902830 34.2 

QuickTide North 

1 902830 35 0 

QT International Ltd, 19 Canynge Rd, 

Bristol BS8 3JZ 

220 x 150mm 

£7.99 + P&P (free on more than one) 

Once again the QuickTide cards are 

available. Pick a date code from the table 

inside, pick a colour code from the relevant 

section of coast on the map, line up the dials 

and you have the approximate tide times, not 

perfect but better than getting the 

calculations wrong. Tide times do vary from 

the predictions, anyway, because of changes 

to the atmospheric conditions. 

The one significant change this year is to 

the southwest card which now has an inset 

for the whole of Ireland. This is a bit 

squashed as far as the section between Dublin 

and Wexford is concerned but that section 

appears at larger scale on the main map. No 

attempt is made to give details between 

Portrush and Belfast Lough, either in the 

inset here or on the northern map. 

Even if you need to do the full calculations 

to catch a particular tidal flow or slack it 

would do no harm to run a quick check with 

the cards to ensure you have not made a 

major slip. 

Fallen Pieces of the Moon 

Robin Lloyd-Jones 

Whittles Publishing, Dunbeath Mains 

Cottages, Dunbeath, Caithness KW6 

6EY 

1 904445 31 4 

2006 

240 x 170mm 


£14.99 

We have waited a long time for the 

sequel to Argonauts of the Western Isles (Jan 

90, p41). This time it is just a single trip, 

a fairly exotic location (west Greenland) 

but nothing too extreme. Robin is with a 

holiday group, mostly North Americans, 

undertaking a 240km tour over a couple of weeks. 

It is a travel book as much as a sea kayak book. Indeed, it is a 

philosopher’s book as it goes off at frequent tangents to probe 

interesting ideas, often comparing and contrasting with Scottish 

experience, including the fir-men of the north. Historic journeys and 

low tech navigation methods echo and complement those in The 

Barefoot Navigator and there is exploration of the area by Vikings and 

later Europeans, Inuit kayaks and endless interesting facts which will 

make it essential background reading for anyone going into the Arctic. 

As before, he worries about whether describing one of the world’s 

pristine places will encourage others to go there, leading to its 

downfall, but concludes that it is better that others share the pleasure 

than for it to be reserved for the elite few. 

There are a limited number of colour and black and white pictures, 

30 


some from other trips, particularly by Ken Nicol. There is humour of 

the kind ‘From years of kayaking in Scotland I’d run foul of several 

little known sub-clauses to Sod’s Law, like the one which decrees that 

no matter how much you eat, there’s always something that won’t fit 

back in your kayak when you come to repack it; or the one which 

ensures that, when you need to consult your map, you’re bound to be 

located on the fold.’ 

There is a priceless end to a section on naming places. ‘The river at 

the head of Frobisher Bay, Hall named Cynthia Grinnel River. 

Unfortunately, on returning home, he found that his friend’s daughter 

was called Sylvia, not Cynthia.’ 

Statements are put devastatingly simply. ‘I love islands you can walk 

right round in a short space of time... It is part of the lure of islands of 

this size, I think, that they fit inside your heart.’ 

I appreciate his problems of scaling, a hunter stalking a grizzly for an 

hour to discover it was a marmot or grassland pygmies not used to 

extensive views who were frightened at how a swarm of flies grew to 

be the size of buffaloes. I have paddled along a beach to a man who 

turned out to be a gull. 

If you are into sea kayaks or even the wider aspects of travel you will 

find this a fascinating read with a succession of interesting ideas along 

with the paddling narrative. 

A Better Place to Play 

Environment Agency, Rio House, 

Waterside Drive, Aztec W, 

Almondsbury, Bristol BS32 4UD 

A4 


‘Is that it?’ was the comment of 

one of the newspaper journalists 

and TV crew members who had 

been invited in by the EA some 

years ago to witness the opening of 

a launch platform they had 

provided for canoeists at Blandford, 

round the corner from dozens of 

angling platforms. Much the same 

could be said of the access 

achievements trumpeted by this 

book. This summary report by the 

EA selects what they want from the 

Brighton University report which selected what they wanted from this 

study. 

The opening sentence reads ‘This study has demonstrated that, in 

the vast majority of cases, approaches to secure canoe access by 

voluntary agreement are successful.’ It has done nothing of the sort. It 

shows the inadequacy of what has been done this time and makes light 

of all the constraints and failures. 

‘Many previous attempts to negotiate agreements have foundered 

through lack of clear processes, resources, strategic support and 

guidance.’ The guidance we did have was the much vaunted books 

successively by the NRA and EA on how to make agreements, not 

mentioned here. Certainly there has been lack of strategic support 

from the EA, not surprisingly, considering the attitudes of successive 

chairmen, but the present financial support and DEFRA pressure on 

participants are unlikely to continue in the future and it is open to 

question whether the present agreements will survive for any time at 

all. 

The book has a list of requirements before access is obtained, 

perhaps a surprise to the Scots who have access a thousand times better 

than this, virtually without any of these. 

Finally, the implication is that it will be the BCU’s fault if it all goes 

wrong. After half a century of effort by their team of well over a 

hundred negotiators and very little to show for it, it is hardly fair for 

some well paid newcomer to pick off some easy bits of river, fail on 

much more and say that canoeists have not been doing the job 

properly. 

It might be worth having a copy of this book to produce at a later 

date with the previous ones on how dumbos like us could make access 

agreements if only we knew how.

Rivières & Canaux du Midi 

Maison de la France 

Nov 2003 

A4 


Eight sections of river and canal 

in the corridor between the Bay of 

Biscay and the Mediterranean are 

introduced, each with a two page 

spread, a diagrammatic map, 

pictures and highlights of the area, 

architectural, gastronomic and 

cultural. The later part of the 

booklet is less relevant, mostly for 

those who might consider hiring 

powered craft. Despite the title, it 

is in English. 

Canoeing on the River Waveney 

Upper Waveney Valley Partnership 

240 x 850mm folding to 240 x 

180mm 

The ten panels of this glossy brochure 

relate to the section of the River 

Waveney covered by Brighton 

University’s 2006 access agreement on 

the river. It replaces the much smaller 

and simpler one that they published for 

the 2001 agreement. 

The inside is excellent, four panels 

showing sections of applicable OS 

1:50,000 maps, marking and describing 

access and portage points, parking and 

other features likely to be of interest to a 

touring paddler. 

On the outside, the panel entitled River Waveney Code of Conduct is 

also sensible and much should apply everywhere. 

Two panels are given over to the terms of this agreement and there 

are some god points, including the legal protection of landowners 

against claims in the event of an accident and the fact that good 

practice is usually recommended rather than mandatory. On the other 

hand, you need to purchase a day ticket or be a member of a 

recognized club or association. (Recognized by whom?) Night 

paddling is forbidden and angling clubs may close the river for 10 days 

Pilates Essentials 

Enhance 

23rd Oct 2006 

1 hr 20 mins 

£16.99 from enhancewellbeing.com 

The Pilates method uses 

elements of stretching and 

yoga for fitness training and 

relaxing. It is particularly 

effective for the lower back and 

pelvic areas and especially helps 

asymmetric sports participants such 

as canoeists. Very little is needed in the 

way of equipment, a mat and perhaps a 

towel and a cushion or a soft ball. 

Lindsey Jackson is a calm and quiet presenter who supervises three 

pupils who undertake the exercises at three levels of difficulty in 

parallel, allowing the progression to be seen. 

The background music is very low key, there is an MP3 download 

or you can turn it off and play your own music. 

As well as the warm up there is a calming relaxation session to what 

appears to be a still picture of waves breaking at sunset, actually a very 

slow motion film. 

Clubs with gym sessions may find this an interesting alternative to 

the usual coach led stretching sessions, as will individuals. 

FILMS 


a year for events in addition to closures permitted for several other 

reasons. You are to remembers that ‘weirs are dangerous’ as distinct 

from the idea that weirs may be dangerous. 

The leaflet carries the BCU logo and thanks them for the canoeing 

pictures. A BCU official told me that permission had not been given 

for its use so that communications seem to have broken down 

somewhere along the line. As a specifically canoeing document it is 

not clear why ‘relevant national governing body’ should include the 

‘Amateur Rowing Association (RYA)’, which should cause confusion 

on all fronts. 

Is this a code of good practice? 

The most pressing need from British Standards is a standard for the 

production of and consultation about new and revised standards. The 

current procedure where relevant bodies are left to find out for 

themselves is totally unacceptable, particularly where such specification 

becomes mandatory. For example, the BCU were informed this time 

by the ACT 3 just days before the closing date for comments and it is 

13 years since BS last advised us of anything relevant to our readership. 

The draft Specification for the Provision of Adventurous Activities, 

Expeditions, Visits & Fieldwork Outside the United Kingdom appears to be 

what would have been called a code of practice in the past. Its 45 pages 

contain a great deal that should be considered by those involved in 

outdoor activities although you may question the mountain of 

paperwork it requires to be generated. Most of the suggestions are 

sound although many will not be applicable in any given situation and 

there will be occasions when requirements will not be appropriate. 

Regrettably, the section on water activities has still to be completed. 

Bearing in mind the damage which has been done by standards 

which are mandatory, expensive to prove compliance and sometimes 

inappropriate so that they prevent product development, the status is 

important and not obvious. The final clause begins ‘Ventures for 

which compliance with this standard is claimed’, suggesting that 

compliance is not mandatory. The last clause in Annex A begins 

‘British Standards are not directly a part of UK law.’ If this document 

is no more than a collection of ideas which seem good at the time and 

is recognized as such it will form a useful checklist to be acted on or 

discarded as appropriate. 

Small craft almanac errors 

Adlard Coles Nautical report that serious errors have been published 

in the Oban and Brest tide tables in the Reeds PBO Small Craft 

Almanac. In addition, some copies have pagination problems. Details 

are given at reedsalmanac.co.uk. 

Extreme ripoff 

Pete Knowles has been surprised to find that the Alps guides on an 

extreme sports website were written by himself. Sections have been 

copied from his books and posted on the internet, less any credits. 

31

Jubilee River portage facilities 

From Rich Moore, Tring Water Rats. 

Nice to see you back in circulation. I missed out on the January 

edition mentioned in the letter pages so was not aware that Europe’s 

finest was back on the screen. 

On a lighter note you mentioned the poor portage facilities for 

canoeists on the Jubilee River. The club paddled it a few years back, 

taking direct access from the Thames just above Boulter’s. The 

attached describes the obvious barriers. 

My picture files say that it was taken in Sept 2004. It was more 

comical than obstructive although a sense of height and climbing 

experience was welcome and the barbed wire inflicted its usual 

injuries. It was one of those occasions when we were determined to 

paddle the river however many obstacles were put in our way. The 

rest of the weirs were hardly canoeist friendly and it’s not a river that I 

would rush back to. Shame really as once it matures it would be a nice 

little paddle. 

Just got back from taking a group down the River Orne in 

Normandy and every weir has a designated canoeist route, well 

marked and maintained. The only weir that was not shootable had 

artificial grass matting to get out onto, picnic tables, refuse bins and a 

very long slide into the river again all covered in Astro turf. This was 

only accessible by canoeists and very well thought out. Eat your hearts 

out, EA. 

I still think your product should be out there on the news stands 

but as a free publication you are way underpriced! 

Even electronic freeware asks for contributions... 

From Jeff Reynard. 

Please accept my apologies for not having sent this 

communication sooner but I must thank you for continuing to 

publish the occasional copy of Canoeist magazine. If you would like 

a contribution to your expenditure in producing the magazine 

please let me know the address to send it to. Once again, thank 

you. 

Editor’s comment: Jeff’s kind donation was much appreciated. 

From Chris Pease. 

Wonderful news; I have missed Canoeist! The canoeing media has 

been like a desert since your last issue, all flesh and no bone. 

From Graham Bland, Rollestone St, Salisbury, Wilts. 

An excellent read – I miss it. 

From Allison Gladwin. 

Good to see you’re still going. 

From Peter Knowles, Rivers Publishing, Blencathra St, Keswick, 

Cumbria. 

Just to say that I really enjoyed this month’s Canoeist. Keep up 

the good work! Will try to feed you any news. 

From Peter Jones. 

Again a very unexpected and welcome surprise. 

I continue to be amazed at how much you are able to produce 

and it’s quality when compared with, for instance, the BCU HQ 

editorial team. 

Underpriced 

From Boyd Nicholas, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. 

From Doug Cobbold. 

Have you started Canoeist on a monthly basis again? I very much 

Thanks for a brilliant edition! 

enjoyed the July 06 issue on the web. 

How can we (royal we as in ‘us out here’) support the continuing Editor’s response: I’m afraid not. Nobody is funding this. 

magazine on the web? 

I admit I was one of the paddlers less than impressed when you 

One editor to another 

made it electronic only and said I would cancel my subscription but From Tony Ford. 

your commitment and quality has won me over. 

It has been similar to watching the World Trade Centre go... I regret 

32 


that it has taken me well over a year to get round to printing the digital 

issues of Canoeist magazine and to find out the reason for its demise. I 

have been a subscriber to Canoeist and White Water just about from the 

start and have appreciated the well informed editorials and articles over 

the years, including the battle or words and frustration with the BCU. 

That aside, I would like to thank you and Becky for producing a high 

class sport magazine and feel that the award you received from the press 

for quality reporting was well deserved. 

That it has taken me well over a year to print off copies of the last 6 

issues is a fault on my part - nevertheless, belatedly, thank you for all 

the hard work and long hours you have put into Canoeist - it is well 

appreciated. 

I have also downloaded and printed the July 2006 issue of Canoeist - 

thank you for continuing the work on an ad hoc basis. 

I subscribed for a time to one of the rival ‘glossy’ UK magazines but 

discontinued when I believed it not to offer a solid base on which 

canoeing was being reported. I need say no more. 

As a matter aside, I was in Alaska again this year and led a trip of 3 

paddlers - and with my tender years was offered two jobs as sea 

kayaking guide... 

Chauffeur service 

From Andy Watt. 

What’s the password? I’s been a subscriber since WW Mag! 

(I tried just clicking ‘login’ and it informed me that it needed ‘a 

password from us to confirm that we are able to provide the car and 

service you require before booking.’) 

Saw Slime last week, chez him; he’s built a purpose built hammock 

suspension system in his back garden... Tells a story about Paul 

McKenzie bolting one to his dad’s internal walls and bringing half the 

wall down when he and Sue jumped in it... 

Awra best. 

Editor’s response: No password is needed these days. Martin, who hosts 

our website, also runs a wedding car hire business. I trust the motor proved up to 

scratch. 

The 2006 Euro slalom had massive media coverage but poor trade 

representation at the event. The French slalom and white water 

championships had 1,400 competitors with daily coverage in the 

regional paper, day one a full page general article on white water in 

Savoie while the French F1 Grand Prix, German motor bike GP and 

Fed Cup tennis got just about 1/ 2 page together and the Tour de 

France got 5 pages but with 800,000 spectators on just 15km to Alpe 

d’Huez from all around the world the next day you must give the 

coverage required by the readers, including plenty of easily 

understandable information. Daily coverage of the canoeing has 

continued at 1/ 8 to 1/ 4 page throughout the week, plus national and 

regional television coverage. It’s great to have French winners and 

losers! Often, if the French competitor comes 4th it’s difficult to find 

out who were first to third. 

All go in Liverpool 

Coke canoe 

From Gerry McCusker, Friends of Allonby Liverpool Canoe Club. From Ross Hensman. 

Friends of Allonby has had a busy few months recently as we hosted I used to be a keen reader of the Canoeist but haven’t really done 

the BCU national leagues canoe polo championships in May at our two much canoeing for a few years now; however, over the last few 

permanent pitches in Queens Dock (adjacent to Merseysport). Within a months I have been building a canoe from Coke bottles for charity 

matter of weeks we then constructed a third permanent pitch (albeit we (Harrow Mencap) and planning to paddle it down a stretch of the 

borrowed some floating goals from the BCU Polo Committee to meet Thames in August, although a bit optimistic now! The project has 

the tight timescale) and ran our 15th Merseyside international in June been fun and I have got a little wet in the process. I can’t believe the 

which was very well received by all the 41 teams at the new venue. boat actually works as well as it does although only tested on my small 

Two weeks later, at the beginning of July, we ran our 4th 12 ft pool but does seem to be stable now and handles something like a 

consecutive Paddlefest Liverpool, a free all day event for kids under 18. canoe, which is good! I’m trying to generate some interest in the 

In addition to the established events, this year we included an open boat project as I haven’t really been able to focus on this side of things 

race, a Paddles Up fun event and dragon boat races, a total of eleven owing to getting married. 

different event for the kids to try out. We had support in running the The boat is just made from Coke bottles, glue, and a ply floor to 

various events from Wirral Guides & Scouts, Runcorn Canoe Club, distribute my weight. I think it could be the first canoe ever to be 

Mersey Rowing Club, Amathus Dragon Boat Club, Merseysport and constructed in this way. 

Gareth Field (BCU Paddlesport Development Officer for the North 

West and Yorkshire). 

Going flat 

From Peter Cornes. 

Why French canoeing is much better 

I’ve just found the July 2006 issue – great work. I was really 

From Michael Bruce, Le Village, Mont de Lans, France. 

interested to read your editorial on the WWR worlds. As an 

Your title for the canoeing in France article may have been a bit occasional raft guide at Canolfan Tryweryn I got a serious dressing 

strong but probably correct. 

down from the centre manager for voicing a similar opinion on an 

Our club now has a BCU coach 3K who is working for Caterpillar internet message board. 

(USA) in Grenoble and who has found our club better for him than the Also, I spotted mention of the study into water quality in the Menai 

big Grenoble white water club he tried first and is amazed by the level Strait. There’s something else that’s happened to the strait over the last 

of two of our 8 year olds (male and female) on grade 2 and 3. I’ve ten years: the once popular Swellies wave has all but disappeared. It 

found another big group of sports shops, Go Sport, selling canoeing used to be one of the best tidal playspots in Britain but when I tried to 

gear aimed at Joe Public but their Grenoble shop also has a couple of paddle it on huge tides you couldn’t even catch it in a 3m squirt boat! 

freestyle kayaks hanging above the fishing area! Decathlon have cut Might cleaner water lead to faster kelp growth, slower tidal flows and a 

their non Joe Public range but almost certainly the 4 deaths in April in a disappearing wave? 

big weir with a strong towback (shown several times on French news) Anyway, I thought I’d let you know that Canoeist is a magazine to 

were in boats purchased at Decathlon (Sevylor WW version, £379, actually read, instead of just looking at the photos. Keep it going! 

mentioned in the last article), great timing for our spring course 

including 4 seven and eight year olds but causing little problem with 

Indian tips 

parents. 

From Anand Madhavan. 

This year the Comité Départemental du Tourisme des Hautes-Alpes I came upon your magazine by chance as I was thinking of doing a 

(area for the main rivers around Briançon and Gap) has produced a 36 canoeing/boat trip near the River Bhima in Pune, India. I liked the 

page white water and general information guide, together with a 12 mag’s stories, a very very nice read. I was wondering if you could 

page camping guide and website sites, www.eaux-vives.fr or provide me the e mail IDs of Michael Norman and Richard Stagg (the 

www.hautes-alpes.net. 

story on The Krishna River by Open Canoe) to get some tips from them. 


33

34 


Costly dead fish 

From Phil Sheardown, Canoe Adventures. 

I’ve this morning received and read the BCU’s response to the 

Brighton Uni/EA witless river access document. It fully supports your 

commentaries in Canoeist (still sadly missed) at the time. The exercise 

carries the hallmark of a costly dead fish. 

Alternative to BCU being discussed again 

From Andrew Wilkinson. 

At a recent meeting relating to the changes to the BCU coaching 

scheme and 1 to 5 Star changes Nigel Timmins said words to the effect 

that Sport England pay our salaries; what Sport England want they will 

get; the BCU membership’s interests are secondary. 

Anywhere else the resignation of the person making that statement 

that would be a forgone conclusion. 

Meetings to discuss the changes/presentations on the same are being 

time tabled with less than 6 weeks’ notice when many of those 

attending have got diaries filled 6 to 12 months in advance. 

There are, I understand, several groups looking into the 

establishment of an alternative to the BCU which would be more 

supportive of the clubs and club paddlers. 

The last I heard, someone was looking into an insurance policy to 

cover clubs and approved instructors and how to make use of 

disaffected coaches. 

Wet cut, Sir? 

From Steve Anstee, Maidstone Canoe Club. 

I am a coach at Maidstone Canoe Club; over a beer one lunchtime a 

friend and I laughingly decided to try fitting a petrol strimmer to a 

kayak! 

Guess what. It worked brilliantly. 

The feed back from our members has been hilarious. 

The flying brick 

From Paul Fessi. 

I have just returned from 2006 International Birdman Competition 

to raise money for Diabetes UK for children with diabetes. 

I have raised to date £3,380 for this event. 

As it involves chucking oneself off an 11 metre scaffold tower into 

the sea I was offered money for charity to do it in a kayak disguised as 

the flying brick. 

I work for Hanson plc as an engineering manager. 

I am a BCU White Water Coach and I thought it would be nice if 

you could include the pictures of the day to raise the profile of 

diabetes. Some of our top sportspersons have diabetes. 

We have named the photos ‘What coaches get up to when the rivers 

are dry.’

Access and passage are not necessarily permitted and safe under all conditions. 

There’s a wind on the tree, and a ship on the sea, 

Tae my hey! bonnie maidens, my twa bonnie maids! 

By the sea mullet’s nest I will watch o’er the main, 

And you’re dearly welcome tae Skye again. 

o the Norse it was 

Skuyo, the isle of 

clouds, because of 

its cloud cap. To the 

Celts it was the 

winged isle. In 

Gaelic it is Eilean 

a’ Cheo, the isle 

of mist. 77km 

long and covering 

1,740km2 T 

, it has 

over 1,600km of 

coastline yet 

nowhere is more than 8km 

from the sea. It is the largest 

of the Inner Hebrides, under 

Viking control until 1263. In 

the mid 19th century, before 

the Clearances, the 

population was 

triple its 

present level. 

It was 

opened up 

by the 

Victorians 

who brought 

the railway to 

Kyle of Lochalsh 

but it is still mostly 

Gaelic speaking and 

the Sabbath is widely 

kept, including by petrol 

stations. It is mentioned in 

more songs and poems than any other place. 

The oldest rock on Skye is the gneiss of Sleat, into 

which are intruded the dyke swarms which run 

northwest - southeast across the island. Sleat is known 

as the Garden of Skye because of its luxuriant coastal 

vegetation. 

A convenient launch point is the sheltered bay at 

The sheltered inlet at Ardvasar. 

A school of dolphins hunting in the Sound of Sleat. 

Ardvasar, near enough to the pier at Armadale to hear 

the piper welcoming visitors. There are red deer on the 

hills and oystercatchers, cormorants, blackbacked and 

herring gulls and guillemots on the water. Armadale 

Farm hosts the West Highland Heavy Horses, 

Clydesdales and a Shire. Flows in the Sound of Sleat 

run south from four hours forty minutes before Dover 

high water and north from an hour and twenty minutes 

after Dover high water to 2km/h. Views across the 

sound are to Loch Nevis and Mallaig, the first of many 

fine views. 

Isle of Skye Ceramics are tucked away in Calligarry. 

Above Tormore the flanks of 280m Sgurr nan Caorach 

are covered with Calligarry Forest. Between Port a’ 

Chùil and Port na Long is Ard Thurnish, at the back of 

which is the crofting village of Aird of Sleat with the 

watercolour gallery of Peter McDermott at the end of 

the road although a gated track does continue west 

beyond the remains of a chapel. It may be remote 

enough for a school of dolphins to be met hunting yet 

jets shatter the silence as they practice low level 

mountain runs. 

Camas Daraich is tucked in between Leir Mhaodail 

and Point of Sleat with its 7m high square white light 

tower structure. In calm conditions, such as inside 

Eilean Sgorach, the water is clear. The 

rocks are 

o f t e n 

folded and 

contorted. 

From the point 

the Cuillins come into 

view, first the Black 


Isle of Skye 

Southwest Coast 

The best 

scenery in 

Britain 

35 

NASA

36 

The Point of Sleat light tower. 

The view across the Sound of Sleat into Loch Nevis. 

Eigg and Rùm seen from Aird of Sleat. 

Cuillins to the west and then the Red Cuillins as well 

to their east. With the sun on them or a changing 

pattern of sun and clouds there is no better view in 

Britain. Moving north brings them ever closer. The 

Black Cuillins with their jagged crown of peaks consist 

of 50,000,000 year old gabbro with plutonic intrusions, 

elsewhere only found in northern Norway. The Red 

Cuillins are more rounded granite with acid plutonic 

intrusions, often looking more white than red. This is 

the incomparable backdrop to this route. Also visible 

are various combinations of the Small Isles to the west. 

Beyond Rubha Charn nan Cearc is a small bay 

where the rocks are covered with soft green weed and 

separated by sand. At the back of the bay a waterfall 

tumbles down the hillside to drop off a shelf at waist 

height. 

During his circumnavigation of Scotland Brian 

Wilson became hypothermic in difficult conditions, 

landed at Inver Dalavil, the mouth of the Allt a’ 

Ghlinne, and slept in a cave with vivid dreams for 

twelve hours until he recovered. 

249m Sgurr Breac separates this from the next inlet, 

Tarskavaig Bay, where a heron may fish amongst the 

wrack. Islets litter the coast from Tarskavaig Point, at 

the back of Camas Daraich the remains of a wooden 

boat which came to grief on them. 

In weed and skerries off Tarskavaig Point. 

First sight of the Cuillins, the Black Cuillins to the left and the Red to the right. 


Looking from Camas Daraich into Loch Eishort.

Flows in Loch Eishort are ingoing from an hour and 

twenty minutes after Dover high water and outgoing 

from four hours forty minutes before Dover high 

water but flows are weak. 

Overlooking Ob Guascavaig is Dunsgaith, the castle 

of gloom, ruined but well preserved with a 

drawbridge. This is one of the longest fortified 

headlands in the Hebrides, the home of the 

MacDonalds from the 15th century until 1570, when 

they moved to Duntulm. The site had been home to 

the legendary Queen of Skye, Scathach, who taught 

warfare to the 3rd century Irish hero Cuchulainn and 

who had ramparts protected by an iron palisade with 

severed heads, then a pit of poisonous snakes and then 

a collection of beaked toads. He beat them all then 

married Bragela, the lonely sunbeam of Dunscaith, and 

the large Clach Luath stone is where he tied his dog 

after hunting. He then left to defend Ulster against the 

Vikings but was killed and Dunscaith became a ruin. 

The present castle was built in a night by a witch. A 

young MacDonald daughter, married in the castle to a 

MacLeod against her wishes, fed her two sons to her 

husband and father in law. In 1506 Donald the 

Stranger, the chief of the MacDonalds of Sleat, was 

stabbed by his illegitimate brother while inspecting a 

galley being built on the beach. 

By comparison, the fort on Eilean Ruaridh seems to 

have been a much more placid and straightforward 

place. Fishermen in oilskins turn out to be cormorants 

perched on yellow rocks and the water contains 

nothing worse than seals. 

Above Inver Aulavaig has notable woods on the 

flanks of 257m Sgiath-bheinn Chrossavaig. The village 

of Ord is conspicuous, if not the remains of Teampuill 

Chaon. Eilean Dubh and other islets add interest to 

further progress up Loch Eishort. 

The north side of the loch rises to 278m Beinn 

Bhuidhe although 195m Carn Dearg is only 300m 

from the shore so the coast falls steeply with waterfalls, 

not that it seems to cause any problems for rabbits. 

Rubha Suisnish brings the unexciting Calaman Cave 

and Stac Suisnish, which appears to have collapsed. It 

also brings a view up Loch Slapin into the heart of the 

Red Cuillins, from which violent winds often gust 

fiercely. Gannets are used to the conditions and dive 

for fish, regardless. 

Clouds cap the peaks of the Red Cuillins as the wind blasts out 

of Loch Slapin. 

A stream tumbles onto the beach by Rubha Charn nan Cearc. 

On the Strathaird peninsula Nead an Fhir-eion rises 

to 334m and Ben Meabost to 345m. Dùn Ringill 

stands by the shore, backed by woods which front 


Cliff formations on the Glasnakille coast. 

Guide 

37

Guide 

38 

Kirkibost and Kilmarie, which was home to the 

Mackinnon chiefs, Abhainn Cille Mhaire discharging 

through a sheltered estuary. A graveyard, cemetery and 

the remains of a dun are located around the woods. 

Wild raspberries, small but full of flavour, grow along 

the shoreline. Castle Keep produces hand forged 

swords, knives and dirks and Duncan House is where 

Garth Duncan produces traditional knives and Celtic 

jewellery in gold, silver and platinum. 

There is another tomb near the remains of Dùn 

Liath and, before Dùn Grugaig, the Spar Cave which 

has many stalactites. 

Columns forming on the Glasnakille coast. 

Beyond Rubha na h-Easgainne and Eilean na h- 

Airde is Port an Luig Mhòir with a notable cave. 

Prince Charles’s Cave is where the Pretender hid on 

5th July 1746 before leaving for Mallaig, his final 

departure from the island with which he is so closely 

associated. 

Suidhe Biorach with Sgurr Alasdair rising behind. 


Cliffs beyond Suidhe Biorach. Note the cow. 

Rounding Suidhe Biorach brings into view the 

spread of the Black Cuillins, their frost shattered peaks 

separated by corries and cliffs to their 990m rock 

crown. They are best seen by the general public from 

Elgol at the end of the single track B8083. In the past, 

infertile couples came not for the view but to drink 

the water of a near by well and invoke the well’s 

guardian spirit to make them fertile. Operating from 

the jetty is the Bella Jane, said to offer Scotland’s only 5 

star boat trip, to Loch Coruisk. 

Weak flows into Loch Scavaig begin an hour and 

twenty minutes after Dover high water and flow out 

from four hours forty minutes before Dover high 

water. More important are the sudden and violent 

gusts off 895m Gars-bleinn which drive clouds of spray 

and a considerable sea, especially near the head of the 

loch, but are quickly past, leaving calm conditions. 

The compass is also unreliable in this area but it should 

not be hard to identify Camas Fhionnairigh with the 

Abhainn Camas Fhionnairigh flowing into it, Loch 

nan Leacd and Loch na Cuilce with the Scavaig River 

flowing into it from glaciated Loch Coruisk, perhaps 

the most evocative place in Europe. The climb from 

The best view in Britain. The Black Cuillins rise in a swe

Camas Fhionnairigh with Bla Bheinn on the right. 

Loch na Cuilce and Loch nan Leachd lead in to the Scavaig River which runs down from Loch Coruisk. 

p above Loch Scavaig with Sgurr na Stri in the centre. 

Isle of Skye - Southwest Coast Guide 

Soay Sound with Soay on the left and Ulfhart Point on the right. 


39

Guide 

40 

Loch Coruisk to the top of 965m Sgurr a Ghreadaidh 

is one of the longest in Britain but the views from the 

top reach to St Kilda. Sgurr Alasdair was first climbed 

in 1873. Botanists will find this the only British 

location of alpine rock cress. Porpoises may be found 

in Loch Scavaig. 

Soay Sound to the north of Soay has continuous 

westerly flow. With clear conditions it is possible to 

see perhaps 10m down onto sea urchins amongst the 

variety of bootlace and other seaweeds and much less 

to the striking varieties of jellyfish floating through. 

Beyond the Cuillins the western half of the island is 

a very large basic lava plateau. The peaks drop away 

dramatically with Cnoc Leathan at 171m and Ceann 

na Beinne at 225m although the shoreline is still steep. 

Allt na Meacnaish drops down a long waterfall into a 

small pool deep enough for swimming, a refreshing 

way of removing the salt on a hot day. There are also 

caves near by. 

Atlantic grey seals collect at Sgeir Mhòr and the 

The Allt na Meacnaish falls down into a deep pool.. 


Rock sculptures along the north side of Soay Sound. 

Eigg, Rùm and Canna seen across Sgeir M

hòr from the dun on Rubh’ an Dùnain. 

The strange landlocked Loch na h-Airde by Rubh’ an Dùnain. 

Looking north from Rubh’ an Dùnain across the end of Loch Brittle. 


Guide 

41

Guide Isle of Skye - Southwest Coast 

Looking up Loch Brittle past Creag Mhòr towards the Black Cuillins. 

remains of crabs suggest it is a feeding area for other 

wildlife. Rubh’ an Dùnain has long proved of interest 

with a horned chambered cairn underground dwelling 

and other cairn and cave activity. A galleried dun was 

used by the MacAskills, the Lieutenants of the Coast, 

to watch out for storms and for attacks by Clan Ranald 

from the Small Isles on behalf of the MacLeods, who 

stationed galleys on the landlocked Loch na h-Airde in 

order to have them quickly available. The Small Isles 

are visible from the Point of Sleat onwards but the 

view from here is as good as from anywhere. 

Camas a’ Mhûrain is the start of Loch Brittle, where 

the intruders from the Small Isles these days are white 

tailed sea eagles, larger than the local golden eagles, 

which tend to perform their aerobatics when there is 

enough wind. Foxes are also present. 

The view up the loch is to the Cuillins again. These 

offer some of Britain’s best climbing and Glen Brittle is 

the main climbing centre on Skye. It is surprising how 

many different superlative views there are of the 

Cuillins from the water. 

Stac an Tuill with Stac a’ Mheadais just visible beyond. 

42 

The Cuillins again, this time above Loch Eynort. 


Magnificent 150m cliffs, some of the best basaltic 

coast cliffs there are, follow to Loch Bracadale with 

lava flows and sills so that they look like stratified 

rocks. Southerly or southwesterly winds can produce a 

lot of swell. Flows are northwestwards from an hour 

and twenty minutes after Dover high water and 

southeastwards from four hours forty minutes before 

Dover high water to 2km/h. The highest point on this 

peninsula is 435m An Cruachan. Rubha Theama Sgurr 

is the noticeable projection from the cliffs, perhaps as 

the result of rockfalls, but the unique feature is Stac an 

Tuill, shaped like a handbell but with a hole through 

the middle. 

Stac a’ Mheadais beyond Loch Eynort. 

A cave by Stac a’ Mheadais, one of many on this coast.

Surprisingly powerful waterfall near Sgurr nam Fiadh. 

Isle of Skye - Southwest Coast Guide 

Striking cliffscape below Ben Scaalan. 

Loch Eynort suffers from swells from the west and has 

fierce squalls as a result of northerly winds. Most of 

Glen Brittle Forest grows along its eastern shore. 

The next section of cliff to 280m is topped by 445m 

Beinn Bhreac and 347m Prashel Beg, mostly near 

vertical cliff but with some unusual green pyramid 

shapes at one point. There are also some dramatic 

waterfalls. Added to an afternoon cold power shower is 

the image of a complete circular rainbow. 

The squat Stac a’ Mheadais looks like a Martello 

Tower or a dun. Just before it are two caves. The first is 

low with just the crumps of a striking waves. The other 

is long and high, however, with waves breaking on a 

rock beach at the far end. About a third of the way back 

it is wide enough to turn a sea kayak. In the afternoon 

the sunlight shines in and the lighter colour at the top of 

the cave takes on an eerie green appearance, as if lit 

from some source further back in the cave. 

Approaching Talisker Point with Rubha Cruinn beyond. 


More speliology before Talisker Bay. 

43

Guide Isle of Skye - Southwest Coast 

FACT FILE 

Distance 

From Ardvasar to Fiskavaig is 82km. 

Transport 

There is no public transport. 

Campsites 

There are campsites at Morar, Upper Breakish, 

Skulamus, Bualintur and Kilmuir. 

Youth Hostels 

There are youth hostels at Armadale, 

Broadford and Glenbrittle. 

OS 1:50,000 Sheets 

32 South Skye & Cuillin Hills 

39 Rùm, Eigg, Muck & Canna 

Admiralty Charts 

1795 The Little Minch (1:100,000) 

2208 Mallaig to Canna Harbour (1:50,000) 

Tidal Constants 

Mallaig: Dover - 5 hrs 

Bay of Laig: Dover - 5 hrs 

Camas nan Gall: HW Dover - 4 hrs 50 mins, 

LW Dover - 4 hrs 40 mins 

L Harport: HW Dover - 5 hrs, LW, Dover - 4 

hrs 50 mins 

Forecasts 

Marinecall: Ardnamurchan - Cape Wrath, 

09014 737 474 

Sea Area: Hebrides 

Submarine Areas 

Sleat, Eigg, Rhum, Canna, Bracadale 

Lifeboats 

All Weather: Mallaig, Portree 

Maritime Rescue Sub Centre 

Stornoway, 01851 702013/4 

44 

Preshal More towers above Talisker Bay. 

Further up the coast are more 

caves, both the submerged kind 

which produce internal gurglings 

from deep inside and the kind which 

can be explored by kayak. One has 

two entrances. 

Talisker Bay, backed by 416m 

Stockval, is used for surfing but has a 

steep boulder beach and a notice 

banning vehicles from the last 

kilometre of track. This suits naturists 

who appreciate the privacy. 

The Talisker distillery, the only one 

on Skye, was begun by Kenneth 

MacAskill of Talisker House but it 

was later moved to Fiskavaig and 

then, in 1830, to Carbost. 

The 90m waterfall on the north 

side of the bay is one of the best coastal falls in 

Scotland and is to be followed by more of the same. 

Lava flows 2 - 12m thick give a stratified appearance. 

Around Rubha Cruinn there is a channel inside all 

the reefs, so uniform in shape that it could almost 

have been cut. Below 253m Beinn nan Dubh-lochan 

the cliffs are only about 6m high but then they soar 

back to full height from the overhanging Rubha nan 

Clach. 

Caves might be expected to face the open sea but 

one of the ones before Gob na h-Oa faces northwest 

with the appearance of a mineshaft entrance. 

Fiskavaig Bay offers a fairly reliable sandy landing 

beach, facing north northwest with the open sea to 

the southwest and, if necessary, the mouth of the 

Fiskavaig Burn on the west side of the bay providing 

an even more sheltered landing, albeit with a more 

difficult walk out. 

Fiskavaig Bay offers a sheltered landing. Beyond is Oronsay. 


Do you know 

Early Scottish descents 

I am working (volunteering) with the SCA. 

One of the things that I am doing at the moment, apart from 

organizing the Andy Jackson weekend, is researching a ‘history of 

Scottish kayaking, including early and first descents of Scottish rivers’! 

To that end I received the following from Dave Manby... 

‘Years ago, I mean when I was at school, I remember seeing an 

article in White Water Magazine about a high water trip on the upper 

Clyde. It had some pretty impressive for the time photos and sounded 

like cutting edge stuff. Now I think that Stuart Fisher would have 

copies of all the old White Water Magazines because Canoeist 

incorporated White Water. I would think the article would be around 

1970 - 71, certainly not after 1972, by which time I was at university.’ 

Now, that is a resource that I did not even know existed! 

Is there any way that I can get access to the relevant Scottish articles? 

There were certainly some from Canoeist as well. I remember one that 

Chris Dickinson wrote about running a river near Eilean Donan Castle 

as a first exploratory descent! 

Neil Farmer 

I have a full set of White Water/Canoeist magazines from the start in 

1953 but have been editor only since August 1975. Glancing at copies from 

Unidentified competitor and the editor in the 1970 Clyde Race. 


1967 to 1972 inclusive I cannot see anything which fits the bill. I wonder if 

Dave is recalling the 1970 Clyde WWR which was in high spate (grade 5). 

The March 1970 issue of Canoeing magazine carried a short article and 3 

pictures and a slightly different photograph appeared with a short item in the 

April 1970 Scots Magazine. White Water did not carry photos until 1975 

although I do have 6 photographs from the race, including ones which were used 

by both of these magazines. 

You are probably looking for Chris Dickinson’s On Foot to the River Ling 

in the Oct 1998 Canoeist, still available at £2.50 inc P&P. 

Getting the picture in Hereford 

I would really like to take some photos of canoeists in my area. I 

will soon be moving to Hereford and I was wondering if you could 

tell me what (if any) events are on in that area. 

Andy Cole 

I suggest you contact the local clubs. 

Hereford Canoe Club, 01432 270341, are primarily competitive, especially 

marathon and sprint. 

Hereford County Canoe Club, 01989 563740, are primarily recreational. 

East Anglian guide 

I am trying to track down a copy of the publication Canoe Touring in 

East Anglia which was produced by the BCU, East Anglian Tourist 

Board and Sports Council in about 1986. It was about A5 size when 

folded and unfolded to an A1 size map with lots of text around it. 

I have tried all the people involved in producing it and the 

publishers, none of whom has a copy left. (They were all very helpful 

and tried to find one for me with the notable exception of BCU 

Supplies who told me they had ‘never heard of it’ and did not offer to 

try to find out about it!) 

I was wondering if you had any copies 

left from when you used to sell publications 

in Canoeist or if you knew of someone who 

might have one. 

Boyd Nicholas 

It was published by Imray Laurie Norie & 

Wilson with the Sports Council and East 

Anglia Tourist Board (last edition 1986) and 

reviewed in our Nov 82 and Jan 91 issues. 

Imrays say that it went out of stock about 2000. 

I regret we do not have any spare copies here. 

Does any reader have a copy surplus to 

requirements? 

Yorkshire coaching courses 

I am looking to do a Canoe Coach Level 1 and a Kayak Coach 

Level 2 training course. 

Do you know of any courses in Yorkshire/the north in the near 

future. 

Nick Hardaker 

The BCU regional coaching officer for Yorkshire is Ian Scott, 07961 

815038. 

Slalom 59 value 

I have a Klepper Slalom 59 folding kayak that has been stored in my 

loft for 40 years and I wondered if it has any value. If you feel it has, I 

will happily auction it off to the highest donation to McMillan Nurses, 

provided a sensible reserve is set (to be advised by yourselves, please). 

Keith Howell 

It will depend on its condition, particularly the state of the canvas. There are 

a small number of enthusiasts after such craft. An auction might not prove 

practical and it might be better to invite offers. It would be worth contacting the 

Historic Canoe & Kayak Association, 48 Russell Way, Higham Ferrers 

NN10 8EJ. Readers wishing to express interest should contact 

keithhowell@tesco.net. 

45

End to End 

RECORD SMASHED BY 3 DAYS 

THE DAILY SCHEDULE 

Day 1 

Land’s End to just south of Bristol (185 miles) 

Day 2 

South of Bristol to Bala (190 miles) 

Kayak and swim Bala (5 miles) 

Day 3 

Bike from Bala to Snowdon (35 miles) 

Run up and down Snowdon 

Snowdon to Liverpool (85 miles) 

Day 4 

Liverpool to Newby Bridge (80 miles) 

Kayak and swim Windermere (11 miles) 

Ambleside to Seathwaite (35 miles) 

46 

Keith Longney (Kendal) and I (Windermere) supported by Martin 

Richardson (Askam in Furness) and Claire Longney (Kendal) smashed 

the End to End Quadrathlon record by some three days in September. 

The End to End epic involved cycling from Land’s End to John o’ 

Groats together with running up Snowdon, Scafell and Ben Nevis and 

also paddling Bala Lake, Windermere and Loch Lomond, finally 

swimming the last mile in each lake. 

We managed to complete the challenge in 6 days 17 hours, 

smashing the record by over 3 days whilst also just beating our own 

target of 7 days. 

We had favourable weather conditions so vital for the mountain and 

kayak sections of the challenge. The only exception was Snowdon 

where driving rain reduced visibility to two yards and made progress 

slow. 

Apart from a few minor setbacks such as choosing the wrong route 

from Welshpool to Bala (going over the hills instead of round), briefly 

loosing our satnav in Bristol, having to paddle and swim Bala in the 

dark and Peter falling off his bike in Glasgow, everything went 

smoothly. 

Our hardest day and make or break day regarding our seven day 

attempt was day six. This involved cycling 35 miles through Glasgow 

at 2 in the morning, paddling and swimming the 22 miles of Loch 

Lomond, cycling 65 miles to Fort William and then finally running up 

and down Ben Nevis. Once day six was complete we knew the seven 

days was within our grasp. 

For the kayak sections of the challenge we had given a great deal of 

thought to which kayaks to take, bearing in mind the different natures 

and sizes of the three lakes. In the end we decided to pass on the two 

man and went for the more flexible combination of the Kirton 

Talisman and the Kirton Tor with Loch Lomond always in our minds; 

we had to press on whatever the conditions. 

Day 5 

Run up and down Scafell 

Seathwaite to south of Glasgow (150 miles) 

Day 6 

South of Glasgow through to Loch Lomond 

(35 miles) 

Kayak and swim Loch Lomond (22 miles) 

Loch Lomond to Fort William (65 miles) 

Run up and down Ben Nevis 

Day 7 

Ben Nevis to John o’ Groats (185 miles) 


Bala proved to be very choppy for a small lake with quite a strong 

wind blowing but the night paddle was over in just over 20 minutes. 

On Windermere, our home lake, conditions were ideal apart from a 

10minute section just before Ferry Nab where a strong wind 

combined with a mad cruiser captain gave us huge chop from every 

possible direction. Fortunately, conditions calmed once we passed the 

halfway point of the 12 mile paddle and we finished in just under 2 

hours. 

Loch Lomond, the longest of the lakes by far and also the widest, 22 

miles long and 3 miles wide, could have delayed our progress greatly. 

However, although there was a strong headwind, which put 20 

minutes onto our kayak time of 4 hours 20 minutes, we were relieved 

we could relax whilst paddling straight into the chop. The three lakes 

had been kind to us. 

The importance of a good back up team in an endurance attempt of 

this nature is vital; without them the record wouldn’t have come 

home to Cumbria. 

The record breaking End to End epic has also been successful in 

raising money for cancer research. Anyone wishing to donate or gain 

more information on the challenge go to 

www.westmorlandquadratheletes.com. 

Peter Hart 


47 

Keith Longney photographs

Slalom 

Scots collect medals 

World Championships 

A personal best silver 

medal for Fiona Pennie in 

the women’s K1 rounded off 

a fantastic weekend for GB 

canoeing at the slalom world 

championships in Prague. 

The competition saw the 

best paddlers in the world 

battle for medals in the Czech Republic (between 2nd and 6th 

August). 

Scottish born Pennie, a Loughborough graduate living in 

Nottingham, produced two clean runs in the women’s K1 to record 

her best performance in international championships and claim her first 

medal with a time of 227.41 seconds. 

She was understandably delighted with her performance. 

‘After finishing 7th at the Europeans earlier this month I knew if I 

trained hard and held it together on the day that I could challenge for a 

medal. Obviously I am delighted that I managed to do it.’ 

Joining Pennie in the WK1 class was 19 year old Lizzie Neave, who 

competed confidently and precisely, finishing in 29th position, a good 

performance for her first year in the senior team and one that 

demonstrates she is recovering well from a recent shoulder injury. 

Pennie’s silver was probably the highlight of a highly successful 

weekend for British paddling with three medals won in total. 

In the men’s K1, Olympic Silver medallist Campbell Walsh 

produced a fantastic second run of 1 minute 40.82 seconds which saw 

him move up from 10th to 3rd position in the final to take a bronze 

medal. Scottish born Walsh charged to the top in the qualifying round 

but in the semi finals, slipped to 10th position and only just scraped 

through to the next round in a time of 103.96. However, Walsh, 

determined to finish the season on a high, competed as if his life 

depended on it and put in a fantastic clean final run, a whole 3 seconds 

faster than his first run (100.82) and grabbed the bronze medal (only 

0.3 of a second behind Billaut (Fra) and 2.76 sec behind Cipressi (Ita)). 

The 28 year old, who lives and trains in Nottingham and who has a 

string of titles to his name (World Cup champion (2004), 5 times 

World Cup winner, British champion (2005) and Olympic silver 

medallist (2004)), has proved that he still has the ability to perform 

when it counts. Also in the K1 category, the current UK champion, 

Richard Hounslow, came in 15th place in a time of 104.87, a truly 

impressive position for his debut at international competition. 

There was also success for the GB trio of Dave Florence (gold 

medallist in this season’s Augsburg World Cup 2), Stuart McIntosh and 

Dan Goddard, who claimed bronze in the men’s C1 team event. Great 

Britain came 3rd behind Germany and the Czech Republic. 

In the C2 category Stuart Bowman & Nick Smith came 7th and 

Tim Baillie & Etienne Stott 8th. 

John Anderson, performance director, commented ‘Before we came 

to the championships we were confident in our capability to deliver 

medal across all of the four classes. We have come here and proved our 

ability to perform by winning 3 medals across two of the classes.’ 

Congratulations to all athletes! 


K1W: 1 J Dukátová, Slovensko, 224.09. 2 F Pennie, GB, 227.41. 3 J Bongardt, Deutschland, 

229.29. K1M: 1 S Cipressi, Italia, 202.02. 2 J Billaut, France, 204.49. 3 C Walsh, GB, 204.78. 

15 R Hounslow, GB. C1: 1 T Estanguet, France, 207.69. 2 M Martikán, Slovensko, 209.00. 

3 S Jezek, Ceská, 211.01. 8 D Florence, GB, 214.70. 10 S McIntosh, GB, 222.83. 

C2: 1 Volf/Stepánek, Ceská, 224.67. 2 Becker/Henze, Deutschland, 226.86. 

3 Hochschorner/Hochschorner, Slovensko, 229.84. 7 Bowman/Smith, GB, 238.03. 8 Baillie/Stott, 

GB, 243.65. K1WT: 1 France, 264.87. 2 Ceská, 265.88. 3 Deutschland, 268.85. 12 GB, 333.33. 

K1MT: 1 France, 223.51. 2 Italia, 229.52. 3 Polska, 230.72. 12 GB, 247.03. 

C1T: 1 Deutschland, 233.24. 2 Ceská, 237.68. 3 GB, 245.51. C2T: 1 Ceská, 253.90. 2 

Deutschland, 261.90. 3 Slovensko, 269.93. 

48 


Blakeman just outside medals 

European Championships 

The European slalom 

championships held in 

l’Argentière la Bessée, 

France, resulted in mixed 

emotions for the GB team 

over 30th June - 2nd July. 

In the women’s K1 class 

Fiona Pennie and 

Nottingham’s Laura 

Blakeman raced their way to 

the top ten in the finals. 

Blakeman was the star of the 

team, putting in an 

outstanding performance, placed 9th in a semi final and turned it 

round with an excellent final run performance of 117.28 (a pace of 

second run only beaten by winner Kaliska (SVK), 116.62) and jumped 

to 4th place overall, just outside the medals! Fiona Pennie took 7th 

place and the WK1 ended with Kaliska 1st, Bongardt (GER) 2nd and 

Pichery (FRA) 3rd. Unfortunately, third GB team member Lizzie 

Neave did not compete owing to a shoulder injury just before the 

slalom. 

In the C2 class Tim Baillie/Etienne Stott finished a respectable 10th 

in the finals. However, the final run didn’t match their morning’s 

performance (7th placing) and they will be looking forward to 

strengthen this part of their performance in the Prague world 

championships. France took a home gold with Forgit/Braud receiving 

big applause as their winning result appeared on the display. The 

Hochschorners (SVK) took silver and Simon/Simon (GER) bronze. 

In the K1 men’s class Olympic silver medallist Campbell Walsh did 

not make the finals. Team member Richard Hounslow finished 17th 

(108.83) and put in a sound clean run less than two seconds away from 

qualifying. Andy Hadfield was 35th (115.48). 

Senior coach Richard Lee was upbeat about performances, ‘A good 

weekend with six personal bests for team paddlers at championships 

and just ever so close to achieving a medal. We are now looking 

forward to hard work in the approaching world championships’. 

In C1 there will be some disappointment as all 3 GB athletes are 

capable of making finals. Dan Goddard was 17th in 117.66 clean, 

having given away two seconds on gate 20. Augsburg World Cup 

winner David Florence was 14th in a time of 116.80. ‘Good top and 

middle, lost time on the bottom section ups,’ commented coach Mark 

Delaney on Florence’s performance. Stuart McIntosh, a 2005 

European bronze medallist, had to settle for 11th just out of the finals, 

a good clean run but still five seconds off gold pace. The final resulted 

in yet another home nation win for their favourite, Estanguet (FRA), 

Martikan (SVK) 2nd and Indruch (CZE) 3rd. 


K1W: 1 E Kaliska, Slovensko, 237.11 2 J Bongardt, Deutschland, 238.34. 3 M Pichery, France, 

238.86. 4 L Blakeman, GB, 240.88. 7 F Pennie, GB, 243.34. K1M: 1 F Doerfler, Deutschland, 

211.61. 2 E Pfannmoeller, Deutschland, 212.09. 3 D Paolini, Italia, 212.73. C1: 1 T Estanguet, 

France, 221.24. 2 M Martikan, Slovensko, 224.82. 3 T Indruch, Ceska, 225.96. 

C2: 1 Braud/Forgit, France, 237.51. 2 Hochschorner/Hochschorner, Slovensko, 237.91. 

3 Simon/Simon, Deutschland, 238.73. 10 Baillie/Stott, GB, 250.27. K1MT: 1 Slovenija, 241.14. 

2 Polska, 242.41. 3 Deutschland, 242.85. 9 GB, 251.39. C1T: 1 Deutschland, 123.97. 2 France, 

124.44. 3 Ceska, 126.39. 8 GB, 135.74. C2T: 1 Deutschland, 265.50. 2 France, 269.69. 

3 Ceska, 271.5. 6 GB, 293.23. 

British collect two medals 

European Under 23 & Junior Championships 

Great Britain’s Mark 

Proctor won a bronze medal 

at the Under 23 & Junior 


held at Holme Pierrepont, 

Nottingham, over 24 – 27th 

August. The C1 paddler 

raced to third place in the 

junior event in a time of 

203.21; he came behind Grzegorz Hedwigpol, Pol, who won the 

event in a time of 199.79. 

Proctor was not the only one to bag a medal. The women raced to 

win a silver medal in the team event. Lizzie Neave, Claire Harrower

Chloe Nelson-Lawrie photographs 

Lizzie Neave and Mark Proctor on 

course at Holme Pierrepont. 

and Louise Donnington stormed 2nd place in a time of 243.15. The 

winners were Germany, who won in a time of 231.01s. 

It has been eleven years since major canoe slalom championships 

were hosted in Great Britain but, with London being chosen to host 

the 2012 Olympics, all is changing. More than 250 slalom canoeists 

from over 20 countries across Europe descended on the National 

Water Sports Centre in Nottingham to compete in this key event of 

the calendar. 

Come and try it sessions were also available for those who wanted to 

give slalom a go themselves. 

Thank you to the sponsors, Lace Market Properties, EPM 

Technology and Northfield Construction, for their support. 

Also, thank you to all the volunteers who helped put on a well 

organized event! 


K1WJ: 1 K Kudejová, Ceská, 216.21. 2 S Blazková, Ceská, 218.41. 3 U Kragelj, Slovenija, 

218.76. 13 A Spencer, GB. 16 S Chynoweth, GB. 19 H Burgess, GB. K1WU23: 1 J Dukatová, 

Slovensko, 197.73. 2 M Pfeifer, Deutschland, 204.00. 3 D Utz, Deutschland, 209.08. 5 L Neave, 

GB, 211.30. 11 L Donington, GB. 18 C Harrower, GB. K1MJ: 1 J Vondra, Ceská, 186.27. 

2 L Delfour, France, 189.51. 3 M Polaczyk, Polska, 192.10. 11 T Jones, GB. 14 J Akinyemi, GB. 

K1MU23: 1 P Kauzer, Slovenija, 179.52. 2 D Popiela, Polska, 180.16. 3 D Molmenti, Italia, 

180.33. 15 A Marshall, GB. 20 G Hitchen, GB. C1J: 1 G Hedwig, Polska, 199.79. 2 D Bartos, 

Polska, 200.35. 3 M Proctor, GB, 203.21. 7 G Pitt, GB, 210.68. 19 P Hall, GB. C1U23: 1 A 

Slafkovsky, Slovensko, 192.08. 2 N Peschier, France, 193.43. 3 C Tsakmakis, Ellás, 195.40. 

6 C Radmore, GB, 199.67. 9 D Goddard, GB, 204.01. C2J: 1 Gotvald/Vlcek, Ceská, 221.79. 

2 Biso/Picco, France, 226.42. 3 Del Rey/Grandmange, France, 226.65. C2U23: 1 Kucera/Batik, 

Slovensko, 201.01. 2 Voyemant/Troquenet, France, 204.38. 3 Vlcek/Hammer, Ceská, 208.78. 5 

Florence/Marshall, GB, 210.85. K1WT: 1 Deutschland, 231.01. 2 GB, 243.15. 3 France, 244.43. 

British slalom to be rethought 

The Slalom Committee have se up a review to rethink from first 

principles how slalom should be provided in Britain. It would be good 

to see the suggestions include the excellent discussion paper produced 

by Dave Crosbee (Jan 03, p52), currently gathering dust on a shelf 

somewhere. 

Ironbridge Slalom 

Sat: K1W2: 1 R Maulin, Cheltenham, 122. 2 R Cammack, Llandysul, 126. 3 S Evans, Llandysul, 

129. K1M2: 1 R Ffrancon, Bala, 102. 2 N Kent, Frome, 112. 3 F Wondre, Falcon, 113. 

K1MV2/3: 1 M Broadhurst, 104. 2 D Swift, Proteus, 128. 3 S Postle, 138. 

C2.2/3: 1 Rooks/Nash, Sutton Bingham Hotties, 130. 2 Lazarus/Roberts, Bala, 150. 3 Moss/Moss, 

Green Star, 157. Sun: K1W2: 1 S Evans, Llandysul, 134. 2 D Creese, 136. 3 R Cammack, 

Llandysul, 136. K1W3: 1 A Turner, Salisbury, 168. 2 L Paddock, Manchester, 310. 3 R Bradshaw, 

Manchester, 526. K1M2: 1 N Kent, Frome, 119. 2 T Blackwell, Maesteg, 119. 3 S Lazarus, Bala, 

122. K1M3: 1 P ap Llyr Edwards, Bala, 128. 2 G Young, Telford, 137. 3 D Wright, Stafford & 

Stone, 139. K1MV2/3: 1 D Radmore, Cool Blue, 118. 2 M Broadhurst, 119. 3 D Swift, Proteus, 

143. C2.2/3: 1 Rooks/Nash, Sutton Bingham Hotties, 144. 2 Lazarus/Roberts, Bala, 163. 

3 Moss/Moss, Green Star, 177. 

Marple Slalom 

K1W3: 1 L Paddock, Manchester, 172. 2 J Arter, Lower Wharfe, 185. 3 A Hawkins, Sheffield, 187. 

K1W4: 1 A Neale, Leeds, 186. 2 K Paddock, Manchester, 197. 3 E Neale, Leeds, 218. 

K1M3: 1 M Jones, Warrington, 143. 2 A Roberts, Bala, 154. 3 J Dempsey, Leeds, 158. 

K1M4: 1 T Rawlings, Manchester, 159. 2 M Vaudry, Ribble, 165. 3 A Kelly, Manchester, 167. 

K1V2: 1 M Broadhurst, 130. C1.3: 1 J Abbott, Mold, 170. 2 J Shaw, Ribble, 174. 

C1.4: 1 T Roberts, Bala, 176. 2 T Cook, Kingston, 218. 3 H Davies, Bala, 226. 

C2.3: 1 Abbott/Davies, Bala, 183. 2 Davies/Davies, Bala, 205. C2.4: 1 Roberts/Roberts, Bala, 

206. 2 Pinder/Pinder, Kingston, 281. 3 Roberts/Roberts, Bala, 290. Off: 1 M Renshaw, 

Manchester, 120. 2 A Burgess, Stafford & Stone, 127. 3 D Bradshaw, Manchester, 128. 


Bala Slalom 

K1WPC: 1 K Walsh, Scotland, 175.75. 2 L Donnington, England, 193.87. 3 M Patrick, England, 

195.54. 4 H Burgess, England, 196.71. 5 A Matthews, Wales, 203.53. 6 S Chynoweth, Wales, 

204.89. 7 V Richards, Wales, 205.97. 8 C Kimberley, England, 216.12. 9 K Kent, England, 219.55. 

10 K Dixon, England, 220.32. K1W1: 1 K Dixon, Holme Pierrepont, 110.87. 2 A Greenwood, 

Bradford & Bingley, 112.63. 3 M Franklin, Shepperton, 112.78. K1W2: 1 R Cammack, Llandysul, 

136.63. 2 S Evans, Llandysul, 138.63. 3 D Creese, 150.32. K1MPC: 1 H Swetnam, England, 

167.77. 2 T Wakeling, Wales, 168.05. 3 G Hitchin, England, 170.20. 4 A Marshall, Scotland, 

170.31. 5 A Cardy, England, 173.64. 6 R Neave, England, 175.44. 7 T Power, Wales, 176.06. 

8 E Kay, Scotland, 178.75. 9 J Akinyemi, England, 180.25. 10 B Richardson, Yat, 181.64. 

K1M1: 1 B Richardson, Yat, 90.58. 2 J Clarke, Stafford & Stone, 92.90. 3 S Taylor, Bradford & 

Bingley, 94.76. K1M2: 1 T Blackwell, Maesteg, 118.62. 2 J Royle, River Gods, 120.43. 3 M 

Shaughnessy, Manchester, 124.77. K1MV2/3: 1 M Broadhurst, 113.65. 2 D Radmore, 123.23. 

C1PC: 1 M Proctor, England, 175.93. 2 G Pitt, England, 182.77. 3 P Hall, England, 200.92. 

4 J Hammond, England, 208.91. 5 T Quinn, England, 211.18. 6 G Wells, Wales, 212.20. 7 A 

Jones, Wales, 214.24. 8 G Wilson, Advanced Success, 214.66. 9 M Wilkinson, England, 223.18. 

10 R Davies, Wales, 243.36. C1.1: 1 G Tatchell, Stafford & Stone, 101.73. 2 A Burgess, Stafford & 

Stone, 102.59. 3 C Rouch, St Albans, 103.38. C1.2: 1 Z Franklin, Shepperton, 109.27. 2 G 

Mockler, Green Star, 164.33. C2PC: 1 Roden/Roden, England, 209.02. 2 Wilson/Wilson, Wales, 

214.98. 3 Farrow/Walker, Wales, 469.83. C2P/1: 1 Buckingham/Buckingham, Viking, 146.87. 

2 Green/Green, 521.41. C2.2/3: 1 Franklin/Franklin, Shepperton, 162.41. K1WPCT: 1 England 

J18, 115.31. 2 England A, 117.53. 3 Wales U23, 133.28. 4 Wales J18, 171.96. 5 England J14, 

261.14. K1MPCT: 1 Wales, 95.58. 2 GB U23, 96.98. 3 England U23, 98.07. 4 England B, 

101.23. 5 GB J18, 101.70. 6 England J14, 123.60. 7 Wales J14, 139.14. 8 Wales J16, 141.74. 

9 England J16, 160.19. CPCT: 1 GB J18, 111.07. 2 England J16, 128.06. 3 Wales, 200.13. 

Off: 1 G Hitchin, Matlock, 83.11. 2 T Wakeling, Yat, 86.68. 3 R Neave, Stafford & Stone, 87.03. 

GB take women’s, squirt and 

C1 titles on home course 


The jam packed kayaking festival at Holme 

Pierrepont, Nottingham, lived up to 

expectations; with hundreds of spectators and 

participants the atmosphere was electric! 

The festival ran alongside one of the most 

important events in the freestyle calendar, the 

European championships, and what a success 

they were. The GB team made their mark 

on home ground to produce an outstanding 

10 medals! 

Competitors from over 11 nations battled 

it out for white water supremacy; 45 second 

rides of non stop vertical and aerial action 

were judged and paddlers progressed through 

qualifying heats, quarters and semis on to the 

weekend’s highlight, the knockout final. This event held every two 

years is second only to the sport’s world championships. 

Whilst the championships were taking place the public had the 

option of trying paddling themselves or just sitting back, relaxing and 

watching this incredibly visually exciting kayaking sport. 

The women dominated the kayak class in both the senior and junior 

categories. In K1 Lowri Davies and Lynsey Evans took gold and silver 

respectively. In junior K1 Flic Mears and Hannah Brand won silver 

and bronze. 

The men dominated the C1, OC1 and squirt classes. David 

Bainbridge and Ollie Castle came 1st and second in C1. David 

Bainbridge and Jamie Burbeck came second and third in the OC1 class 

and in the squirt class it was Greg Nicks and James Reeves who won 

first and second places. 

Pete Astles of the British Canoe Union, organizer of the event, 

commented ‘This has been a fantastic weekend with great 

performances by the GB team on home ground; this has been a very 

successful Europeans.’ 


K1WJ: 1 M Wegman, Nederland, 102.0. 2 F Meares, GB, 51.5. 3 H Brand, GB. 

K1W: 1 L Davies, GB, 111.0. 2 L Evans, GB, 85.5. 3 J Kaiser, Deutschland. 

K1MJ: 1 M Coldebella, France, 266.5. 2 J Nemec, Ceska, 263.5. 3 L Meyer, Schweiz. 

SqL: 1 C O’Hara, GB. 2 M McKenzie, GB. K1M: 1 M Dumoulin, France, 279.5. 2 S Strohmeier, 

Deutschland, 187. 3 T Kuronen, Suomi. SqM: 1 G Nicks, GB, 630.0. 2 J Reeves, GB, 520.0. 

3 O Colome, España. C1: 1 D Bainbridge, GB, 157.0. 2 O Castle, GB, 114.0. 3 J Domenio, 

España. OC1: 1 J Domenio, España, 41.0. 2 D Bainbridge, GB, 30.0. 3 J Burbeck, GB. 

49 

Freestyle

50 


On course during 

the world 

championships at 

Karlovy Vary. (See 

Jul p66 for article.) 

Left, top to 

bottom: 

Jonnie Schofield 

Jennifer Hyslop 

Jessica Oughton. 

This page, top to 

bottom: 

Simon Wright and 

Jamie Christie 

Andy Hamilton 

Rob Pumphrey. 


51 

Wild water racing

52 

Above: The GB men’s team of Oliver Wickham, Jamie Oughton and Jonnie Schofield. 

Below: Andy Hamilton and Rob Pumphrey racing in the British C1 team. 



Top: Jonnie Schofield in 

uncharacteristic extreme 

brace position. 

Centre: Jamie Oughton 

running a weir. 

Bottom: Gilly Mara with 

characteristic smile. 

53

Peter Schofield photographs 

Schofield wins sprint 

Mezzana Race 

The GB canoe team celebrated success in Italy as twenty one year 

old Jonathan Schofield took gold in the wild water World Cup. 

Following his disappointing result earlier at the wild water racing 

world championships in the Czech Republic, taking tenth instead of 

an anticipated podium finish, Schofield returned to form in the K1 

men’s sprint race in Mezzana, Italy, with splits that kept him in the top 

spot throughout the sprint competition. 

Schofield came in with an overall time of 2:44.40, stealing gold from 

Slovenian Nejc Znidaricic, whose total time was 2:45.04. Tomas 

Slovak from the Czech Republic was third, a minute behind Schofield 

on overall time. 

Sprint races took place on Sunday June 25th on the 650 metre 

course in the Mezzana canoe stadium. Other GB sprint successes were 

celebrated by Jessica Oughton who took 16th in the K1 women’s 

category despite being only 17 years-old. 

Schofield also took fifth place in the K1 men’s classic race which 

took place on Saturday June 24th on the River Noce, a natural course 

of 4km with an artificial drop and a difficulty grading of 3 - 4. 

Schofield came in 20.09 seconds behind winner Max Hoff 

(Germany) who completed the classic in 14:01.64. France and the 

Czech Republic took second and third. 

Schofield currently leads the overall World Cup rankings after 2 

events (best 4 out of 5 results to count) with 186 points. Tough 

competition from Thomas Slovak (182 points, Czech Republic), 

Amaund Hybois (181 points, France) and Max Hoff (180 points, 

Germany) can be expected during the final 3 races being held in Lofer, 

Austria. 

Again Jessica Oughton led the GB women, taking 13th place in the 

K1 women’s classic and finishing 1:11.44 behind Michala Mruzková 

from the Czech Republic, who won in 15:03.36. 

For GB in the C1 and C2 categories, Andrew Hamilton took 16th 

in the C1 men’s classic and 19th in the C1 men’s sprint. Jamie Christie 

54 

Dee Paterson competing in the world championships. 


and Simon Wright took 7th in the C2 men’s classic and 6th in the C2 

men’s sprint. 

Leading place in the C2 men’s sprint was tied and gold was awarded 

to two teams, Vladimir Vala and Jaroslav Slucik from Slovakia and 

Germans Jannik Gobel and Tobias Troszka, who shared an overall 

time of 3:02.45. 

Rick Barrow 

Sp: K1W: 1 M Mruzková, Ceska, 2:59.85. 2 S Feusser, Deutschland, 3:05.63. 3 K Vaciková, 

Ceska, 3:07.31. 16 J Oughton, GB, 3:22.84. 17 S Hyslop, GB, 3:23.70. K1M: 1 J Schofield, GB, 

2:44.40. 2 N Znidaricic, Slovenija, 2:45.04. 3 T Slovak, Ceska, 2:45.40. C1: 1 V Panato, Italia, 

3:01.95. 2 N Weber, Deutschland, 3:03.04. 3 I Gojic, Hrvatska, 3:03.19. 19 A Hamilton, GB, 

3:24.16. C2: 1 Gobel/Troszka, Deutschland, 3:02.45. Vala/Slucik, Slovensko, 3:02.45. 

3 Georgin/Sevaux, France, 3:02.45. 6 Christie/Wright, GB, 3:24.37. Cl: K1W: 1 M Mruzková, 

Ceska, 15:03.36. 2 K Vaciková, Ceska, 15:26.24. 3 A Heidrich, Deutschland, 15:27.08. 

13 J Oughton, GB, 16:14.80. 14 D Paterson, GB, 16:25.89. 17 S Hyslop, GB, 16:41.04. 

K1M: 1 M Hoff, Deutschland, 14:01.64. 2 A Hybois, France, 14:06.00. 3 T Slovak, Ceska, 

14:15.29. 5 J Schofield, GB, 14:21.73. C1: 1 N Weber, Deutschland, 15:49.83. 2 S Stiefenhofer, 

Deutschland, 15:51.29. 3 Y Claudepierre, France, 15:53.17. 16 A Hamilton, GB, 17:06.77. 

C2: 1 Vala/Slucik, Slovensko, 15:25.69. 2 Sutek/Grega, Slovensko, 15:31.34. 3 Martincevic/Raus, 

Hrvatska, 15:46.73. 7 Christie/Wright, GB, 16:09.34. 

Schofield wins World Cup series 

Lofer Race 

Twenty one year old 

Schofield pushed hard for a 

medal in the men’s kayak 

singles class of the World 

Cup series and the work 

paid off. 

The series consisted of 

five races in total. The first 

two races were held in Mezzana, Italy, were Jonnie achieved 5th place 

and then gold. The remaining three races were held in Lofer, Austria,

where Jonnie won both sprint races and came 6th in the last classic 

race, securing him a gold medal overall. 

Schofield, originally from Clitheroe in Lancashire, now studying at 

Loughborough, was determined to make a comeback in order to 

avenge his disappointment of missing out on medals in the world 

championships. 

It was certainly memorable racing; in sprint race three Schofield 

won by a remarkable 2.5 seconds ahead of nearest competitor Tomas 

Slovak of the Czech Republic. 

This is a good track record for Schofield who, last year, won two 

gold medals in individual races and a bronze overall; this is a fantastic 

debut for his first season as a senior. 

Other notable performances were by Sandra Hyslop and Dee 

Paterson who came 13th and 16th respectively in the women’s K1 

class. Andrew Hamilton in the C1 class came 15th overall. In the C2 

category Simon Wright and Jamie Christie also raced well, achieving 

an overall 7th position. 


Cl: K1W: 1 A Heidrich, Deutschland, 10:39.81. 2 K Vaciková, Ceská, 10:43.43. 3 S Füßer, 

Deutschland, 10:47.29. 13 S Hyslop, GB, 11:16.42. 16 D Paterson, GB, 11:32.91. 18 J Oughton, 

GB, 11:41.34. 20 G Mara, GB, 11:49.57. K1M: 1 M Hoff, Deutschland, 9:30.15. 2 A Hybois, 

France, 9:43.64. 3 K Mruzek, Ceská, 9:44.67. 6 J Schofield, GB, 9:47.11. C1: 1 T Lepan, Hrvatska, 

10:53.08. 2 S Stiefenhöfer, Deutschland, 10:56.39. 3 E Milihram, Hrvatska, 10:59.00. 

17 A Hamilton, GB, 11:45.56. C2: 1 Göbel/Troszka, Deutschland, 10:49.14. 2 Sutek/Grega, 

Slovensko, 10:53.72. 3 Lisicky/Vlcek, Ceská, 10:56.53. 7 Wright/Christie, GB, 11:13.09. World 

Cup series winners: K1W: 1 K Vacikova, Ceska. 2 S Füßer, Deutschland. 3 A Heidrich, 

Deutschland. 13 S Hyslop, GB. 16 D Paterson, GB. K1M: 1 J Schofield, GB. 2 A Hybois, France. 

3 T Slovak, Ceska. C1: 1 N Weber, Deutschland. 2 Y Claudepierre, France. 3 I Gojic, Hrvatska. 

15 A Hamilton, GB. C2: 1 Gobel/Troszka, Deutschland. 2 Vala/Slucik, Slovensko. 3 Sutek/Grega, 

Slovensko. 7 Wright/Christie, GB. 

Jessica Oughton on her way to the bronze medal at Bihac. 

Oughton takes European bronze 

European Junior Championships 

Jessica Oughton won a bronze medal in the Wild Water Racing 

Junior European Championships in Bihac, Bosnia, racing against the 

best paddlers in the world in the individual classic race in the WK1 

class. 

At just 17 years of age, this is truly an outstanding performance of 

which Jessica (from Leicester) will be especially proud as she just 

missed out on a bronze medal in last year’s Junior World 

Championships in Mezzana, Italy, coming 4th. 

Other notable performances were from Sandra Hyslop of Hexham 

and Ben Oakley from Bath. Sandra raced consistently to achieve two 

top ten placings, achieving 7th place in the classic and 9th in the sprint. 

Ben achieved a well deserved 10th place in the sprint. 

In the classic team event Jessica Oughton, Jennifer Hyslop and 

Olivia Churchill achieved fifth place in a time of 14:25 against very 

strong competition and the men achieved 9th place in their K1 class. 

For some athletes, racing internationally was a new experience. Rob 

Vincent (Soar Valley), Michael Sims (Nottingham) and Jonathan 

Higham & Ian Baker in double canoe made their first appearances in 

international competition. The practice will certainly be a base on 

which to build in anticipation of the world championships in the USA 

next year. 

Dave Leathborough photographs 

Miranda Churchill 


The chairman of the Wild Water Racing Committee comments 

‘There have been some excellent junior performances at international 

races this year; congratulations to the whole team.’ 


Sp: K1WJ: 1 L Vranová, Ceska, 1:52. 2 I Hrabalová, Ceska, 1:53.10. 3 A Overbeck, Deutschland, 

1:53.40. 7 J Oughton, GB, 1:53. 9 S Hyslop, GB, 1:58. 16 O Churchill, GB, 2:02. 19 J Hyslop, GB, 

2:08. K1MJ: 1 R Maxime, Belgique, 1:36. 2 K Slepica, Ceska, 1:37. 3 G Brovinsky, Slovinija, 1:42. 

10 B Oakley, GB, 1:43. C2J: 1 Macik/Machac, Ceska, 1:55. 2 Barcaj/Benes, Ceska, 1:57. 

3 Vransky/Vransky, Slovensko, 1:58. 13 Baker/Hiam, GB, 2:12. Cl: K1WJ: 1 A Overbeck, 

Deutschland, 13:22. 2 A Zasterová, Ceska, 13:49. 3 J Oughton, GB, 13:49. 7 S Hyslop, GB, 13:54. 

15 O Churchill, GB, 14:25. K1MJ: 1 K Slepica, Ceska, 12:10.44. 2 G Brovinsky, Slovinija, 

12:10.70. 3 Q Bonnetain, France, 12:13. 18 B Oakley, GB, 12:48. C2J: 1 Macik/Machac, Ceska, 

13:48. 2 Barcaj/Benes, Ceska, 13:59. 3 Bozic/Taljat, Slovenija, 14:03. 12 Baker/Hiam, GB, 15:24. 

K1WJT: 1 Ceska, 14:03. 2 Deutschland, 14:07. 3 Italia, 14:14. 5 GB, 14:25. K1MJT: 1 Ceska, 

12:23. 2 France, 12:41. 3 Deutschland, 12:46. 9 GB, 14:04. 

Eyot set course record 


Over 300 young people enjoyed an action packed day including 8 

different paddlesport events as part of the annual BCU Youthfest 

event. 

This year the event was held at Dorney Lake, the venue for the 

2012 Olympic sprint regatta, and, whilst rather windy on the day, it 

proved to be a fantastic venue. The young paddlers that have now had 

a taster of the regatta site can, no doubt, pass on some tips to the 

paddlers for 2012 of paddling in a southwesterly wind on the Olympic 

course! 

The event was sponsored by PGL Adventure Travel who also 

provided a free holiday for two to the winner of the Youthfest Massive 

Quiz. 

The bell boat event, as always, proved to be an exciting focal point 

of the day with eager teams jostling for position. The day kicked off 

with the under 11 event which was won by the home team of Dorney 

Boat Club Red, followed closely by Burton Canoe Club with 

Banbury Canoe Club third. In the under 14 there were some very 

close and exciting races and in the major final the first 4 crews all 

finished within 3 seconds, Banbury CC squeezing ahead of Wexham 

Secondary School, followed by the Bennies (St Benedict’s Catholic 

College) in third place. In the under 16 event Eyot Boat Club 

established the course record of the day, clocking a time of 1 min 1 sec 

to take first place, followed by Dorney Boat Club with 5th Mansfield 

Scout Group in third place and winning the uniformed group prize. 

Of course, having watched all the exciting racing, the adults were keen 

to show their prowess in the VIP race. Winners were Eyot Boat Club 

followed by Pangbourne and then Banbury CC but the bell boat 

racing was only half of it. Throughout the day paddlers were able to 

sample lots of different types of paddlesport, guided by GB coaches and 

paddlers. This included the opportunity to achieve certificates for 

Lightning and kayak time trials, open canoe races, freestyle coaching, 

come and try a boat, a polo Hoop of Doom and paddling ergo 

challenge. Paddlers were also able to try their hand at the new Xstream 

Challenge which combines skills across slalom, freestyle and polo on a 

timed course that included a limbo gate! 

During the day there were demos to inspire the young paddlers 

from top GB paddlers including GB slalom team and PGL sponsored 

paddlers Andy Hadfield and Harry Mugford. On the sprinting side 

Andy Daniels and Stuart Hastings powered down the 200m in super 

fast time whilst Chris Sears showed form on the ergo. 

Many thanks to PGL for sponsoring the event and to all the 

volunteers and helpers without whom the day would not have been 

possible. 


U11: 1 Dorney Red, 1:23. 2 Burton, 1:25. 3 Banbury, 1:29. U14: 1 Banbury, 1:08. 2 Wexham 

Secondary School, 1.09. 3 Bennies, 1:10. U16: 1 Eyot, 1:01. 2 Dorney, 1:07. 3 5th Mansfield Sea 

Scouts, 1:09. U18/VIP: 1 Eyot, 12. 2 Pangbourne, 10. 3 Banbury, 6. Poole Harbour, 6. Windsor, 

6. 

55 

Bell boat racing

Sprint 

Brabants takes 

1km silver 


Great Britain’s Tim Brabants 

added a silver medal to his 

European gold at the world 

sprint championships in 

Szeged, Hungary (17th – 20th 

August). 

It was a thrilling race from 

the start. Brabants was never 

out of the top 3 placings at the 

key split points of 250m, 500m 

and 750m and very narrowly 

missed out on another win in 

the K1 1,000m. At 500m it was 

Van Koeverden (Can) who 

held less than a 1 second lead 

over Oscarsson (Swe) and Brabants. Moving to the 750m mark, 

placings changed again as Oscarsson upped his rate and made his 

move for gold. He led Van Koeverden by over 0.5 second with 

Brabants slipping back to just under 2 seconds off the gold medal 

place but Tim is renowned for his fighting qualities. He overtook 

the Canadian and was still closing the gap on the Swede when the 

finish line came, just 6 tenths of a second too soon as Oscarsson 

pipped him for gold. Ben Fouhey finished strongly, taking bronze 

medal position. 

Brabants had previously beaten Oscarsson in the semi final. In the 

final, however, Oscarsson had the benefit of a lane nine draw, in 

the shadow of the strong crosswind that affected paddlers in all the 

1,000m finals. 

Brabants, 29 years old, a qualified doctor in Nottingham, has 

returned to the GB canoeing team this season after completing his 

medical qualifications and a 6 month stint as a house doctor in 

Jersey. His performance in Hungary caps an outstanding first season 

back after a year’s absence to complete his medical qualifications. It 

is great to see Tim on top form in the sport he loves. 

Previously he won bronze at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000 

and finished 5th in Athens in 2004 despite clocking the world’s 

fastest time in qualifying. 

Other notable performances was the K2 pairing of Abi Coulson 

and Louisa Sawers who finished 9th in their final, a commendable 

effort for this new crew. 

Another highlight was the B final win in the MK2 race for Paul 

Wycherley and Pete Almási, who will have taken a little 

consolation from this result but, no doubt, had higher goals. 

Congratulations to all of the team! 


200m: K1W: 1 T Paksy, Magyarország, 40.203. 2 S Ponomarenko, Slovenija, 40.947. 

3 K Furneaux, Canada, 41.071. 9 L Wainwright, GB, 42.6. K2M: 1 Wieskotter/Rauhe, 

Deutschland, 32.660. 2 Twardowski/Wysocki, Polska, 32.804. 3 Filipoviv/Zoric, Serbija, 32.912. 

4 Cox/McKeever, GB, 33.2. 1km: K1M: 1 M Oscarsson, Sverige, 3:39.359. 2 T Brabants, GB, 

3:39.419. 3 B Fouhey, NZ, 3:39.443. K2W: 1 Kovacs/Janic, Magyarország, 3:48.982. 

2 Zhu/Yang, Zhongguo, 3:49.756. 3 Puskkova-Areshka/Bandarenka, Belorusse, 3:51.664. 

9 Sawers/Coulson, GB, 4:02. 

Brabants takes 1km title 


Great Britain’s Tim Brabants stormed to victory and won a canoeing 

gold medal this weekend at the European flat water championships in 

Racice, Czech Republic. 

Brabants, 29, a qualified doctor based in Nottingham, surprised 

some of the world’s best paddlers to take the 1,000m K1 title; looking 

powerful and in control right from the start he won by a clear boat 

length in a time of 3 minutes 28.586 seconds, ahead of Zoltan Benko 

(HUN), 3.30.1, and Oscarsson (SWE), 3.30.5. Brabants certainly 

demonstrated his current top form convincingly and with ease. He will 

certainly be wanting a similar performance in the forthcoming sprint 

world championships in Szeged, Hungary. 

The result is a best finish for Brabants and a great return to 

international action after a year’s break. The other GB finalists of the 

56 


championships were kayak doubles Ed Cox and Ed McKeever (K2 

200m). The GB boys finished 6th (32.3), just over 0.5 second behind 

Ronald Rauhe/Tim Wieskotter (GER) who won in 31.8s. 

Women’s doubles Lucy Wainwright and Anna Hemmings achieved 

7th place in the WK2 200m in a time of 38.780. The race was won by 

the world dominant pairing of Katalin Kovacs and Natasa Janics from 

Hungary. 


200m: K2W: 1 Kovacs/Janics, Magyarország, 36.804. 2 Fischer/Wagner-Augustin, 

Deutschland, 37.132. 3 Honkanen/Rikala, Suomi, 37.168. 7 Wainwright/Hemmings, GB, 38.780. 

K2M: 1 Rauhe/Wieskotter, Deutschland, 31.818. 2 Duonela/Balcienas, Lietuva, 31.958. 

3 Kolganov/Lufan, Yisra’el, 32.274. 6 Cox/McKeever, GB, 32.366. 1km: K1M: 1 T Brabants, GB, 

3:28.586. 2 Z Benko, Magyarország, 3:30.162. 3 M Oscarsson, Sverige, 3:30.538. 

Daniels close to medal 

European Under 23 & Junior Championships 

The European Championships were littered with personal bests 

from all GB athletes. Great British performances were the hallmark of 

the day at the flat water racing in Schinias, Athens, on the Olympic 

course, from 27th to 30th July. 

All of the athletes put in 100% effort and raced fantastically. Sadly, 

there were no medals in store as they were up against some tough 

competition. 

Saturday saw the 1,000m finals. In the JWK1 Louisa Sawers put in 

an exemplary performance. It was a very tough final featuring Elena 

Pochtovaya, the Russian who took silver at the junior European 

championships last year in Bulgaria. Louisa showed the quality racer 

she is; in 8th place after 250m, she put in a steely effort to pull back up 

to 5th by the 500m mark. That position was momentarily lost to the 

Austrian Ana Lehaci but Sawers came back again in the last 60m. 

Pochtovaya won the race, defeating the German athlete, Weber. 

In the JWK2 Rachel Cawthorn and Jessica Walker did well to make 

the finals, this being only the third time they had raced over the 

1,000m distance. The pair paddled exceptionally well, showing their 

trademark explosive start; they were in 4th place at 250m and 

ultimately finished in 7th position. 

The last race of the day was the most exciting in terms of the 

question ‘Could GB win a medal?’ Tom Daniels, armed with 

confidence from a great semi final run on Thursday (he came 1st), 

raced in lane 3 and was in the mix at 500m. As the former junior 

world champion Emanuel Silva overtook the German athlete, Kruger, 

at 750m, which the 2005 U23 champion and 2004 Olympian never 

relinquished, Tom was convinced he could make a medal. Holding 

just under a one second lead on the Lithuanian Malinuskas and just 

over a second on the Italian Ricchetti, Tom could not sustain the 

effort and lost out to the Italian on the line. Although Daniels was 

frustrated, he can be justly pleased with his performance. 

Sunday’s racing saw the 500m finals. Louisa Sawers was first off 

among the top 3 junior racers in Europe, Pochtovaya (Rus), Paltaran 

(BLR) and Hegi (Hun), who were always going to be a difficult 

proposition in the quest for a medal, but Louisa gave everything she 

had. A good start put her in the top 4 by 250m and as she crossed the 

line in 5th place she had improved her previous best by 2 seconds. 

Coach Steve Harris was delighted. ‘She has performed exceptionally 

well this week; we could not have asked for any more.’ 

Rachel Cawthorn and Jess Walker contended in the K2 500m, their 

stronger of the 2 distances. With a quick start they held onto 4th 

position at the 250m mark. However, the pace was quick and the 

younger British pairing slipped back and took the finish line in 6th 

place. They could have easily been 4th as only 0.6 second covered 

positions 4 – 6, a tremendous result for Rachel, who has been paddling 

for only just over 2 years, and for Jessica, who is only 16. 

There were some brilliant performances from the young team! 


500m: K1WJ: 1 M Pataran, Belorusse, 1:52.33. 2 E Ochtovaya, Rossija, 1:52.42. 3 Z Hegyi, 

Magyarország, 1:52.918. 5 L Sawers, GB, 1:56.0. K2WJ: 1 Hegyi/Csipest, Magyarország, 

1:43.044. 2 Ostanina/Obraztsova, Rossija, 1:44.958. 3 Steilein/Klein, Deutschland, 1:46.068. 

6 Cawthorn/Walker, GB, 1:48.3. 1km: K1WJ: 1 E Pochtovaya, Rossija, 3:55.597. 2 F Weber, 

Deutschland, 3:56.715. 3 M Paltaran, Belorusse, 3:57.423. 5 L Sawers, GB, 4:03.1. 

K1WU23: 1 A Nadj, SCG, 3:57.816. 2 Y Salakhova, Rossija, 3:57.994. 3 J Blahová, Ceska, 

3:58.298. 8 J Hawkey, GB, 4:08.1. K1MU23: 1 E Silva, Portugal, 3:29.495. 2 F Kruger, 

Deutschland, 3:30.871. 3 A Ricchetti, Italia, 3:31.675. 4 T Daniels, GB, 3:33.4. 

K2WJ: 1 Medveczky/Hegyi, Magyarország, 3:40.162. 2 Vichová/Krauzová, Ceska, 3:43.76. 

3 Dietze/Weber, Deutschland, 3:44.584. 7 Cawthorn/Walker, GB, 3:51.1.

MacGregor Paddle Inter-Club & Inter Services Regatta 

200m: K1GD: 1 K Wood, Banbury, 1:11.58. 2 L Oxtoby, Leighton Buzzard, 1:12.17. 3 L Hussey, 

Leighton Buzzard, 1:13.12. K1BC: 1 D Hussey, Leighton Buzzard, 57.92. 2 S Patterson, Scottish 

Development, 58.54. 3 A Joy, Leicester, 1:00.28. K1BB: 1 C Sillitoe, Leighton Buzzard, 55.83. 

2 C Sealey, Reading, 56.14. 3 M Childerstone, Wey, 56.37. K1MB: 1 R Forbes, Royal Leamington 

Spa, 49.93. 2 A Herbent, Royal Leamington Spa, 51.35. 3 P Gunney, Wey, 51.64. 

K1MC: 1 J Burrell, Bath, 52.87. 2 C Periera, Addlestone, 52.97. 3 S Ricketts, Anker Valley, 54.65. 

K1MD: 1 L Ede, Reading, 53.63. 2 A Jordan, Maidstone, 58.26. 3 T Thompkins, Maidstone, 

58.53. K1MS: 1 B Reese, Army, 49.87. 2 Hemming, Army, 50.98. 3 T Martin, Army, 54.51. 

K1P: 1 Oldham/Brown, Pennine Syngenta, 1:02.65. 2 Hands/Richardson, Newark, 1:03.51. 

3 Baines/Cotton, Newark, 1:07.90. K1MasA: 1 R Littlewood, Nottingham, 59.90. 2 S Martin, 

Richmond, 1:01.86. 3 P Brookes, Runcorn, 1:02.44. K1MasB: 1 P Howson, Wokingham, 

1:04.79. 2 G Carter, Lincoln, 1:05.13. 3 N Frankland, Reading, 1:05.63. C1C: 1 D Meikle, 

Fladbury, 1:05.37. 2 J Styan, Fladbury, 1:06.16. 3 R Weir, Banbury, 1:09.32. C1B: 1 M Lawrence, 

Leighton Buzzard, 59.37. 2 S Train, Fladbury, 1:00.44. 3 C Chapman, Scottish Development, 

1:04.30. K2GA: 1 Hilderley/Cawthorn, Wey, 53.90. 2 Walker/Beer, Royal, 55.96. 

3 Dougall/Oxtoby, Leighton Buzzard, 58.02. K2WC: 1 Moran/Moran, Worcester, 57.96. 

2 Brown/Matthews, Leighton Buzzard, 1:00.43. [3 Dresch/Meikle, Fladbury, 1:02.05.] 

K2WS: 1 Bapty/Fowler, Army, 1:00.09. 2 Goodall/Kellett, Army, 1:06.99. 3 Walton/Peterson, 

Army, 1:12.50. K2BD: 1 Brett/Young, Bishop’s Stortford, 1:03.78. 2 McDonnell/Linnell, Norwich, 

1:06.28. 3 Riddle/Colyer, Reading, 1:06.97. K2BC: 1 Bolton-Waugh/, Leicester, 53.47. 2 Joy/Tie, 

Leicester/Worcester, 54.83. 3 Walkinshaw/Hickman, Bishop’s Stortford, 54.87. 

K2BB: 1 Atwill/Oakley, Bradford-on-Avon/Bath, 5-.34. 2 Welch/Childerstone, Wey, 50.37. 

3 Sealey/Sealey, Reading, 51.19. K2BA: 1 Ede/Lang, Reading, 46.87. 2 Haynes/Poole, Leighton 

Buzzard, 47.02. 3 Guy/Whitaker, Leighton Buzzard, 47.86. K2MA: 1 Daniels/Hastings, Reading, 

44.07. 2 Irvine/Stead, Richmond, 44.69. 3 Brown/Sawers, Elmbridge, 45.71. K2MasA: 1 

Belbin/Bagshaw, Nottingham, 52.62. 2 Littlewood/Nadal, Nottingham, 56.47. K2MasB: 1 

Holmes/Moran, Worcester, 55.17. 2 Daniels/Ralph, Reading, 55.66. 3 Bannister/Jordan, 

Maidstone, 55.75. TC2: 1 Cozens/Shipp, Chelmsford, 1:41.32. 2 Frankland/Battison, Reading, 

1:49.30. 3 Baker/Aldam, Bishop’s Stortford, 1:49.63. K4GA: 1 Wey, 49.07. 2 Leighton Buzzard, 

50.96. 3 Royal, 55.65. K4WB: 1 Nottingham, 49.33. 2 Elmbridge, 50.08. 3 Chester, 50.57. 

K4WS: 1 Army. 2 RAF. 3 Army. K4BD: 1 Leighton Buzzard, 56.00. 2 Chelmsford, 57.37. 

3 Bishop’s Stortford, 58.56. K4BB: 1 Reading, 2:06.83. 2 Wey, 2:07.42. 3 Leighton Buzzard, 

2:13.16. K4BA: 1 Leighton Buzzard, 43.29. 2 Reading, 46.38. 3 Wey, 47.12. K4MA/B: 1 

Reading, 40.25. 2 Chelmsford, 41.21. 3 Nottingham, 45.45. K4MC/D: 1 Chelmsford, 48.81. 

2 Reading, 50.10. 3 Leighton Buzzard, 50.30. K4MasA/B: 1 Nottingham, 49.05. 2 Chelmsford, 

51.08. 3 Wey, 51.95. 500m: K1GC: 1 R Byard, Leighton Buzzard, 3:34.21. 2 R Farrington, 

Royal, 3:36.43. 3 E Harfield, Leighton Buzzard, 3:43.14. K1GB: 1 K Hall, Richmond, 3:05.86. 

2 E Hilderley, Wey, 3:07.73. 3 H Brown, Bath, 3:13.03. K1GA: 1 A King, Reading, 2:57.13. 2 C 

Spencer, Hereford, 3:00.52. 3 R Cawthorn, Wey, 3:02.12. K1WB: 1 N Taylor, Elmbridge, 2:45.38. 

2 V Surrage, Nottingham, 2:48.31. 3 J Spencer, Hereford, 2:50.67. K1WC: 1 N Kelly, Richmond, 

2:40.64. 2 L Moran, Worcester, 2:41.72. 3 C Moran, Worcester, 2:43.93. K1WD: 1 L Suttle, 

Chelmsford, 3:13.60. 2 D Matthews, Leighton Buzzard, 3:23.81. 3 M Duncan, Bishop’s Stortford, 

3:26.57. K1WS: 1 S Fowler, Army, 2:47.25. 2 S Bapty, Army, 2:55.04. 3 Goodall, Army, 2:59.67. 

K1BD: 1 M Simms, Nottingham, 2:50.45. 2 T Brett, Bishop’s Stortford, 2:58.27. 3 M Duffield, 

Chelmsford, 2:58.39. K1BA: 1 K Reeves, Addlestone, 2:18.05. 2 M Hide, Addlestone, 2:18.20. 

3 B Haynes, Leighton Buzzard, 2:18.78. K1MA: 1 P Wycherley, Wey, 2:11.23. 2 B Stead, 

Richmond, 2:13.27. 3 B Brown, Elmbridge, 2:13.69. K1MS: 1 D Duff, RAF, 2:43.89. 2 B Reese, 

Army, 2:49.66. 3 D Capps, Army, 2:53.32. K2GD: 1 Oxtoby/Sillitoe, Leighton Buzzard, 3:00.53. 

2 Goodlad/Hussey, Leighton Buzzard, 3:07.94. 3 Hawthorn/Lewis, Worcester, 3:08.17. K2WS: 1 

Goodall/Kellet, Army, 2:57.94. 2 Bapty/Fowler, Army, 3:03.26. 3 Walton/Radford, Army, 3:30.69. 

K2MB: 1 Herbent/Forbes, Royal Leamington Spa, 2:08.66. 2 Neale/Kelly, Tonbridge/Kendal, 

2:11.45. 3 Croucher/Hobrough, Wey, 2:11.65. K2MC/D: 1 Dean/Lawrenson, Reading, 2:11.93 

2 Hendron/Mungovan, Richmond, 2:14.10. 3 Fleeson/Ricketts, Anker Valley, 2:14.51. K4MS: 1 

Army, 1:58.35. 2 Army, 2:00.86. 3 RAF, 2:02.07. C4B/C: 1 Fladbury, 2:04.78. 2 Polska, 

2:04.79. 3 Fladbury, 2:19.05. 1km: K1GD: 1 K Wood, Banbury, 5:30.29. 2 L Oxtoby, Leighton 

Buzzard, 5:33.01. 3 L Hussey, Leighton Buzzard, 5:34.58. K1GC: 1 R Byard, Leighton Buzzard, 

5:17.78. 2 P Ayres, Wey, 5:26.46. 3 G Thomas, Bishop’s Stortford, 5:27.52. K1GB: 1 K Hall, 

Richmond, 4:54.37. 2 F Lamph, Wey, 4:57.33. 3 E Dougall, Leighton Buzzard, 5:02.63. K1GA: 1 

R Cawthorn, Wey, 4:32.63. 2 L Broughton, Richmond, 4:34.87. 3 J Walker, Royal, 4:36.25. 

K1WB: 1 N Taylor, Elmbridge, 5:19.16. 2 V Surrage, Nottingham, 5:44.39. 3 S Braithwaite, 

Nottingham, 5:48.83. K1WC: 1 N Kelly, Richmond, 6:07.13. 2 S Colley, Hereford, 6:20.48. 

3 C Hannon, Wey, 6:21.09. K1WD: 1 L Suttle, Chelmsford, 7:02.97. 2 C Howell, Nottingham, 

7:07.12. 3 A Blakeborough, Chester, 7:27.56. K1LgB: 1 J Childerstone, Wey, 8:18. 2 E Haws, 

Wey, 8:19. 3 B Owen, Addlestone, 8:49. K1LgA: 1 B Killip, Richmond, 8:11. 2 T Kingston, 

Maidstone, 8:13. 3 J Stannard, Royal Leamington Spa, 8:26. K1BD: 1 M Simms, Nottingham, 

6:03.43. 2 M Duffield, Chelmsford, 6:19.66. 3 T Byard, Leighton Buzzard, 6:29.96. K1BB: 1 S 

Riley, Anker Valley, 5:29.31. 2 M Childerstone, Wey, 5:30.03. 3 J Sealey, Reading, 5:33.38. 

K1BA: 1 E Rutherford, Elmbridge, 4:14.65. 2 T Hide, Addlestone, 4:14.71. 3 P Ede, Reading, 

4:20.30. K1MB: 1 R Forbes, Royal Leamington Spa, 4:56.27. 2 J Mayers, Runcorn, 5:09.35. 3 R 

Kilbourn, Norwich, 5:13.78. K1MS: 1 King, Army, 5:19.60. 2 D Duff, RAF, 5:30.83. 3 D Capps, 

Army, 5:32.90. K1P: 1 A Dexter, Newark, 10:46.94. 2 J Oldham, Pennine Syngenta, 10:54.06. 

3 M Taylor, Maidstone, 14:18.62. K1MasA: 1 D Belbin, Nottingham, 5:42.70. 2 N Garner, 

Richmond, 5:52.15. 3 P Brookes, Runcorn, 6:15.99. K1MasB: 1 M Nadal, Nottingham, 6:34.72. 

2 S Davies, Lincoln, 6:35.98. 3 N Mason, Nottingham, 6:59.18. K2GC: 1 Farrington/Bodimeade, 

Royal, 6:03.56. 2 Byard/Harfield, Leighton Buzzard, 6:08.28. 3 Parker/Whitehad, Chelmsford, 

6:09.35. K2GA: 1 Hilderley/Cawthorn, Wey, 5:12.77. 2 King/Churnside, Reading, 5:38.79. 


3 Ferguson/Holmes, Banbury/Worcester, 5:40.05. K2LgB: 1 Childerstone/Haws, Wey, 7:41. 2 

Wignall/Brooks, Runcorn, 8:12. 3 Killip/Martin, Richmond, 8:23. K2LgA: 1 Killip/Killip, Richmond, 

7:26. 2 Hunt/Stannard, Nottingham/Royal Leamingston Spa, 7:26. 3 Mainprize/Lang, Reading, 

7:29. K2BD: 1 Webster/Howson, Bradford-on-Avon, 4:34.55. 2 Brett/Young, Bishop’s Stortford, 

4:37.91. 3 Matterson/Murphy, Leighton Buzzard, 4:49.98. K2BC: 1 Bolton-Waugh/Stone, 

Leicester/Banbury, 5:00.17. 2 Joy/Tye, Leicester/Worcester, 5:01.47. 3 Mullins/Lambert, Wey, 

5:01.55. K2BA: 1 Hide/Reeves, Addlestone, 4:34.44. 2 Guy/Whitaker, Leighton Buzzard, 4:35.88. 

3 Bradshaw/Layng, Barking & Dagenham/Runcorn, 4:42.70. K2MA: 1 Daniels/Hastings, Reading, 

4:15.34. 2 Brown/Sawers, Elmbridge, 4:21.74. 3 Wycherley/Simmons, Wey, 4:27.35. 

K2MB: 1 Baker/Winstanley, Nottingham, 4:07.75. 2 Neale/Kelly, Tonbridge/Kendal, 4:09.67. 

3 Croucher/Hobrough, Wey, 4:10.43. K2MC/D: 1 Hendron/Mungovan, Richmond, 4:20.82. 

2 Schofield/Bidle, Norwich, 4:22.20. 3 Fleeson/Ricketts, Anker Valley, 4:24.15. 

K2MS: 1 Duff/Smith, RAF, 4:06.76. 2 Herbert/Hemming, Army, 4:14.74. 3 Capps/Reese, Army, 

4:20.54. K2MasA: 1 Belbin/Bagshaw, Nottingham, 4:36.18. 2 Littlewood/Nadal, Nottingham, 

4:48.11. 3 Martin/Pearce, Richmond, 4:48.42. K2MasB: 1 Holmes/Moran, Worcester, 4:55.00. 

2 Childerstone/Terry, Wey, 4:56.00. 3 Daniels/Ralph, Reading, 5:00.52. 

C2B: 1 Sikonski/Weekowski, Polska, 5:14.07. 2 Bordowiak/Rzepinski, Polska, 5:20.78. 3 

Smith/Train, Fladbury, 5:48.67. TC2: 1 Shipp/Doman, Chelmsford, 9:23.02. 2 Battison/Frankland, 

Reading, 11:38.75. 3 Surrage/Brett, Bishop’s Stortford, 12:45.22. K4GD: 1 Leighton Buzzard, 

5:42.97. 2 Banbury, 5:47.31. 3 Nottingham, 5:48.33. K4GA: 1 Wey, 5:06.77. 2 Leighton 

Buzzard, 5:23.47. 3 Royal, 5:43.73. K4WB: 1 Nottingham, 4:08.73. 2 Elmbridge, 4:16.53. 

3 Hereford, 4:24.87. K4BD: 1 Leighton Buzzard, 6:11.21. 2 Wey, 6:47.36. 3 Leighton Buzzard, 

6:49.82. K4BB: 1 Wey, 3:58.86. 2 Reading, 3:59.65. 3 Leighton Buzzard, 4:04.99. K4BA: 1 

Addlestone, 4:25.21. 2 Reading, 4:35.98. 3 Wey, 4:37.40. K4MA/B: 1 Reading, 4:08.20. 

2 Richmond, 4:10.92. 3 Wey, 4:11.20. K4MC/D: 1 Richmond, 4:23.18. 2 Wey, 4:38.37. 3 

Leighton Buzzard, 4:43.77. C4B/C: 1 Polska, 4:12.69. 2 Fladbury, 4:17.80. 3 Fladbury, 4:24.33. 

5km: K1MasA/B: 1 Nottingham, 22:20. 2 Worcester, 23:59. 3 Lincoln, 26:43. MacGregor 

Paddle: 1 Wey, 475. 2 Leighton Buzzard, 455. 3 Nottingham, 440. Richmond, 440. 

British seniors fail to make semi finals 


The key canoe polo event 

of the year took place in 

Amsterdam, the 

Netherlands. The women 

were there to defend their 

world and European 

championship titles but the 

competition was just too 

tough. The women’s team 

achieved 5th place with 

Germany crowned as 

champions. 

It will be a disappointment for the women, who won gold at the 

ICF canoe polo world championships in Miyoshi, Japan, in 2004, 

silver in the International World Games Association World Games in 

Duisburg, Germany, in 2005 and gold in the European championships 

held in Madrid, Spain, in September 2005. 

The men’s team were also aiming high; they won silver at the 

European championships last year and hoped to clinch gold this year 

but it wasn’t to be. Despite a promising start, winning round one, they 

slipped in the second round and came 5th overall. France were 

crowned champions. 

The U21 men did better; they achieved 4th place behind Spain, the 

Netherlands and France, the champions. 

Curly Barker, chairman of the Canoe Polo Committee, commented 

‘With tough competition we knew that the championships would not 

be easy. The teams will be disappointed but they do have good skills 

and teamwork and are capable of bouncing back to the top. This result 

will just make them stronger and more determined to win in future 

championships.’ 

Congratulations to the teams for good performances! 


K1L: GB 9, België 2. S Africa 1, GB 15. GB 5, Canada 0. GB 9, Italia 3. GB 4, Nederland 4. GB 4, 

Australia 0. GB 2, Italia 0. GB 6, Australia 0. K1MU21: España 1, GB 1. GB 11, België 4. GB 14, 

USA 0. GB 1, France 3. GB 4, Deutschland 2. GB 5, Canada 1. Nederland 2, GB 1. GB 2, España 3. 

K1M: GB 9, Magyarország 1. GB 10, Brasil 1. GB 13, Canada 2. GB 6, Nippon 0. GB 2, Australia 

0. GB 5, Portugal 4. GB 2, France 2. Deutschland 3, GB 1. Eire 1, GB 3. Australia 2, GB 3. 

O/A: K1L: 1 Deutschland. 2 NZ. 3 Nederland. 5 GB. K1MU21: 1 France. 2 Nederland. 

3 España. 4 GB. K1M: 1 France. 2 Italia. 3 Nederland. 5 GB. 

Essen Tournament 

W: 1 Nederland. 2 Deutschland. 3 France. 4 GB. M: 1 Nederland. 2 GB. 3 Deutschland. 

57 

Polo

Marathon 

The men’s K1 pack was initially led by Brown, Tom Daniels, Fennemore, Lawler and Johnson. 

Elmbridge take top titles but Reading win 


Holding major marathon events on the Thames around Reading is 

now becoming more frequent than it was in the past on the Severn at 

Worcester. Next year both the nationals and the Hasler finals will be in 

the vicinity. This year the nationals were hosted by Reading. 

If the suns shines on the righteous they were not in this part of the 

Thames valley, where conditions were mostly blustery after months of 

excellent weather. The turnout was large, including a strong Irish 

contingent, although we are not seeing the Poles we might have 

expected with the current wave of immigration. 

A marquee was marked as for both male and female changing. The 

only time anyone used it was for a selection committee meeting. 

Courses started and finished in the vicinity of the Reading 

clubhouse, usually turning upstream at the Fisheries or the islands at 

Tilehurst and downstream at the island below Caversham Bridge. 

Paul Ralph leads Philip Schnepp round his own turn buoy. 

Robin Avery was in a class of his own in the over 55s. 

58 


Brown and Harding race C2. 

Barry Waktins on his way to winning the under 18 event.

Andy Daniels enacts one of Reading’s problems. 

Sprint C1, the hardest way of doing marathon. 

Anna Hemmings was not pushed in this race. 

Saturday was mainly for singles. The first groups off included the 

over 55 men, Robin Avery streaking away into the distance for a win 

of nearly 3 minutes. The race was behind him for 2nd place, Ralph, 

Ince, Schnepp and Howie in a group, the Wokingham pair of Ralph 

and Schnepp dropping the others around the third turn and Ralph 

winning the final sprint. 

The senior and under 18 assessment races were next away and 

bound to be cutthroat. Brown led the seniors off the start and broke 

from the rest with Daniels, Lawler, Fennemore and Johnson by the 

Warren, within sight of the start. The pace was not fast and the next 

group were closing by the top turn. Just after the turn Fennemore 

reversed sharply back to the second group, which contained fellow 

Wey paddlers Williams and Simmons. Did he intend to pull them up 

to the first group? It was nothing so altruistic, he said. He was the first 

of several people to run into weed and come to a halt. In shedding it 

he lost the lead group, leaving Tom Daniels with the three Elmbridge 

paddlers. The lead group stayed together until the third portage, 

portages being artificial runs along the bank opposite the clubhouse, 

where Johnson failed to make it back after the group became stretched 

out on the run. On the final straight it was Lawler who cracked first 

while Brown just held off Daniels over the line. The fact that Lawler 

can come out of retirement at about 40, train a couple of mornings a 

Hayleigh Mason chases Jenny Egan for 2nd place in the women’s event. 


59

Ollie Harding , 2nd in the over 45 class, leads Robin Ayres. 

week before work and still be placed in a national team selection race 

is telling on what national financing has done for this sport. 

Hemmings, Mason, Egan and Taylor were together into the ladies’ 

first portage but Hemmings then pulled steadily away for a 3 minute 

win. One of the finish buoys dragged 50m downstream and this was 

only one of the races where some of those racing failed to finish 

between the buoys. Taylor beat Surrage but Surrage was the first to 

appreciate the situation and get back to cross the required sharply 

angled line. 

Woodhead of Nottingham won the men’s under 23 race in a photo 

finish from team mate Baker but there was no contest in the ladies’ 

under 23, where Rippington was the only entrant. 

On the second portage of the men’s under 18 Watkins led in Andy 

Daniels. Daniels capsized getting back in and let Watkins away for a 2 

minute win. However, Daniels was still the first Briton home, beating 

Rutherford by over a minute. 

Spencer won the corresponding ladies’ race by well over a minute. 

Lightning races began the afternoon, followed by the under 16s and 

over 45s. Three of the latter men got away by the Warren and were 

down to a lead pair of Harding and Ayres after the first turn. Flynn 

came from the back to join them after the second top turn and was 

close in the final sprint, which Ayres just took from Harding on the 

line. 

Like Harding, Rutherford did two races on the day, now with the 

under 16s, in a lead group with Ede, Fleming, Barber and Childerstone 

by the Fisheries. A lap later Childerstone had dropped off. Rutherford 

took the race in a close finish from Ede and Barber. 

Oxtoby and Swallow had clear water by the Fisheries in the ladies’ 

under 16 race, Swallow being out on her own by the first portage and 

going on to win by well over a minute. 

Sunday saw worse weather for the doubles and divisional singles, 

Drought Order conditions at first although it did clear up later. The 

men’s over 55s were amongst the early classes, Parker/Skellern, 

Nathan Johnson leads Tom Daniels away from the portage. 

60 


Carpenter/Schnepp and Avery/Wetherall making an early break 

before the Fisheries, Ince/Somerset still in sight but not anyone else. 

Avery/Wetherall were dropped over the next lap but it went to a 

sprint finish, Parker/Skellern snatching it from Carpenter/Schnepp. 

The senior men’s race was going to be the serious one and it took 

two false starts before they got away. Approaching the first portage the 

order of the day was Andy Daniels/Hastings, Lawler/Harris, 

Brown/Sawers, Williams/Simmons, Tom Daniels/Sears, 

Johnson/Doyle, the Enochs and Goodall/Mayers. Daniels/Sears 

dropped their boat on the portage but Lawler/Harris jumped over it 

and were third back on the water after Brown/Sawers and 

Daniels/Hastings. On the second portage the Enochs, Lawler/Harris, 

Daniels/Hastings, Brown/Sawers and Williams/Simmons broke away. 

Lawler/Harris went in while getting back onto the water at the third 

portage, lost the group and retired. Did they fall or were they pushed? 

Ivan Lawler, unaccustomed to standing up to his waist in the river, said 

it did not matter. ‘It’s your own stupid fault if your boat ends up 

upside down in the water.’ The final also had its drama. The finish 

order looked to be Brown/Sawers, Daniels/Hastings, Daniels/Sears 

and the Enochs. Just before the line Daniels/Hastings capsized and the 

Enochs surged into 2nd place in the confusion, to the anguish of 

Reading supporters. 

The ladies’ race was nearly as interesting. Taylor/Hemmings got 

away for a clear win. Mason/Surrage retired mid race, Hayleigh Mason 

having been unwell before the start. The next crew for most of the 

race was Dawe/Hawkey, Jenna Hawkey having been winning a surf 

ski race in Cornwall the previous day and Linda Morley having 

reverted to her maiden name. Brixey/Negus sat on their wash the 

whole race and then outsprinted them at the finish but it should have 

been noted who had done all the work. 

In the over 35 men’s race Dark and Morrissey were delighted to be 

in the places between winners West/Trickett and Henson/Fieldus in a 

close finish, having never been in a boat together before and having 

had weed problems. 

The Wey crew of Terry/Childerstone wedged their bow under the 

portage platform in the under 16 men’s race and needed to receive 

assistance to get free. 

In all, a large turnout of some 800 competitors produced racing 

which was exciting, even if it lacked strength in depth at the top end. 

The hosts took the national title from Leighton Buzzard. Elmbridge, 

who won the major races but were not in the top placings, 

Simon Dark with K2 partner.

Under 18 winner Claire Spencer crosses the line. 

Ben Brown looks for 

someone to knight 

with the Wilkinson’s 

Sword trophy. Under 18 winners Barry Watkins/Brian Keogh. 

Hawkey/Dawe, a Cornish crew to watch for the future. They led Brixey/Negus for 2nd place until the final sprint. 


61

A rare picture of Lawler capsizing, Harris already standing in the river. Sawers/Brown, Sears/Daniels and the Enochs leave them to it. 

62 

Kelly/Swallow lead West/Trickett, Morrissey/Dark and Henson/Fieldus in the over 35s doubles. 

Dougall/Oxtoby and Swallow/Rowlands contest the under 16 doubles. 

Daniels/Hastings swim as Brown/Sawers take the line and the Enochs overtake Daniels/Sears in the confusion. 


commented that many of their competitors were away on family 

summer holidays. This poses the question whether the event should be 

pushed back into the school term in September or whether that risks 

losing older students as they head off to university, something which 

would not help the selectors. 

Dave Flynn chases Graham Illidge away from the portage. 

Irish crew Watkins/Murphy hold off locals Ralph/Daniels. 


LgGU10: 1 C Brookes, Runcorn, 25:38. 2 F Jarrett, Wokingham, 26:24. 3 A Wignall, Runcorn, 

26:25. LgGU12: 1 G Farrington, Royal, 24:23. 2 K Stone, Banbury, 24:41. 3 S Walters, Burton, 

24:44. K1LU14: 1 L Ferguson, Banbury, 40:22. 2 S Beer, Royal, 41:43. 3 K Trotter, Elmbridge, 

43:39. K1LU16: 1 J Swallow, Chester, 1:13:20. 2 E Oxtoby, Leighton Buzzard, 1:14:46. 

3 O O’Toole, Celbridge, 1:15:40. K1LU18: 1 C Spencer, Hereford, 1:38:29. 2 L Broughton, 

Richmond, 1:39:44. 3 K Hall, Richmond, 1:43:20. K1LU23: 1 S Rippington, Wokingham, 

2:25:31. K1L: 1 A Hemmings, Elmbridge, 2:03:39. 2 H Mason, Nottingham, 2:06:43. 3 J Egan, 

Salmon Leap, 2:06:44. K1LO35: 1 S Colley, Hereford, 1:45:30. 2 S Hawthorn, Worcester, 

1:55:47. 3 G Battison, Reading, 2:01:24. K1LO45: 1 T Phipps, Reading, 1:25:04. 

2 A Childerstone, Wey, 1:25:05. LgBU10: 1 J Childerstone, Wey, 24:49. 2 J Missen, Bradfordon-Avon, 

25:13. 3 J Bowley, Burton, 27:31. LgBU12: 1 A Mahmoud, Canalside, 22:30. 

2 B Killip, Richmond, 22:35. 3 C Welch, Wey, 22:43. K1MU14: 1 P Wilkes, Chelmsford, 41:43. 

2 J Tye, Worcester, 41:49. 3 M Wilkes, Chelmsford, 41:50. K1MU16: 1 E Rutherford, 

Elmbridge, 1:05:31. 2 P Ede, Reading, 1:05:32. 3 D Barber, Elmbridge, 1:05:33. 

K1MU18: 1 B Watkins, Salmon Leap, 1:27:32. 2 A Daniels, Reading, 1:29:32. 3 E Rutherford, 

Elmbridge, 1:30:39. K1MU23: 1 D Woodhead, Nottingham, 2:11:38.1. 2 R Baker, 

Nottingham, 2:11:38.2. 3 G Buggy, Celbridge, 2:12:29. K1M: 1 B Brown, Elmbridge, 1:53:34. 

2 T Daniels, Reading, 1:53:37. 3 I Lawler, Elmbridge, 1:54:17. K1.2: 1 D Hudson, Salmon Leap, 

1:31:16. 2 P Lopez, Salmon Leap, 1:31:18. 3 R Meyer, Nottingham, 1:32:08. K1.3: 1 L Panziera, 

Reading, 1:31:57. 2 J Parker, Worcester, 1:33:06. 3 D Flynn, Taunton, 1:33:38. 

K1.7: 1 G Mullins, Wey, 42:05. 2 S Rippington, Wokingham, 42:08. 3 J Cordery, Wey, 42:32. 

K1.8: 1 P Yates, Wey, 42:52. 2 J Webster, Bradford-on-Avon, 44:03. 3 L Howson, Bradford-on- 

Avon, 44:16. K1.9: 1 L Hussey, Leighton Buzzard, 46:45. 2 C Welch, Wey, 46:46. 3 H Monk, Wey, 

47:26. K1MO35: 1 S Dark, Bradford-on-Avon, 1:28:16. 2 S West, Worcester, 1:28:17. 

3 A Kelly, Kendal, 1:28:59. K1MO45: 1 R Ayres, Wey, 1:05:47. 2 O Harding, Cokethorpe School, 

1:05:48. 3 D Flynn, Taunton, 1:05:52. K1MO55: 1 R Avery, Macclesfield, 37:32. 2 P Ralph, 

Wokingham, 40:06. 3 P Schnepp, Wokingham, 40:09. C1U18: 1 G Hunt, Fladbury, 1:54:52. 

2 J Styan, Fladbury, 1:55:15. 3 R Weir, Banbury, 1:58:14. C1: 1 A Saturnus, Royal Leamington 

Spa, 2:36:07. 2 R Crookes, Chelmsford, 2:40:23. C1O55: 1 R Dromard, Bishop’s Stortford, 

1:02:46. K2LU14: 1 Ferguson/Holmes, Banbury/Worcester, 38:48. 2 Smith/Smith, 

Basingstoke Canal, 40:50. 3 Illidge/Simmons, Runcorn/Bradford-on-Avon, 41:55. 

K2LU18: 1 Cawthorn/Walker, Wey/Royal, 1:33:23. 2 Lamph/Brough, Wey, 1:33:55. 

3 King/Spencer, Reading/Hereford, 1:39:45. K2L: 1 Taylor/Hemmings, Elmbridge, 2:01:00. 

2 Brixey/Negus, Elmbridge, 2:03:23. 3 Dawe/Hawkey, Truro/Exeter, 2:03:27. K2LO35: 1 

Cooper/Gray, Reading, 1:43:55. 2 Battison/Phipps, Reading, 1:48:21 Hawthorn/Moran, 

Worcester, 1:48:21. K2H: 1 Welch/Childerstone, Wey, 12:05. 2 Killip/Killip, Richmond, 12:06. 

3 Webster/Lang, Bradford-on-Avon/Reading, 12:59. K2MU14: 1 Wilkes/Wilkes, Chelmsford, 

39:26. 2 Walkinshw/Hickman, Bishop’s Stortford, 40:21. 3 Mitchell/Murphy, Celbridge/Salmon 

Leap, 40:23. K2MU18: 1 Watkins/Keogh, Salmon Leap, 1:23:38. 2 Hide/Parfitt, 

Addlestone/Elmbridge, 1:24:52. 3 Williams/Haynes, Royal/Leighton Buzzard, 1:26:11. K2M: 1 

Brown/Sawers, Elmbridge, 1:49:57. 2 Enoch/Enoch, Nottingham, 1:50:03. 3 Daniels/Sears, 

Reading, 1:50:04. K2.3/4: 1 Loftus/Shaw, Royal, 1:27:20. 2 Bennett/Turner, Bristol, 1:27:20. 3 

Love/Farrington, Royal Leamington Spa/Falcon, 1:27:48. K2.5/6: 1 Tonkin/Revilla, Southampton, 

1:06:30. 2 Moran/Holmes, Worcester, 1:06:46. 3 Daniels/Gray, Reading, 1:06:47. K2.7/8: 1 

Cordery/Yates, Wey, 39:09. 2 Nadal/Nadal, Nottingham, 39:53. 3 Monk/Hannon, Wey, 40:32. 

K2.9: 1 Carpenter/Smith, Basingstoke Canal, 45:13. 2 Hussey/Sharp, Leighton Buzzard, 45:55. 

3 Gillespie/Jones, Pangbourne, 46:27. K2MO35: 1 West/Trickett, Worcester/Falcon, 1:24:49. 

2 Dark/Morrissey, Bradford-on-Avon/WW, 1:24:50. 3 Henson/Fieldus, Wey, 1:24:51. K2MO55: 1 

Parker/Skellern, Worcester, 37:09. 2 Carpenter/Schnepp, Exeter, 37:10. 3 Avery/Wetherall, 

Macclesfield/Richmond, 37:24. O/A: 1 Reading, 936. 2 Leighton Buzzard, 891. 3 Wey, 773. 

63

Sailing 

Allen snatches title at end of last race 

Inland Championships 

The International Canoe Inland Championships were hosted by 

Oxford Sailing Club at the rural setting of Farmoor Reservoir. In fact, 

the club have the use of the two reservoirs, the larger about 1km2 and 

the other half the size, able to allow club members to stay clear of the 

main action. 

Saturday was force 5, gusting force 6, and many of the canoe sailors 

chose to sit it out, especially as they expected only two races. There 

were a dozen ACs present and half as many ICs, the latter including 

Felicity Robson, daughter of John and the first female in the British 

fleet for several decades even though the Swedes and Germans have 

had female IC sailors more recently. 

Also present were the much larger Skiffs with their crews of three 

and it was expected that they would have two races and then the 

canoes would take over in the conditions for just two of the scheduled 

four races. 

The first AC race was led for the first two laps by Steve Bowen 

before he headed for the changing room, to be followed by others, 

leaving John Robson with the win. Robin Wood had been in 6th 

place at the end of the first beat, not a usual position for him, but 

dragged himself to 3rd place at the line. Robson also won the second 

race, Wood capsizing at the leeward mark and not completing this 

one. 

The ICs had just three on the water, Mark Goodchild and Simon 

Allen claiming one race each from the first two. 

Unexpectedly, the race officer was to get in a full four races for the 

day, gruelling as they were back to back even though fairly short at 

64 

The ACs brighten up Farmoor Reservoir during the Inland Championships. 

about 45 minutes apiece. Those who went ashore after the first race 

would have made more effort to get afloat again but did not do so as 

each successive race was expected to be the last of the day. Those who 

did not do all or most of Saturday’s races stood little chance in the 

championships. 

The final two races of the day saw Wood getting his act together for 

a pair of wins while Goodchild and Allen continued their rivalry with 

a further win each. Robson had been leading but had trouble with his 

spinnaker after rounding the windward mark for the first time and the 

entire fleet sailed past him. Colin Brown capsized with kite trouble a 

lap later. He got it sorted but there was a collision between himself and 

Goodchild, one on a beat and one on a run, Brown unable to see 

because of his spinnaker and Goodchild blinded by the intense sunlight 

at low angle. Goodchild took the impact of Brown’s bowsprit on his 

upper leg and was lucky not to sustain serious injury. Both capsized 

and it may have affected the eventual IC result. 

The evening saw the now traditional curry session at Jamal’s in 

Oxford, 25 sitting down at one table for dinner. 

Sunday was much cloudier but the wind had moderated to force 1 - 

2, later picking up to force 3, less testing racing conditions, for which 

nearly everyone got afloat. 

Wood won the day’s two AC races again, making himself clear 

winner overall from Robson, who had not been able to sustain his 

opening winning streak. 

Goodchild won the day’s first race and was leading the second until 

the closing lap when he made a tactical error and let Allen through. 

Provided nobody else got near the front, Goodchild could never be 

Simon Allen was to take the overall IC win only at the end of the last race. 


Above: John Robson leads from Colin Brown. 

Inset: The rare capsize of Robin Wood 

which allowed them to take the lead. 

Below: Mark Goodchild covers John Ellis. 

65

66 

Above: Colin Brown heads into the sun. 

Below: Robin Wood pursued by Colin Brown. 


certain of the title until the final race as that race would act as the 

tiebreaker if required, which it was. Thus, with three wins each, Allen 

snatched it at the last opportunity. 

Both of Sunday’s races were in much easier conditions but were also 

very short to suit other constraints, not least the Skiff racing. Rob 

Michael set his stopwatch at the beginning of the last race, finished in 

8th place, went ashore, derigged his boat and was in the process of 

packing up when he looked at the watch again. It said 31 minutes. 

There had been two races in well under an hour. Throughout the 

weekend the racing had been fast and furious. 

The pea soup of blue-green algae, overlain by a thick mat of 

discarded goose and swan quills and topped with a layer of foam on the 

Saturday made the edge of the reservoir appear less than wholesome as 

a Thames Water source of drinking water. It will be interesting to see 

the implications of a reservoir four times the diameter just down the 

road. 

Felicity Robson is the first female member of the IC fleet for 

several decades. 

R1: AC: 1 J Robson, Ullswater. 2 R Michael, Hayling Island. 3 R Wood, Saundersfoot. 

IC: 1 M Goodchild, Medway. 2 S Allen, Hayling Island. 3 C Newman, Draycote Water. 

R2: AC: 1 J Robson, Ullswater. 2 C Brown, Scaling Dam. 3 J Ellis, Scaling Dam. IC: 1 S Allen, 

Hayling Island. 2 M Goodchild, Medway. 3 C Newman, Draycote Water. R3: AC: 1 R Wood, 

Saundersfoot. 2 J Robson, Ullswater. 3 C Brown, Scaling Dam. IC: 1 M Goodchild, Medway. 

2 S Allen, Hayling Island. 3 C Newman, Draycote Water. R4: AC: 1 R Wood, Saundersfoot. 

2 R Bell, Grafham Water. 3 C Brown, Scaling Dam. IC: 1 S Allen, Hayling Island. 2 M Goodchild, 

Medway. R5: AC: 1 R Wood, Saundersfoot. 2 D Timson. 3 C Brown, Scaling Dam. 

IC: 1 M Goodchild, Medway. 2 S Allen, Hayling Island. 3 R Austin, Baldock. R6: AC: 1 R Wood, 

Saundersfoot. 2 P Allen, Hayling Island. 3 J Robson, Ullswater. IC: 1 S Allen, Hayling Island. 

2 M Goodchild, Medway. 3 C Newman, Draycote Water. O/A: AC: 1 R Wood, Saundersfoot, 7. 

2 J Robson, Ullswater, 11. 3 C Brown, Scaling Dam, 18. IC: 1 S Allen, Hayling Island, 7. 

2 M Goodchild, Medway, 7. 3 C Newman, Draycote Water, 16. 

Mallards peck about amongst froth, blue-green algae and a raft 

of discarded bird feathers on Farmoor Reservoir. 


Corus Open 

AC: 1 R Wood, Saundersfoot. 2 P Patrick, Hayling Island. 3 R Michael, Hayling Island. 

IC: 1 G Nicholson. 2 T McCool. 

Hurricane induced surf 

British Championships 

150 elite endurance athletes were treated to a spectacular start at this 

years British Quadrathlon Championships in Bude, north Cornwall. As 

predicted, on the morning of Saturday 30th September the north coast 

of Cornwall was hit by a hurricane induced swell, creating 

mountainous waves for the first leg in this swim/cycle/canoe/run 

marathon. 

Competitors from across Europe arrived for an early start of this 

ultra extreme event. The race makes the most the dramatic north 

Cornish coastline and the historic Bude Canal. The course begins with 

a 1,000 metre sea swim within the partial shelter of the Bude 

breakwater, then a gruelling 30km cycle ride, including some of the 

steepest coastal hills in the country, then onto the canal for 10km of 

marathon canoeing and a 10km cross country run to finish. Incredibly, 

this year’s winner completed the course in an amazing 2 hours, 35 

minutes and 25 seconds! 

The unique combination of swim, cycle, canoe and run creates an 

event that appeals to traditional triathletes, marathon canoeists and surf 

lifesavers. With every athlete having strong and weak disciplines this is 

a race where the lead is always changing; supporters and spectators 

alike are left uncertain as to the outcome until the athletes cross the 

line for the final time. 

This years event will be remembered, as always, for the awesome 1 

in 3 hill climb at Millook but also for the huge surf and gale force 

southerly winds and for those competitors who paddled basic general 

purpose kayaks they’ll always have a special memory of zigzagging up 

the windy Bude Canal. At least the run leg was scenic! 

The field was packed with previous champions including the 2005 

champion, Andy Byatt, and 2004 champion, Lee Sampson, but it was 

last year’s runner up, Matt Thomas, a fire fighter from Perranporth, 

who set the early pace. Meanwhile, in the women’s race, world 

quadrathlon champion Helen Parkinson from Bideford was the class 

act in every one of the four disciplines. 

Every athlete and team put in a fantastic performance with many 

personal best times being recorded. Personal battles were fought out 

throughout the field, one of the best being the race for the junior team 

title between the students of Budehaven Community School and 

Shebbear junior team. After the dramatic swim and awesome cycle leg, 

Shebbear were narrowly in the lead. Jack Horwell extended this lead 

for Shebbear after the kayak leg but it was Mike Garrett of Bude who 

finished the run stage 1st just 3 minutes ahead of their rivals. Let’s hope 

both teams are up for more of the same next year! 

Although the leaders finished this race in less than 3 hours, many 

would take more than 4 hours to complete this gruelling course. For 

some it was a very personal challenge but for many it was all about 

completing their parts for the good of their teams. As athletes 

recovered at the end of the race many were already planning for next 

year’s race, due to run on Saturday 22nd September. 

As event organizer I would like to thank the many volunteers from 

around Bude who marshalled this event including friends, family and 

work colleagues and the RNLI, Bude Canoe Club and St John who 

provided important safety cover. 

Simon Hammond 

W: 1 H Parkinson, 3:03.40. WO40: 1 J Ashley, 3:18:35. 2 A Martin. 3 E Loopstra. 

M: 1 M Thomas, 2:35:25. 2 A Byatt. 3 J Parker. MO40: 1 B Shrosbree, 2:41:40. 2 K Longney. 

3 S Hammond. MO50: 1 P Belcher, 3:04:19. MO60: 1 P Tamblin, 4:11:14. 

2W: 1 Dawe/Rowyn, 3:05:38. 2M: 1 Miller/Bentley, 2:53:30. 2 Longthorpe/Parkinson. 

3 Brooks/Harvey. RW: 1 Bookworms, 3:40:58. RY: 1 Budehaven School, 3:22:55. R: 1 Devon 

& Cornwall Police, 2:35:05. 2 Bude Lifeguards. 3 Ambleside Dove. 

Winter warmer from Helly Hansen 

The Weavers Down Winter Warmer in Hampshire on Dec 3rd will 

be the third and last of the Helly Hansen Adventure Challenge Series 

in the south of England. Each triathlon lasts 3 - 5 hours and features 

10km of trail running, 25km of mountain biking and 1.5km of 

inflatable kayak racing on flat water. Entry costs £120 per team of 

three per event, including hire of all equipment except mountain bike 

and helmet. [01628 820368] 

67 

Multisport

Lifeguarding 

Herts excel in real incidents 


South Cerney Watersports Centre proved so popular for last year’s 

national championships that a return was made there this year. Run by 

the Welsh, the event benefited from warm autumn weather once 

overnight mist had cleared. 

There were six teams, four of whom were juniors, indicating an 

important input of new blood. Of the two senior teams, Herts Seniors 

had the only female competitor and were led by Martin Suzan, who 

has produced such excellent performances as a junior in previous 

championships. The other senior team, Traitors, was a composite 

team. Juniors get free entry and so it was decided to give the senior 

teams free entry as well, in addition to the subsidized evening meal and 

quiz. 

Saturday saw the usual skills tests, such as lifeguard tows, rescue of an 

injured swimmer, improvised reel and line, supported resuscitation and 

Z drag, the exercises grouped to allow competitors to stay dry for as 

long as possible. The throwline event required each competitor to take 

three throws to get within 1m of a buoy anchored in the lake, with 

the usual soberingly poor results, most paddlers being less accurate with 

a throwline than they would expect. A search guided from the shore 

for an object anchored so that it floated below the surface was more 

Weymouth demonstrate their knotting skills. 

successful. One patient also needed dressings on a lacerated leg and a 

piece of glass and a nail projecting from his arm. A welcome 

development is that competitors were getting team debriefings at the 

end of each test, ahead of a general summary with the prizegiving, 

allowing everyone to learn from mistakes and weaknesses. 

The day’s outdoor activities ended with short triathlons, swimming 

out round a buoy, running along the footpath and then paddling out 

round the island. Elliot Green won the Iron Man event by dint of a 

smart second transition which moved him ahead from 2nd place. The 

Diamond Lady event was extremely close, Lucy Cook taking the title 

from her mum, Linda, who might have tried harder if she had been 

chasing anyone else. 

Sunday’s unknown incidents were all based on real scenarios met by 

the organizers. 

A swan rescue group had dehooked a swan but one of the rescuers 

had half a fishing tackle shop embedded in her hand, actually a glove, 

which needed to be raised and strapped. Her colleagues seemed more 

concerned that the swan was bleeding and took at least one of the 

rescuers off on a wild swan chase, a situation which gave increasing 

scope as the swans decided not to play and moved away from the 

vicinity. 

The Shark has not only speed but also load carrying ability. Many other kayaks will stand on end if a rescue of a swimmer is attempted. 

68 


Above: Herts Seniors prepare to treat a lacerated leg and an arm in which a piece of glass and a nail are embedded. 

Below: Lifting somebody with a leg injury out of the water onto the bank is not as easy as it might seem. See the Incident File (p17). 


69

Setting up and using a Z drag to move a large van. 

70 

Operating under instructions from a judge to direct other team 

members without verbal communication to locate a small object 

anchored and floating below the surface. 

Linda and Lucy Cook succeed in getting a dead heat in the Diamond Lady contest. 


Herts Seniors show how to take a non breathing casualty out of the water and begin treatment without waiting to reach land. 

71 


Every kind of angling hook embedded in a false hand. 

72 

The Wye is being used increasingly by non canoeists hiring canoes 

for stag trips. Rescuers arrived to find two capsized canoes and four 

swimmers with pirate hats, cutlass and knife armament and joyous 

inebriation which was to see them share the best casualty title. They 

had great fun and it was suggested that they must have particular skill 

in this area. It is not easy for youngsters to be firm when attempting to 

control irrational adults and make them safe. 

Only one team found the other body under a capsized canoe, even 

though another team asked and had five counted out on her fingers by 

one of the swimmers. 

Most teams have returned to using Sharks as their patrol boats but 

Weymouth 1 included a rescue surfboard on which its user kneeled, 

paddling with his hands and going faster than might have been 

expected while towing two capsized canoes. 

Some of the younger teams were given prompts by judges when 

struggling. In this incident, judge Ann Collins suggested to one team 

that they were on an island in the middle of a river and it was getting 

dark, ‘very, very dark’, nothing to do with her sunglasses. 

Hang gliding enthusiasts have bought a landing field beside the Usk 

and now regularly jump off Blorenge and drop into the river. Teams 

arrived to find a hang glider floating in the water and a helmeted pilot 

attached to the underside of it. Once they had overseen the separation 

of the pilot from his plane, the major difficulty faced was lifting 

technique for getting a large adult out of the water. 

Probably no championships patients have had more fun than the drunken pirates. 


Finally, teams had to search the bank for a missing 5 year old girl, 

whom they eventually found drowned in a pool in the adjacent 

River Churn, here just a stream. Teams needed to consider the size 

and mindset of the person being sought and to look at the cube 

ahead, not just the square, as not every clue was at ground level. 

They should also not jump into the river without ascertaining the 

depth, even if most of it was shallow elsewhere. 

Once again a varied set of incidents showed circumstances which 

might be met by anyone while canoeing, not just by canoe 

lifeguards. 

Herts Seniors excelled, getting the top overall score in the skills 

events, in the quiz and in each of the unknown incidents. Nathan 

Newman was given the junior achievement award. All will have 

gained from this weekend, as will their patients in the future. 

Skills: 1 Herts S, 323. 2 Herts J, 315. Traitors, 280. Unknown Incidents: 1 Herts S, 479. 

2 Weymouth 1, 351. 3 Traitors, 343. O/A: 1 Herts S, 802. 2 Traitors, 623. Weymouth 1, 616. 

Diamond Lady: 1 Ly Cook. 2 La Cook. Iron Man: 1 E Green. 

Lifeguard communication problems 

At the ACM, chairman Dave Wyatt expressed concern about being 

unable to find out the BCU’s proposals for the test scheme, this being 

a major source of income for the lifeguards. Lack of publicity also 

meant that numbers of lifeguards are low, following in the wake of 

previous complaints of lack of BCU support for the lifeguards. The 

publicity officer post is now being divided into two with Lawton 

Hicks and Mike George sharing the work. Likewise, Des Merrigan and 

Nigel Whitehead are to split the national training officer post between 

them. 

Herts celebrate 21st 

Herts Canoe Lifeguards are to celebrate their 21st anniversary with a 

riverboat party on Dec 8th. Friends and supporters are invited to join 

them. 

Checking the state of the ditched hang glider pilot. 

Attempting to resuscitate the drowned child. 


Surf killer 

A new road in California is expected to spoil the surf at Trestles 

beach. It will alter the sediment flow, changing the waves at this iconic 

surf venue. 

Surf’s up this winter 

Simon Hammond and his team of surf kayak coaches at Shoreline 

Outdoor Pursuits are providing development days and courses for all 

budding kayak surfers. If you just want to improve your surfing or are 

aiming for specific surf qualifications there’s a course for you. With the 

world surf kayak championships due to be held in northern Spain in 

October 2007 now is the time to get moving. Still to run are 

11/12th November - Five Star surf training 

9/10th December - Level 3 Surf Coach training 

3rd/4th February - Level 3 Surf Coach assessment 

Email hammond.family@virgin.net. 

Penang to host dragon boat worlds 

The 6th world club crew championships in 2008 are to be held in 

Penang over the first three days of August. The 8th Asian 

championships will be run in conjunction with the event. 

Cathay swallow Dragon 

Cathay Pacific have purchased rival airline Dragonair. Cathay Pacific 

played an important sponsorship role in dragon boat racing several 

years back and this might be an appropriate time for them to be 

encouraged back. 

Elmbridge team of the year 

The Elmbridge based GB premier open crew have been named 

Elmbridge Borough Senior Team of the Year. This is in recognition of 

their silver medal in the European championships in Prague where 

they were up against other crews with significant numbers of Olympic 

and world class canoeists. 

73

The coast of Angus boasts a wealth of spectacular natural landmarks, 

including sea stacks, caves, blowholes and narrow inlets only accessible 

by kayak. There are wonderful strips of golden sand backed by grassy 

dunes and towering red sandstone cliffs. Tiny natural harbours with 

centuries of maritime heritage lurk along the shoreline, contrasting 

with the larger commercial ports of Arbroath and Montrose. 

Our adventure was to begin at East Haven, a tiny hamlet to the 

northwest of Carnoustie, a town famous for its links golf course. The 

beach carpark has public toilets and is just a short portage from the 

water’s edge. The coastal community boasts a fine natural anchorage, a 

crescent of golden sand sweeping between protective barriers of rock. 

It is still used by a handful of local fishermen who lay baskets for 

prawns, crabs and lobsters and drag their boats from the water using 

what are now vintage tractors. The bay also lays claim to royal 

patronage; when the Queen and the late Princess Margaret were 

74 

Angus explored 

The harbour at East Haven. 

Arbroath as it appears from the sea. 


young children their mother would bring them here to paddle and 

build sandcastles during holidays to Glamis Castle. 

The calm conditions made for an easy paddle away from the beach 

and we quickly skimmed across the flat water towards a plethora of 

small homemade flags marking the positions of the local fishermen’s 

submerged creels. We made sure we were well offshore to avoid the 

dark slabs of rock jutting out from the coastline before bearing left to 

head northeast, Arbroath our first post of call. 

The coastline remains rocky below a relatively new wastewater 

treatment plant at Hatton, clearly visible as we looked landward. The 

installation opened just a few years ago but has already made a great 

impact on improving the quality of water here. Just over a mile on 

from Easthaven the rocky foreshore gives way to a long stretch of sand 

and shingle beach and we hugged the coastline to Arbroath, passing 

the West Sands, a popular bathing area. Beyond this the shoreline 

becomes rocky again before the town’s harbour is reached. 

This fishing port can trace its history back to the 12th century when 

the town’s abbey (where the historic Declaration of Scottish 

Independence was signed in April 1320) was constructed. The first 

harbour was built by the abbey’s monks and it grew to become the 

focal point of a thriving fishing industry. These days, however, only a 

small number of commercial boats remain and the majority of landings 

are shellfish. 

The town is probably most famous for the Arbroath smokie, a 

smoked haddock delicacy. Production continues locally and we 

decided to put ashore on the beach below the old Signal Tower, now 

a museum, to pick up a couple for our lunch. 

Back on the open water with the smokies safely stowed, we 

continued northeast, skirting below the seafront houses and a swathe of 

parkland separating the town from marvellous red sandstone cliffs 

which we were keen to explore. These begin at Whiting Ness and, 

with the tide in and the sea rather more exuberant, our next safe 

landing point would be Carlingheugh Bay, known locally as the Flairs, 

a little over a mile on. 

The strip of coast proved to be fascinating and progress was slow as 

we explored various inlets and caves carved into the soft stone by the 

power of the sea. Some of the spectacular features carry names, such as 

the Needle’s E’e, a round hole in the rock so called because it 

resembles the eye of a needle. Further on is Dickmont’s Den, a narrow

inlet into which we paddled cautiously, careful to avoid the waves 

smacking our boats into the cliffs guarding the entrance. There are two 

entry points separated by a large plug of stone on which scores of noisy 

seabirds were perched, their droppings glazing the red sandstone like 

white icing on a cake. Once in the den the water was delightfully 

calm, allowing us to bask in the sunshine as walkers on the clifftop 

nature trail high above peered curiously down at us. The channel is 

barely wide enough to turn a kayak and, although there’s a small beach 

at the head of the inlet, the climb up to the path above is exceptionally 

steep. 

We manœuvred carefully round and headed back to the open sea, 

squeezing through the exit as squawking seabirds, clearly agitated by 

our presence, wheeled menacingly overhead. A short burst of paddling 

took us to the Deil’s Heid, a stack which, when viewed from its 

landward side, is said to resemble the devil’s head. It rises proud from a 

flat slab of rock and, when it’s not too choppy, it’s possible to paddle 

right into the base. 

Rounding the headland, we crossed the bay below Maiden Castle 

and, beyond a knife edge of sandstone protruding into the sea, we 

pulled into Carlingheugh Bay. The southern end of the bay offers the 

The cliffs at the northern end of Arbroath. 

Sandstone rocks north of Arbroath. 


easiest landing, clear of the slabby horizontal rock that characterizes the 

rest of the cove’s shoreline. It’s well worth going ashore here to enjoy 

the peaceful beach and explore some of the caves at the north end of 

the bay. One, set into the cliff above the beach, has long been used as a 

shelter by travellers and there was evidence of recent occupation, the 

remains of a fire and a battered tin cup. Another, a little further on, 

cuts right through the headland, emerging into the next bay. The 

tunnel is about 30 metres in length and the roof is high enough to pass 

through unhindered, although you do have to stoop for some of the 

way. It’s dry, clean and free of birds and would make a good overnight 

bivi. 

We continued on our way, however, paddling round the colonies of 

seabirds, including gannets and shags, perched upon the rocks below 

the next headland. Between Carlingheugh Bay and Castlesea Bay is the 

Gaylet Pot, a natural blow hole. Beyond this, the sandstone cliffs 

continue to the old harbour at Auchmithie where we pulled ashore for 

a breather. There used to be a good pub here with fine sea views but 

unfortunately it’s currently closed. There’s no shop in Auchmithie, 

either, so we enjoyed our smokies on the beach, hungrily eating the 

cold fish straight from the wrapper with our fingers. 

75

76 

The Deil’s Heid stack. 


Nets drying beside Carlingheugh Bay. 

The next stretch of sustained paddling took us past some 

wonderfully named natural rock formations, the Maiden Stane, Maw 

Skelly and Red Head, to Ethie Haven at the southern end of Lunan 

Bay, the three mile long strip of unspoilt golden sand emerging 

spectacularly into view as we rounded Lang Craig. We set a course for 

the mouth of the Lunan Water, the prominent sandstone ruin of Red 

Castle our navigational landmark. 

Scraping the kayak bottoms across the sand, we entered the outflow, 

negotiated a line of concrete blocks dumped here during the last war 

to prevent enemy tanks making it ashore and paddled into a 

wonderfully tranquil horseshoe of water sitting at the base of the steep 

wooded slope below the castle. We landed and found a flat grassy site 

above the dunes for our tents. There was plenty of driftwood and 

fallen timber for a fire and, after a long day on the water, we sat on the 

sand, content, watching red clouds dissolve into darkness. 

Residual cliffs reach out into Carlingheugh Bay. 


Sticking with the coast 

Our second day on the water dawned bright and we were up and 

away early, letting the flow of the Lunan Water project the slightly 

lighter kayaks back out into the sea. Calm waters allowed us to stray 

from the coast and paddle straight for Boddin Point, a low lying blip 

on the coastline occupied by a ruined limekiln. Landing is easiest on 

the northern side if you fancy exploring the solid stone structure. From 

here we stayed as close to the rocky shoreline as we dared, pausing 

briefly at the natural harbour of Usan before paddling on to Scurdie 

Ness. Here a lighthouse guards the mouth of the River South Esk, 

gateway to the busy commercial port of Montrose and, beyond the 

docks, Montrose Basin, a haven for wildfowl. A mile and a half of 

paddling will take you into the basin, a nature reserve. 

We chose to stick with the coast and, with the channel clear of 

shipping, crossed the estuary to the southern tip of the town’s long 

sandy beach. This would accompany us for the final stretch of our trip 

north through Montrose Bay to St Cyrus. There’s little to see on this 

stretch of coast other than sand and grassy dunes but we made the most 

of the perfect flat calm sea conditions and savoured the sun as we 

cruised leisurely northwards, knowing our journey was almost at an 

end. 

The county of Angus finishes at the mouth of the River North Esk 

and we planned to land just to the north of this point and make our 

way inland to a nature reserve carpark where we’d meet up with our 

transport home. The map suggests it is possible to head up the river a 

short distance and then bear right into the marshes below the carpark. 

In reality, however, there is often too little water here for passage so, 

to avoid disappointment at the end of an excellent adventure, we put 

ashore on the beach and carried the kayaks over the dunes to the 

carpark, which is about 500 metres from the beach. As we loaded 

them on to the roof of the car we were already making plans to 

explore the next section of coast and the one after that… 

James Carron 

77

78 

The limekilns on Boddin Point. 

Scurdie Ness lighthouse at Montrose. 


A salmon fishing station by Montrose Bay. 

Useful Information 

ANGUS 

www.angusanddundee.co.uk 

www.visitscotland.com 

MAPS 

OS Landranger maps 45 and 54. 

GETTING THERE 

Road 

Follow the M90 and A90 from Edinburgh to Dundee and then 

the A92 towards Arbroath. Easthaven is signed from the A92, 

just after Muirdrum. 

Rail 

ScotRail, GNER and Virgin services on the Edinburgh to 

Aberdeen mainline stop in Carnoustie, Arbroath and Montrose. 

ACCOMMODATION 

Hotels, guest houses and B&Bs in Carnoustie, Arbroath and 

Montrose. Contact Angus & Dundee Tourist Board for listings. 

Tel 01382 527527 or log on to www.angusanddundee.co.uk. 

There are camp sites in Arbroath and Montrose and wild 

camping is possible at Carlingheugh Bay and Lunan Bay. 

SUPPLIES 

There’s a full range of services in each main town on the route. 

For kayak and outdoor equipment pop into Tiso, 22 Whitehall 

St, Dundee, tel: 01382 221153. 

Cliffs at the end of Montrose Bay. 

James Carron photographs

Back then 

20 years ago 

* Princess Anne opened the Holme Pierrepont slalom course. 

* Molly Jones closed the Mike Jones memorial fund. 

* Paddlers in Plymouth received a stiff letter from the MoD about surfing nuclear submarine washes. War 

canoes were used to convey protestors in Sydney Harbour objecting to the visit of Allied warships which 

could carry nuclear warheads. 

* Chris Duff completed his solo paddle round Britain but had to rush home to American after his sister was 

attacked by a grizzly bear. Bill Taylor wrote the first part of his feature on rounding Britain and Ireland. 

* New books included Scottish White Water and Howard Jeffs’ Practical Guide to Sea Canoeing. The French 

glossy Canoë Mensuel folded after four issues. 

* Chris Berry and Trevor Grace were developing the Canoe Sport Llandysul complex. 

* Paddlers were encouraged to sign CRACK’s Canoeists’ Manifesto on access. 

* The British Wave Ski Association broke away from the BCU. 

* The Lymington harbourmaster refused to allow the IC world championships to be held there. 

* Plant and Perrett/Lawler won the marathon world championships in Hardenberg for the ladies and Wells 

and Belcher/Dresser took the men’s kayak silvers, as did Gohar the C1. 

10 years ago 

* The WCA were offering decade season tickets for the Tryweryn, £150 for non members, a third off for 

members. 

* Mick Jagger bought a pair of open canoes. 

* Nottingham architects suggested a spiral nebula design for a £200,000,000 national sports academy to be 

built on the Holme Pierrepont campsite. Rushcliffe Borough Council found 15% of the slalom course users 

had subsequently become ill. 

* There were no objectors in the SCA’s Clydes Mill slalom course consultation. 

* A flood did major damage to the Bourg St Maurice slalom course. 

* Helmet and buoyancy aid manufacturers were in chaos because the CEN couldn’t decide on the rules they 

were imposing. 

* The ACT were proposing running a European trade show in Britain each year. 

* Four paddlers made the first full length descent of the North Tyne and Tyne in a day. 

* Stu Hagerty took the junior silver in the wave ski world championships in Durban. 

* Lawler/Harris won the men’s kayaks in the Vaxholm marathon world championships with the Trains 

winning C2 and Hemmings, in her first senior year, runner up in women’s K1. 

C l a s s i f i e d 

Private advertisements are 

placed free of charge. Write to 

Canoeist Classifieds, 4 

Sinodun Row, Appleford-on- 

Thames, Oxon OX14 4PE, fax 

01235 847520 or email 

mail@canoeist.co.uk. 

Associations 

Association of Canoe Trades, 85 

Edgedale Rd, Sheffield, S Yorks S7 2BR. 

British Canoe Union, John 

Dudderidge House, Adbolton Lane, W 

Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 5AS. 

British Dragon Boat Racing 

Association, 13 The Prebend, Northend, 

Leamington Spa, Warks. 

British Quadrathlon Association, 2 

Highview Gardens, Jersey Farm, St 

Albans, Herts AL4 9JX. 

British Wave Ski Association, 5 

Cudmore Park, Tiverton, Devon EX16 

4QJ. 

Canoe Association of Northern 

Ireland, House of Sport, 2A Upper 

Malone Rd, Belfast BT9 5LA. 

Canoe-Camping Club, 25 Waverley 

Rd, S Norwood SE25 4HT. 

Historic Canoe & Kayak Association, 

48 Russell Way, Higham Ferrers NN10 

8EJ. 

International Sea Kayak Association, 

4 Sinodun Row, Appleford-on-Thames, 

Oxon OX14 4PE. 

New River Rats, West Reservoir 

Centre, Green Lanes, London N4 2HA. 

Open Canoe Association, 12 De 

Verdun Ave, Belton, Leics LE12 9TY. 

Open Canoe Sailing Group, Cobwebs, 

Woodhouse Lane, Heversham, Cumbria 

LA7 7EW. 

Paddlers International, 4 Sinodun 

Row, Appleford-on-Thames, Oxon OX14 

4PE. 

Scottish Canoe Association, Caledonia 

House, S Gyle, Edinburgh EH12 9DQ. 

Welsh Canoeing Association, 

Frongoch, Bala, Gwynedd LL23 7NU. 

Young Explorers’ Trust, Royal 

Geographical Society, 1 Kensington 

Gore, London SW7 2AR. 

www.canoeist.co.uk 


Private sales 

Dagger Medieval, multicoloured red, 

8' long, ideal whitewater, adjustable 

backrest,footrest, end handles etc, £250. 

Also various paddling kit including Hiko 

and Crewsaver buoyancy aids £30 and 

£20, Prijon Supratex spraydeck £35, 

Prijon Artistic helmet £20, Riot Premiere 

195cm paddle £45, Schlegel Duralen 

200cm paddle £40. All VGC. Phone 01788 

813928, Warwickshire. 

Robson NRG with overthruster, 

yellow and black, very good condition 

(little used). £400 ono. Email 

billhammond@fsmail.net. Tel 07963 

797894. 

Dagger Showdown package. 

Blue/black, £395 ono. Well used but very 

good condition with almost new Palm 

Extreme spraydeck and Schlegel 

Whitewater paddle. Southwest area, 

contact Claire, phone 07980910284, email 

clairewarren84@hotmail.com. 

79

Based on the acclaimed 

coastal guide series, this is the 

book which has been most 

often requested from Canoeist. 

The most detailed boater’s 

guide available to the British 

coast in a single volume, it is 

appropriate for those making 

day trips as well as those 

undertaking circumnavigations. 

Full of sound and practical 

advice, it gives essential 

guidance on aspects of safety 

and has an exhaustive 

directory of useful information. 

The text is fully illustrated 

with coloured mapping and 

photographs. This is an 

invaluable resource for anyone 

venturing out onto Britain’s 

coastal waters. 

Foreword by Sean Morley. 

Size A4 

357 pages 

724 photographs 

63 maps 

Soft cover 

0 85288 906 0 

1st edition June 2006 

Price £29.50 

‘For anyone planning a small boat/kayak journey, anywhere around 

the coastline of Britain, I suggest this book is absolutely essential 

reading.’ - Paul Caffyn, Sea Canoeist Newsletter. 

‘makes for absorbing reading.’ - Ceufad.

November 2006 - Canoeist Magazine

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