What a good start, absolutely flying. Tried a new sensation of passing
other boats, very radical!
However, just before the Bruce Tunnel by mutual agreement we decided
that we were trying too much too quick and have pulled out of doing DW
doubles
I'll take this opportunity to thank Emlyn for everything I learned
from him & a very big thanks to the support crew.
In the words of Bono, "We've got to go away and dream it all up again!"
Tom
21 March 2010
09 March 2010
08 March 2010
Devizes
I've seen that this year!
07 March 2010
Waterside C
Paddled 300m, portaged 5km
At Wooton Rivers, first portage on DW we decided that portaging a
glass Condor any further was a bad idea.
At Wooton Rivers, first portage on DW we decided that portaging a
glass Condor any further was a bad idea.
Came back to Newbury and paddled the last two portages inorder to
paddle the mill stream
The bucket seats felt more stable. Next week we'll do a session in
Shrewsbury and decide if we do K2 DW.
Word of advice to other crews, when I tell you the flight will be
frozen you need to believe me
Good points- Crofton (1.6km) is no longer an issue and we were stable
in bucket seats!
Tom
04 March 2010
Knowle Locks- Grand Union Canal Part 2
Tonight we paddled on the Grand Union Canal Knowle Locks.
We've decided to try an alternative Condor with bucket seats. Changing partners at five past the eleventh hour is usually a no, no. So as we've thrown the rule book out the window we can change boats too.
We've decided to try an alternative Condor with bucket seats. Changing partners at five past the eleventh hour is usually a no, no. So as we've thrown the rule book out the window we can change boats too.
When we stopped tonight to move the footplate we discovered ice on the boat, paddles and ourselves.
ice on my buoyancy aid
Anyway Waterside C on Sunday is the acid test were we decide yes or no
I'm now going to have a shower and then an early night.
Tom
Grand Union Canal
Union Canal.
Eamon and I are going to try portages and we've got lots of locks here!
I'll update this when I get home & say how it goes
Tom
01 March 2010
32 days
I wrote my first post for teamGT with 315 days to go until DW 2010 in New Zealand, I'm writing this on in the UK and there are 32 days until DW2010- 283 days of ramblings.
Unfortunately since Waterside B we've had to dramatically alter the team logistics. Richard got hurt so I pulled us out of that race. Rather than permanently injure himself he's waiting until DW2011, only 416 days away. I think he's made the right choice. However, that left me with a choice too. K1 or don't paddle at all.
Craig, from Marsport, made a suggestion to me. Antony Murr had been left without a partner, would I consider paddling with him? This weekend we go together and gave it a go.
We paddled Crofton Flight to the Bruce tunnel, through the tunnel and back on Saturday. Sunday we paddled a modified Thameside 1 turning right at Kennetmouth.
We had to do a lot of work on paddling together but for someone I've never paddled with before I was really happy with the ground we made, although we are still walking before we run.
The highlights were Fobney Lock- the landing stage we used was underwater, however, we got our feet wet instead of wet and muddy and survived it. County Weir looked worse than two weeks ago. The water was higher and there were 5 standing waves on the weir itself. In reality it was actually easier, even if a little choppier, because it was washed out the recirculating eddie wasn't there. I'm afraid there's no pics or video because sorting ourselves out less than 5 weeks before DW was more important to us. Well done to the two newbies we met for looking at County and doing a 400m portage- If you're not sure walk until it's safe!
The best thing I learnt this weekend was my portage approach technique- I've spent the past 7 years going in parallel, Antony changed me to 45 degrees and this has made the world of difference.
So what about Richard, he's still involved but I've offered him to another team as support crew for the 4 day event for the mere sum of 1 camel and 2 goats.
I need to sleep now,
Tom
Unfortunately since Waterside B we've had to dramatically alter the team logistics. Richard got hurt so I pulled us out of that race. Rather than permanently injure himself he's waiting until DW2011, only 416 days away. I think he's made the right choice. However, that left me with a choice too. K1 or don't paddle at all.
Craig, from Marsport, made a suggestion to me. Antony Murr had been left without a partner, would I consider paddling with him? This weekend we go together and gave it a go.
We paddled Crofton Flight to the Bruce tunnel, through the tunnel and back on Saturday. Sunday we paddled a modified Thameside 1 turning right at Kennetmouth.
We had to do a lot of work on paddling together but for someone I've never paddled with before I was really happy with the ground we made, although we are still walking before we run.
The highlights were Fobney Lock- the landing stage we used was underwater, however, we got our feet wet instead of wet and muddy and survived it. County Weir looked worse than two weeks ago. The water was higher and there were 5 standing waves on the weir itself. In reality it was actually easier, even if a little choppier, because it was washed out the recirculating eddie wasn't there. I'm afraid there's no pics or video because sorting ourselves out less than 5 weeks before DW was more important to us. Well done to the two newbies we met for looking at County and doing a 400m portage- If you're not sure walk until it's safe!
The best thing I learnt this weekend was my portage approach technique- I've spent the past 7 years going in parallel, Antony changed me to 45 degrees and this has made the world of difference.
So what about Richard, he's still involved but I've offered him to another team as support crew for the 4 day event for the mere sum of 1 camel and 2 goats.
I need to sleep now,
Tom
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