CHESTER CANOE CLUB NEWS LETTER

AUTUMN 2008

Review

June saw the WWR World Championships in Italy. Selected to represent GB in C2 were Colin Cartwright and Dave Bradburn who came in 13^th overall. Colin Smith and Brian McNulty competed in the Masters C2 winning both the individual and team events.

Jean Ashley competed in the World Quadrathlon Championships in the Czech Republic taking the world title and finishing 9^th overall.

Back in the UK the Chester lightning paddlers won the NW girls under 12 and boys under 10 events with Evan Thompson, Jessica Colston and David Hatton taking the overall NW team title for Chester. Whilst Jenny Swallow and Caroline Rowlands came 3^rd K2 in the National Sprint Championships at Nottingham.

And finally, but most crucially, the work to build a new store and racks through a Lottery Grant is now nearing its conclusion. In undertaking this work club members have given in excess of 1,000 hours of voluntary time. A huge thanks to everyone who has both lead or contributed to this project. (and more latterly thanks to the NHS – you know who you are!) The bad news is that its not finished yet – more help is required in October to finish the racks !!!!!!

Autumn brings a busy schedule of events and training as we start to build towards next year’s season.

Beginners/juniors

Please note that the last Thursday evening session will be on 18^th September 2008 with Saturday morning sessions, 10.00 to 12.30, taking over from 20^th September through to next Spring.

You can paddle throughout the winter if conditions allow, but if the river is unsuitable other training activities will be available including, paddling on the canal (from Waverton), dry land training and activities in the clubhouse.

Please ensure you bring adequate clothing for Winter paddling – lightweight thermal tops, thin fleeces, cagoules or wetsuits with a change of warm clothing for afterwards.

Web site - www.chestercanoeclub.org.uk

The club web site is only as good as you make it.

WANTED – articles, announcements, For Sale, pictures, information, results etc. All you need to do is email them to the editor on the web site - editor@chestercanoeclub.org.uk

Olympics/Top Club

The Beijing Olympics seems to be long gone. But the legacy of the canoeing medals and of Tim Brabants dominant performance in the K1 1000m may bring some benefits closer to home over the next few years.

The Olympic flag has been passed to London and we start our 4 year countdown to 2012. The Government has asked Sports Governing Bodies including the BCU to submit a “whole sport plan” which will be funded for 4 years. The aim is to increase the numbers involved in sport and improve performance.

To deliver this plan the BCU will need to use the canoeing facilities in the country including the clubs. If Chester can help make the plan become a reality then we could see some benefits. To be included in the programme clubs will need to obtain the Top Club quality award. Chester is well placed, having submitted an application last year only for the scheme to be changed to reflect 3 tiers of award. These are: -

Club mark, Top Club and Top Club Gold.

Additional information required by the top two new awards has already been submitted and we await an announcement shortly.

Fingers crossed for good news on both fronts.

Winter training weekly programme

Saturday – 10.00 am Junior training.

Sunday – Competition or exchange visits with other clubs – see calendar

Monday – Swimming from November – to be arranged

Tuesday – Time trial on the Dee

Thursday – Club night and training on the Dee/club house

NW Lightning Series

If you are under 10 years old or under 12 years old on January 1^st 2009 then you can race in your age group against other children in the North West in the North West Lightning series.

The races take place at various locations across the North West over a 2km course, and for each race you are awarded points depending on how well you do. At the end of the season the paddler with the most points in each age group wins the NW title and the club with the most points wins the team trophy. We are currently the 2008 NW club champions, it would be nice to retain it in 2009.

These events are run with the normal Regional marathon races and there are also some Lightning only races with one at Chester on the 9^th November 2008.

Events Calendar Sept – Christmas 2008

DATE	EVENT	LOCATION
21 Sept	Chester NW marathon race. Race 4, 8 or 12 miles depending on experience. Lightning event 2km	Chester River Dee
28 Sept	Hasler final – National club marathon championships	Burton
5 Oct	NW marathon race, 4, 8 or 8 miles and NW lightning series race 2km	Macclesfield
Oct -tba	Lightning only race under 10’s and under 12’s	Trentham
12 Oct	Mersey descent race, 9.2 miles, 13 weirs/shoots	Stockport
12 Oct	Stone slalom div 3 and 4. Suitable for novices	Stone
Oct/Nov	Club PARTY juniors only – date to be arranged. Saturday evening start 7.00 till late	Club House
9 Nov	Lightning only race under 10’s and 12’s	Chester CC
15Nov Saturday	Wild Water Race – Novice and youth series U 10’s, U12’s, U 14’s etc. Race 4km on River Mersey.	Stockport
16 Nov Sunday	The second race of this double header Wild Water Racing weekend for novice and youth paddlers. Race two runs of 500 m at the Burrs.	Bury
28 Nov	Dinner Dance. Annual club awards from The Lord Mayor of Chester and formal dinner followed by less formal disco. 7.30pm to 1.00am. Ticket only	Guild Hall Chester
18 Dec	Club banquet – Informal all you can eat. Cost about £6.00 All welcome starts at 8pm in the Clubhouse.	Club House
26 Dec	Boxing Day Race – starts 11.00am. Fun race to the barrel. Fancy dress optional. Spot prizes. Bring the family for mince pies and punch.	Club House

Watch out for the club trip to The Eden River & Lake District in the New Year.

Exchange visits to other clubs in the region to be arranged after Christmas.

Racing season starts again in March 2009 but training continues.