| WELCOME to the first newsletter of 2004. Hopefully, it will bring you up to date with whatÕs been taking place at Reading Canoe Club over the last few months and give you some notice of whatÕs going on at the moment.
It has been great to see so much activity on the water over these winter months - no doubt fuelled by the Edes Eggcellent Eggible Experience (they also serve bacon) on a Saturday morning. If youÕve not been down for a while, pay a visit and find out what's going on. Thanks must go to Anita for her fantastic efforts with last year's newsletters. As youÕve probably already noticed that this newsletter lacks her artistic finesse but hopefully it will be informative nonetheless. Any contributions to the next edition are very welcome. Happy paddling. Abi
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More Space to Pump Iron: Gym Extension UpdateThe Club has been offered a line of funding in excess of £20k, depending on build costs under the BCU Community Club Development Plan. We must act now to be sure we do not lose this funding offer as the BCU needs to get projects started. The next hurdle is of course to obtain permission. The planning application was submitted in the first week of February. Meanwhile, Nigel Frankland and Brian Craigie are working towards obtaining costings and building regulations. If the planning is passed and there are no unnecessary delays, we hope to be breaking ground in the summer!
Grant SuccessesReading Canoe Club is the happy recipient of a £4000 ÔAwards for AllÕ grant. This money was applied for in order to fund a recruitment drive in local schools. The scheme will involve presenting canoe racing in nominated schools, during the spring, with the aim of encouraging children to Ôcome and try itÕ. Amongst other uses, the money will enable us to have a paid coach to run after school sessions for a number of weeks. As yet, a coach has not been sought for this position but any keen candidates - step forward NOW. He/she will need to hold at least a Level 2 Placid Water Qualification. In addition, the Club has also won a grant that will part-fund the purchase of new boats for the youth section .
Who are you? Where are you from? Are you paid up?Over the next couple of months, there will be a big revision of the membership database. This will include updating all membersÕ contact details but also ensuring that everybodyÕs paid up. In particular, this will include a complete audit of the boatshed and fees paid for boat racking. If you know your membershipÕs a bit overdue or youÕve been storing a extra boat or two, why not cough up now before you have to be asked? |
IN THE BOATSHED
Orphaned EclipseAn old orange Eclipse K2, living in a blue Kirton boat bag, appears to be parentless in the boat shed. If you know who this boat belongs too, please make a member of the committee aware ASAP. If unclaimed before the end of February, it will be officially adopted by the Club and possibly sold for slavery. Boatshed ReorganisationSubtle alterations have been made to the boat racking to allow the new design K1s to cuddle up next to the oldies in the members K1 racks. All K1s should now be stored here and not in the K2 rack. Martin Seals It!It was rumoured that in recent weeks, Martin Lomas had been sighted down the Club donned in flippers and whiskers, eating fish and barking. As a result, the area of flooring in the boatshed underneath the paddling machines has been ÔsealedÕ; helping to reduce the amount of dust thrown up by the fans. Thanks Martin! Kobras to Kick Out CommandersIt is rumoured that some ex-Squad Kobras will be winging their way to Reading on the same long-term loan arrangement we enjoy with our current K4 fleet. Numbers are not yet confirmed but it is thought that two Commanders will be exchanged for two Kobras in the near fut ure. And Another OneMany of you will be pleased to hear that the Club has invested in another paddling machine. Vroom, vroom! |
READING PADDLERS AROUND THE WORLDThroughout the winter, you may have noticed some of our international athletes disappear from their favourite hang-outs, such as in the gym or on the paddling machines. Where do they go?Well, this month Abi, Tom, Alison and Rohan are spending time on a training camp in France. The juniors, along with Dave Coulson (coach), are going with the World Class Start Team. AbiÕs camp is self-funded. The training base in Le Temple sur Lot is a fantastic place to train; enjoying flat water and a well-equipped gym, approximately 100km from Bordeaux. Over the winter, Abi has also trained hard with the World Class Performance Team in Castelgondolfo, near Rome. This training destination boasts a paddling tank, excellent for technique and resistance work - as well as some fantastic scenery around the volcanic lake. A week-long, land-based camp held in Lanzarote kept AbiÕs itchy feet at bay in January. The main focus of this camp was to work aerobic systems in the pool and on the bike and strength work in the gym. In case youÕre sick of the sight of her, Abi is off to Zamora, Spain in March for a fortnight, for final preparation before the April regatta. |
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CLUB KITSue has volunteered to order club kit. If you require a new racing top for the season, contact her immediately.THANK YOUSUndoubtedly it will not have escaped your notice that a number of improvements have been made to life at Reading C.C. recently. Big THANK YOUS must go to the following volunteers for their efforts: Ø
REWARDING TASKS YOU CAN BE INVOLVED WITH:How about starring in the next newsletterÕs Ôthank yousÕ section by helping with a little bit of maintenance? Your actions may even result in you winning next yearÕs Ashes Trophy!Most pressing is the need to install a temporary storm drain under the blue gates in order to help stem the stream of water that flows to the Club doors during heavy rain. Initially, we will create an interim solution to this problem until the gym extension is complete and more funds become available. Contact Dan if you would like to help with this . There are plenty of other jobs that need doing around and about - tasks that you may prefer to be involved in. Why not make it happen yourself? If you require assistance, contact a member of the committee who can help you to organise a work party and / or purchase any necessary equipment . Need inspiration? Nick Daniels has come up with the excellent idea of us having an on-going list of tasks to be done on the notice board. Have a gander every now and again to see what you can help with. COACHINGLevel 1 Placid WaterThe Club is looking to run a Level 1 placid water course, with the aim of getting people qualified to assist with the beginner sessions in the spring. If you are interested in doing this basic course, and could spare some time to enthuse others about our fab sport, let a member of the committee know. More details of courses will be published in due course. |
OTHER NEWSClub TrophiesThe Club trophies are now engraved. Winners can now come and collect them and keep them for the rest of the year.Breakfasts Worth their WeightAll those hundreds of yummy breakfasts served week in, week out by Mary and Phil Ede have earned their keep. With the profits, two weighted vests have been purchased for the gym. Weighing up to 23kg, the vests are great for chin ups - assuming of course that your breakfast is not already sitting heavy É Thanks Mary and Phil !Sanctions Against Sofas!Basically: please donÕt use the Club as a dumping ground from your old sofas and other out-dated items of furniture. If you have an item you think might be useful to the Club, please check with member of the committee before delive ry.RDG ONLINEKeep up to speed with the news as it happens by logging on at www.reading-canoe.co.ukTo have news sent directly to your email, and to have your say in the discussion, why not sign up to the e-group? YouÕll never miss another trick (or a training session). Also, please read the AGM and committee meeting minutes to keep up to date with whatÕs going on. |
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
February 15th Waterside A
22nd Thameside I
29th Waterside B
March 7th Thameside II
14th Waterside C
28th Waterside D
May 2nd Reading Circuit
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING CHA NG E:
July 25th Reading Vets