News

Well done to all SOU paddlers who raced at last weekend’s Basingstoke Hasler race. Top SOU results are:
Nigel Jefferson – 1st Div 9 K1 – first Hasler race
Matt Smith – 4th Div 9 K1
Tom Diaper – 5th Div 3 K1 (racing for ACU) – first race after DW
Sara Fowell & Orshi – 1st Div 7 K2
Sophie GJ & Erin H – 3rd Div 8 K2
Jack GJ – 1st U10 Lightening

And SOU promotions are:
Sara Fowell – Div 6
Orshi Vizi – Div 6
Nigel Jeffreson – Div 6
Matt Smith – Div 7
Alfie Smith – Div 8

See here for full results.

Lets all try and make a good turnout for the Southampton Hasler race on 20th May.

See details of a Canoe Challenge being run by WDSC below:

Help us to save the dolphins in Moray Firth by taking part in a thrilling three day canoeing adventure down the majestic River Spey in Scotland. The journey begins in Aviemore and includes wild camping, and grade 2 rapids- are you fit for the challenge?
Taking place over the weekends of 10th-12th August and 31st August- 2nd September and costing only £275 per person, there are eight spaces available on each trip so sign up for the challenge now at www.wdcs.org/canoechallenge

The Southampton Hasler race will be held on Sunday 20th May.

Details can be found here.

Please ensure pre-entries arrive by Friday 18th May at 7pm.

A big congratulations to Emily Hewitt who won her Div 7 race with Samantha Rippington of Woking and to Poppy Taylor and Phil Pearse who won their Div 4 race at the weekend!

And congratulations to Jack Durnford and Geoff Close for completing their first Div 9 k1 races in the very respectable times of 50.09 and 51.33, having battled through a very big field of 51 starters!

Unfortunately Waterside A has been cancelled due to the canal being iced up over an 11 mile stretch. This will come as a disappointment to many I suspect but hopefully the weather will brighten up a bit for the remaining races.

You may be aware of the recent bulletin from the BBC claiming that five people have contracted Weil’s disease (Leptospirosis) from the River Itchen. I note that, despite the article’s title, only one of these cases has actually been confirmed, in this peak time of  colds and flu. They also state that although outbreaks can occur, infections are still very rare.

Symptoms are varied and sometimes those infected have none at all but what seems to be common are cold/flue symptoms accompanied by an intense headache. The disease hits quite fast and can become very serious so if these ever sound familiar you should contact your GP immediately.

It tends to be stagnant (slow moving) water that presents more of a risk so our club’s location, which sees constant tidal flow would presumably present an even smaller risk. As marathon paddlers we don’t (most of us) spend much time in the water either but please follow the usual precautions as advised by our coaches:

• Never drink water from a river or lake

• Only drink from your own water bottle

• Always shower after contact with the water

• Wash hands thoroughly and shower if necessary before eating or drinking

• Cover cuts and abrasions (including blisters) with waterproof dressings

• Wear suitable footwear when launching or retrieving a boat,

• Avoid immersion in, or contact with, water, particularly if there is an algal scum or bloom

Good luck to Simon Osbourne of Sea Kayaking Cornwall and his three team mates who will be attempting to row across the Atlantic to raise money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. Their 3000 mile journey starts on the 12th January!

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Merry Christmas everyone.

If I don’t see you on the water next week have a great New Years party too and I hope you all get some training in amongst the social visits.

Neil

Topical satire followed with some prize giving and a bit of a party as a send off for the Christmas break. See you there!

Three Sunday ‘Hare and Hound’ races for all members (beginners, juniors, lightnings, seniors, veterans and numpties alike) to encourage a bit of interesting racing through the winter – details below.

Hare & Hound 2011-12