Category: Club News for the Public

  • Thameside 1 – Course Inspection

    We’re pleased to confirm that following a course assessment paddle today, all is looking good for Thameside 1 to go ahead on Sunday 2nd March.
    Due to recent heavy rainfall and the river being on red boards we are implementing special measures and buoyancy aids will be compulsory for this Sunday’s event.

    For safety reasons a number of additional measures will be in place; restricted entry, compulsory buoyancy aids, mobile phone to be carried.

    Restricted Entry / Course Assessment
    Thameside 1 is a challenging 12 mile course with 12 portages. Although we take every possible action to minimise risk to paddlers, it is critical that paddlers, coaches and parents assess whether they are able to complete the course safely.

    We are continually assessing the course on four key measures; flow, temperature, visibility and wind speed.

    Paddlers need to assess their own competence against experience, paddling ability, equipment and support. We recommend that for juniors and inexperienced paddlers that you get guidance from your coach as to how to score yourself appropriately.

    We are currently scoring the course for Thameside 1 (2nd March) as 13, paddler competence needs to be higher than 13. Please complete competence form.

    All boats should be fit for purpose and fitted with sufficient buoyancy, there will be checks of paddler kit and boats prior to the start.

  • Reading Canoe Club wins ‘Best Reading Club’ trophy

    Reading Canoe Club wins ‘Best Reading Club’ trophy

    🏆 We did it! 🏆

    Thrilled to share that Reading Canoe Club has been awarded Club of the Year at last night’s Reading Sports Awards Gala! 🎉

    This incredible recognition is a testament to the outstanding dedication of our volunteers—the heart and soul of our club. 💙 From coaching and mentoring to organizing events and keeping the river clean, they make everything possible.

    We’re proud to be a club for everyone, from curious kids taking their first paddle to seniors chasing new challenges. Whether it’s through fun taster sessions, hosting national competitions, or community river clean-ups, we love bringing people together on and off the water. 🌊

    Thank you to everyone who makes Reading Canoe Club such a special place. Here’s to many more adventures ahead!

  • Awards Evening 2024

    Awards Evening 2024

    Saturday 7th December saw the annual Awards Evening, this year moved to December to give it a Christmas theme. With fierce stormy weather, the hall foyer-come-Christmas-grotto was a welcome sight. Everyone was greeted with a free drink as they entered the hall, which was all decked out thanks to busy ‘elves’ who had worked hard all day. Each table had beautiful Christmas wreaths and decorations, created by Catherine Gaffard and sold afterwards to raise money for the Ukraine appeal. 

    Imogen was the perfect compere and updated us on the amazing achievements from club members this year. We then heard from the different groups with a Christmas theme, a PIGs Poem, Junior Jingle Bells, a CRAP Carol and jokes from the Ergo Elves. 

    After all the major Trophy winners were announced, it was down to the serious business – dinner! Orders had been made when we bought our tickets and the chefs had been busy cooking in the kitchen, so no queuing for food – we could all relax and chat, while enjoying waiter and waitress service. In between courses Immi ran a fun quiz and the raffle was drawn (thank you to House of Cards and the Hardware shop in Caversham for donations of beautiful prizes). As the evening finished, the tables were cleared to make way for music and dancing.

    Many thanks to Immi and Amber for all the hard work organising such a successful event, Matthew for the lighting and technical assistance, and to all those who helped them. We look forward to next year’s paddling and Awards Evening.

    Happy Christmas everyone. 

    Mims

  • Reading K4 – Cancelled

    Unfortunately, due to the river conditions, we have had to cancel the k4 event planned for Sunday, 20th October 2024. Any entries will be refunded.

  • Quality Club Award

    Quality Club Award

    At last Monday’s indoor bbq on September 30th, the Club was proud to be awarded the Quality Club award by James Hinves from Paddle UK.

    James Hinves hands over the Quality Club Award to Seumas Munro in the club hall.

    Quality Club is Paddle UK’s accreditation programme for paddlesport clubs in England. By voluntarily participating in the Quality Club programme, a club demonstrates its commitment to not only meeting but exceeding standards in governance, safeguarding, and safety, as well as helping to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion within their communities.

  • Pangbourne Hasler, September 2024

    Pangbourne Hasler, September 2024

    by team leader, Evan Shephard

    Congratulations to everyone who raced the first hasler of the new season at Pangbourne. The weather was perfect and we had a strong team of 52 paddlers out, with 13 new members racing for Reading for the first time, as well as a few long-time-missing racers. Well done to all of you! 

    We managed some great results and a lot of promotions as well. Overall we came second getting 594 out of a possible 600 points. Losing out only to Falcon who got 598!

    Our Podium Paddlers – Tymur, Balaz, Edward, Kev, Bob, Max, Aiden, Annabel, Peter, Tilla, Bean, Imi, Nigel, Erika, Karina, Katherine, Greta, Xavier and Alice!!! 

    Looking forward to the next one – Banbury on 27th October.

    Don’t forget Hasler finals on 6th October (only if you completed 3 races in 2023/24 season), entries by 27th September. Speak to us or your coach if you’re not sure if you qualified.

  • Bronze medal for Annabel at the World Marathon Championships

    Bronze medal for Annabel at the World Marathon Championships

    RCC junior member Annabel Hutchinson has had a busy summer, racing at the World and European Sprint Championships, as well as the World and European Marathon Championships. The last in this summer’s gruelling schedule was the World Marathon Championships in Croatia in mid September. Annabel was racing K2 with Mollie Ball from Devizes in the 19km junior ladies race. With a stunning performance and terrific portaging, they managed to gain Bronze medal place. Many congratulations to both Annabel and Molly.

  • Interclub’s Sprint Regatta 2024

    Interclub’s Sprint Regatta 2024

    by Team Leader Julia Mazur

    September Nottingham Regatta was a resounding success for Reading Canoe Club, with an impressive 42 competitors taking part across 127 entries and 193 seats. The club’s strong participation placed them among the top, matching Elmbridge Canoe Club in entries, surpassing Richmond’s 124 entries by three, and only being topped by Weybridge Canoe Club’s 139 entries. The competition was fierce as clubs battled for the prestigious MacGregor Cup, and while the final results are yet to be announced, Reading Canoe Club celebrated 2 memorable days on the water.

    One of the highlights of the event was seeing 10 new juniors making their debut, supported by 8 returning Men/Masters competitors. The atmosphere throughout the regatta was electric, with incredible team spirit on full display. While more experienced juniors took the initiative to mentor and assist the newcomers, showing remarkable sportsmanship, Phoebe Harbridge and Patrick Fillingham worked very hard to ensure they felt confident and prepared for their races throughout the days. The support from the club’s coaches and parents was invaluable, fostering a positive and inclusive environment for all.

    In addition to the excitement of the races, Reading Canoe Club celebrated a record number of athlete promotions, marking a major milestone for the team. Those promoted include:

    • Ruth Shephard to GBK
    • Tyler Kinder to BAK
    • Max Prins-Mills to BBK
    • Aidan Teeuwen to BBK
    • Conrad Packer to BBK
    • Beni Nagy to BCK
    • Luke Rockey to MCK

    The regatta was a testament to the club’s exceptional camaraderie and dedication, with athletes, coaches, and supporters all coming together to create a fantastic atmosphere. Reading Canoe Club not only showcased their competitive edge but also their incredible team spirit, which will undoubtedly carry them forward to even greater success in the future.

  • Eco-warriors out on the river

    Eco-warriors out on the river

    From time to time, Kerstin summons up
    members to help do a river clean up.
    There seemed a lot in the river after the
    recent Reading Festival, particularly with
    the high winds, so Kerstin, Nigel and
    some eco-warrior Under-10s paddled
    downstream to see what they could
    remove. A lot judging by the photos.
    Thank you team and to Mark King for
    going upstream during the week and
    removing bags of rubbish near the
    Fisheries.