Hampton Molesey AquaPaddle has had a bad time with the weather and the Thames conditions for a while now, and having to move their backup location to a navigation channel (more info on the AP website) and Brett being absent on his whistlestop Wales tour, a little help was needed.
Now for those who know, for some reason Dave (me) is either extremely lucky or a great event planner, because with over 150 events to his (my) name He (I) have only ever had 1.5 wet days.
It has never rained (yet) on a Tring or Leighton Buzzard AquaPaddle, or the Hampton Molesey AquaPaddles that Dave (I) has attended.
So 🙂
Brett asked Dave to Stand in as his Vice Captain on Sunday 23rd March as he would be unavailable due to commitments in Wales. Dave agreed and the ball was rolling, Dave needed to see the river for himself to complete the usual checks and risk assessments etc, and do all the legal stuff.
A full and experienced crew volunteered, so the event was on.
Dave decided to come and camp the day before at Apps Court campsite, a massive campsite, open all year, with all facilities, and you can book just 1 night, It has direct access to Sunbury lock through a gate, and is 10 mins drive from the Aquapaddle and our DP club pool sessions.
Dave and Zoe arrived and booked in, and pitched up near the gate in the afternoon and Dave soon had steak, spring onions and beans on the the go for dinner. (I can cook too) 🙂
After dinner all the crew were invited to the Weir Hotel and pub, but it was short notice, all be it a 10 min walk from the campsite.
There was about 8 of us that went to the pub (at differing times) and enjoyed sitting out in the fresh air chatting and having a drink.
There was a thunderstorm that seemed to go around us, (avoiding Dave) and not a drop of rain, as we sat outside it was really pleasant no wind, and by no means chilly.
Eventually retiring at gone 9pm all the efforts were on the AquaPaddle in the morning.
Sunbury Lock at 0700 23.03.25.
As the mist was rising off of the water, it was a sight no ones seen in a while, but Dave’s there. 🙂
The campsite is vast but empty so loads of room, Lots of car boot sellers over the other side but due to the tall pines you’d never know they were there.
Then comes the weather forecast, 🙂
Risk assessment done, Visual assessment done, all by 6am. and did I mention the suns trying to come out?
Coffee and brekkie done, the usual morning stuff done and all packed away by 7.45am.
Just about got in to the parking spot I needed to be near to the water at Hurst Park and it was time to put the flags up etc.
I cant get under the height barrier so a lot of trips backward and forwards were needed to set the event up.
None the less as the crew and paddlers arrived help was on hand and we managed everything.
The crew briefing was excellent with the vast knowledge of the HM AP crew. and the weather gods playing kind, we were all set.
At 0945 we had a Safety Briefing and we were all ready to go, (and it wasn’t raining) 🙂
12 Paddlers 7 Marshals,
The sun was trying to appear so it was cloudy, but no rain.
We had a great event, (with no rain) 12 paddlers no one went swimming, no one got wet cos it didn’t rain and no one fell in..
We also had 7 Marshals, and I would like to say a massive thanks to them, without them this event cant exist. and this weekend proves that shared knowledge makes everything easier, and teamwork is key. THANK YOU ALL MARSHALLS.
It was almost Sunny,
The paddlers make the event. Thankyou all.
Pic gallery below.
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”30″ display=”basic_thumbnail” thumbnail_crop=”0″]Write up by Dave.