19.05.24
AquaPaddle – Davepaddles Pilot Event 19th May 2024 Tring
“Have you thought of trying an AquaPaddle?” suggested Lyndsey at one of our founding committee meetings. This suggestion set Dave, with his normal enthusiasm, on a pathway to learn more. Initially, he signed up for an event in Northampton as a helper, it was cancelled so he went to Hampton – Molesey However, he was then tracked down by the founder of AquaPaddle, who suggested that Dave should consider starting his own AquaPaddle event as there was nothing available in Herts. So, after lots of preparatory work by Dave, several of our Davepaddles club members, supported by Mike and Monica friends from A1Suphire, met at the Grand Junction public house in Tring at 0730. This allowed plenty of time to prepare to greet the 20 paddlers who had signed up to fill our quota for the event. The paddle was on the Grand Union Canal with a 2.5km out and return trip to meet the 5km target without any locks to portage.
Eighteen paddlers turned up, mainly on SUP’s, for this multi craft event. We had six on the water crew and a further five land-based. Once briefed the participants paddled down to the start. However, the start was delayed by a narrow boat that wanted to turn around in our starting area! Once clear Glen blew a whistle to start the event, slightly after the 0900 plan.
We had a variety of skill levels ranging from speedsters at the front to a brave relative novice at the rear, all enjoying a beautiful canal paddle in the sunshine. The first back finished in 43mins and the last, 83 mins and with one swimmer. All seemed happy with the event. A couple of narrow boats impacted individual progress by stopping alongside each other for a chat on a narrow section and the distance paddled was measured at 5.49km by one of the participants, so we need to get the ruler out again to ensure we hit 5k.
So overall a very successful start to Davepaddles AquaPaddle. It was nice to meet so many pleasant people and we appreciate the support from the Grand Junction Arms public house and Chiltern Canoe club members we met. The aim is to have a monthly event and a June date has been Set.
AquaPaddle events are free to attend but if participants enjoy them, they can donate. The organisers will use the money to support the spread of events. Davepaddles were supported with flags, crew T shirts etc to run the event and money collected will be used to source similar for other start-ups.
There are already signups for the next one. Come and join us.
Write up by Chris H