Hydro5Kpaddle and Hypochondriacs.
On Sunday 22nd of Feb 2026 we ran our monthly Hydro5Kpaddle from the Grand Junction Arms in Tring, due to other commitments and schedules it seemed to be organised last minute.
The weather was surprisingly warm and dry for a change, and only a week on from our cancelled trip we were all egging to get back in/on our crafts and back on some sort of paddle able water.
We met at 9am for a 10 am start and with thanks to the management team of the pub we had car parking and toilet facilities.
Dave and Zoe arrived followed by Graham, a while after the uber early Tony, and Brendan.
It was nice to have the company of Susan for this one too,
Many issues had paused some participants Tho, such as work commitments and various aches and pains.
After the initial greetings we were informed of Brendan’s back strain that he did through decorating coving at precisely 2.45 and 35 seconds pm whilst he was on the second run of a ladder on Thursday the week commencing 16th Feb 2026 and the location of the pain was not affecting his normal exercise routine of 100 press-ups and jeez knows how many burpees, but on a scale of 1 to 10 he was ok to continue as long as we were all at a steady pace, despite his signing up 3 times for 3 places maybe looking for a 1st 2nd and 3rd after his recent result at Leighton buzzard taking the win.
Tony although not complaining told us that “that’s all Brendan had spoken about” (his back) since picking him up at 04.30 that morning, however there was a bruise on his new hardboard from maybe paddling though some ice on a previous paddle.
Dave has a bad back that he never mentions apart from the occasional yelp when carrying stuff.
Zoe and Graham O both have bad knees so took things extremely easy.
Susan never mentioned any aches or pains and was raring to go.
09.50am and we were all on the water,
3.2.1. we were off, the timer started.
Antony was leading the pack followed by Brendan not far behind, then Sue and Dave.
Graham was on the towpath dodging the puddles in his work boots and making sure the turn around was done safely and at the correct place.
On the return Tony was working up a sweat as Brendan was hot on his heals and as he passed Dave it was mentioned that “he only wants to tell me about his back again and I’m not letting that happen” “can you slow him down Dave? I need a win!”.
Obviously, we don’t do cheating, so encouragement was given to both, and they continued towards the finish.
Susan followed on in the sunshine, taking in the beauty of the Tring cutting and the surrounding smells of bacon rolls and coal fires emitted from the various barges moored up along the route.
At some point near the finish, Tony had an issue and Brendan pounced, snatching the win,
Today’s results were:
1st, Brendan M, 40.45,28.47.40,1000 to be precise. (0000000058 off his last win.)
2nd, Antony R, 42.30.0,
3rd, Susan J 49.35.0.
Graham still hasn’t returned.
Dave Zoe and Susan went home.
Brendan’s back stopped hurting as he told Tony, once again about how it did hurt on the journey home.
All in all, it was a great event, Brendan beat his PB but milliseconds, and Antony took 4 mins off his best time.
The weather was lovely, as is the case in all Davepaddles paddles.
*Some of this write up is fictional and should not be deemed as a true and current example of what happened, to see what does happen, why not join us or come and observe on our next one.
With many thanks to THE GRAND JUNCTION ARMS for the hospitality and allowing this event to continue,
Write up by Dave.
Photo Gallery Here
Great write up Dave🤣🤣