As some people know this was not our first paddle of this type from here, but we have re branded it and made it better.
These events are owned, marshalled and run by davepaddles.co.uk and are totally free for participants with their own craft and kit, subject to signing up (free) via our website.
Our signup sheets are used for the purposes of Marshalling and keeping people safe on the water, as well as logging our club activity.
Our events fall fully within our remits and Insurance, as a PaddleUK affiliated club and also our Instructors, Coaches and Leaders remits and capabilities.
The Grove lock pub and Davepaddles have an agreement to use the carpark, launch area and facilities so we would like to thank them.
On Sunday 14th Sept 25 the weather forecast was dry until about 1pm, and as we all gathered at the venue it was clear and sunny,
After kitting up and all the usual getting ready stuff, we had a safety briefing and dynamic risk assessment, and was on the water by 0920.
Dave and Zoe set us off with the new timer at 0925ish.
This was a second paddle for Frank on this stretch of water but a first for Martin, and as Dave sat back and ensured Martin was facing the right way, Frank just took off. looking very comfortable in a different craft.
Antony also had a different craft this time, but he described it as “Paddling a brick” although he didn’t lose a paddle this time.
Graham and Brenden set the pace and came home in 1st and second.
Sam wasn’t quite feeling it today, but completed it in good time, Frank took a whopping 15 mins off his last time. (Well Done, Frank)
Martin also learnt a few things and set a benchmark time to beat on his next one.
The temperature dropped on the return journey, but it stayed dry although mostly cloudy and a welcome hot drink was served in the pub after as we debriefed and chatted excitedly about our next paddling adventure and future Hydro5kpaddles.
A big thankyou to today’s Marshals, Zoe, Chris and Graham O.
Our Photo galleries are here https://www.davepaddles.online/galleries/hydro5kpaddle/hydro140925/