Paddling Challenge

Southampton Seven take on the Royal Challenge

The Paddling Challenge is a race with an unrivalled history. Royal Canoe Club was founded in 1866. The first club race recorded started at Kingston Bridge and came downstream to “one-mile tree” which was reputed to be an oak tree on the bank opposite the club. It wasn’t until June 1st 1874 that the club committee asked members to support the purchase of a challenge cup for its first official canoe race which was a mile long. This race has been run every year since, except during both world wars. The winner’s trophy is among one of the oldest sporting trophies in the world, playing a huge part in our country’s sporting history.

This year’s edition saw Seven, strong Southampton Paddlers compete for what was for many the first and only race of the year. The day has a cold cruel breeze steeling the heat from the paddlers and making warming up and staying warm a key part of race prep. First off were the Junior Men racing 5km in a lapped course on the Thames.  Xavier raced in the U18, with Andre, Fletcher and Nathaniel racing in the U14 classes. The Junior Ladies raced next with Sofia racing in the U16 and Beth in the U14, and taking on the Royals at their own Race Lulu raced 2km in the Lightning Girls.

There was good tight racing across the majority of the races, with socially distanced spectators willing their paddlers on, as they raced towards the finish. Southampton’s results were notable for their progression: Beth 1st, Xavier 2nd, Lulu 3rd, Andre 4th, Sofia 5th. For all our paddlers it shows the gains they have made this year even without competition. Nathaniel realised it had been a good race, having had the grit to keep going without a group, and Fletcher raced to his excellent race plan that will help him in reviewing the race.

To find out more about Sprint Racing with Southampton Canoe Club please contact secretary@southamptoncc.co.uk

Hello from the new Chairperson
Hi everyone!
I hope you have all had a lovely weekend despite the colder weather! Luckily, there was still some sunshine! I just wanted to take a moment to introduce myself to you all as I have taken over from Duncan as Chair of the club! If you don’t already know me, I’m Sophie Gilbert-Johns. I have been a member of the club for many years now, starting off as an under 10 lightning paddler, but have been away for the past three years completing my degree at The University of Warwick. Now that I am back home I am really excited to be at the club again, working with the
committee to provide the best experience possible for you. If you have not met me, feel free to come and say hi when you’re next at the club. On Saturday’s I will be there so I am going to work my way around the groups to get to know everyone.
If you have any questions or just want to come and have a chat, please come and see me! I will do my best to answer any questions!
I look forward to seeing you all!
Sophie 🙂

Coronavirus (Covid-19) and its impact Upon Southampton CC Activities.

 We are into the 4th week of the lock down to help combat corona virus. Whilst it is frustrating not being able to paddle on the water with this glorious weather we are experiencing the club fully supports the current plans in place to help prevent the spread of infection.

 The club has successfully moved to a virtual world and has purchased a subscription to Zoom allowing video sessions to take place. There are sessions nearly every day in the form of circuits or Ergos utilising whatever equipment people have at home. As well as training sessions the cub is running quiz/bingo evenings for everyone to take part and provide some welcome light hearted fun in these odd times. A bi monthly newsletter is being produced that covers a wide range of topics and is sent out and put on the web site.  A club Strava section has also been added to the website so people can see how everyone is getting on the club Facebook page is regularly updated with what is going on.

 A number of people are working hard in the background to make all of this happen so a huge thank you to those people that are helping make all of this happen.

Coronavirus (Covid-19) and its impact Upon Southampton CC Activities.

 Active Nation have advised us that from 3pm 24th  March the centre and grounds will shut completely. This means no access onto the site at all. The gates will be chained shut.

If you need to collect any boats before then please do so and if you are unsure of the gate code please message me separately and I will inform you.

This does mean that all club activities will cease with immediate effect. We are looking at what we can do via different methods to keep people active ensuring we follow the government guidelines  whilst this situation continues.  If you feel you can contribute in any way please don’t be shy all too often we ask the same people to help produce/put things together and it would be great to see people volunteering. Covid 19 puts us into a completely new world where we all need to work together to support each other.

Coronavirus (Covid-19) and its impact Upon Southampton CC Activities.

Before going into detail, I would like to say that we are a club and a community. The health and safety of our members is always foremost in the minds of the committee. For all of us the government announcements will significantly affect our daily lives, it will be especially challenging for at-risk groups, namely the over 70s and people with underlying health conditions. So If you are in one of the above groups (or even if you aren’t) and you need help or assistance, don’t struggle, let us know, and we will do our level best to provide it.

The club facilities effectively constitute a public meeting place so everything below is on the understanding that if you visit the club in any capacity… You do so at your own risk:
At-risk Groups.  If you are in an at-risk group, the committee, with great regret, asks that you don’t use the club’s facilities and equipment.  We simply can’t guarantee their cleanliness.

The committee has reviewed the latest guidance from government and British Canoeing (BC) and with immediate effect the following will take place

1. Ergos and circuits are cancelled with immediate effect.
2. Coaches/Committee meetings are cancelled.
3. The kitchen is closed for the time being.
4. The gym will be shut for the time being.

Paddling.

At this stage, we think it will be ok for people to train at the club but will keep updating as government advice changes – please keep an eye on Facebook as this will be our first point of contact, and we will also email. We would ask everyone to act responsibly – both for their benefit and for others. 

However, when paddling please:

1. Keep groups small minimising how many people are at the club at any time. 
2. Bring your own drinks in your own mugs and water bottles and take them home with you.
3. Try and limit to 4 the number of people in a changing room at any time
4. Come ready changed for paddling and, if possible, change again at your car (whilst maintaining some decency!) to minimise use of the changing rooms.
5. The junior coached sessions on a Wednesday will remain until the end of March when we will review further.
6. If using club buoyancy aids and paddles – please remember these are communal pieces of kit.  You should try and wash/clean them before and after use.
7. Club training sessions – we will be encouraging people to go out in small, similar ability groups as they arrive, rather than in large training groups.  We may stagger start times for the main sessions – we will run this Saturday’s session and review after that. This W/E’s Hare and Hounds is cancelled we will run something different based on numbers that turn up.
8. For those of you who have private boats stored within containers, you are still free to access them, but we would ask that you are very careful about cleaning your hands both on entry to and exit from the building/containers, to minimise contamination.