Waterside C
Sunday saw the Waterside C race from Pewsey in Wiltshire to Newbury in Berkshire, a distance of 24 miles with 35 portages including the infamous Crofton Flight where crews could run over a mile with their boat.
The day started Gray and damp with a chillier feel in the air than the thermometer said, with crews meeting at Pewsey Wharf although the School Buildings were closed due to the Corona Virus there was still a feeling of anticipation in the air there was a knot of Southampton Crews starting in the first start window including Nigel, Richie, Sharon and Fred plus the majority of other crews. Phil Amey and Alan took a break from their Great Canal Journey to pop in and say hello.
Whilst waiting for the second start the temperature seemed to drop even further, and despite Richard and Guy trying to jump the start, all got away safely. At the three mile point there are four locks run as two pairs and both are mainly uphill, several crews took a tumble in the mud at this point with Rick saying he could not wait, towing James behind him on his knees. Next is the Tunnel, for Rick and James this was no problem as they were the only boat in the tunnel but we suspect the vicious chop where unseen waves try and throw you in to the tunnel wall was still experienced by many. Plunging out of the darkness there is a short trot to the run at Crofton, and then on to Bedwyn where the A race would have started if it had run. This year possibly caused by low entries or the split start system Rick was head to complain he was Lonely during the race.
After Bedwyn the crews are in more familiar territory with shorter more regular portages and gave some of our crews the chance to catch up with each other and have a chat. Through Hungerford (where a canal barge did a good job of barging Rick and James allowing the competition to slip away) and onward’s to the very welcome sight of the A34 Bridge signalling that Newbury and a hot dog is within reach, but the race had another laugh at this point dropping the temperature so that you could see your breath. And on in to Newbury where the flow made the last 100m under the bridge really exciting.
So the scores on the doors, James and Rick came in in 2nd Vet Male K2 with Damon and Russ in 3rd, Guy and Richard were 5th and Nigel and Richie were 13th in the Mixed K2 Class Sharon and Fred were 14th with Lexie and Lennie from Hamble Sea Scouts coming in, in 28th position in the hotly contested Junior K2 class.
Unfortunately the Virus has put pay to the final race in the series and Devizes to Westminster so the decision as to the outcome of the Team and any Series trophies rests with the organisers.
Thank you to our fab support crews – knowing when to and when not to stuff that crumbled bit of Hot Cross Bun into your mouth is a Science as well as an art, and also thank you to Newbury Canoe Club to put the race series on in what has been this year a series of very challenging conditions.
Results are here
WATERSIDESERIES.ORG.UK
