The results of the first 09 Rubber Ducky race are now out. Check out who’s done the work to be going well in the easy part of the season, (and who might be sand-bagging for a better handicap later in the series!).
Click here for the results.Rubber Ducky Results – Race 1
Look forward to seeing you all again at race 2, Tuesday 6th October.
23rd August – With many conflicting events on the day it was great to see everyone come along to the 4 km run/8 km kayak/2 km run.
Our events are intended to be able to be completed by competitors between 70 – 90 minutes and this duathlon event went to about that timeframe with the fastest at 74 minutes. The beautiful weather for the day certainly ensured that competitors were comfortable right from the start although the Hutt River had a bit of a current and paddlers who looked for the deeper channel in the 2km lap course were rewarded. There were no mishaps or injuries and therefore the Chocolate Fish were well shared by everyone.
Race Report
Eric Waterson and Simon Trotter raced around the 2×2km run course in 15:19 getting into the water with only a 20 second lead on the next two, one of which was 16 year old Jake Allen. Katherine Alan had put 30 seconds on Marianne Archer in the run to be first female into the water but Marianne has had a big winter training and it looked like Katherine would be hard pressed to hold that lead in her U2.
Out on the water Eric and Simon went left out of Sladden Park (the wrong way lads) and Ryan Welch shot to the lead (he had listened to race briefing – one chocolate fish there for a start). Marianne paddling her K1 picked up Katherine and was about 2 minutes down on Ryan and behind them Jamie Welch, also in a K1, was in the water a bit over 2 minutes behind Katherine would have to paddle well to hold her 2nd place. Simon and Ryan paddled together and came out of the water together, although Ryan out thought Simon in race tactics by running in bare feet while Simon was putting his shoes on. Both these boys were accredited fastest time and third was Eric Waterson, Jake Wells got overtaken by Mark (oh I havent been paddling much !) Wallace in the kayak and Turi Hodges was next after a very quick kayak in his Sharp, fastest multisport boat time.
The race for the females was won by Marianne Archer as a result of a very quick kayak, third fastest, so most interest was on the battle for second and third which eventually saw Jamie Welch cross the line 20 seconds ahead of Katherine Alan. In fact the judging panel had to be called into a ruling as Jamie struggled to cross the finish line when Matt Archer tackled her in a classic side on around the ankles effort.
Great effort by all and three chocolate fish went to Kristin Jarvis who, as I recall, was paddling her Eclipse for the first or second time and first on a river.
Thanks to Jakes Mum and Ian Welch for the timekeeping and adjudicating efforts. Brian Grace in his Sprinter for on the water technique tips, this is a new feature to kayak races.
We will let you all know when the next Chocolate Fish event will be held. Check out the other upcoming races on the calendar.
Greg Adlam
Winter certainly is proving to be a cold one this year but I am impressed by the number of members who continue to turn up for training. The work you do in the winter months will certainly help you in the coming summer months, especially when you want to be going fast.
There certainly are a lot of great event s to look forward to over the coming months and the club has a number of interesting events on its calendar so check out the events page and come along and have a blast. It is important to race as just training can get tedious and it is a great way to check out how you are going against your opposition. It also provides you with the opportunity to socialise with other members of the club.
This weekend we have the handicap points race. The laps are 1km long and at the end of each lap there are points on offer as you cross the start finish line. On the last lap there are bonus points on offer just to give the back markers a chance to win.
The coaching front is starting to take shape with Brian, Matt and myself staring to co ordinate the session so that it works for all. Just a comment on the start times could you all try to be at the club rooms by the time stated on the website as it seems to take along time to get everyone out on the water.
On the safety side please remember that no one is to paddle across the middle of the harbour in winter. The water is freezing and if you capsize it is a long swim and there will be a high possibility of hypothermia.
The aim for the squads is to develop you all into team boats. I feel you can all do well in K2 and K4’s at the up coming CRNZ regatta’s and it will be a lot of fun as well. The coaches will be in touch with you all soon and outline a plan for your training.
The next major race that we are aiming at is the NZ 10km Championships which are in Tauranga. There is a division for all age groups from masters to u13’s. The distances are varied depending on your age. There is also a K2 race on day two. So book the 26 and 27 of September into your diary’s.
Keep up the good work and I look forward to seeing you all out on the water.
Paddles up
Mark
Marianne Archer is building a legacy that will be hard to beat as she won her third NZ Marathon title in 3 years. read more…
Hi all,
Gee it’s been awhile since the last newsletter but its now time to get organised for the winter season. Can’t believe how quickly the summer goes!!!
Firstly congratulations to all the club members who competed at the National Sprint Championships earlier in the month. It is fantastic to see the progress you are all making.
