Meridian Canoe Club

Well, although there were no actual Meridian crews this year there was a lot of interest in 2 particular senior K2 boats

Firstly polo players Will Flanagan and Poppy (nee Freeman) now Flanagan at their first attempt came in 17th in a very creditable time of 21h 49m, which was especially good as the river had virtually no flow and the tideway was also much less help than normal , plus the incredible heat. At 03.00 it was still an incredible 16 Deg, and many crews suffered from sunstroke , and heat exhaustion. They entered under Richmond Canoe Club but I vote that we can we claim them still as a club effort

Secondly I was supporting the boat that was paddled by our Antoinette Kriel last year. As she is in S Africa, Mark Bragg teamed up with a new partner Max Feaster from the USA. The pair planned to paddle slowly to start and increase their pace at Old Windsor lock for the final push down the River Thames and the tideway. They stuck to their plan and were actually the fastest crew of all over the tideway. In the end they came in 4th overall, with a time of 18h 42m , less than 7 minutes behind 3rd place and only 34 minutes behind the overall winners.

I am starting to enjoy this support game , it is good fun and very necessary for the crews.

Andy

Andy,

The fact that you supported a team two years in a row in fantastic. It's hard work for the support crews as well as the guys paddling.

Nice one

Liz

Thanks Liz

I am just keeping my hand in for when Adrian enters the Senior Doubles and needs some support!

It really does help to have done it before as you have so much more knowledge of the right places to park , and just where the hell Burghfield lock actually is, and the discipline needed to keep leap frogging forward through the night.

I reckon a good support team is worth at least 30 minutes to a fast crew and possibly more to a slower one.

Andy

Hi Andy

I do not know how you support and still finish with such enthusiasm to go again. Well placed support was vital for Liz and myself and crucial to our success in the 4 day so I guess after your very generous comment that we should have a talk about it. Is JJ interested then ?

Cheers

Adrian