Gerald Ford Lives

I went out for the first time with the 'improvers ' group. Well, three of us. No-one from my lone-star group appeared but I was introduced to two new guys that were straight off the second one -star class. The river looked quite high and flat, without any wind this time, but obviously running quickly. The bulk of the recent rain was passing by our section of the river and it was running really fast. So much so that there was some discussion whether the group should repair to the Wey, which apparently joins the river a couple of miles upstream, but we settled on giving it a go on our stretch instead.

Putting the boats in the water, the first thing I found was that the footboard on my usual boat was dislodged at one side and couldn't be refitted securely. So the others had a few minutes keeping station while I rushed around changing over boats. Sorted, and we all headed out into the maelstrom to gain the shallow water of the opposite bank. I made it to the other side without further incident but it was rapidly becoming apparent that it was going to be hard going against the flow. All I can say is that I'm glad the DW doesn't go upstream. It was hard trying to push against that flow continually. It really doesn't do to look at the bank to see how far you have progressed, as the answer was pretty well nil.

The plan had been to go up to Kingfisher Island and return and the other two were coping OK and were soon pulling ahead. I, meanwhile was experiencing a bit of what A&A must have had when they found the tide had turned against them on the last knockings of the DW at Westminster. My lack of fitness and inability to get the boat to head in the right direction soon told against me and I had to pull into the side for a bit of respite.

I feel a bit like President Gerald Ford, of whom, it was once said, 'He couldn't walk and chew gum and at the same time'. My problem is that I don't seem able to concentrate on steering while maintaining technique on the paddling. The conditions weren’t helping any though. Steering left or right across the centre of the flow caused the prow to be caught and pulled further into the turn requiring a series of over-corrections as we went along. Of course, as this happened the paddling, which was requiring more and more effort went to pot. Eventually I realised that I was getting nowhere and decided to give the river best, volunteering to return to the clubhouse leaving the others to disappear into the distance.

On the bright side though the return trip went a lot better, and quicker. Going with the flow the steering problem largely cleared itself up and a fast handbrake turn into the home pontoon was really quite impressive. The instructors are really quite supportive and encouraging. It is only my third time out but I had thought that I would at least be able to keep up with the others. Clearly technique and strength is going to need to be worked on.

Afterwards I had a sit in a 'Hobby', By comparison with the boat I'm using it's definitely more twitchy and even just sitting by the pontoon in it, I had a moment. The Laance is supposed to be a little more stable but I'll have to try mine out somewhere quiet... and get some gum.


J:2  K:9