Making the Best of it

 

Barrier on the Wey

 

Most of my paddling schedule since Christmas has been banjaxed by the constant storms, rain and flooding in the area. The clubhouse on the Thames had water up to within an inch of the door sill during the week and it was expected to flood on Thursday night, but luckily the water didn’t get through the sealed door so most of it has stayed dry. Really though we’ve got off lightly considering the major flooding that’s been occurring in the surrounding areas.

I've only managed to get out about once a week so my 42 miles target this month is looking a bit sick. Each one of the sessions I’ve managed has been hampered by high winds, sometimes gusting up to 30-40 mph, but luckily we are shielded from the worst of it by the trees and bushes lining the river banks. In fact I’ve seen at least five trees toppled into the water and completely blocking the way in the last month. On the last club session one gust had three of us rocking and rolling, and pulling off support strokes just to keep upright. It’s also very disconcerting when the wind catches the free end of your paddle and tries to wrench it out of your hand. On the return trip we were all being blown along by just holding our paddles up to catch the wind.

Nevertheless whatever sessions I've had have been pretty good. This is probably helped by introducing what I laughingly refer to as 'cross-training'. I've added a short jog of a little over two miles to each paddling session and although the pace is abysmally slow, it is having a little effect on strengthening the back and stomach muscles, which help with maintaining posture in the boat. I’ve done four sessions that way, hoofing it back along the towpath in wet clothes, but each time managed to shave a few seconds off. The knee that tends to protest at the least provocation has held up well until now but I’ll be keeping to the short mileage until I’ve run things in again.