Try a new discipline
Marathon racing is an exciting and sometimes tough form or racing. Canoes and kayaks start in mass starts (all competitors in one division/class at the same time), they then race the set distance, which may include getting out and having to run round blockages (such as locks) carrying your boat, called portages.
The Sharks have in the past held mini-marathons at Harefield and will try and resurrect these in 2018, but in the meantime, on Sunday 8th October is the Elmbridge Marathon on the River Thames. Elmbridge is about 15 miles from Sac, so not too far to travel.
Race details are available here.
Need to be on site by 9am: Elmbridge Canoe Club, Dorney Gardens Car Park, Walton Lane, KT13 8LU.
Race briefing for divisions 7,8,9 (distance 4 miles with no portages) at 10am, start at 10:30am. Prizegiving at 12:30pm. There is also a 2-mile race for under 10s and under 16s who started canoeing this year.
Divisions 4,5,6 race is 8 miles with two portages, divisions 1,2 and 3 is 12 miles with three portages. These races start at 12:45, with briefing at 12:15, prizegiving at 15:30.
Entries are £9 for seniors and £7 for juniors (£10 on the day).
Realistically most Shark paddlers are looking at the 4-mile race, with no portages.
If you are interested, and you know you are, please contact Neal on 07951 770241, or email: canoeing@thesharks.org.uk.
It will be lots of fun, marathons races are, and the more club members there the better, in the lower divisions you can use any boats.