Welcome to the New Year

And a new beginning after the past couple of years. January is traditionally a quite month and a time we can start preparing for the future. This year we have a bit more clarity than last year, so how are we doing?

Although traditionally January is not the warmest of months, we have seen some surprisingly nice Sunday mornings, which have resulted in some good turnouts for training at Harefield as we get ready for the 2022 slalom season

Paddlers at Harlesden have also been enjoying the Sunday Sundays.

Sessions have also been running in the evening at Southall.

Rick Moore has been supporting Red January, highlighting the importance of physical activity on mental health. He has committed to doing 30 minutes plus of physical activity every day.

Physical activity is an important part of fitness, both mental and physical and as a sports club, all our members should be committing to do something every day. If you managed 30 minutes plus in January, let’s stretch that and go for 45 minutes plus in February.

We did not have any competitors racing in January, which is unusual, but we have got many getting ready for up and coming competitions. However, some of our paddlers are finding other ways to be active, don’t foregt any physical activity is not just good for you but will help your general fitness and improve your results in canoeing competitions. Have you ever thought about Bouldering? Indoor climbing, a really good work out, stretching and intense. because you are not going up heights to need for harnesses of cumbersome safety kit, so once warmed up you are ready to go. It is also a lot if fun.

We were also represented at the annual Dooking on January 1st (swimming in open water: three consecutive years, well done guys.

In the background we have also been busy, we have been working with teh OPDC on plans for Harlesden Canalside, which are beginning to take shape and hopefully will be delivered in 2022.

We have also joined forces with the Young Brent Foundation, so that we can get even more people active and out on the water at Harlesden.

We have also been quietly working on a number of other possible opportunities, but are not yet in the position to go public, but they are all very interesting, so please keep in touch.

Any questions or if you want to get involved with The Sharks, please give us a call on 07951 770241 or email us: canoeing@thesharks.org.uk.