Tuesday Marathon
Tuesdays marathon session on 9th June will be led by Dave West, with help from Martin if required. All regular marathon paddlers welcome up to a maximum of 16 paddlers. NO MARATHON NEWBIES this week though.
Saturday 20th, Dave will also be leading and it will also be boat packing for the Mike Jones Derwent event on Sunday 21st.
Mike Jones Derwent Hasler at Barmby on the Marsh
As mentioned, we will be loading the trailer on Saturday ready for the Mike Jones Derwent event on Sunday 21st. Martin will be taking entries for Mike Jones so please let him know ASAP if you want to enter, which division, and whether in K1 or K2, either by replying to this email, messaging on Facebook or by seeing him in person at the river.
Burton Report
Thanks to John for another great write-up:
The Burton Phoenix Hasler: A Tale of Grit, Glory… and the Occasional Swim.
It is now official; summer has packed its bags and quietly left the building. On a cool, brooding day by the River Trent, not the familiar, mature and expansive Trent of North Lincolnshire, but its more theatrical cousin winding through Burton, Team GSCC assembled. This Trent was lush, green, almost picturesque until you noticed its hidden bite: a sly current, a whispering wind, and just enough mischief to keep paddlers honest.
The squad stood ready: Karl, Louie, Graham, John, Sue & Helen, Jess, Mike, and Rebecca. And not just them, the entire Midlands, it seemed, had turned up. This was no quiet outing; this was a gathering of water warriors, neatly divided into two waves: Divisions 7–9, then the elite 1–6.
Opening Act: Precision and Power
First to launch were Helen and Sue, resplendent in their K2, a boat that demands harmony, timing, and mutual trust. They drove into the current with purpose, blades biting deep, shoulders rolling in rhythm. Ahead, a Mercian K2 attempted a daring escape, slipping forward like a thief in the night. But Helen and Sue were relentless. Through wind gusts and river resistance, they held firm, battled bravely, and claimed a superb second-place finish. A statement performance.
The Lone Warrior and the Treacherous Wind
Next came John. Now, every great story needs jeopardy—and John delivered. Looking, by his own standards, “a touch rusty,” he set off determined. Unfortunately, the river had other plans. A rogue crosswind struck with precision, snatching his paddle like a playground bully. What followed was an unscheduled aquatic excursion. There, on a quiet, isolated stretch of river, John conducted an impromptu masterclass in “Creative Re-entry Techniques Under Pressure.” It was not elegant. It was not swift but crucially, it was successful. Back in the boat, dignity partially restored, he carried on.
Podium Drama and Rising Stars
Now, the plot thickens. Jess, who had earlier insisted she was “not really feeling it today,” calmly set off and then, in a rather inconvenient contradiction, paddled her way to a third-place finish and a podium appearance. An actual podium with steps of different heights, if there were flags they had blown away.
Hot on her tail was Mike, tracking her through the twists and turns with laser focus. Despite a determined chase, he couldn’t quite bridge the gap, finishing a highly respectable fourth in his first competitive outing in the Trimmer. A Trimmer debut to be proud of and a warning sign for future competitors.
Grit, Determination, and the Poly Pippin Odyssey
Then there was Rebecca. In her first race, she took on the Trent in a Poly Pippin, a craft known less for speed and more for its character-building qualities. Stable? Yes. Effortless? Absolutely not. After two miles downstream, she faced the true test: turning back. Into the flow. Into the wind. Into reality. What followed was an exhibition of pure determination. No shortcuts, no surrender, just grit, paddle strokes, and quiet resilience. A performance deserving of immense respect.
The Heavy Artillery Arrives
And then the big guns. Karl exploded off the line with intent, slicing through the water. For a moment, he looked unstoppable. But this is Hasler racing where alliances form mid-race and tactics reign supreme. A perfectly executed wash-hanging diamond formation swept ahead, rotating effortlessly, pulling clear. Karl, perhaps not having received the tactical memo, soon found himself leading an entirely different group: a loyal procession of opportunistic wash-hangers glued to his stern. Generous? Perhaps unintentionally. Then, in a moment of self-sacrifice, or scientific curiosity, Karl took a swim outside the Sea Cadets building. Officially, this was to test emergency river rescue response times. Results pending. Of course, it could have been the wobble.
Speed Meets Reality
Louie set off like a man on a mission, chasing that elusive promotion with blistering pace. And for a while, it was glorious. Then came the portage. Here, the sport subtly shifts from grace to survival. It’s not always about elegance; sometimes it’s about firm elbows, sharp instincts, and knowing your right of way. Louie received a practical education in this ancient art and carried on with commendable determination.
One Last Battle Before the Sunbathing
Finally, Graham. With holiday departure imminent, he approached the race with the mindset of a man determined to get full value from his entry fee. Every stroke counted, every metre earned. Rumour has it the gloomy weather may even have staged a sympathy protest on his behalf, holding back the sunshine until he gets off the plane and inflates his paddle-board
Final Reckoning
In the end, we had three medals, two swims, and a great deal of determined paddling against a river that reminded everyone who was really in charge. Success was earned, But beyond the results, this was a day of grit, quiet stubbornness, and the kind of humour that only comes from near-disaster and wet kit. Battles were fought, lessons were learned (some the hard way), and every stroke told its own small story. Not just a good day, one of those days you’ll talk about later. Usually while exaggerating slightly. Me? Never!
And not forgetting Our superb support crew of Ken & George cheered everyone one, guarded the car keys and took loads of photos which will be available after the censor (Martin) has scrutinised them
