FINAL UPDATE 15-08-2008 17:00
Folks,
The Richmond Relay takes place tomorrow Saturday August 16th.
This is the final organisation thread, being updated at intervals.
With 24 hours to go, and the weather 'reasonable' (F3 Southerlies, rain later)
the event is definitely ON
The AM team should be at the basin at 09:00 and be on the water by 10:00.
The PM team should be on the riverbank by
Richmond Canoe Club
at 14:00.
What's Involved ?
For those who missed it, this is a re-run of the
Gravesend Trip.
but going in the other direction, and not so far. The date has been chosen for these special tides:
LW Shadwell: ~08:30A
HW Richmond: ~15:30A
LW Shadwell: ~21:15A (also Sunset)
What we do is to
timeshare boats on a trip from
Shadwell to
Richmond and back, a distance
of 30K each way (Gravesend was 40K). This means:
- The "AM" team paddle from Shadwell (~10:00) to Richmond (~15:00) while the "PM" team make the same
journey by train. We meet up on the waterfront in front of Richmond Canoe Club.
- The "PM" team then paddle the same boats from Richmond back to Shadwell (20:00) while the "AM" team
go home by train.
- Marathoners may elect to go both ways
We hope to be be joined by some members of
Richmond Canoe Club. Like us, they may elect to paddle in
either or
both directions, but all boats are expected to come from THCC sea kayak fleet, which
has been 100%
pencil-booked for the day. If you haven't paddled this stretch of river before,
here's a brief account of it
Who's Going ?
This is a Thames trip, so we operate under the standard River Rules. That means it's basically
for 3 stars, but we can take some 2 stars under the "buddy" system, provided the balance is right.
You should be fairly confident of covering the distance. To register for this trip, you just
reply to this posting below (as most of you already have!) indicating :
- Direction: Whether you want to paddle AM, PM, Either, or Both
- The Boat: Either Any or OB (own boat) or a named boat if you have a particular preference
I'll be consolidating replies into the tables at the bottom as they come in. (For any Richmond Club
paddlers not registered on this site, I suggest you post via Ailien).
We have some juggling to do to sort out boat-shares, so you can really help by being as 'open' as
possible. One way or another, you should end up with a boat-share and a person to swap with at Richmond.
Booking Other Kit
Boat bookings will be sorted out via the process below. If you need other kit, then you need
to book this separately. Obviously, you can simplify things by arranging to share kit with
your boat-share partner. It would also be useful to try any minimise dependency on basin kit
(BAs, cags etc) as access arrangements for these always seems to 'stress the relationship'.
Pack what you would normally take on a Thames day trip, not forgetting food, water,
and a sunhat. The PM team should also pack head-torches (though in theory, you will be
back before sundown).
Leaders and Co-ordinators
This is really just a "long Tuesday night paddle" in flattish water, but we will still have
nominal Trip Leaders in each direction.
Volunteers are also sought for the role of Co-ordinator in each team, to stay in touch
with their own team members (for early warning of any Latecomers or "No Shows") and to
communicate progress to their opposite number (via texts or calls).
No Shows on either leg can seriously mess things up ! So if something stops or delays you on the day,
please let your coordinator know ! An AM No Show means the paddler waiting at Richmond
doesn't get to paddle. A PM No Show leaves us having to tow an empty boat back.
Timekeeping
The distance is 30K and is tide-supported both ways, so the initial estimate os 5 hours paddling each way,
plus 1 hour 'layover' time at Richmond. However, because of the wind, this may not be an equal 5h + 5h,
so do check the site in the last 24 hours for weather-updated timings.
For the Richmond handover to work well, the AM team obviously need to keep an eye on the clock, so
it's advisable to limit stops initially (perhaps just a leg stretch at VAUXHALL). The half-way point
is PUTNEY bridge, so this is the ideal place for a break. By here, you will also have enjoyed half
the tide benefit, so should have a good idea of your ETA.
In the event that one paddler is substantially slower than the rest and slipping behind the timings, help
in the form of a double in-line tow may be offered. Please accept any such offer with good grace !
This is just a "speed equalisation" device, not an insult, and the load on the 2 helpers is really quite light.
To cover this possibility, please would anyone who is comfortable towing arrange to have a towline.
If there are any No Shows, we may end up having to tow an empty boat. The Trip Leaders will
probably therefore want to pack a cockpit cover to make this easier (empty boats under tow
tend to turn over and swamp).
The Consolidated Plan
(This is the bit I will be regularly updating)
Individuals Booked
DIRECTION BOAT CAN LEFT PAIRING
WHO AM/PM/EITHER/BOTH PREFERENCE TOW? HAND? SORTED ?
Ailien (AM Leader) Either OB (DaveT's Orion) Yes . Yes
TonyR (AM Co-ord, PM Lead) BOTH OB (KS Viking) Yes . Yes
MikeOR (PM Co-ord) PM Preferred OB (DaveT's Orion) . . Yes
Cliff AM Preferred THCC Aquanaut . . Yes
Dimitris Either Basin Explorer . . Yes
Joanna Either Basin Romany . . Yes
Dan AM Basin Romany . Yes Yes
Sarah AM Basin Explorer . . Yes
Richard AM Preferred THCC Aquanaut . . Yes
Finalised Boat Shares
AM PM BOAT
Dan Joanna Basin Romany
Sarah Dimitris Basin Explorer
Ailien MikeOR OB (DaveT's Orion)
Cliff Richard THCC Aquanaut
TonyR TonyR OB (KS Viking)
Checklist For Paddlers
- Reply to this thread to book your place
- Monitor the Plan above and negotiate as necessary for a suitable boat, and a boat-share partner.
- Swap notes with you boat-share partner about any potential kit sharing (paddle, BA, deck...)
- When resolved, book whatever kit you need between you
- Monitor this thread for late changes
- On the day, text your team co-odinator to confirm you're on track (AM 07948-805084, PM 07840 264881)
- Enjoy it !
Cheers
TonyR