Full Moon Paddle – flotilla/fancy dress
28 October 2015
Report: Rowan Puttergill
Pics: Robert Harrison
This club likes a bit of madness, so when Martin Aldridge decided to coordinate a halloween-themed night paddle under a glorious full moon, there could be no doubt that there would be a massive turnout and everyone would make a huge effort with their costumes.
I thought I had this sussed. I got some glow-in-the-dark-(not) skull stickers and plastered my boat with them. I ordered a string of skull shaped LED lights and I donned my pirate hat and patch with pride. Little did I realize how easily outdone I would be when it came tocostume and boat decoration.
At least 20 to 25 people were on the water when we set out. I know that Martin and Hayley did a head-count, but I am certain that there were fewer when we got back. Jonny certainly looked a bit fatter in his werewolf costume… so possibly there may be an explanation for the disappearances.
Martin and Nikki did a good job bringing incandescent glow sticks that were issued to each paddler. One to be worn on the front, one to be worn on the back, and two to attach to your boat. The lights were fun, but they underline how seriously the club takes the safety of its members on the water. Its all good getting into the stinky Ashby Canal in darkness, but if you go in, you want to know that somebody is going to find both you and your boat as quickly as possible.
The brightly lit flotilla paddled up the canal for about 45 minutes headed north, before turning back. The group was neatly bracketed by the quicker canoe paddlers, who could make sure that stragglers did not get left behind. This was probably unnecessary, as Martin paddled his canoe somewhere around the middle of the group with a precious cargo of chocolate, which caused a large number of the group to generally cluster around him. Another wise decision, on the part of the organizers. Chocolate is an important component of any paddling trip.
While most of the canal-boats remained in darkness, the odd window opened to reveal a surprised face or someone who was enjoying our revelling. As luck would have it, we had a superb evening in terms of weather, and the almost-full moon [get your dates right, Mr Aldridge] bobbed in the sky brightly to light our way. Although, to be quite honest, Alwyn’s halogen beam was doing quite a good job of that already.
The paddle back seemed swifter, with the promise of beer at its end. Elliot and I had a brief chat about how flat-water did feel a bit like an uphill battle, but possibly that’s just because I need to work more on trunk rotation [thanks for the reminder, Martin].
On the trip back, we discovered a fibre-glass kayak abandoned on the side of the canal and Phil leapt out to investigate. A branch of hawthorn ripped the raggedy hair-piece from his head to reveal that his fine locks were, in truth, a wig. Thanks for the theatrical entertainment, Phil.
The paddle was a really good opportunity to socialise and spend some time together. While some of us are just starting to get a taste for a bit of white-water, this club is much broader than that and is a fantastic way to meet like-minded people, have a bit of fun and include your whole family. This hugely enjoyable social paddle was just another reminder of how the club puts fun and family up front.
Thanks again to Martin and Nikki Aldridge for organizing this, to the Clarke family for helping organize the chaotic rabble and to the other paddlers for the entertainment, friendship and laughter.