Get ready for Watersides!

1 February 2026

Dear WKC,

Unfortunately we were unable to run the fourth Hare & Hounds / Dash Hounds race on Sunday 1 February, due to river conditions. We're still finalising a spare date for this, so at the moment the next race will be on Sunday 15 March.

If you are using the Ergos whilst the river is closed, please make sure to turn off the screens to preserve the batteries.

If you're planning to head to Sella this summer and would like to use a club boat, details of the ballot for these is given below.

The Waterside Series starts next weekend - see below for an outline of the series, and ensure your entries for Waterside A are in by Wednesday 4 February.

The Catch comes to you on a fortnightly basis. If you'd like to include anything in a future edition, such as race reports, photos, talks, etc, please send details to comms@weykayak.co.uk. We've moved to a new newsletter platform, so please do share any feedback you have on our new look!

A quick reminder that we do try and communicate on as many channels as possible to accommodate preferences, with all formal club communications being made via TeamApp and this newsletter. Members are reminded to sign up for TeamApp (and the various groups within) to keep up to date with daily goings on.
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Enjoy the Water!

Also in this edition...

• What's On - Club Events and Calendar
• Club K2s - booking sheet
• Nationals 2026
• Sella Descent - club K2 ballot
• Deep water rescue technique course
• 400 Club draw
• Nelo - For Sale
• Beginner courses
• Focus on... Waterside Series
• Samson Centre puppy walk
• Winter training programme
• Newsletter Editors
• WKC Paddler Safety Code
• Sign up to TeamApp for news, photos and chat
• Share your news, photos and chat

Club K2s - booking sheet

Thank you to boatswain Cesar Falco for his work updating the list of club K2s. The booking sheet is now organised by stability and boat number - so please be aware if you are booking a boat from March onwards then your usual boat might have moved position!

The updated booking sheet is being finalised at the moment, and will be up in the club entrance shortly.
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National Marathon Championships 2026

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The Nationals organising committee are moving forward with arrangements - the date and location is now in the racing calendar!
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There's lots going on behind the scenes, but as this progresses we will start allocating roles to the volunteer list, so look out for your call-up!
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​Role of Honour Volunteering List

To stage the biggest event in the Kayak Racing calendar we need more people to step up and help those listed above, so please don’t be shy and contact Paul Dimmock so your name can be added to the list. Please do this sooner rather than later, so that we can move from a call for volunteers to planning the event!
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In upcoming newsletters it will be great to report who else paddler, parent or a friend has put themselves forward to support our club.
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An outline of the type of areas that need covering or arranging include:
​Course - site use permission, approval of route, Marathon Race Committee liaison
​Race - starter, portage siting, number boards, finish line, safety boats, first aid, race briefing
​Facilities - marquee, toilets, drinking water, power, PA system, car parking, catering, road signage
​Admin - risk assessment, race pack, entries, results
​Marketing - logo, promotion (posters, social media, other clubs), filming/photographer, merchandise, prizes & prize giving, sponsors, trade stands
​Volunteers - coordination, uniform, security, welfare
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Of course this is not an exhaustive list of roles but may give you an indication of the areas which need your help, please contact me Paul Dimmock for further information paul.dimmock2016@gmail.com​

Sella Descent - Club K2 ballot

Some say the International Sella Descent is the best race in the world, it’s certainly the biggest and most exciting with its La Monza start (as pictured) and the thousands of spectators.

The International Sella Descent has become in recent times one of the largest participation events in Wey Kayak Club's calendar. This year’s race is scheduled for Saturday 8^th August and Wey paddlers along with approximately 2,000 others from around the world will be eagerly anticipating the cannon's roar at 12 noon to signify the start of the race.

For those that are interested in attending this year's event, there are a range of logistics to sort out including transport, accommodation, boats and then race day logistics. Please let Sheila A know if you would like to be added to the WhatsApp group, where there is lots of people to help answer any questions. Sheila will also coordinate entries - all info/updates will be via the WhatsApp group.

Committee this year, as last, want to ensure that there is a fair boat allocation, ensuring everyone has an equal chance of a club boat. You can source alternative boats - options including renting boats in Spain or buying a boat, should the club not have adequate supply of boats. The nature of the race takes its toll on boats, so not all boats are suitable and therefore the boat manager has provided a list of available boats:

Knysna k2 Orange

Knysna k2 Green

Knysna k2 Blue/yellow

Kirton k2 Yellow/clear

Kirton k2 Yellow/clear

Condor k2 Blue (battleship)

Anyone interested in using one of these club K2’s should forward their crew's names to paul.dimmock2016@gmail.com by Sunday 8^th February: these will be entered into a ballot and drawn on 9^th February. Those drawn will then be confirmed - once your boat is confirmed, a £20.00 deposit is payable (refunded after the race). (Note: member's name can only appear on one request slip; the boat cannot be used by anyone else other than on the slip; any changes in crew will result in the boat going back into an open ballot). If the demand for boats does not exceed the boats available then confirmation will be made as soon as practical on Monday 9^th February.

Usual rules apply - if you damage a club boat it is your responsibility to repair or replace it.

For those that are going to race this year, Committee hope that like many Wey paddlers before you, you have a great race and a really enjoyable time.

Any queries please contact Paul Dimmock paul.dimmock2016@gmail.com​
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Deep water rescue technique course

One of the great skills to develop is the deep water rescue technique - not only may it save your life or that of a fellow paddler, it may save a long uncomfortable swim to the bank. This may not be so critical on our river, but could well be when paddling further afield on wider expanses of water.

Anyone interested in learning the effective deep water rescue, irrespective of you being a coach wanting to help others or simply a skill to develop for your own self-preservation, young or not so young, then let Paul Dimmock know at paul.dimmock2016@gmail.com

The dates haven’t been confirmed yet, but likely to be May / June when it’s a little warmer. The session takes approximately 2 hours.

400 Club draw

The January Draw for the GWC 400 Club was made on the 26th by Robin Grainger, a founder member of Wey KC and GWC.

The Monthly number for £50, was won by No.33.

The 400 Club is an important part of the Centre's fund raising and will continue to supply cash for ongoing improvements and Centre upkeep, as well as repaying the personal loans taken out for our solar panel installations. You will all know that our gas and electricity bills have risen recently, putting great pressure on the all running costs at the Centre. All current works being carried out are designed to reduce these to a minimum but:-

We ask all members to think and act carefully on how they use all the facilities at the Centre, turning off lighting and power units when not in use.

We would ask all members and friends to consider joining the GWC 400 Club, to help out with keeping our costs down. 400 Club membership is only £2.00 per month, per ticket and at least 50% is paid out in prizes.

To join, go to the Wey KC website http://www.weykayak.co.uk. copy the attachments, or see Jim at the Centre.

Debbie also has forms in the Centre Office.

Thanks

The GWC Trustees

For Sale - Nelo 7, Large

Boat weighs 11.2kg but there are weights under the seat which takes it up to 12.5kg. It’s in very good condition. £1,500.

Contact Wendy for further information: 07966 488089.

New Beginner Courses

For anyone who may be interested in learning to paddle and joining the club in 2026, there are now adult kayak taster sessions and Junior kayak introductory courses available to book through the club website. Please spread the word to friends and family!​
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Three-day junior courses will run from:
8-10 April
27-29 May
22-24 July
29-31 July
5-7 August
12-14 August
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All sessions are 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Full details on the website. You may need to click the "Booking" link to see the correct dates, whilst we get the main webpage updated.
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An adult taster session is running on Friday 10 April 6pm to 7.30pm. Further information on the website here.

Focus on... The Waterside Series

The Newbury Canoe Club Waterside Series (NCCWS), (originally known as Waterside Series) is the largest annual kayak and canoe racing series in England. With each of the 4 races increasing in distance and portaging, it creates a challenging series.
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Wey Kayak Club has a great history at the race series, often fielding the largest number of paddlers/boats at the first race, and always having some committed members who complete the full series.
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The dates for this year's events are:
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Waterside A - 8 February
13.5 miles, 21 portages
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Waterside B - 22 February
17.5 miles, 19 portages
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Waterside C - 8 March
23 miles, 35 portages
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Waterside D - 22 March
34 miles, 35 portages
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Full details are on the Newbury Canoe Club website, with entries on Marathon entries.
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If using a club K2, please use the booking sheet in the entrance hall.

Samson Centre puppy walk

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Please see below for details of a Samson Centre event - dog not compulsory!

Winter Timetable

Your newsletter editors

Chris H and Sheila A are taking it in turns to produce The Catch every fortnight - so grab us at the club with your stories or drop us an email. If you want to be more involved and join the editor rota, please contact comms@weykayak.co.uk or have a chat with one of us.

After 3 years of operation, the updated code seeks to move away from reliance on the NT boards (which will still operate), to using a river range of flow rates to better reflect the real time conditions on our beautiful but sometimes challenging stretch of water.
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Key changes are:
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Conditions are split into three types, Green (flow below 15m2), Amber (flow between15 and 25m2) and Red (over 25m2); Day and Night

• Over 25m2 Red there should be NO paddling, day or night. This is a reduction from 30m2 as it is felt there is no training advantage gained from those conditions.
• Green conditions - requirements remain unchanged from the previous code.
• Amber conditions (flow between 15m2 and 25m2) - this reflects more challenging conditions - in addition to the previous requirements under NT red boards - all U18 will be required to wear buoyancy aids.

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​Buoyancy aids are required and are recommended for all, at all times, and in all conditions. It is recognised however that in some conditions (green), paddlers experience and subject to coach discretion (and parental consent in the case of juniors) this requirement can be relaxed. The recommendation to wear one still stands.
The club has a large supply of BAs which members can utilise with a coach, alternatively members may wish to explore purchasing their own to meet their individual requirements.
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For those paddling outside of club organised and supervised sessions we strongly recommend adherence to the code and need to complete a dynamic risk assessment, considering elements such as the conditions, buoyancy requirements, planned route, paddling competency, safety equipment and appropriate clothing, every time you go out.
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It is better to be cautious and come back safe.

Keep up to date with the latest news, photos, events and chat!
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TeamApp is for ALL members, adults and juniors and parents/carers of junior members

Step by Step - how to get TeamApp

1. Download the free TeamApp on to your phone via https://www.teamapp.com/app?_detail=v1. If you don’t want to use a phone app, you can access it using a browser, but you won’t get the notifications when there are new messages
2. Open the app and choose Log in or Sign Up, enter an email address and complete your registration.
3. It's a good idea to set up a password. In Team App, from Settings (normally a cog in the top right corner in the main Memberships screen)
4. "Find your Team / Club" choosing WeyKayakClub, and then go to Settings and Access Groups and choose Junior Beginners/Rovers etc etc.

You will now be able to see information under Galleries, Chat and News. Please join in the Chat groups so that you can get the latest updates on what's happening.

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There is also a website version which updates dynamically with the app: https://weykayakclub.teamapp.com.
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We hope you enjoy your TeamApp experience!

Share your stories, photos and news

Send in your news and photos to our news team comms@weykayak.co.uk​