Sunday 6th October saw DCC race team travel over to Bollington where they raced on the Macclesfield Canal.
“Although it looked like being a wet race, all cleared up while we were on the water. Our 6 divisional paddlers all completed their races. Daniel did well to recover from a swim - an honour previously held by Scott and I think Lee. Connor kept up well in his race until he had to stop to empty his boat!! The weight of water gathered on the way to Macclesfield had resulted in an unnoticed crack in the hull. Kirsty and Michelle in the K2 just failed to get silvers as the boat ahead 'accidently' swerved each time they tried to overtake. The 3 lightning paddlers made up for the rest of us by all winning GOLD. Well done Teigan, Ryan and Riley.
Although we were the 4th team - out of 4 - it was great to see so many top paddlers there, especially from Runcorn. The team results are worked out from the points of the top 12 club paddlers - there were 14 Runcorn and 15 Macclesfield paddlers and as I've calculated it they both scored 231 from a total possible 240 points.”
John Sherwen

​“Passing flooded section of road and windscreen wipers doing double time did not bode well as we made are way to Borwick Hall for the South Lakes Hasler Marathon. Once we were completely drenched and all was set to go the rain stopped, not to return until we were on the way home 4 or 5 hours later. Gradually the number of boats arriving increased until quite a queue formed at the registration desk - over 40 paddlers from all over the north of England had arrived to test themselves against each other. It was good to see a good turn out of top paddlers for the long 21K race. Our U12 and U10 paddlers all did well in the 2k race.
We had 13 members on the water, with many first timers who joined DCC in the summer gaining valuable point in the beginners Div 9. The team results were very close with Runcorn on 176 and Duddon top with 189 (one less div 9 paddler and we would be 2nd) 
Thanks go to all the participants from near and far but special thanks to the 10+ club members who's help on the day made it such a success.”
John Sherwen

“This was another great paddle on Coniston water on a Wednesday evening. 8 of us met at Brown Howe car park.The lake looked amazing. We where treated to a sail past by the steam yacht gondola.We paddled north up the lake and stopped for the obligatory brew by Fir island.After a  stretch of the legs we were able to squeeze through the gap of water that separates Fir island.We then headed south back to the start. The light was now starting to fade and we arrived back in the dark.As usual it was good to catch up with everyone.Thanks to all off those people that have attended these trips ant to the more experienced paddlers that have joined us.”
 
Rob Hitchmough
 

Nine DCC members joined paddlers from Carlisle and Copland clubs for the entry level div 4 slalom at the Sands rapids in Carlisle. The 10th member of the team had an injury and was not able to sit in a boat, he was able to stand and swim as seen in the photos.There were a couple of capsizes but all competitors completed runs with the young club members leading the way to the medals. We all had time to play on the rapids and practice the gates with some trying SUP and C2 slalom - both craft now being well washed top and bottom!! Many thanks to Carlisle CC for all the hard work and time spent setting up the gates and organising a great day out for us.
John Sherwen

09:45hrs Sat 14th Sept 7 Kayaks and their owners were ready for the haul along Askam Pier to meet the quickly flooding tide.It was a lovely fresh(ish) morning, light winds a clear blue sky. After a bit of a carry down, we were all in the water by 10:30hrs, paddling out to the main channel, we then and just went with the flow!
The views here are particularly spectacular, the Duddon Valley with the Mountains of the Lakes as a back drop.Towards the end of the Estuary it was veer right to Foxfield or left to Kirkby Pool , we opted left and went up past Kirkby railway station.....looking up at the passing trains passing just a few metres away. It was then onto the more serious stuff of a drink and packed lunch, whilst waiting for the tide to peak and finally turn. As we left the sheltered entrance to Kirkby pool, the wind had freshened considerably, and it was quite a haul back with a fresh breeze over a rapidly falling tide creating quite choppy conditions, however we just plugged away and made it back to Askam without mishap. Landing on the sandy side of the pier around 14:00hrs........couldn’t believe how pleasant and sunny it was landside vs only a few hundred metres away on the sea!. Anyway, yet another great day.....Thanks to Rob for organising, and being accompanied by some great company for the day. Oh yes, en-route we spotted an otter on a bank, who then just slipped quietly into the water.....a real treat. ​Ray

From humble beginings in the club gym there sprang to life DCC's contribution to the Ulverston Lantern procession in the form of a large Pegasus. As it grew far larger than was first anticipated Lee Stoller kindly offered the loan of one of his vans along with his employee Graham who transported her up to Hill Foot garden centre ready to lead the procession down into Ulverston and then on to Ford Park. Under Scotts instruction he kept Pegasus's wings beating in synchronisation. Thanks go to Members of DCC for building such a magnificent creature and Carol for organising our part in the event. Keep checking for additional images.

Conner and keiron had to do some community work, so they chose to do a litter sweep of our club. With the help of Daniel and teigan they collected 15 bags of rubbish, as you can see by teigans face she wasn't happy about all the littler.... Michelle

Sunday was a great day for DCC to practise their ww, slalom and rescue skills on the River Leven. Great pictures of the day plus videos by Sue Longstaff and Kirsty Bentley.

12 aspirant race paddlers and a number of helpers and hangers on turned out for a great day of race training. We practiced paddling technique with wings and had a go on the paddle ergo in the morning.
After food and a drink we were back on the water doing 500m time trials - some tested a variety of boats and paddles to try to find the best kit for the fastest time.
The day finished with a 1 or 2 km time trial. The aim of the time trials is to set a personal time so you can judge your future  progress. The 500m time is also used to select  the entry division in marathon races.
A special thanks to the helpers for safety cover, sorting kit and especially putting everything away at the end of the day.
Next marathon 22nd Sept. Lancaster canal.
John

DCC member Sheila Mitton attended the viewing of Vitamin Sea in Barrow. Cal Major paddled through Barrow last year on her way to John O'Groats.

I went to a viewing of Vitamin Sea with Cal Major. The film is about her stand up paddle boarding from Land`s End to John O`Groats last year. On her journey Cal met some great people who shared her passion for the ocean and for caring for it. Cal talked us through the ups and downs of the journey and also about the healing that takes place in nature and the healing from caring for nature, her passion was and is to highlight and reduce plastic pollution and also link this with mental health. Cal did a heartfelt and honest question and answer session. It was an honor to meet her and also meet other people from around Barrow who care about our seas. A truly inspirational evening. 
Sheila Mitton