IMAGE BY LAKELAND CANOE CLUB

“Last minute withdrawals and local sporting events left Duddon with a team of 3!! John, who had volunteered as reserve for a novice team, was called up to first team action. The loan of another novice player gave us the required 5 players with Scott, Trevor and Conor. We scored goals in all 5 games, some being very close games. John’s goal keeping improved during the games and we ended with 5 points, one for each 2nd place!!
Conor made some excellent long distance shots- some successful. 
Before the competition John and Trevor attended a ref. workshop so will now be better placed to spot Scott’s rule infringements!
We hope to return to entering at least 2 teams in the future. If interested come to skill training at pool sessions or contact Trevor or Michelle. “ by Trevor.
 

What a fantastic start to the New Year as the weather and conditions on the day were perfect. Everyone met at Monks Coniston and were on the water by 11am in either a kayak or Canadian canoe with one member out on her paddle board. We went up the east side of the lake and then across to the other before paddling  down towards Blue Bird café. Here we had a well earned rest and took in the view while eating our sandwiches and drinking hot chocolate from the café. There was one casualty this trip who got wet as what appeared to be level shore when getting out of his kayak found himself stepping in to a deepish hole. Still nothing a hot drink couldn't sort out.
On the way back Sue guided us all to a sculpture that had been carved out of wood of the children from Swallows and Amazon making Turner walk the plank. She's spotted it on the way up on the east side of the lake.
A game of Scavenger Hunt was played by teams named after something they had found that day. We had The Weeds named after a handful of green lake weed, The Quality team named after a quality street wrapper, The Translucent Kidney Stone, Brandon was on that team and they’d found a weathered piece of glass and last but not least The 4 Tennas ( don’t ask) The hunt was finally won by Scotts team The Weeds who for one of the tasks had constructed a vessel that floated with a small lego man sat in it but it exceeded their expectations when it started to sail quite a distance under its own power. After the winning team was presented with their prize of chocolate coins it was followed by birthday cake on shore as one member had turned 18 that day. Happy Birthday Ruth.
 

In November, when the weather wasn't quite as bad, DCC junior members decided to do some flat water training out on the dock in the K4. They were escorted by a safety crew but they surplus to requirements as the girls put into practice all the skills they had learned and paddled up and down the dock with ease. After they had mastered the art of paddling the K4 they turned their attention to the SUP boards where they excelled yet again. Well done to all.

On Saturday 1st of December duddon took a mixture of polo players to a tournament in Penrith leisure centre... the tournament was for all abilities, to help encourage people give it ago. We had two brand new players Rachel and mark, junior players Connor and Jolene with Kirsty, Michelle, Trevor, Lee and Scott. 
With having 9 players we decided to just mix each team up and go have fun  and maybe learn one more rule. 
There was some great team play by all involed passing the ball around until there were shots on for players to score.( Lee and Scott 3, Trevor 2 and mark 1) The defence was strong at times giving other clubs the run out they needed...  the juniors Connor and jo did a fantastic job all round but also putting in some great shots on target but were sadly saved by some great goalkeepers. For marks and Rachel's first time and them feeling nervous  at the start they soon both fit well into the team. Putting in some fantastic defence even taking a few pushes in and managing  to carry on and mark even scoring on his first game. Well done all 
A big thank you goes out to them that came up to support Jo's dad, Sarah (marks wife) and of course Ryan team mascot( For now as you be playing soon) .... 
The next tournament is on 26th January if anyone age 12 and above would like to give this ago please come and join in... 
Trevor and Michelle 

Everyone turned up early to get on to the River Crake at Spark Bridge. This was the first time some had been on moving water but the weather was kind to everyone this day and so alot was accomplished by all under the watchful eye and coaching from Andy and Scott.

​Congratulations go to DCC member Victoria Longstaff on becoming one of DCC's youngest level 1 coaches at the age of 16. Tori has been canoeing since the age of 7 and is a very experienced paddler winning many medals and trophies as well as being a National Wavehopper champion for several years. She has recently added a SUP board course to her CV. Tori is following in the footsteps of her father Andy and sister Emily who are also coaches at DCC and her mother Sue who supports the weekly sessions on shore.
Well done.

Thursday saw several members of DCC paddle on and in the River Eden. Old skills were improved on and new skills were gained as the paddlers found themselves being challenged at times by the river. A great time was had by all with pictures of the day by Sue Longstaff. For more pictures and a video of what they got up to click here.