Saturday 31st October was a busy day for Duddon Canoe Club. In the morning it was the second race in the Geoff Sanders Memorial Trophy National races held at Canal Foot on Ulverston canal. It’s a lovely stretch of canal ideal for the lightning’s to paddle on. All the youngsters did very well.

In the afternoon it was the usual club session at the docks where different courses were taking place.

​Then it was time for Halloween when the kids of all ages came out to play. The club was decorated with some fantastically carved pumpkins, shivering ghosts, skeletons, bats etc. There was a great deal of gross food to get through such as mummified sausages and brain cake. Everyone either dressed up, had their faces painted or both. Trevor saw to that. When everyone had enough to eat it was down to the water’s edge to get into canoes and kayaks that had been decked out earlier on when we could see what we were doing with luminous balloons. It wasn’t quite as dark as I expected, thank goodness. Alright I confess I was very apprehensive about paddling in the dark but with help from one of the coaches I managed it. The docks are surprisingly well lit at night. We had our own illuminations to admire in the form of lights and reflections that the ships made on the water in and around the dock. We set off  into the night on calm, smooth water and made our way up towards Morrisons  where we paddled around a bit before heading home again. A great time was had by all that evening. One young lady who hated Halloween can’t wait till we do it all again next year as she enjoyed it so much. Right time to pack my broom stick away till next year.

Tuesday teatime saw the last of this years gathering of the DCC Sandside Satellite group. It's been amazing to watch the progress the  young people have made over the weeks and to see how they have grown in confidence on the water. Because of this a couple progressed to paddling by themselves as they showed great control over their kayaks. This confidence wasn't just confinded to the water but also on the banks as they shone when it came to safety and rescue practise where Kevin and Carol were dragged out of the water several times by some very accurate throw lines. As you can see, although it wasn't compulsory as there were sufficient helpers at the sessions, several parents saw how much fun their children were having so they thought they would have a go as well. They have now caught the paddle bug. Can't wait till it all starts again next April. Watch below for some amazing achievement's made by some amazing youngsters.

This weekend saw DCC member Alistair Hornsby compete in the Glasgow to Edinburgh Challenge 2015 in DCC colours.
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On Saturday he went from the Forth & Clyde canal starting at Speirs Wharf, Glasgow finishing at the Falkirk Wheel. Alistair paddled 24 miles in 4 hours and 6 minutes. This meant that out of 5 K1 paddlers he finished in 1st position by a minute.

On Sunday he went from the Union Canal from about Falkirk Wheel to Lochrin Basin Edinburgh which saw him paddle 31 miles . He admitted to being a bit slower today and finished 2nd by 5 minutes.

Overall it took Alistair 10 hours and one minute to complete the 56 miles from Glasgow to Edinburgh.

Congratulations go to Alistair for a great effort this weekend.