Meet the team
Paul Rose
Although he would never admit to it, Paul is the original canoe master. Paul is to blame for getting Tim into canoeing in the first place and subsequently Sam and Pat, after we realised that his claims of “All the girlies will love you if you canoe” and “Canoeing will make you big and strong” his whit and fantastic sense of humour persuaded us to continue.
At the moment, Paul is denying that this is a race, trying to pursaude everyone that it should be seen as a challenge to complete (that it is) but I don’t think he’s even convincing himself. I’ve lost count of the number of races I’ve done with Paul that start with “we’ll take it easy” and end in “I know the boat is broken in two but that’s no excuse –PADDLE!!”.
Paul has still to venture onto this thing called the interweb for something other than bike and mapping sites but for what he lacks in interweb-interest, he more than makes up for in sheer determination and strength. Every year Paul takes on a challenge in aid of a worthy charity or two and I know I speak for us all when I say we’re pleased to be involved with his plans this year!
The brains, beauty and muscle of the team (also editor of the website if you hadn’t already realised).
I’ve been paddling for many more years than I care to admit to but I’ve got no plans on stopping anytime soon. As we had word that Pat and Paul had been promoted into our marathon racing division late last year, Sam and I have used this as motivation to get seriously into shape for the 2007 marathon canoeing season.
With that at the forefront of my mind, I’ve been training properly for the 2007 marathon canoeing season since December 2006 as not only did we have the Cheshire Ring Race (which due to competitiveness, I’m not allowed to call a race) but Sam and I need to do some serious butt-kicking during the season too.
All this motivation has finally lead to 12stones of lard that my partner for each leg is going to have to pull around! Despite being told not to look at is as a race but a challenge, I for one am there to win and know that as soon as Paul sits in the boat he will too!
Did I mention I’m modest too?
Its just one of those things you have to do at least once in a life time! Putting yourself through so much pain (I am assuming it is going to hurt!) makes you appreciate the rest of life that little bit more!...
Since hearing the idea of participating in the Cheshire Ring Race, I have been keen to up my level of fitness and training, with regular visits to the gym and local river Tamar. There is no better motivation than paddling for a worthy cause and with such a great team, we have a fantastic chance of beating the current record time.
So please donate to help make a difference...on that note I better get back to my training!
After being promoted to division 5/6, the same as Tim and Sam, it’s only natural that I would be here to match them stride for stride!
The part I enjoy most about sports is completing what you originally set out to do. For example if you win a race or even just complete a really long workout in the gym you feel satisfied to the core, and that is why I race. With that in mind, completing a 96 mile marathon is bound to give me the utmost satisfaction possible and combined with donating money to 4 fantastic charities there is nothing I would rather do right now!
My training plan has started well, lots of gym time and very little alcohol! This hasn’t gone down too well with many of my university friends as I often refuse drinking invites due to training (very un-student like!) Well, I think its now time I got out and started raising money!
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The Race
The Cheshire Ring Race is a major, yearly event within the marathon kayaking calendar. The Cheshire Ring Race consists of 96 miles of non-stop racing (throughout the night) and a whopping 92 locks and 3 tunnels to be portaged! The Cheshire Ring Race is one of the most demanding events possible.
The race starts on the Macclesfield Canal and proceeds anti-clockwise around the Cheshire Ring of canals. Taking in the Peak Forest, Ashton, Rochdale, Bridgewater, Trent and Mersey canals, it finally returns to the Macclesfield canal for the final run.
Scheduled this year for the weekend of 30th June, the Cheshire Ring Race will be held over two days, with the target for all competitors to complete it within 24 hours. (We’re aiming for 18-20 = ~5mph).
To give you an idea of the time taken to complete the race, the record for the K2 (two man racing boat) relay race category that we’re competing in currently stands at 16hrs 22mins, set in 1999 –that’s 8 years unbeaten and obviously time to change it!
Each team has their own support driver(s), who will be providing energy boosts and support throughout the race. For us, this essential role will be carried out by Sue Gaunt/Dr Sue/Mum and Stacey Shapcott (Tim’s fiancée), so many thanks to them already! –We’ve not told them what it entails yet so hush hush.
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The Charities
As there are four of us, we’ve decided to set the target pretty high so with your help, we aim to raise at least £2,000 for the 96 mile event. All the money raised will be shared equally between four valuable charities, chosen by each of the four of us.
Each charity we are supporting holds a special importance to the members of the team, below is the reasoning behind each one. Between us, we have chosen to support:
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Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust
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Multiple Sclerosis Society
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CLIC Sargent
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Mac Millan Nurses
With your help, we will make a difference to the lives of many people – and beat ourselves up in the process, so please support us and the fantastic, dedicated work each of these charities achieve on a daily basis.
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Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust
Just over two years ago,
Paige Setzer, the daughter of
Doug Setzer –a friend of
Tim and fellow developer was diagnosed with an ependymoma brain tumour.
Doug and I have never met, and discussing something as personal as this over instant messenger was at times awkward but also a very surreal experience. Had I not been on the other side of the pond to him, the normal thing would be to go over and be there in their hour of need but I like to think that in some small way even though I was just words on the screen I was able to offer
Doug some form of support.
Although we have never met in person I cannot even begin to imagine how hard it was to cope with the thought of losing your child, I said at the time I would do whatever I could to help –at the time that was very little to be fair. Thankfully after multiple surgeries and 6-weeks of radiation treatments, Paige has recovered fine and has turned out to be quite the character. The threat of recurrence will loom all of her life, so research and finding a cure is paramount.
During the ordeal, Doug did what he knew best –he turned to the internet and found several excellent support mailing groups which he now helps to moderate, although there was nothing we could do to help Doug, Mandie and Paige, one of the boys who had a tumour in Britain wanted to go canoeing so I offered to arrange that for him as it was the least I felt I could do. Sadly, that canoeing trip never happened as James passed away before it was arranged. So for me, the Cheshire Ring Race is a very apt choice.
Doug usually collects for the Brain Tumor Society however, they are different to the UK Brain Tumour Society so I asked him to find out what UK brain tumour charity was most suitable, the general consensus was the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust.
To read more about Doug, Mandie and Paige, go to: www.paigeforhope.org
MacMillan Nurses
Explanation coming soon
CLIC Sargent
Explanation coming soon
Multiple Sclerosis Society
Explanation coming soon
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