If you’ve stumbled onto the site in its current state, you might not recognise it. It’s a new home for SUCC that I’ve build over the last 4 days – and filled with old SUCC stuff by Mr Sylvester.
Some features might be a bit iffy, and there’s no videos – but that’s to come! Any feedback is welcome, in the comments or to my email (which you should all have).
Southampton takes home NSR’s Spirit of PGL Award
In a phenomenal weekend for Southampton University Canoe Club, the university’s 45 paddlers have impressed judges, organisers and other competitors so much they took home the National Student Rodeo’s “Spirit of PGL” award, securing a year’s sponsorship from PGL and Pyranha Kayaks.
PGL, who play an immense part in making the event happen each year, award the highly coveted prize to the university showing the best attitude, team spirit and enthusiasm for the event, which are the fundamentals of their business.
“It’s about making sure everyone around you has a great time, as well as just your own team.”
The world’s biggest kayak freestyle competition was the largest ever, at over 800 strong. SUCC brought an alternative take on the event’s “beach theme”: Instead of hula skirts and board shorts, we declared “Southampton Does D-Day”, sporting camo gear, aviator glasses and a huge number of toy guns. The distinctively dressed team, however, didn’t particularly make war on their rival Universities; they made them cups of tea, even offering round the occasional bacon sandwich, and made an impressive effort to socialise with other Universities in the competition.
The club’s generosity, the team spirit displayed in their en-masse dancing, the fearsome charging of the dance floor and wholehearted support of their team mates throughout the competition impressed everyone at the rodeo. Camo-Clad SUCC members tirelessly cheered on their friends (even at 8am) and spent hours helping boats and people out of the water from other Universities as well as their own. The NSR radio team were even heard to say:
“It’s gone a bit quiet – where’s Southampton gone?”
Southampton’s sponsorship will mean 6 brand new boats for the club this year, which they can buy at a discounted rate at the end of the year, as well as great deals on all the top-end manufacturer’s products. The University also picked up the “carnage” award for the best attitude to people capsizing and swimming in the cold waters of the Trent, earning them free Whitewater Safety and Rescue training for six people from Tom Parker Coaching.
Massive thanks for Leeds University Canoe Club, River Legacy and all other sponsors who made this fantastic event possible.
Pictures to follow soon.
Kayak or tank?
After having a pretty scrapey season up to date, the words ‘SEVERE WEATHER WARNING’ were met with beaming smiles in the SUCC bunkhouse, as the club prepared for their week around Fort William. New members and older veterans of the club alike made the long drive north, and were rewarded from day one with fantastic levels on the Orchy. The water kept coming throughout the week, providing a healthy 6 pipe Upper Spean run to keep grins growing.
Of course water everywhere means two things for a university canoe club: first class boating and even better carnage. Some nailed lines, others failed lines. Most hucked up whilst the remainder mucked it up. But of course that’s all part of the fun of club boating and there were smiles all round for a great week that had an awesome vibe!
SUCC LOVE,
Southampton University Canoe Club
George Holmyard tackling Pattack falls Scotland 2011
Pyranha kayaks dominating the Road ahead
Pichee and the Molan taking the plunge
Pandora’s Box: Facial Jargon
Many faces are often witnessed in this club, some good, some bad… and most ugly.
Exhibit A:Pandora’s Box
This wet slot has claimed many faces, but as you will see, none as colourful as the next few images.
Exhibit B: Looking cool
Matt Kelly
As much as it pains me to admit, this is a cool face. Determined, yet a deep understanding of the complicated mechanisms of life, perhaps gained from experiences in a remote country in a past existence… Or it’s just Matt “what a t**t” Kelly feeling good for getting a great line.
Exhibit C: Fear
George Holmyard
For some strange reason a recurring theme of fear has been witnessed on this feature, maybe people their faces a little too much?
Exhibit D: Distain
Will Swallow
The sort of distain that says “I cocked that up and I’m not happy about it”…”not one bit”.
Exhibit E: Fear?
Dave Goffe
Another Example of fear, yet this fear is a little odd looking.
Exhibit F: F***
Dan Crowley
This time, Distain turns into F***, “F***, I really cocked this up and I’m now heading to Pinsville…Sideways”.
Exhibit G: One Last Ugly breath
Chris Stevens
The High brace fails, what do you do?! Breathe deep my friend, breathe deep and fast.
Exhibit H: Ahhhh
George Godfrey
Looking at it will not make it go away!
Exhibit I: The Stiff Upper Lip
Andrew Sylvester
Remaining ever composed, Sylvester you maintain unparalleled river etiquette.
Exhibit J: Literal Relief
Huw Edwards
Huw feeling several pounds lighter here.
SUCC, my sweet…
I knew that this time we spent together would be magical,
As soon as our eyes met across the Boat Hard,
The day we threw caution to the wind,
And our sleeping bags in the van.
Many a moment we shared that evening,
As the drinking games continued long into the night,
And even though I sucked an old’s nipple,
I assure you it meant nothing.
I could only gaze longingly at the get-on,
As you struggled into a pair of wet thermals.
And as I watched your line down Lover’s Leap,
I felt Cupid’s arrow pierce the front of my buoyancy aid,
Though unfortunately, it tore through my last piece of river chocolate.
I fondly recall the evening during which we walked,
Hand in hand, under the pale moonlight,
To the 24hour Tesco,
As we had run out of alcohol during a rather intense game of Touchcup.
And though you may have failed to down a copious amount of lemonade,
I woke sorrowfully the next morning,
Knowing that after another day upon the Loop,
We would once again have to part ways, (Until NSR of course…).
Much love, as always, from your Beardy admirer… XXX
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