Liverpool Race Report April 2008
Amathus Pool of Life Racing Report – Liverpool
6 April – a bitterly cold morning in Liverpool for the start of the racing season!
We woke up to find 6 ins of snow on the car and wondered whether to bring skis instead of paddles! But, this certainly didn’t deter the hardy northern stock of Amathus with four teams competing. Can I say well done to everyone who braved the elements to take part in the event?!
The day itself may have been cloudy and cold but an inner glow of excitement and joy was to be found in seeing Amathus Pool of Life take to the water again. Like the Phoenix rising from the ashes this was POL’s first race since the Nationals in 2006.
We set up camp on the car park, sheltering under the gazebo provided by Linda (now to be known officially as “Brown Owl” because she provided the camping equipment). We had all the comforts of home, including our own gas fire (please, Linda, perhaps a self-lighting one next time as we ran out of matches trying to keep it lit)! A big thank you Linda.
Anyway, now to the serious stuff! Our first race was the 200m against Thames Taniwhas, the Bees and Laing O’Rourke. It was the first time our new ladies had experienced a racing event and were certainly not put off by the weather! We put in a time of 1 min 2.69 secs but were pipped at the post by Thames Taniswas and the Bees!
We again met Laing O’Rourke in the tail race. The boat of burly brickies gave us a good run for our money but we pulled away at the end to win in a time of 1 min 3.66 secs.
Before the challenge of the 500m we took to the warmth of the gazebo, hot drinks and some food!!! For more home comforts for future events what about a BBQ “Brown Owl”? Only joking!
Raring to go and up for any challenge ahead we took on Typhoon Tigers and Raging Dragons. The wind had now got up and this, combined with the wash from the two Premier League crews, gave us difficult racing conditions and at one point we thought we might have to put into practice an unrehearsed capsize drill - but we put in a time of 2 mins 32.38 secs.
In our second race we were up against two experienced Standard League crews in Cooling Running and the Wasps and put in a respectable time of 2 mins 33.25 secs.
It was now our final race of the day and although the elements were against us we were all still in there giving our all! We put in a time of 2 mins 32.50 secs!
| How’s this for consistency? | First 500m race | 2.32.38 |
| Second 500m | 2.33.25 | |
| Third 500m | 2.32.50 |
Here’s another one for the record! In Singapore we came third in a time of 1.15.18 winning a bronze medal! Our times in Liverpool were 1.02.69 and 1.03.66. A fantastic achievement for POL. We can only say “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!”
Keeping a watchful “eye” over us during the day from the poop deck as he reviewed the fleet was Lord Nelson – right arm in a sling and a dodgy left eye (he was only missing the Admiral’s hat)!
A very memorable day for our first race of the season – everyone had a great day despite the weather and I’m sure it won’t put off our new ladies from taking on our next challenge which will be Teesside!! Glorious weather has been ordered for this event!
In conclusion a big, big thank you to all our supporters who braved the elements and to the members of Amathus who helped to paddle, helm and drum for us – we couldn’t have done it without you!
Big G
