Well, I did it & I am proud to say I did it... I CANOED A MILE!!!
Now, to some people, canoeing a mile might not seem like a long way, but to someone like me who, admittedly, has canoed before, but not for about 25 years (since I left school!), it was quite a daunting task. To be honest with you, I just secretly hoped I made it to the finish line in one piece!
Having encouragement from Olympic Gold medalist Tim Baillie & BBC "Oceans" presenter Paul Rose really boosted my confidence on the day & I actually started to believe that I could do it in a half decent time!
I spent the day with my son Luke, taking in the atmosphere of the event village & visiting the many marquees set up by various sponsors - Naish paddle-boards, FatYak kayaks, Aqua-Sphere wetsuits & swim gear, the Marine Conservation Society & Plymouth University to name a few.
We had a light lunch at the BoatHouse cafe (highly recommended) then it was time for me to get ready, so I got into my gear, got registered & stowed my bag away in the holding area. By now, a few nerves had set in, but Luke assured me... "You'll be fine, Mum... just don't panic & fall in!"
Once we got on the water, it really was as Tim had said, "It's really just like riding a bike, it will all come back to you." I managed to regulate my strokes fairly quickly but didn't rush. Needless to say, I didn't finish anywhere near the front of the pack, but I didn't come last either, finishing in just over the 20 minute mark, which I am pretty chuffed about!
A HUGE thanks to all at The Blue Mile & the MCS for their help, their support & their encouragement throughout the build up & during the actual event. Special shout-out to the lovely Pippa who was still giving out free samples on the Sunday, despite the impending gale-force winds, & Michelle, the lovely lady that I made friends with during the day & her husband Andy who looked after Luke & took photos of us while we were in the water.
Check out some AMAZING shots by Roy Riley: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thebluemile/sets/72157635558458041/
Now, to some people, canoeing a mile might not seem like a long way, but to someone like me who, admittedly, has canoed before, but not for about 25 years (since I left school!), it was quite a daunting task. To be honest with you, I just secretly hoped I made it to the finish line in one piece!
Having encouragement from Olympic Gold medalist Tim Baillie & BBC "Oceans" presenter Paul Rose really boosted my confidence on the day & I actually started to believe that I could do it in a half decent time!
I spent the day with my son Luke, taking in the atmosphere of the event village & visiting the many marquees set up by various sponsors - Naish paddle-boards, FatYak kayaks, Aqua-Sphere wetsuits & swim gear, the Marine Conservation Society & Plymouth University to name a few.
We had a light lunch at the BoatHouse cafe (highly recommended) then it was time for me to get ready, so I got into my gear, got registered & stowed my bag away in the holding area. By now, a few nerves had set in, but Luke assured me... "You'll be fine, Mum... just don't panic & fall in!"
Once we got on the water, it really was as Tim had said, "It's really just like riding a bike, it will all come back to you." I managed to regulate my strokes fairly quickly but didn't rush. Needless to say, I didn't finish anywhere near the front of the pack, but I didn't come last either, finishing in just over the 20 minute mark, which I am pretty chuffed about!
A HUGE thanks to all at The Blue Mile & the MCS for their help, their support & their encouragement throughout the build up & during the actual event. Special shout-out to the lovely Pippa who was still giving out free samples on the Sunday, despite the impending gale-force winds, & Michelle, the lovely lady that I made friends with during the day & her husband Andy who looked after Luke & took photos of us while we were in the water.
Check out some AMAZING shots by Roy Riley: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thebluemile/sets/72157635558458041/