You can never really prepare yourself for times like these, It is easy for you to say ‘this will be my last Tyne Tour’ and the classic ‘so what’s your plans after University?’. But it never settles in, you’re too comfortable and settled in with the idea that it’ll never end and when it does, truly you don’t want to be. But we know era’s come to an end, people leave and new generations come along. It was only this time last year I myself was writing a blog post congratulating the then leaving members on there successes and wishing them the best, not considering fully the gravity of what they were going trough and thinking. But as I’m writing this after sobering up from our summer meal, seeing the team photos on my wall and all the memorabilia I’ve collected from my days kayaking. I now understand.
So it’s time to write the blog post for this year’s cohort of leaving members. We’ve got plenty of names to mention. We’ve enjoyed an unrivalled success over the past few years and it has been not an accident, the dedication and commitment of some of the members has resulted in fantastic experiences for our members. So lets begin as we’ve got a few names to get trough, in no real order but lets begin with our Kit Secretary, Ted Gravestock has been key this year as we’ve gained shy of just £1000 worth of new kit for club use, from a new boat to helmets, he’s sourced kayaking gear for the club, and while he might have had issues with the off river gear (*cough* PlayerLayer) Ted has managed to keep the current kit safe and in good nick! And we can’t mention kit secs without a thanks to last years and leaving member, Dan Scarfe who has helped the club during his 3 years, providing a safe pair of hands on the water and also fitting our new shed out in his 2nd year!
As you properly know some of the best memories and experiences happen on our trips and socials and leading the challenge of organising a calendar full of these are the leaving events organisers. Briony Marshall has provided some most notable social nights outs this year, sure she might of just done a superhero night just to see Ted in a Robin outfit, it’s not to say that wasn’t worth it, along with Briony she had to tolerate I mean work with our other organiser this year Will Jonson, who returned to the role this year. Both have provided some awesome trips, with a solid return back to NSR and a new surf trip in Anglesey and all the river trips and camping weekends in between. These 2 have made each trip as exciting and varied as the last! And before we move on, thanks last year’s former events organiser Michael Edwards, providing plenty of support and high spirits to the trips and sessions, maybe missing the mark of his social attendance just means we’ll miss him more.
We don’t just miss the leaving committee members however. We have many a member leaving this year that has provided plenty of support to the club. From the kind driving services of Sarah ‘Sassy’ Perkins, to the almost solid attendance record of Adam Dearnley and the high spirits of Joe Davies. We have loads of names to mention but not enough space for all of you!
So that’s it… Nah could you imagine! Here is to our President, Events Organiser, Team Engineer and Rock-hitting expert, Ewan ‘Ewie’ Morrison. As a president they have to oversight the entire club and make sure everything is as scratched up as it can be, and Ewan has achieved a great year during his time as president, which followed his previous year as our events organiser, even with some rocky moments (pun intended) Ewan has kept cool head and made sure any issues, and we’ve had plenty are resolved quickly, he has also worked to improve our relationship with external partners, including the SU which has helped us secure extra funding/support, the LCC and Airfield Anarchy, almost resulting in £2500 of funding, donations and sponsorship. It’s been a pleasure working with Ewan and on behalf of all the members we thank you for you hard work, dedication and friendship for the past 3 years.
So these members and many more look forward upon the sight of new chapters in their lives, and we’ll look back at all the moments during our time with LUCK and properly keep in touch with each other, because it is not something you come out the other side not liking each other. And as we move on away from Lincoln, we’ll know for sure the success of the club continues in the form of your new committee and members, some of which have already done a great job this year, Dan Myers continues as club treasurer and general good pal while Ed Woodrow takes up the challenge of club president continuing to provide his coaching skills for the club.
And this is were I sign off, many a blog post, photo, Tweet, video Facebook post, heavily edited Linc Articles and 10 years of LUCK organising it’s come down to 1024 words in my last blog post as your Web & Media Officer of the past 2 years. A roller coaster of a time, I’ve been in places I never imagined when I first walked past the stall in my fresher’s week back in 2013. I’d recommended this to anyone and do it all over in an instant! It has been fun, like really fun, and my pleasure also. But don’t be gutted I’m off, you’ll have safe hands next year in the form of Joey Mcaleese who is eager to build upon my time here, so all the best to her, and all the best to everyone who I’ve mentioned in this post and those who’ve I’ve not.
So with great sadness, for the final time.
Happy Paddling