kayaking

A long time ago (~2 years :-)) I did a hell of a lot of paddling with my uni canoe club (and before that Bude Canoe Club when I was living down in Cornwall). Since leaving uni, however, I have not done any. Until last week!!!
Last weekend I went along to the Cambridge Canoe Club's pool session at Abbey Swimming Pool, which was really good fun, indoors warm and great for getting back practicing those skills learnt long ago! This weekend I went one step further, the club has a Clubhouse on the river Cam and they are open on Sat (1200 - 1500) and Sun (1000 - 1200) in the winter (different times in the summer). The weather was beautiful: sunny, intense blue sky and a light bitter wind. I was about to go on my own and explore when another bloke arrived so I joined him and we did the tour to Granchester and back (~4 miles) in about 50 mins, it was very cold in the water (kept dipping my right hand in) but I was warm once Id been paddling for a few mins and had got into a rhythm. Okay, okay I know it wasn't white water but it was really good, the day was very nice - good training material!! I think I'll be doing this again, although the 1 hour each way walk to the clubhouse would be quite a drag in nasty weather.
Last night I went along to the pool session again, this time doing lots and lots of rolling practice (if you practice it enough it gets to be instinct and yer dont have to think about it in the real white water situations) including handrolling which I had learnt in Manchester in 5 mins in the last pool session before the Alps. My handrolling was not 100% everytime and Ill have to improve my technique before Ill be relying on it :-) my right-handed roll is better than my left. My kayaking books are at my parents place, damn! I'll look on the net see if there are any good places for advice. Ive also been advised to look at joining the Cambridge University Canoe Club (if they take non-students), is this a good sign (they see me as a good kayaker) or bad sign (taking up too much pool when they want to be über-gods themselves (not that Im an über-god)). Did teach a kid sculling support and gave some tips on rolling, rescued a guy too although almost took his fingers off :>