This year’s ‘Get F****d For Fitz!’ fundraiser was one of the most successful on record. The University of Bristol Canoe Club (UOBCC) raised a staggering £2,200, of which £300 was donated to the RNLI, a charity chosen by our club members.
On the 9th of November, one hundred or so budding Bristol kayakers, past and present, trotted along to Eldon House to celebrate the life of the late Jon Fitzsimmons, an alumnus of Bristol Canoe Club. We were thrilled to host members of Exeter, Bath, and Cardiff Canoe Clubs as they made the perilous journey up the M5 (or down the M4, for Cardiff’s sake) to join in the celebrations. After an action-packed day of canoe polo, the need for refreshment was strong, and the staff at the Eldon House were more than willing to accommodate. It was a memorable event, as Fitz always is; an occasion to reunite with old faces, and get to know new ones, all united in the celebration of the life and legacy of Jon.
As the evening unfolded, the excitement built around the raffle, the highlight of the night. With a bounty of generously donated prizes, punters had the chance to win Pyranha sponges, throwlines, Dryrobes, and even a Stand-Up Paddleboard! One lucky winner went home with arguably the best prize, a bag of potato starch generously donated by the club’s vice-captain!
While ‘Get F****d For Fitz’ is always a great excuse for one or two (or three or four) pints with your mates and to enjoy the spoils of a stacked raffle (who wouldn’t want a bag of potato starch?!), it’s important to remember the significance of the event. Every year since Jon’s untimely passing in 2003, the University of Bristol Canoe Club has hosted the event to raise money for safety courses and equipment for club members. It has proven incredibly successful year-on-year, with the club sending their first all-female cohort to be Whitewater Safety trained last February and a fully funded Outdoor First Aid training for 15 members. This year, we hope to continue on this path, sending 12 more club members on a WWSR course, paid for with the proceeds made from Fitz.
The importance of developing safety-trained paddlers cannot be overstated. Not only does safety training equip individuals with the technical skills needed to navigate potentially challenging situations, but it also instils a sense of confidence and leadership that extends far beyond the riverbank. Those who are trained in WWSR often find themselves stepping up as leaders within the club, ready to guide and reassure others, particularly those new to kayaking. For beginners, knowing there are well-trained individuals on the water creates a sense of security, allowing them to fully enjoy the thrill and beauty of paddling. I know when I first joined the club as a naïve canoebie, I wouldn’t have progressed nearly as much as I did in my first year if I wasn’t surrounded by confident and willing leaders (on and off the water). Although I swam a lot (#swimmingiswinning), I was never put off as the club committee had created an environment that made me keep coming back for more. Now, as a current committee member and prospecting WWSR trainee, I find myself in a position of leadership and hope to instil the same confidence my predecessors gave me to those new to the sport.
This emphasis on safety is particularly important to UOBCC, as it was put to the ultimate test last summer during a tragic incident in the Alps. Our team was called upon as first responders to retrieve a body from the water. While this was an incredibly sobering experience, it underscored the critical importance of having paddlers who are not only technically skilled but also mentally prepared to handle emergencies with composure and care. Despite the gravity of the situation, I was still immensely proud of how the team responded, combining technical know-how with the ability to work well as a team, especially in a high-stakes environment. That’s why we value WWSR training and first aid qualifications so highly—not just because they prepare us for the unexpected, but because they let us paddle with confidence, knowing we can keep the fun rolling while staying safe on the water. After all, a happy paddler is a safe paddler!
Beyond the obvious benefits of ensuring safety on the water, training also strengthens the club as a whole. It fosters a culture of responsibility, teamwork, and mutual support, encouraging members to look out for one another. Furthermore, it builds resilience and quick-thinking skills that are applicable to all aspects of life. With more members trained in safety, our club is not only better prepared to handle emergencies but also better equipped to promote a positive and inclusive paddling environment where everyone feels welcome and supported. This legacy of safety and camaraderie is a fitting tribute to Jon, whose memory continues to inspire our commitment to the club and to each other.
Bring on 2025!
Charlie