 | Back in 2005, Roger Davey was one of the club coaches who had their arms twisted to contribute a biography for publication in our junior newsletter. Dodge had been a fixture at BSCC for a long time by then but, as he was a quiet and modest man, discovering his earlier history was something of an eye-opener: "I started canoeing at Exeter Canoe Club when I was 18 and enjoyed myself over the next several years paddling all over the south of England – surfing and sea canoeing, river running and marathon racing. |
In the course of time I moved to London and raced out of the Royal Canoe Club, where I was Paddling Mate for a period. I ended up in the Essex area, when my racing stopped. Shortly after that, I took up coaching and became a Junior Olympic Racing Squad Coach from 1982 to 1995, when I joined the White Water Racing National Junior Squad. I also continued with the Junior Racing Squad as Boatman/Driver, and at the same time was coaching paddlers all over the country.
| Whilst coaching and travelling to so many places in Europe is great fun and very enjoyable, I eventually decided to focus a little closer to home and so now I coach the “Elite” Squad at BSCC. This is open to anybody who fancies their chances at improving in the competition elements of canoesport and is willing to take part in a suitable training programme – come and have a chat if you are interested. It’s nice and easy if you have the desire and commitment to improve." Many of our paddlers benefited from Dodge's unique and special style of coaching over the years. He will be missed. |  At the Annual Club Dinner in March 2015 BSCC presented Dodge with a lifetime achievement award |
