How did we get here?
Joanah (the short-haired one in the picture) is a border collie, and has enjoyed an active 11 year life running alongside Wayne and his cycle and trailer on all manner of trips and adventures.
Her full name is Joanah Hen Booth, but she is known locally as 'toobs'. (Always with a small 't' - because it is more streamlined!)
Her kennel name of 'toobs' was coined as toobs has been extremely bendy and toobular since the age of one, as the picture here quite clearly shows!
A New Sport
In 2016 we discovered the amazing dry-land sled-dog sport - Bikejör (Bike-Mushing), and were invited to join a local club. After just three weeks' training, we were invited to race our novice team in a local event, using borrowed equipment and bike. We surprised everyone (including ourselves) by winning both races and becoming South West England Bikejör Champions!
As winners of a National Circuit event, we were invited to put our team forward to represent Great Britain in the European Championships 2016.
Racing for Our Country
After raising £2,000 from the local community, for equipment and costs, we set off on a four-day drive across Europe. We kept a video blog as we went, (which can be followed from the tab on the left,) thanking everyone who sponsored us each day.
A huge field of over 2,000 dogs competed in an amazing event and Team GB won many trophies in individual classes.
Illness Strikes
Despite Driver Wayne contracting bronchitis during training, (just listen to his airways on the video - 'Day One Race'!) Team toobs managed a respectable final 15th place.
After a 6th place in the British Championship round in 2017, Team toobs retired from serious competition. But, toobs continues her swimming and has maintained most of the large chest she had developed during her training for the Euros.
toobs Retires from Competitive Sports
Misadventure to Adventure
While sailing off Cornwall, in summer 2020, toobs decided that she would secretly climb under the safety netting and try and jump into the towed dinghy, in the dark, without a lifejacket, without telling anybody she had sneaked on deck.
She missed the dinghy and ended up having to swim up to two and a half miles ashore, where she was found the next day by some boys in a cave. {Click here to watch the tearful 18 minute film made of the misadventure}
So, we decided in lockdown #2 to make use of toobs' talent for, and love of, swimming by swimming the equivalent of the distance across The English Channel and to raise awareness and money for dog charities that serve hounds less lucky than her.
She mad it in 46 days, and was honoured by the Mayor and Mayoress of Falmouth as she completed her final leg.
{Here is a link to the series of short, fun videos showing toobs' epic progress}
Team toobs Achievements
Stuff that Team toobs members have achieved in their own history as well as part of Team toobs:-
2020 - First Dog to Swim The English Channel - toobs
2017 - British National Championship 2016/17 - toobs and Wayne - 6th place - (Male, Single Dog Bikejor)
2016 - ECF European Championships 2016 - toobs and Wayne -15th place for Great Britain
2016 - Flat Out on All Paws Nationals, Siblyback - toobs and Wayne - Winning Team (Male, Single Dog Bikejor)
2001 - World Motorcycle Endurance Record - Wayne - John O'Groats to Land's End Non Stop
1997 - Founded C.A.R.A.S. - Canine Aquatic Rescue And Search - Henry Henbags Booth and Wayne - Rescued 32 casualties in 4 years
1997 - First Underground Search and Rescue Dog - Henry 'Henbags' Booth - 1995-2009
1996 - Inventor of The Hydropneumatic Clock - Wayne - Cornwall, England
