National Champions- Canoe Club Celebrate!

Norwich Canoe Club surpassed themselves at The National Hasler Marathon Championships on the Thames at Reading, to take their first ever team victory at this prestigious event. Competing against all the major clubs from all over Britain, the rapidly developing club based at Whitlingham Lane, Trowse dominated in race after race.

The Hasler Championship has 9 divisions of increasing ability, and this event, with races at all levels, rewards a club with a strength and depth of paddlers who are continuously improving.

It was the first time for many of the competitors to be on such large start lines, often grouped with up to 40 other boats making exciting racing with choppy water, difficult steering and the inevitable clashes. The longer races involved portages ( getting out, running along the bank carrying your boat, then quickly and efficiently getting back in and paddling off) adding another element of risk and excitement for both paddlers and spectators.

Fast starts and slick portages are elements that the club training programme has been focusing on in recent weeks. Club coaches Dyson Pendle and Tim Scott were delighted with the way their athletes raised their game for the day.

Top performances came from Daniel Balls and Ian Lake, winners of Div 9 K2 (doubles), George Mace and John Ogden, winners of Div 8 K2, Ashley Nobbs and Andy Ross, 2^nd in Div 6 K2, Dyson Pendle and Ben Bradshaw winners of Div 2 K2, Tim Pendle 3^rd in Div 1 K1.

Special mention should go to Albert Hicks for his emphatic victory in the Div 3 K1 event, one of the most spirited performances of the day, and to Lucy Lee-Smith and Joe Rix, both only 12 years of age, who competing against a field of 25+ adult boats were 2^nd home in Div 9 K2.

Congratulations go to all the Norwich paddlers who contributed to this amazing team victory.

Many thanks to Reading Canoe Club for running such a friendly and well organised event.