GSCC had 9 paddlers at the Hasler finals at Runnymede on the Thames on Sunday 25th September. All the results can be seen here: https://canoemarathon.org.uk/hasler-final-live-results/
We had a great day as reported by two of our youngsters Alfie Smith and Charles thew below:
Alfie’s report
DAVE STAYS DRY!!!
Well done to our 8 paddlers at the Hasler finals in Runnymede today. The weather stayed good all day with no rain and a light breeze.
Neil and Alfie paddled div 5 k2 with Alfie paddling a division up. Both were full of cold thought finished with a time of 1:05:14 with a portage that required emptying gallons of water from the boat. Alfie’s shoes are still floating somewhere in the Thames!
Connor and Charles paddled div 7 k2 and finished with a brisk time of 44:59 although getting bounced about in the wash of 28 other boats. Graham and Sue also paddled div 7 k2 with a time of 43:44 just slightly beating Connor and Charles.
Dave raced div 9 and STAYED DRY!!! He also finished with a time of 56:22 reaching his goal of under an hour and not coming in last place.
Matilda fought hard in both the open k2 with her new friend Adriana with a time of 30:39 and the Geoff Saunders race with a time of 33:57. A big thank you to Martin and all our support team (the parents) for helping with our boats, plus Graham, Sue and Neil for transporting the boats all the way down to Runnymede.
Charles’ report
The day went well and the whole team enjoyed themselves. It was a day to remember, and the team performed successfully. The weather was beautiful although the races were tough and competitive. We will be more prepared next year in terms of training and equipment and will go back fighting!
Dave performed especially well coming in under an hour with a time of: 00:56:22. Also, Dave managed to keep upright! Finally, he didn’t come last so all in all it was a good day for Dave. Connor and Charles performed well too. Charles especially, felt the stress but both managed to keep upright and receive a time of: 00:44:59. Sue and Graham in the same race as Charles and Connor managed to receive a close time of: 00:43:44. Neil and Alfie were able to pull off an impressive performance despite having a bit of struggle at portage with their boat full of water and a missing pair of shoes, but did well and got a time of: 01:08:12. Finally, Matilda gave it her all despite feeling the strain doing 2 races. The first one in a K2 with someone she had never met, before completing the race in a time of: 00:30:39 and the final race for Matilda was in a K1 completing it in: 00:33:57. So sadly, no wins this year but we have a lot to take from Dave, Alfie, Matilda, Charles and Connor first time racing in the Hasler finals, everyone stayed dry and gave it their all!
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For Martin’s photos click here
For Craig Smith’s photos click here
For the BC official photos by A Edmonds click here.