Stafford & Stone Early Season Slaloms

Fantastic turnouts for the Mini Slaloms and March 3/4 Slalom meant all the early season Stone races have been a great success for the club as well as for many individuals from the club.

First to be promoted were Daniel Wright and Harry Boardman at the 3rd Mini Slalom having secured 2nd and 3rd places respectively out of 14 entries. Unfortunately a low number of division 4 ladies meant Natalie Willdigg (picture right) had to wait until the March 3/4 race for promotion.

Having recruited as many of the parent paddlers as would dare brave the higher river levels at the ranking event to ensure the race was quorate, Natalie had a resounding win to get promoted. Also promoted, to her complete surprise, was Carole McGranachan. Hayden Manuell put in a good performance to come 3rd out of 20 to gain promotion into the division above. He also gained the 1st clear-run sticker of the 2005 beginners.

In the division 3 race, Michael Wilson put in a fantastic performance to win his event and following two second places at Sowerby Bridge has been promoted to division 2. Matt Jones came 2nd in the same event out of 30 entries.

In the C2 category Edward Joyce and Tom Woodhead won division 2/3. Edward went on to wim the division 3 kayak race at Marple.

Thanks go to Frank Wilson and Joe Kimberley for being coerced into running the mini slaloms and to Rob Holdway for running the March 3/4.

The next div 3/4 event at Stone on July 23rd desperately needs your help as it co-incides with Washburn div 1 where many of the club will be competing. Contact Robin Vasey if you can assist.