2020 has started as we hope the rest of the year goes, with a bang! The annual New Years Day race saw 24 club members make their way to the start line at the Meaford Roundabout, last nights celebrations hadn’t dampen the mood and an array of costumes where on display for this years cops and robbers theme.
Racing got underway with the Div 4 paddlers setting off first on the 3.7km race back to the club house. Shortly followed at intervals by the next divisions. The aim of the handicap is anyone can win, so the lower division paddlers had the bit between their teeth and held the lead for a good time before the stronger older paddlers final caught them up. With Isaac Wright in Div2 who managed to take the overall lead and a convincing win, followed by Finley who in Div1 had done well to catch and overtake so many other racers. Phil Gooding came in 3rd claiming he could have won if he had tried, strangely he didn’t? Pete Willet had taken to the water with his daughter Jessica making a strong team and our youngest paddler. She did really well and kept her dad motivated along the route.
Back at the club house everyone relaxed and enjoyed the prize giving organised by last years winer Theo, who had done a fantastic job organising. We were pleased to be joined by the Stoke Sentinel who wrote a fantastic article about the race and the Paddle Tokyo challenge which started that day. What a way to start the challenge too, 24 racers completing the 3.7km course, Deborah clocked up 1km on the Ergo kick starting her 2020 and we had a message from Carole, Adams mum from the Lake District saying she had done an impressive 3.1km on her Stand Up Paddleboard. Making the total after day one 92.9km. Let’s keep it up.
So get the date in your diary for next year and come and join us. We look forward to hearing what Isaac has in store for us.
Happy New Year from all at S&SCC.
Words – Adrian Croome
Photos – Paul Evans
