Well done to the 22 paddlers that turned out for the 2025 New Year’s Day race. In a change from tradition due to the building works on the old Darlaston Inn roundabout, the race was on the canal starting by the Star Lock. Following a briefing in the clubhouse it was over to the Canal for a 10:30 start. Everybody started at the same time with different turning positions based on division and class. This made for a challenging start to the race with lots of waves and choppy water to negotiate, luckily everybody stayed upright! By the turning points the paddlers were more spread out and it was the division 4 and 3s that lead the way on the return to the finish heading back to the Star Lock.
The eventual winner was George Parrott, with Louis Emberson in second place and Freya Watts finishing third. Freya and Esme Watts won the fancy dress prize. The theme for this year was the colour orange – a tribute to Rufus McGeary. As is the tradition George gets the privilege of organising and setting the rules for the 2026 race. Well done all. Thanks to Adam and Angus (2024 winner) for organising.
