First Man Promoted to Prem this Season

A junior from Stafford and Stone Canoe Club became the first person this year to be promoted into the top men’s kayak division.

Tom Brady, 15, earned himself promotion into the canoe slalom Premier division after his third race win at Nottingham last weekend.

Brady put in an impressive performance at the National Whitewater course at Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham winning his race by an outstanding nine seconds. His time of 97.82 seconds put him ahead of established Premier division paddlers competing in the Officials class.

This result was on the back of two other wins at the Teesside (Stockton-on-Tees) and Tryweryn (Bala) races earlier in the season. To gain promotion into Premier, paddlers need to either win three races or secure high enough points from five races.

Several other Stone juniors performed incredibly well at Nottingham. Claire Kimberley won the division 1 ladies event, with Emily Woodcock in second place and Natalie Wilson in third. Rob Downes won the Canadian singles event. Both Rob and Claire will be aiming for promotion this weekend at a second race at Nottingham as both need only one decent result to move into the Premier division.

All the Stone juniors who performed well at Nottingham are on the World Class Junior Development squad for promising athletes and