Canoe club continues to make waves

Melksham-based Wiltshire Youth Canoe Club has celebrated several recent successes, continuing to build on their reputation in the canoeing world. 

The club reports, “Last month was the national selection race for Wild Water racing. This is like white water slalom but without gates – fastest down wins. Selection comprises a short (under one minute) white water section, and the longer ‘classic’, about 4kms, including one or more stretches of white water.  

“WYCC fielded three contestants – Freddie Brown, a GB team veteran in the under 23 section; Katie Pocklington, an under 18 veteran who qualified for the GB team last year but has never competed; and Regan Toop, a 15 year old rookie.  

“Katie and Freddie were both selected for the U18 and U23s respectively. Regan did incredibly well, and we can look forward to him representing GB in the future and for many years to come. 

“Earlier this month, WYCC put up a good contingent for the national sprint regatta at Nottingham, which was also a GB team selection event.  

“Unfortunately, Regan was self-isolating for Covid, which was a great disappointment.  

“There were some heroic efforts, and in the end, WYCC came away with four medals. Katie Pocklington won two bronzes in the K2 (two person kayak) at 200m and 500m with a girl from Wey Canoe Club, and Flo Gwyn won a silver and a bronze with Daisy Ball from Devizes Canoe Club, also in the 200m and 500m K2. 

“WYCC is primarily a club for young people based at the clubhouse at the back of the King George V park in Melksham. If you are interested in getting involved, turn up almost anytime on a Saturday and ask for Kevin or Katie or Kitty.”