Having had all the national sprint races cancelled this year due to Covid-19, several paddlers from Wiltshire Youth Canoe Club, based in Melksham, were overjoyed to race competitively on a weekend in September. The event was national selection for the GB wild water team.
The club reports, “Wild water racing consists of 2 events. A sprint, usually just under 1 minute, down a stretch of white water or rapids, and the classic, raced over roughly 3km to include the same stretch of white water. There are no gates to go through, just fastest to the finishing line.
“The immediate target of selection was the European Junior Wild Water Championships in Slovenia in November. WYCC were very pleased to get 2 people selected to represent GB. Freddie Brown in U23 and Katie Pocklington in U18.
“In these difficult times, the wild water committee had to put a very robust plan to Canoeing GB to allow them to travel to Slovenia, but they got permission, and started to plan. Unfortunately, with infection rates rising all over Europe, the Slovenians have decided to cancel, much to the disappointment of Freddie and Katie.
“If anyone is interested in kayaking for fun, or even competitively, please come along to our open sessions on Saturday afternoons at 2pm, or visit our Facebook page.”
