By James HinvesSouthampton Canoe Club held its first Wild Water Race at Woodmill Activity Centre on a challenging but exciting course on Sunday (Feb 2).
Article continues after this message...
With the river swollen from the previous night’s rain the course proved a challenging but exciting sprint down the River Itchen - finishing with a splash down the drop at Woodmill Weir.
Racing through obstacles such as the broken weir and the salmon chicane proved to be a testing course, with several athletes and paddlers opting for an early bath!
Over 20 athletes competed with the fastest time being posted by local paddler Xavier Hinves from Southampton Canoe Club.
However there were also fantastic class wins for Andre Hinves in U14 Boys; Molly Gwym from Wiltshire Youth CC in U16 WWR; and Poppy Gilbert-Johns from Southampton in U16 Whopper.
Jacob Parker from Southampton and Lenny Cann from Hamble Sea Scouts battled it out for bragging rights in the U16 Boys with Jacob finally winning through. Meanwhile in the Senior Classes Martine Huisman (Southampton CC) took honours in the ladies Wavehopper, with Lyn Jack (Upper Hamble CC) winning the Ladies Recreational Class and for the Men Richard Kent (Southampton CC) led closely followed by John Dyke (Hamble Sea Scouts) and Neal Underwood (Sharks CC).
Thanks should be given to all the volunteers that made the event possible and we look forwards to holding a nationally ranking event in the future.
Junior winners
Xavier Hinves - blue boat
Jacob Parker - red boat
Poppy Gilbert-Johns - yellow boat
Andre Hinves - purple boat
Words: James Hinves
Photos: Melanie Wing
• Southampton Canoe Club is a British Canoeing Talent Club Partner and runs a series of beginner and developmental courses throughout the year. For more information visit www.southamptoncc.org.uk