BSCC - News

Chelmsford Winter Series marathon (13 Jan 2019)

15/1/2019

Octavia won her 2nd gold medal of the season at the Chelmsford Winter Series marathon, coming 1st in Class 4 (Ladies K1). Stortford's other medal winners of the day were Catherine and Eilidh as the first female crew in Class 3 (u16 K2 & MC2).

There were just 11 paddlers from Stortford at this race. The size of the team was reflected in the club's overall position of 4th, behind Chelmsford CC, Leighton Buzzard CC and Cambridge CC.

8 miles:
Senior K2 - Jacque & Dave Cayford 17th (1:21:51)
Senior Mens K1 - Adam Beaumont 5th (59:42)
Vet Mens K1 - Mike Toomey 5th (1:12:40), Kevin Warbrick 6th (1:14:45)

5 miles:
u16 Boys K1 - Connor Higgins 5th (51:51)
Ladies K1 - Octavia Abbott 1st (48:40)
u16 K2 - Eilidh White & Catherine Robinson 6th (1:02:33)

3 miles:
u14 Boys K1 - Jamie Gaulton 5th (26:43)
u12 - Jack Gaulton 7th (29:43)

With two races still to go, BSCC is standing 3rd in the Winter Series league table. Full race results and individual series positions can be found on the FRA website.

Cheshunt HYMB Winter Series marathon (9 Dec 2018)

10/12/2018

For the second time this Winter Series, the Stortford team numbered only a dozen competitors, but some good individual performances secured a third place for the club.

Euan took Stortford's only gold medal of the day - his second win in u18 boys this series, placing him third overall in the class to date, but a strong contender for the class trophy.

Adam & David continue at the top of the class table in Senior K2, having won bronze at this race, and Dave H is joint first in Vet Men's K1.

A capsize just after the start caused Octavia to retire, but her success at the earlier races means that she is still third overall in Ladies K1 and well ahead of the field for the Vet Ladies trophy, whilst Kirsten (4th overall so far in this class) is leading the SuperVets.

7 miles (4 portages):
Senior K2 - Adam Beaumont & David Gurney 3rd (51:15), Mike Panrucker & Ian Abrams 9th (1:00:15), Jacque & Dave Cayford 17th (1:00:42)
Vet Mens K1 - Dave Hallam 5th (57:30)
u18 Boys K1 - Euan Caton 1st (55:53)

5 miles (4 portages):
u16 Boys K1 - Connor Higgins 6th (44:26)
Ladies K1 - Kerstin Queeney 5th (47:46), Octavia Abbott (DNF)
u16 K2 - Eilidh White & Catherine Robinson 3rd (59:52)

3 miles (2 portages):
u14 Boys K1 - Jamie Gaulton 4th (30:47)
u12 - Jack Gaulton 8th (37:10), Libby Gaulton 10th (38:14)

The club was third in the Dick Grieve league - this is based solely on the performance of novice juniors - all of Stortford's points DG points being won by the Gaulton family!

Full race results on the FRA website, including class standings to date. See photos of the Stortford race in Angela's Flickr album

Cambridge Winter Series canoe marathon (25 Nov 2018)

27/11/2018

Twelve paddlers were amongst the 146 who turned out for the Winter Series marathon at Cambridge, which attracted entries from 13 clubs.

There was a record field of 25 boats in the Senior K2 class and fierce competition for the medals. Adam B & David G secured bronze which, following their silver at the previous race, makes them the current leaders in this class on series points - though it is still early in the series.

Dave H won silver in the Men's Vet race and Octavia took silver in Ladies, as well as being the first lady Vet. Eilidh & Catherine paddled doubles on the middle-distance course in the combined K2/MC2 class and found themselves up against a big turnout of top Canadian paddlers - but they did receive first K2 medals.

5 miles (4 portages):
u16 Boys K1 - Connor Higgins 7th (58:35)
Ladies K1 - Octavia Abbott 2nd (55:44)
u16 K2 - Eilidh White & Catherine Robinson 6th (1:17:03)

7 miles (4 portages):
Senior K2 - Adam Beaumont & David Gurney 3rd (59:30), Ian Abrams & Mike Panrucker 11th (1:10:10)
Senior K1 Open - Richard Winstanley 5th (1:03:40)
Vet Mens K1 - Dave Hallam 2nd (1:05:16), Mike Toomey 7th (1:12:31), Ricky White 8th (1:15:03)

The small size of Stortford's team was reflected in the overall points total for the club. B. Stortford were fourth, behind Chelmsford CC, Cambridge CC and Leighton Buzzard CC.

Full race results on the FRA website. See photos of the Stortford race in Angela's Flickr album

B. Stortford Winter Series Marathon (4 Nov 2018)

5/11/2018

We had excellent weather for the start of the new Winter Series, hosted at our own club as usual. The 127 competitors included a large field of senior K2s on the long course (19 boats) and a good turn out of u12 K1s on the short course (16 entries).

On the long course, Euan won gold in the u18 Mens K1. Adam B & David G were narrowly beaten into second place in senior K2 by less than a minute, despite an excellent performance. Dave H won silver in the Mens Vet race.

On the middle distance, Octavia took gold in the Ladies K1, and Kerstin was the first SuperVet. On the short course Jamie G won the silver medal in u14 Boys and brother Jack did well in u12s, coming 7th.

7 miles (6 portages):
Senior K2 - Adam Beaumont & David Gurney 2nd (57:22), Tim Beaver & Neil Boast 7th (1:10:02), Ian Abrams & Gordon Bullock BAD 9th (1:10:20), Jacque & Dave Cayford 17th (1:22:20)
Vet Mens K1 - Dave Hallam 2nd (1:05:25), Mike Toomey 7th (1:11:46)
u18 Boys K1 - Euan Caton 1st (1:02:44), Murdo White 6th (1:33:58), James Daly 7th (1:33:59)

5 miles (3 portages):
u16 Boys K1 - Connor Higgins 5th (54:05)
Ladies K1 - Octavia Abbott 1st (53:39), Kerstin Queeney 4th (56:08)
u16 K2 - Eilidh White & Catherine Robinson 3rd (1:12:35)

3 miles (1 portage):
u14 Boys K1 - Jamie Gaulton 2nd (33:02)
GP - Mick Hussey 3rd (42:29)
u12 K1 - Jack Gaulton 7th (38:16), Gemma Beazley 9th (41:41), Edward Kirtland 12th (45:35), Killian O'Dwyer 14th (45:41), Libby Gaulton (retired)

Ten clubs were represented. Stortford came second overall, behind Chelmsford and ahead of Leighton Buzzard. We were also second on Dick Grieve points (based on performance by novice juniors only).

Full race results on the FRA website. See photos of the Stortford race in Angela's Flickr album

Hasler Finals 2018 at Norwich (30 Sep 2018)

20/10/2018

Having secured the club's place in the National Hasler Finals with a rather spectacular joint first place in the region, it was disappointing that a number of those who had qualified to participate (by finishing in at least three races during the year) were not in the end able to turn out for the final itself, due to injury, illness or prior commitments.

The team of 23 who did go included a good balance of singles and doubles, and together they achieved a total score of 164 points, making the club 9th overall out of 31 clubs participating. The winners were Chelmsford CC (227 points) and Norwich CC were runners-up (222). Cambridge CC were 10th with 160 points. With all four of the Eastern Region clubs who had qualified for the event finishing in the top 10, there can be no doubt that the standard of racing in our Region is as high as anywhere in the country.

The star performers in the race included Adam Beaumont, who brought home a gold medal as winner of Div 3, and was also promoted to Div 2. Eugene Kokorin also had an excellent race, finishing 5 in Div 6 and being promoted to Div 5.

There were other notable singles results in Div 3 from David G. (who narrowly missed out on a promotion) and Euan, while Matt P. recovered well to finish 11th in Div 2 after a swim at the start. In doubles, Chris and Matt M.'s 5th place in Div 4 was particularly impressive against a field of 26 crews.

Doubles:
Div 2 - Danny Beazley & James Smythe 4th (1:35:12)
Div 4 - Chris Sze & Matt Mills 5th (1:13:41), Octavia Abbott & Mike Panrucker 21st (1:21:38)
Div 6 - Ant Wright & Ian Abrams 8th (1:25:17)
Div 7 - Jennifer Burtwell & Kerstin Queeney 14th (41:28)
Div 8 - Jacque & Dave Cayford 11th (44:25)
Div 9 - Catherine Robinson & Eilidh White 11th (52:32)

Singles:
Div 2 - Matt Parkes 11th (1:37:37)
Div 3 - Adam Beaumont 1st (1:35:47), David Gurney 6th (1:38:31), Euan Caton 14th (1:42:21)
Div 5 - Mike Toomey 26th (1:27:38)
Div 6 - Eugene Kokorin 5th (1:27:28), Lexie White 17th (1:33:00)
Div 7 - Melanie Bennett 32nd (45:31), Malcolm Duckworth 36th (46:30)

Full results from the event can be found online.

B. Stortford (9 Sep 2018) & Chelmer (23 Sep 2018) Regattas

24/9/2018

Due to the snow storms in March, the regatta at Chelmsford was moved to September, following close on the heels of the Stortford Regatta.

The Stortford Regatta saw a good turnout from the home team as well as visitors from five other clubs.

As always, the members and their families provided a good spread of cakes which, together with the BBQ, brought in some very welcome funds.

Results from the Stortford Regatta for Stortford paddlers:
u10 Girls - Libby Gaulton (gold), Elizabeth Boylan (silver)
u10 Boys - Killian O'Dwyer (gold), Edward Kirtland (silver), James Surtees (bronze), Josh Ranade (4th), Jasper Kirtland (5th)
u12 Girls - Eilidh White (gold), Gemma Beazley (bronze), Alice Boylan (4th)
u12 Boys - Jack Gaulton (silver), Leo Ranade (bronze), Thomas Surtees (4th)
u14 Boys - Jamie Gaulton (silver)
u16 Girls - Emilia Boylan (silver), Fifi Dunphy (bronze), Kayleigh Gaulton (4th)
u16 Boys - Murdo White (5th), Connor Higgins (6th), James Daly (8th), Joe Donovan (9th)
u18 Girls - Lexie White (gold)
Senior Ladies - Catherine Robinson (gold)
Vet Ladies - Josepha Wallbank (gold), Sasha Weston (silver)
Vet Men - Daryll O'Dwyer (gold)

Unfortunately, the good weather enjoyed at Stortford did not continue, and only two weeks later, wind and rain severely disrupted the Chelmsford event. Despite the weather conditions, 11 Stortford paddlers made the trip and gave their all.

Results from the Chelmer Regatta for Stortford paddlers:
u10 Girls - Libby Gaulton (gold), Elizabeth Boylan (silver)
u10 Boys - Jamie Winstanley (bronze)
u12 Girls - Eilidh White (silver), Alice Boylan (5th)
u12 Boys - Jack Gaulton (7th)
u14 Boys - Jamie Gaulton (4th)
u16 Girls - Emilia Boylan (4th), Kayleigh Gaulton (6th)
u16 Boys - James Daly (5th)
Senior Ladies - Catherine Robinson (gold)

As this was the final regatta of the season, the series results have now been announced:
Series Medals for Stortford paddlers:
u10 Girls - Libby Gaulton (gold), Elizabeth Boylan (silver)
u10 Boys - Jamie Winstanley (bronze)
u12 Girls - Eilidh White (silver)
u12 Boys - Jack Gaulton (silver)
u14 Boys - Jamie Gaulton (silver)
u16 Girls - Emilia Boylan (silver)
u18 Girls - Lexie White (gold)
Senior Ladies - Catherine Robinson (gold)

The full results for both races can be found on the Sprint Results page of the FRA website, together with the series results.

Grove Cottage fundraiser (21/8/2018)

23/8/2018

For the fourth successive year, BS Canoe club volunteers staged a "Come and Try Canoeing" event on the Stort between Station Road Bridge and Causeway/Hockerill Bridge.

We were once again blessed with warm sunny weather, so it was no surprise that the event proved as popular as usual. A record number of people took to the water in the club's stable one-person kayaks and in large open canoes operated by coaches and assistants. Most of the 170 participants were junior-school age children, but some mums and dads had a go too.

A long queue had built up before the first timed tickets were issued and continued unabated until the very last one had been sold.

It was sad to have to disappoint some people who arrived half-way through to discover that they had already "missed the boat", but no more could be expected from the coaches and club volunteers. In addition to working non-stop for the three and half hours that the public were on the water, they had also had to bring all the equipment from the club's premises and return it to storage at the end.

A total of £880 was generated, with all the proceeds going to Grove Cottage (home of Bishops Stortford Mencap).

Well done to coaches Jacque, Dave, Fred, Malcolm and Ken, and their assistants Siobhan, Catherine, David, Will, Yasmin, Jessica, Judith, Angela and Pat - as well as the ever-patient Buster!

BSCC at "Goodness in the Park" (19 Aug 2018)

22/8/2018

Bishops Stortford Canoe Club were delighted to be invited to this wellbeing and fitness exhibition on Sunday 19 August 2018. The event took place on Sworders Field to highlight the development of this area, together with Castle Gardens, an important community resource for the town which will be collectively known as Castle Park.

A wide range of instructors and clubs were represented, as diverse as belly dancing, yoga, martial arts and vollyball. Some groups held 30-min join-in sessions in the arenas, while others - including BSCC - offered an activity throughout the day on their stands.

The club took a display of racing boats, photos and leaflets, and two paddle machines.

Octavia was assisted by Matt, David, Euan and Adam in putting people on the paddle machines, while Sue, Andrew and Angela were on hand to answer questions about the club and what we can offer.

We had a steady stream of enquiries throughout the day including 23 people who added their names to the waiting list for a visit to the club to have a go on the water.

National Marathon Championships (21-22 July 2018)

21/7/2018

Nine paddlers from Bishops Stortford competed in this annual prestige event. This year the Nationals were held at Reading, extending over two days, with the singles races on Saturday and the doubles on Sunday. Three members came home with the coveted Nationals members - bronzes for Danny, James S and Jamie W.

Competing in age/sex classes can bring together paddlers of very different rankings in the same race. Although they may not have won medals, Euan and Richard W can be especially proud of the fact that they were the fastest Div 4 paddler and UK Div 3 paddlers in their respective K1 races. David G also achieved an excellent time.

Kerstin (Div 9), in particular, put in a fantastic performance to finish hot on the heels of a number of Div 6 paddlers. Well done to everyone who took part.

25.2 km, 4 portages
Senior Mens K1: Richard Winstanley 11th (2:7:19)
U23 Mens K1: Matt Parkes 9th (2:2:52), Adam Beaumont (rtd)
Senior Mens K2: Richard Winstanley & Matt Westall (PAN) 6th (2:02:13)

21 km, 3 portages
over 39 Mens K1: Danny Beazley 3rd (1:37:36)
u18 Mens K1: Euan Caton 13th (1:41:27)
over 34 Mens K2: Danny Beazley & James Smythe 4th (1:35:35)

12.6 km, 2 portages
over 49 Womens K1: Kerstin Queeney 13th (1:11:55)
over 44 Mens K1: James Smythe 3rd (59:56)
u16 Mens K1: David Gurney 8th (1:1:42)
u16 Mens K2: David Gurney & Lewis Smith (LIN) 9th (59:25)
Mixed K2: Matt Parkes & Stacey Terry (NOR) 12th (57:56)

3.3 km
u10 Mini K2: Jamie Winstanley & Rhys Walker (PAN) 3rd (34:23)

B. Stortford Hasler (1 Jul 2018)

3/7/2018

Fantastic results for the Stortford team at our own Hasler race - despite everyone needing to double up as marshals etc when not actually racing.

The event attracted the biggest field of Lightnings this season, including quite a number from Stortford, several racing for the first time. In total there were 183 kayakers competing - unusually no canadians at all, though few leisure C2s passing through were a bit bemused to find themselves on the start line!

The high temperatures did not stop everyone from giving their best. A total of 12 medals were achieved in the divisional races: one bronze (Malcolm), four silvers (Ricky, Eugene, James S. & Euan) and a whopping seven golds (Kerstin & Jenny, Adam & David, Matt, and Neil & Connor).

The combinations of doubles pairings worked well, and everything came together to deliver a home win. To cap it all off, it has now been announced that Neil and Connor are promoted to Division 5.

Although it was evident, even before this race, that the club's earlier successes in the season (especially the win at Chelmsford Hasler and the second place at Norwich) had secured our place in the Hasler finals, nobody had dared to dream that we would finish at the top of the Eastern Region league - albeit jointly with last year's national champions Chelmsford.

The National Marathon Championships are coming up, and then the National Hasler Finals. It really does feel, as Danny said, that "anything is achievable".

Big thanks are due to the army all the members, family, club members and paddlers from other clubs who turned out to help with all the preparations, and all the work on the day, including starts/finishes, on-water safety, towpath sweepers, turn marshals, catering, entries/results, car park, and a plethora of other jobs.

DOUBLES -
19km, 8 portages
Div 3: David Gurney & Adam Beaumont 1st (1:27:22), Euan Caton & James Smythe 2nd (1:27:40)
11.5km, 6 portages
Div 4: Octavia Abbott & Tim Beaver 5th (1:08:48)
Div 5: Mike Panrucker & Ian Abrams 5th (1:11:26)
Div 6: Connor Higgins & Neil Boast 1st (1:08:55)
6.5km, 2 portages
Div 8: Kerstin Queeney & Jennifer Burtwell 1st (49:48), Jacque Cayford & Dave Cayford 4th (53:12)
Div 9: Catherine Robinson & Fifi Dunphy 4th (1:09:19)

SINGLES -
19km, 8 portages
Div 2: Matt Parkes 1st (1:28:24)
Div 3: Josh Young (rtd)
11.5km, 6 portages
Div 5: Ricky White 2nd (1:11:12), Mike Toomey 4th (1:11:44), Kevin Warbrick 5th (1:12:37)
Div 6: Eugene Kokorin 2nd (1:17:10), Ant Wright (1:32:13)
6.5km, 2 portages
Div 7: Malcolm Duckworth 3rd (49:18), Melanie Bennett 12th (52:42)
Div 9: Eilidh White 9th (59:45), Jacob Gazey 15th (1:01:49), Jamie Gaulton 16th (1:7:15), Kayleigh Gaulton 19th (1:13:05)

LIGHTNINGS
2.5km
u12 Boys: Jack Gaulton 5th (20:21), Leo Ranade 8th (21:45)
u12 Girls: Gemma Beazley 5th (21:11), Alice Boylan 8th (23:58)
u10 Boys: Jamie Winstanley 5th (35:18)
u10 Girls: Libby Gaulton 2nd (23:04), Elizabeth Boylan 3rd (27:00)

See

the full results
regional league table
some race footage on You-Tube from Neil's head-cam: start / overtaking at portage / another portage / finish
photos by Angela on Flickr