Six members of BSCC took part in Waterside A. This is the first in a series of four progressively longer marathon races which traditionally constitute the "warm up" for the 125-mile Devizes to Westminster race at Easter. Race A takes in 13 miles of the Kennet & Avon Canal from Great Bedwyn to Newbury, including 21 locks.
Matt reports that the muddiness of the tow path made the portages particularly challenging, with many slips and slides, and some people falling over.
All the Stortford paddlers did extremely well, with the best result of all coming from Danny & James who set a new course record for K2 Vets, clipping just over a minute off the previous fastest time set in 2000.
Veteran K2: Danny Beazley (with James Smythe, Leaside CC) 1st 1:44:00, Ant Wright & Mike Panrucker 17th 2:23:48 [32 entries]
Senior Mens K1: Matt Parkes 10th 1:58:45 [27 entries]
Senior Ladies K1: Laura Warbrick 5th 2:15:00, Octavia Abbott 9th 2:40:55 [12 entries]
Senior Mens K1: Matt Parkes 10th 1:58:45 [27 entries]
Senior Ladies K1: Laura Warbrick 5th 2:15:00, Octavia Abbott 9th 2:40:55 [12 entries]
Full provisional results can be found on the Waterside website.
See also Chris Worrall's excellent photos on Flickr - it's a big album, so if you are in a hurry, here are the BSCC photos.
