There was an exceptionally large turn out of 256 entries. Stortford paddlers took a good number of podium positions: Joe and Heidi won Div 4  and Div 5 respectively, Matt and Mike were 2nd in Div 2 and Div 6 respectively, while Malcolm & Gary were 3rd in Div 8 doubles. Joe, Heidi and Mike were each promoted. Chris and Octavia each did very well, coming 4th and 5th in Div 7, and were also promoted.

LIGHTNINGS -
3 km
under 10 Girls: Gemma Beazley 4th (29:49), Ryewin Bridger 5th (40:54)

Despite the good number of individual successes, the team simply did not have enough paddlers to bring in bring in a solid core of points, leaving Stortford 5th overall - see the league table here.

A special well done goes to Gemma and Kaitie, both racing for the first time.

See:

• Final results on the MRC website - updated
  
• Photos in Angela's Flickr album
• Video from David Glover's Div 5 kayak
  

Danny Beazley, paddling for Bishops Stortford, was partnered by James Smythe (Leaside CC), in the last race of the Waterside Series yesterday. The race covered 34 miles from Devizes to Newbury with 35 portages. The pair made their fourth successive win in the Vet K2 class with a time of 4:42:18. As well as finishing first out the 25 boats in this class, Danny & James were also the third fastest out of all the K2s. They of course won the series trophy for Vet K2 with a total time of 11:54:02. Everything is looking good for their participation in the 125-mile DW at Easter!

Other club members participating were the new Mixed K2 crew of Octavia Abbott and Chris Sze. Unfortunately they were one of the three crews that had to retire from this class.

See results of Waterside D, and 2016 series results.

Four gold medals went to Stortford paddlers at the Leaside Marathon, with wins for Paul & Richard, Ella and Murdo. The total points scored by the team brought Stortford a third place overall.

Several intrepid BSCC club members have been taking part in the winter's long distance marathons this season:

Waterside B - 14 Feb 2016
17.5 miles and 19 portages from Newbury to Aldermaston wharf & return.
Veteran K2: Danny Beazley (with James Smythe, Leaside CC) 1st 2:17:23, Ant Wright & Mike Panrucker 19th 3:11:05 [28 entries]
Veteran K1: Chris Sze 18th 3:21:55 [32 entries]
Senior Ladies K1: Laura Warbrick 3rd 2:53:23, Octavia Abbott 7th 3:38:07 [9 entries]
Full results for Waterside B are online.

Thamesside 2 - 21 Feb 2016
19 miles and 8 portages from Reading to Marlow.
Senior Ladies K1: Laura Warbrick 2nd 2:26:13 [4 entries]
Junior Ladies K1: Ella Beatty 2nd 2:36:07, Heidi White 3rd 2:40:00 [3 entries]
Mixed K2: Ian Abrams & Carley Pease 13th 2:50:50 [16 entries]
Full results for Thamesside 2 are online.
Photos of Thamesside 2 by Chris Worrall on Flickr

Waterside C - 28 Feb 2016
23 miles and 35 portages from Pewsey to Newbury.
Veteran K2: Danny Beazley (with James Smythe, Leaside CC) 1st 3:10:21, Ant Wright & Mike Panrucker 19th 4:31:35 [28 entries]
Veteran K1: Chris Sze 19th 4:36:45 [29 entries]
Senior Ladies K1: Octavia Abbott 4th 4:38:32 [7 entries]
Provisional results for Waterside C are online.

A big well done goes to everyone concerned!