Banbury and District Canoe Club were split around the country – and Europe – at the weekend.

The biggest team was racing at Reading in the second southern region Hasler of the year, with some excellent results at all levels, showing continued development within the club. Joe Petersen had to turn down a chance to race at the World Cup because of university exams, but made the most of it by leading the team from the top and winning Division 1 K1.

Rosa may be at an earlier stage of her paddling career, at just 13, but a very strong 2nd place in Division 7 saw her promoted up to Division 6. She will now need to race 8 miles, but that doesn’t look like it will be a problem whilst towards the other end of the age range, John  showed it’s never too late to start a new sport, and took the other promotion of the day, moving up to Division 7, after 4th place in Division 8.

Other podium places included the veteran pair, of Robin and Jerry who were as consistent as ever, coming 2nd in Division 3 K2, while Joe’s parents –  Chris and Simon kept the family honour going, with a 3rd place in Division 7 K2.

Lizzie continues to be our sole Lighting paddler at the moment – we’re hoping she’ll have some company soon.  In the meantime, she is racking up the points, with 2nd in U12 girls and 3rd in U12 K2.

With a number of paddlers coming from out-of-region, Dan (4th Div 2 K1) and Robin F (5th Div 3 K1) also scored maximum points for the club, helping towards the overall 3rd place on the day.

Elsewhere, we have paddlers on international duty.  Amy Turner has been racing at the Sprint World Cups.  She followed up her A final in the K4 at WC1 in Hungary, with a K1 200 race at WC2 in Germany.  Meanwhile, Rob Jefferies is acclimatising in Switzerland for the World Wildwater Championships.

Just to make life a little harder, Jacqui has added running, swimming and cycling to the mix, and finished 3rd in her age group at the Brigg Bomber Quadrathlon.