At half-term, two of our junior sprint squad paddlers were in Portugal for a training camp, and taking part in the Nelo Winter Challenge race, and our wildwater paddlers went up to Scotland for a successful race on the Tay at Thistlebrigg.

Back home, we had a 3 morning training camp for juniors, with Dan Golder back to coach.  Our Devizes to Westminster paddlers started their build up with Waterside A  – run in the unseasonably warm weather, but by Thameside 2 we were back to more usual wind and rain.  There were no podium finishes at A, although brother and sister Annelies and Robin had a good battle, with Annelies finishing in 4th in the mixed K2, racing with Neil McA, just ahead of Robin in 5th with Isla.  At Thameside 2 Jessie managed a 2nd in the Junior Ladies K1, despite a time penalty for finishing before the finish window officially opened – as did two of our other crews.  Obviously all going faster than they thought – or desperate to get back before the weather closed in!

In line with our policy to develop coaches, we have run core coaching module and a two day first aid course for those going on to take the new qualifications this year (complete with immersion in the canal – see the picture taken before they all froze!), whilst there have also been first aid and safeguarding updates for everyone else.