A small team took on the 12 miles from Aldermaston to Reading last weekend.  Although the canal section was fairly benign, with a bit of a tailwind, the last few miles involve paddling upstream on the Thames, and in headwinds of up to 40 mph.  All the paddlers coming in looked exhausted.

Joe Petersen won the JMK1 for the second year in a row, whilst Jessie U won the rather depleted JLK1, and Neil McAra was 3rd in the VMK1.  Andy and Annelies Flack just missed out on the prizes, with 4th in the Mixed K2, whilst the two senior men’s DW crews (Chris Johnson and Derek Silby, ,and Paul Smith with Malcolm Gilks) finished 9th and 10th respectively.  George U found the exertions of his WWR race the day before, so retired early, whilst Robyn Webb and Neil Urquhart decided to take the car option for the last mile or so, having had very chilly swims!

This weekend there are few off to Waterside B, where hopefully the conditions will be kind.