Bradford
& Bingley Slalom and WWR
15th & 16th May
Phew
what a scorcher! as the tabloids would say. The sun was beating down all weekend
as a group from the club went over for a busy paddling weekend at Bingley. A Div
3/4 slalom each day and a Div B White Water Race and Wavehopper Challenge.
The
first challenge of the weekend was a game of how many boats can we pile on
Stoppy's van - lots - and with a good run up he just about made it up the slope
from the club. We arrived at Bingley to find loads of people there - who say's
slalom's going out of fashion.
Hot
sunny weather = not a lot of water in the river. But there was enough to provide
a test for the club's paddlers - many of whom were new to slalom and gave it a
good go. A tricky gate 15 caught many out - but they learnt for the second run,
while us judges burnt to a crisp on the sunny side of the river!
On
Saturday, John Stopford was 3rd in Div 3 K1M, and James Stopford was first J12
finisher. Other all put in creditable performances, including Andrea Thomas who
made it down without swimming (have you seen the swim chart) even if there was a
rescue on one run.
 After
the slalom came the White water race and Wavehopper challenge. many were to
knackered from the slalom to have another race (or had started drinking in some
cases). A straight down river race - no messing with gates - except to batter
them out the way (some people do slaloms like that!). After a length pause
prizes were handed out. James Stopford took 2nd J12 earning even more point in
the wavehopper challenge series. Wes Aldridge was 1st J16. And having pulled a
fast one and not bothered about a judges run in the slalom, Les Ford raced to
second place in the Div B white water race, in his first proper race.
Sunday
dawned hot and sunny (and late for those who had over indulged the previous
evening), but I wasn't there so only know the highlights. Sarah Ford and Andrea
Thomas had a go in the topo duo slalom and weren't last. Sarah also made her
debut in K1 slalom - her previous races having been with Les in a C2. Now we
know who knows what they are doing in that pair! John Stopford was 4th - scoring
enough points over the weekend to get promoted to Division 2 - will he throw
away the play boat in favour of a long pointy slalom boat? (I think not!) Ian Stopford was the
first J14 home, and Matthew Walker was 6th just missing out on promotion.
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