Showing dedication of the most extreme kind, me (Claire), Kim, Medic Dave and Tamsin found ourselves at the sheds at the unbelievable hour of 7am. Soon we were racing towards Bradford, fingers crossed that the little fiesta would make it with 4 boats, 4 people and all their kit aboard, it did…just about.
After the first practice run, we knew this was a totally different ball game to Oughtibrigde two weeks ago. This water was actually moving for a start! Not only that, but due to the recent rain (thank the river gods!) this water was actually moving pretty fast and the course included a whole two sections of white water. Adding to the difficulty the river was twice as wide, with gates virtually next to each other but on opposite banks. This was going to be a true test of our skills.
After another practice run, and a long look at gate 3 (down a small drop, break out, paddle up the eddy and around the pole to brake back in) it was time for our first runs proper. We all managed pretty well with no real worrying moments. Unlike some other competitors, one was claimed breaking in after gate 3 and took and swim, another tried to do c1 with no deck on and sank very quickly after gate 5. At the lunch break Medic Dave, Kim and Tamsin were 1st, 2nd and 3rd in ladies K1 div 4, while I was 5th in ladies K1 div 3.
After another practice run and a laugh at the wave hopper challenge practice it time to do battle a second time. I was first to go and had a run in with gate 3, which nearly claimed me but for saving myself with a stylish wave of my paddle, during which I managed to go back through the gate, so incurring a 50sec penalty. Tamsin was up next, and had a fantastic run, touching only 2 poles and scoring a much faster time that of her first run. Next was Kim who also had a quick run, but unfortunately also had issues with the now infamous gate 3, being turned before going through and despite her valiant efforts on a 2nd attempt couldn’t quite make it. Medic Dave was the final representative, with a solid and speedy run down, teeth gritted, determined not to touch any pole.
At the end of the day Tamsin finished 2nd, and won promotion to div 3, closely followed by Kim in 3rd and Laura in 4th, and I ended up 6th in div 3. We had a great, chilled out day, with some fun and challenging paddling. Roll on the next competition!
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