Series comes to Stortford

By Web Reporter

MORE than 100 paddlers in canoes and kayaks of all kinds flocked to the River Stort to participate in the annual marathon race hosted by Bishop's Stortford Canoe Club.

Nine clubs were represented, from as far afield as Richmond and Leighton Buzzard.

The competitors raced in 19 separate classes over three distances.

The longest course took paddlers from Southmill Lock down to Sawbridgeworth and back - a total distance of 7 miles with 6 portages.

A great performance from Stortford's Joe Surrage in the senior men's kayak division saw him win bronze in 57mins 35secs, hot on the heels of Keith Moule of Chelmsford (56.16) and Danny Beazley of Leaside (56.40), both of whom are ranked in national division one.

In the same race there was a very creditable display from Josh Young (17), who finished 6th in 1hr, 1min 45s.

Mark Adams took gold in 1:00.16 in the veteran men's kayak.

The new pairing of Tony Brett and Georgia Thomas won silver in the senior doubles kayak (1:07.53).

The middle-distance course took competitors on a circuit from Southmill Lock up to the town centre, downstream to Spellbrook and then back to the finish at Southmill.

Stortford's Vicky Surrage demonstrated the style which earned her a place on the Great Britain team by making short work of the 5-mile course with its 3 portages (44.44). She won class 7 (combined women's kayak and mixed C1) and was also the fastest paddler over this distance.

There was another exceptional performance in class 7 from Ant Cayford in a high-kneeler C1 (50.04). He took the class 7 bronze and was first C1.

Three other golds on this distance went to Jim Brett and Paul Surrage (marathon C2, 56.19), Ant Wright (touring GP, 57.09) and Rachael Pinnock (U-16 girls kayak, 58:31). There was also a silver for Joe Fitzpatrick in the U-16 boys kayak (48.09).

In the U-12s kayak, Emily Gurney won the trophy for fastest girl in her class and was 4th overall in 40:17). She was followed by Stuart George (5th, 40.51); Matt Parkes (8th, 41.58); Aisha Sollars (10th, 43.22) and Isabelle Gurney (11th, 51:33).

Other BSCC results:-
Senior doubles kayak - David Cayford and Jacqueline Fitzpatrick, 5th (1:20.39).
U-18 boys kayak - Ryan Walkinshaw, 6th (1:09.16).
Seven-mile course - Calum Gilbert (1:27.16); Simon Frydrych (1:31.59), Mitesh Mistry (1:38.45).