The Sharks are gradually building a large and successful slalom squad, we have a lit of work to do but now have the potential to build on the success of our paddlers.
Our top ranked paddler is Grant Underwood, who is in Men’s Division 1 kayak , although injury has kept him out of action for all but one event this year, he has asked to have his division one status frozen for the year. Grant is partly funded by Loughborough University’s Sports Scholarship scheme, he is also a GLL supported athlete.
Our top ranked female paddler is Amelia Combes, who is also The Sharks top ranked canoe paddler. Amelia is in division 2 for both Ladies’ K1 and Ladies’ K2.
Fourteen-year-old Amelia who attends Drayton Manor School in Hanwell is in her second year at division 2 Kayak and gained promotion in canoe this season. She is a GLL supported athlete.
Congratulations to James Read who gained promotion to division 2 in Men’s Kayak at Shepperton on the last Saturday of the season, enabling him to race on Sunday in division 2.
The Club now has five paddlers who are eligible to race in division 2, although only Amelia and James have done so this year. Hopefully we can increase this number in 2017.
In Division 3 this year, we had Catherine Robinson paddling in Ladies’ Kayak.
Tallulah Lacey was promoted to division 3 Ladies’ K1 at Harefield slalom, but has yet to race at the level.
At the end of the season we had three paddlers ranked in the Men’s division 3 Kayak. Top was Khaleel Zainddin, who was promoted at the end of last year. Joel Gunnery, was promoted at Kingsland Basin earlier this year and has raced four events, Cardington, Harefield, both days and Shepperton.
Conor Sheehan was also promoted at Kingsland Basin and has raced twice this year in division 3, at Cardington and one day at Harefield. Johan Kukkohovi was also promoted to division 3 this year at Harefield but has yet to compete at that level.
We also have a number of other paddlers, both mail and female who are eligible to race in division 3 slalom, so come on guys let’s see you in a boat next year.
We had an additional six paddlers that raced at division 4: Kiara Sheehan, Roberta Back, Joseph Rosenfield, Yahiem Keely, Macie Waszcyszak and Alexander Brennan.
The Club organised the annual slalom at Harefield in August, many thanks to those who helped out, The numbers entering were a little disappointing and slightly lower then last year’s event which we held at Shepperton due to the construction work at Harefield.
The Club has also restored and improved the gates at Harefield, working together with other paddlers that use the site and a grant from British Canoeing’s English Slalom Committee.
The Club had paddlers racing at the following events in 2016:
Shepperton Division 1 and 2 event in March. What the papers said.
Kingsland Basin, Division 4 event. Newspaper Report.
Llyandysul Division 2 and 3 event. As reported.
The London Youth Games, Joel Gunnery and Lianna Nolan representing Hillingdon. Hillingdon Gazette.
Cardington, Division 2, 3 and 4; June 2016.
Shepperton Divisions 3 and 4; June.
Bala Mill Division 2 and 3.
Harefield Division 3 and 4. News Paper Report.
Cardington Division 2 and 3. Ealing Gazette.
Shepperton Division 2 and 3: October. News Paper Report.
Many thanks to our slalom coaching team this year, who have done a fantastic job; Gordon Walling, Grant Underwood and Neal Underwood. Gordon has now been appointed as the Canoeing Development Officer for London with British Canoeing. We wish him well and look forward to working with him in his new capacity. Thanks also to Mandy Combes for stepping up and acting as Team Manager at events.
Plan for 2016.
Report for 2015.