Hastings 1066 Marathon 2008

A good turnout for this race by club members – 20 paddlers in a variety of Divisions. 

A welcome pairing of obviously excellent future paddlers were Gabrielle Chidwick and Andrew Jackson in Div 9 K2.  They performed in an expert way and made the course seem easy.  Well done.

Also in K2 div 9 were Caroline Jackson and Tina Jordan.  Caroline’s recent return to paddling meant she was always going to struggle to keep pace with the young crew of Josh Chidwick and Sam Burdett, again in the same division but making a very good third place with a time of 46’45”.

Also in doubles, but racing the longer course in Div 4/5 were Dean Jordan and Mick Bannister, who were too kind by half to the cut ups and encouragement into the bank by other race crews, resulting in an undeserved 5^th place.  In the same div. were Mick Wibrew and, coming up from Salisbury, Phil Bowles, long time paddler with the club.  Again, off the pace a bit, but a creditable finish in 1.08’54” 

Singles divisions were relieved the water conditions around the island at Tonbridge had eased to allow their race to complete the full distance.  Of the four paddlers in Div 9, Will Richards narrowly missed a place ahead of Emily Wibrew and Paul and Jen Newman.  Jen getting back in to paddling after a thirty year layoff.

Louise Linnell stopped to assist a paddler in trouble under trees and decided to just follow round with our junior K2 to finish the race.  Unfortunately this resulted in a demotion to Div 8, but not for long, I am sure.  Terry Tompkins goes from strength to strength and was promoted up to Div 6, while Tom Kingston, just getting back into paddling after a winter of rugby, passed him by, being demoted to Div 7. 

Peter Bannister, in winning Div 6, narrowly and sensibly avoided promotion to the next division, allowing him to gain in speed and strength for a bit longer.  Up to 5 later in the season, perhaps? 

Paul Elston had a solid paddle in 5 but is lamenting his lack of fitness, but Aaron Jordan, racing against two Div 2 paddlers came a very good third with only two seconds splitting first to third in his race.  Boxed in at the finish he could not burn past his wily competitors to get a higher placing.  It cannot be long before he is racing in 2.

The day was comfortably warm and great for racing.  Hastings had a laid back atmosphere which was appreciated by all.  Many faces and friends from the other local clubs were present, but Maidstone had a good Hasler points total, coming second by a narrow margin to Elmbridge CC.

Paul Newman