NUCC

The weekend of November 26 probably flew by relatively unnoticed for most. However, for Newcastle University Canoe Club, it played host to the annual BUCS Wild Water Racing competition.

Located on the river Washburn near Harrogate, the floodgates were quite literally opened as the huge dam release sent water crashing down the course, ready for racing.

After a night of last minute boat adjustments, only made possible by Gavin Thompson and his dab hand with power tools, the paddlers awoke rearing to go.

First up was the ‘classic race’, with 2.5 km of river ahead, the paddler must race top to bottom as fast as possible, avoiding rocks and traversing drops.

Newcastle got off to a flying start with good performances all round, notably; Christoph Gemassmer taking individual gold in the C1 (kneeling, single paddle); Tori Park taking bronze in the women’s K1 (kayak); and Baker, Gemassmer and Mitchell taking Gold in the men’s K1 team.

The rest of the club, while not medalling, also placed highly and racked up more all important BUCS points.  However, the morning’s exuberance quickly began to fade as Loughborough proceeded to pick up points across all disciplines, leading to a tense afternoon’s paddling.

It was therefore with some relief that Newcastle struck back in the form of the C2 category, (two people, each with one paddle, in the same boat). A total whitewash of the podium saw Gemassmer/Clough taking Gold, Kirk/Wild silver and Baker/Clarke bronze, whilst the other teams looked on. The girls’ team of Park, MacDougall and Speight then took bronze in the mixed team race further adding to the medal tally.

The Sunday saw host to the sprint event – 90 seconds (if you’re quick) of flat out speed, whilst navigating twists, turns, rocks, trees and anything else that hasn’t been submerged by the dam release.  Newcastle impressed again, taking five of the top 10 men’s K1 spots; gold and silver (Gemassmer and Baker) in the C1; along with another gold and silver (Kirk/Wild and Baker/Clarke) in the C2.  Newcastle finished the weekend in first place by a considerable margin scoring 159 BUCS points, taking the title of BUCS Wildwater Racing Champions (a title which Loughborough had previously held for seven years).

It is a brilliant reflection of the hard work everyone has put in this year.  Special thanks must go to the committee who have worked hard to secure new boats, coaching and the financial backing of the CPRS and Vice Chancellor which were all integral to this success.

President Jonny Clough told The Courier, “Our members put in a lot of effort this year, but the hard work has paid off and we’re all ecstatic with the result. With the continued support of the University we can only look to continue our success come February at BUCS Slalom.”

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