Everyone we have spoken to says “What an enthusiastic and happy evening” and we are writing to say a big thank you to everyone who made this such a huge success - in particular -

• Derwentwater Marina for hosting us all.
• Our Race Director in the start boat - Rob Sanderson and his crew Malc Grout and Alex Fradley.
• Our enthusiastic Tiger Boat Helms -  Mark Aplin, Richard Robinson, John Crosbie.
• Our hawk eyed Timekeepers -Guy Murray and Jo Keene, in the finish boat wih Lisa Price. 
• The teams who drove a long way, on a mid-week evening to come to Derwentwater and their Club Captains who got the teams together -  Nelson Thomlinson, West Cumbria, Carlisle, Copeland, Lakeland, and Penrith Canoe Clubs.
• Our Welcome team of Rob Wilson and Ruth Jones who gave you a friendly welcome.
• Our team of cheerful chefs who laid on an outstanding non-stop BBQ for about 110 people - Liz Milne, Wendy McCarthy, Mark and Helen Hunt,
• The Shore Organisers for WCCC               -Pete Knowles and Alan Ashby.

 
Brief Report
Racing Tiger Boats requires a quick start, teamwork, coordination and some hard graft - Various levels of all of these were achieved!  As the evening went on the races became more and more skilled and competitive with lots of happy cheering.  9 races were packed into a hectic 90 minutes of enthusiastic, non-stop racing. 
The heats were all close with the two fastest teams going through to the final - a young team from Nelson Thomlinson Canoe Club and a composite team (made up on the night) from Copeland and Lakeland Canoe Clubs.  There was a dramatic crash in the final - thankfully only a minor bump which did not affect the result, so Nelson Thomlinson was declared a clear winner.
Lisa Price of the Marina  presented Nelson Thomlinson School Canoe Club with the Jim Wilson trophy and thanked everyone for making it such a happy, enthusiastic event.   
 
Photos and Media

• Alan took a load of good photos - I attach a couple as examples. 
• There is a fine selection on - Google drive
• We attach the race times.
• Please publicise the event on social and other media.
• If you have any other outstanding photos please email these to -  [email protected]

 
Best wishes and happy paddling in the summer ahead!
 
Peter Knowles and Alan Ashby for WCCC and Cumbria Canoeists.

Monday 3rd April 2023
PRESS RELEASE:
Huge haul of rubbish retrieved from the river Kent thanks to volunteer litter pickers’ fantastic efforts, both on land and water!  
 
The Clean River Kent Campaign (CRKC), in partnership with the Lakeland Canoe Club, Save our Rivers, Trash Free Trails and Westmorland (Kent) Angling Association organised a river clean-up on Sunday 2nd April between Staveley and Burneside.
Over 40 volunteers from communities along the river collected about a tonne of waste in just a few hours – a great achievement, but which also sadly reveals just how much litter exists in this precious landscape.       
 
On Sunday 2nd April volunteers from Staveley, Bowston, Burneside, Kendal and other communities along the river Kent gathered in Staveley at 10am for the start of a river walk / paddle down the river Kent to Millennium Green, Burneside, collecting rubbish along the way.
 
Isobel Stoddart, CRKC Chair said, “It was wonderful to see people of all ages turn out to help clean up the river Kent – a real community effort. I think that everyone was both surprised and shocked by the amount of rubbish collected on what appears to be, on first appearance, a relatively litter-free stretch of the river. There was everything from traffic cones to toilet seats, metal pipes and plastic toys. The amount of black plastic and discarded dog poo bags was particularly noticeable.”
 
Whilst 2 teams made their way along the footpaths either side of the river gathering litter on-land, members of the Lakeland Canoe Club accompanied by a family in an inflatable raft retrieved rubbish that had got lodged behind rocks in, and on branches over, the river.
 
Wyn, a volunteer from Kendal explained, “Whilst there was a really positive atmosphere, and everyone taking part seemed to have a good time, the huge pile of litter told a very clear story – we need to look after our rivers and stop using them as a rubbish bin. Not only is it unsafe for people using the river, but the creatures in the water will also be suffering from all the waste entering the watercourse. Please think before you litter along our precious river – take it home instead!”
 
For over a year now the Clean River Kent Campaign has been calling for United Utilities to clean up their act and stop discharging untreated sewage into the river. They are also calling on people who enjoy the river to play their part too and stop dumping rubbish either in, or along the banks of the river.
The Clean River Kent Campaign is very grateful to Westmorland & Furness Council for providing the litter pickers and bags; to British Canoeing for sponsoring the event, and to all the volunteers who took part.
The group hope to hold further litter picks along the river throughout 2023, working their way down the river to Kendal and beyond. Details will be publicised via their Facebook page: @cleanriverkent, or you can sign up to their monthly newsletter via: [email protected]
  
Notes for Editors:

1. The Clean River Kent Campaign (CRKC) was established in Autumn 2021. We are a voluntary coalition of communities living along the river Kent, Cumbria. Our aim is to keep the river Kent clean for water-based recreation and to protect wildlife and ecology. Our initial objective is to significantly reduce the amount of effluent discharged into the river by United Utilities wastewater treatment works and/or by storm overflows.

 

1. Contact Clean River Kent Campaign: [email protected] / 07952 786621 for more information, interviews, quotes, or more images. (All permissions received for use of photos attached. Credits: James Kirby).

 

1. More general information on the overall CRKC campaign, including videos produced by local filmmakers/volunteers: http://www.sustainablestaveley.org.uk/crkc/

 

1. Clean River Kent facebook page: @cleanriverkent

 

A cracking start for the Sea Kayak Starters and Returners Tuesday evenings series at Killington on Tuesday April 4th.
A big group of 11 enthusiasts (9 women and two men) enjoyed Killington at its best. Thanks to Mike, Mac and Marie for coaching.
A fabulous evening.