Jim Wilson Tiger Boat Challenge for Cumbria Canoe Clubs, 26th April 2023

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.

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The winning team