Start of distance race / Poland
Anni Ridsdill Smith in Poland
SUPJUNKIE REPORTS
Photos : SUPJunkie unless stated The last couple of weeks have seen some great paddling from our UK paddlers who have travelled to Denmark , Poland and the UK with some of the biggest International events happening at the end of our season .
Let ’ s focus on Poland and London as we travelled and got stuck in to both independently and self-funded as always . From the beginning , we have found the best way is just to pitch up and get stuck in as it ’ s more about building up relationships with paddlers and organisers and holding firm on the front line !
GB VS
POLAND
Team selection for events this year has been frustrating for those volunteers and paddlers alike . Still , four paddlers were selected by British Canoeing to attend the ICF SUP World Championships in Gdynia , Poland . Sonya Brotherton , Felicity Hurst , Emily Evans and Holly Pye were the ‘ team within a team ’ with Marie Buchanan , Sarah Perkins , Blue Ewer , Will Keetley , Verity Thomas , Anni Ridsdill Smith , Ben Moreham , Steve Lynn , Molly McKibben and Iain McCarthy also attending . This event is incredibly inclusive with junior , open , 40 + and 50 + classes and over 500 entrants .
Sarah Perkins in Poland . Photo : Planet Canoe Felicity Hurst in Poland
Conditions were mixed on the coast , whipping wind for the sprints in the marina , insanely challenging and big conditions on the ocean for the distance and wind and chop for the tech . It was certainly exciting to watch the athletes trying to contend , but hey , the Brits are used to conditions like this and some embrace it . Some of our best paddlers live on the coast , which stood them in good stead for the event .
The sprints were so exciting , with heat after heat and finals A , B and C for some classes . The course was narrow with uneven lanes , and with the wind , it was tricky ! Our paddlers are some of the best in the world now , and they put up a good show , with Blue and Emily coming in ninth ( Open ), Sarah sixth ( 50 +), Marie sixth ( 40 +) and Holly , Will and Molly all getting through to the finals . Lots to celebrate , but the week was only going to get better . s t a n d u p p a d d l e m a g u k
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