March Racing Round Up
White Water racing (WWR) returned to the river spey in 2022 on the 20th March with the Scottish national classic and sprint WWR organised by Nairn Kayak Club.
The Classic race distance was around 4 miles, starting at Delnapot and finishing below Knockando rapids at the SCA access point. The sprints used the Knockando rapids starting at the fishermans hut and using the middle channel down to the SCA access point. Water levels were good with good flow on all sections and the weather stayed dry the whole day.
In both races C1 and K1 competed, C1 uses a one bladed paddle and paddlers generally kneel whereas K1 uses a two bladed paddle and paddlers sit. K1 usually have faster times though some of those at the back of the pack were out performed by the C1s. Competitors ranged from under 14 to Veterans and were mostly seasoned paddlers with the odd once or twice a year river racers showing up.
A good day was had by all and another successful event organised by NKC. Many thanks to Calum Urquhart who was the main organiser and Shona, Kirsten, Dave and Gillian for timekeeping and marshalling. Results below.
Pool Sessions have started
The clubs, winter Pool Sessions have now started for the next 10 weeks at Nairn Swimming Pool.
This year we are trying a different approach and are going to offer 1-1 rolling instruction with a coach. This will be a 20-minute slot booked for 2 weeks together and paid in advance (£16 for both weeks unless you have chosen to pay for all 10 sessions at £60). For example, you would book a 20-minute slot with an instructor on 20/1/2022 and another 20-minute session the following week on 27/1/2022.
Please get in touch to find out more.
October Racing Round Up
The 23rd October 2021 saw five Nairn Kayak Club members head down to Strathclyde park to compete in the British Champs Sprint events for K1, K2 and K4. These events attracted some of the fastest paddlers in the area in junior, senior and masters age groups.
In the Seniors K1 Ross Urquhart was up against a fast field including some of the GB development squad and finished in a very respectable time of 24.58.
In the masters field Calum Urquhart secured a podium place with a 3rd place. Michael Surmon was 4th, Kevin Ramsay 5th and Douglas Wilby 6th.
In the senior K2 Ross Urquhart and Partner were 5th. Masters K2 Michael Surmon and Calum Urquhart achieved a podium place with 3rd position. Douglas and Kevin Ramsay were 5th.
At the end of the days paddling K4 boats were made available for teams to compete. In the Seniors Ross Urquhart and team were 2nd. Michael Surmon, Calum Urquhart, Douglas Wilby and Kevin Ramsay also achieved 2nd in the Masters. A great days paddling was had by all.
The last race of October was the Eurochallenge based in Villajoyosa in Spain. This is an Ocean race and Calum Urquhart travelled across with other Scottish paddlers to compete. In challenging conditions he completed the 22 km course from Villajoysa to Altea in 2hr 02.46
September Racing Round Up
September was a good month for Nairn Kayak Club in racing.
On Saturday 18th September three of our members competed in the Monster the Loch event on Loch Ness. This is a 34 km race which can be completed in any hand powered craft and was represented by a wide variety of craft from kayaks to rowing skiffs. In the single kayak class Nairn took 1st, 2nd and 3rd with Ross Urquhart winning in 2hr 55.58, Calum Urquhart close behind in 2hr 56.50 and Michael Surmon 2hr 59.41. Douglas Wilby who also paddles in this group came a respectable 3hrs 07.08.
Conditions where calm and flat particularly at the beginning of the race with following wind picking up towards the end in what was a well organised race that is well worth entering.
The second race event was the K1+K2 Scottish Champs Marathon in Glasgow on the 25th+26th September. Ross, Calum and Michael travelled down to Glasgow Green and competed in both K1 and K2. In the Seniors K1 event Ross Urquhart came 2nd in 1hr 07.49 just 30sec behind Alan Tordoff. In the over 49s Calum Urquhart was 1st in 1hr 07.55 and Michael Surmon 3rd in 1hr 11.36. In the K2 race Calum and Michael were 1st in 1hr 04.22