It was an absolute delight to see so many boats turn out for the 2012 Paddle & Oar Festival on the 18th and 19th August.

Amazingly, considering the summer we have had the weather was glorious if a little too hot for those of us who have only experienced the dull and damp summer we have had so far.

There was a lot for people to do whether they were taking part in races, duck hunts or simply having a go in a canoe or kayak.  Everyone was kept informed by the banter and lively wit of our ‘man with the mike’ Dean Taylor!

The main events for the 18th August were:

The Red7 Marine Wrabness Challenge is a demanding 7 mile race at any time but given the very hot weather on the 18th August it was even more demanding.  The boats/teams taking part took off towards Harwich to a turning mark at Wrabness and then back to Manningtree.  The results were:

BOAT NAME COMPLETION TIME PRIZE
Spirit of Dunkirk – Lower Thames Rowing Club 1 hour 13mins.30 secs Fastest OverallFastest Men’s team     Fastest Gig
124 – coastal rowing boat 1 hour 19 mins
Witchoar – Stour Sailing Club 1 hour 23 mins 10 secs Fastest Mixed team    Fastest Manningtree Skiff
Dauntless – Lower Thames Rowing Club 1 hour 27 mins 15 secs Fastest Women’s coxed
Proud Mary – Lower Thames Rowing Club 1 hour 28 mins 20 secs
Velocity – Brightlingsea Coastal Rowing Club 1 hour 28 mins 35 secs
Mabel – Langstone Cutters Chichester 1 hour 29 mins
Lt Washington – Stour Sailing Club 1 hour 34 mins 59 secs
Vanduara – Brightlingsea Coastal Rowing Club 1 hour 35 mins 05 secs
Audacity – Wivenhoe Rowing Club 1 hour 35 mins 09 secs
Myrto – Stour Sailing Club 1 hour 38 mins

 

For canoes and kayaks there was a shorter Challenger 12 route with Darren Nicholls arriving home first.

The Hogmarsh Duck Hunt saw a number of canoeists leave the beach at Manningtree and set out for Hogmarsh Island where they found a number of ducks that needed ‘rescuing’.  There was no fastest time on this and all ducks (which were numbered) returned were put into a draw – the person whose duck was drawn first was Amy-Louise – well done!

There was a wide selection of home make cakes/sausage rolls/ cheese and tomato savour tarts and much more for competitors and public to purchase which went down very well along with an ice cold beer and some in-depth discussions about the day’s activities.

Around 120 people attending the Saturday Night Splash in the marquee with dancing to The Ed Zachary Band and great food – Beef in Guinness or for non-meat eaters – Mushrooms and Root Vegetables in Guinness – a bit of a theme going on here!!

The next day Sunday 19th August the sun abated somewhat leaving near perfect conditions for the Rose Builders Mistley Triangle.  This was a new event for the Paddle & Oar and took those taking part on a 3 ½ mile triangular route down to Mistley Quay and back again.  The results were:

 

BOAT NAME COMPLETION TIME PRIZE
Velocity – Brightlingsea Coastal Rowing Club 13 mins 03:13 secs Fastest Overall and Fastest Mens
Audacity – Wivenhoe Rowing Club 13 mins 04:10 secs
Witchoar – Stour Sailing Club 13 mins 05:02 secs Fastest Mixed
Mabel – Langstone Cutters Chichester 13 mins 05:15 secs
Vanduara – Brightlingsea Coastal Rowing Club 13 mins 06:28 secs
Myrto – Stour Sailing Club 13 mins 07:27 secs Fastest Womens
Lt Washington – Stour Sailing Club 13 mins 09 secs

Derroll Pedder of Nucleus Watersports provided the commentary for the Canoe Olympic Ring Fling which was enjoyed by those spectators sitting on the waterside.

The final event for the day was the ever popular blindfold rowing which saw a number of teams take to the water and go round in circles except for the team of Sonia DeSilva and Will Langton (as the blindfold rowers) and Julie Smart (as their cox giving instructions). They stormed through the course and won the race very comfortably.

Many thanks to those who took part and had a go.  Huge thanks to everyone who helped to put the event on – including our sponsors – Red7 Marine, Rose Builders and Nucleus Watersports.

 

See you again next year!