SUP Club National Championship 2013

Saturday 23^rd August saw Lagoon Watersports’ SUP team head to Dorney Rowing Lake taking part in the UK SUP Nationals and to battle it out with more than another 100 competitors to fight for the title of National SUP Club Champion. 10 teams from different locations across the UK had entered with the 2013 title holders BaySUP the ones to beat. It was an all day event starting with the XO and Junior races in the morning followed by the race classes. After a spot of lunch it was onto the team relays and prize giving. First up was Helen Trehane and Alan King who had entered the XO event, for those who weren’t using race boards. They had to complete 2 laps of a course set up around the recovery lake and main lake. The wind had been building throughout the morning to give competitors a pretty brutal headwind on one leg and a slight crosswind on the way back. Alan and Helen shot off the start line, positioning themselves well and getting a good start. The rest of the team were support crew, cheering them on and hoping that they would maintain their lead on the pack – we had nothing to worry about as they powered through to the finish. Alan taking second place and Helen third place (1^st women). A great start to the competition! Next up was the race board class, in the 14’ Men were Robin Williams, James Stuart, Toby Johnnson, Vinnie Freeman and Graeme Williams. In the 14’ Women we had Nicola Eliades and Gemma Godber. In the 12’6 Men’s we had Charlie Grey and representing the women we had Emily King. The order of the day was the 14’ Men, followed by the 12’6 Men, 14’ Women and finally the 12’6 women. Flying off the start line was James, making a speedy headway and getting near the front of the pack, closely followed by Robin. Robin and James stayed close together throughout the entire race with robin gaining ground on the upwind leg and overtaking James near to halfway in the race. The most interesting battle had to be in the 12’6 men with Charlie heading off super quick to sit behind Ryan James. A fierce battle between the top 6 was maintained throughout, to finish with a nerve racking finale with Charlie battling to the end to take 3rd place (2nd in age category) Emily flew of the start line, settling quickly into 3^rd place, maintaining her speed throughout and powering her way to take 3^rd place (2^nd place in age category) In the 14’ Ladies Gem flew into the lead and kept it – taking 1^st Lady. Into the afternoon was the team relays – everyone was pretty tired but James, Robin, Emily and Alan took on the challenge. All competitors were to be on 12’6 boards and the team had to be made up of a mix of category’s. Off the start line Alan was first up who was up against some fast paddlers, leaving us in 5 place as he passed the baton (not literally) to Emily – she flew off the start line, closing in and over taking one of the guys pushing us into second place, next up was James who was determine to make up some ground and pushed hard to overtake another racer to move us into 3^rd place. Robin was last up and with the other teams pushing ahead fought hard for us to finish in 3^rd place – great result for team Lagoon! Massive thanks to all those that organised an awesome event – Sam Ross, Bray Lake, BSUPA, UK SUP Clubs. Can’t wait for next year – we want a podium place!! Come and join us for friendly fun race training for all abilities at Lagoon SUP race training. If you want to try SUPing in Brighton we offer Learn to SUP lessons