English Open White Water Race, Dart, UK (First time whitewater racing)

Got to do another thing I’d always wanted to try: whitewater racing! Ran Tamar Trails parkrun on the way there with a lovely crowd, then drove on to the Dart. Julie had brought a Wavehopper for me (that’s a plastic whitewater racing boat), and we had time for one training run before the races started. It was the first time I used wing paddles on white water, so I was pretty nervous, but it was a lot easier than I thought, I had loads of fun despite the freezing cold, and was, yet again, surprised how welcoming paddling people are. New kind of paddling, new people, same friendly feeling of just being happy to be out on the water together.

English Open White Water Race © collaboration photography — English Open White Water Race
© collaboration photography

What I wrote on facebook: ‘Belated awesome weekend post (had to wait for the pictures ; ) )

On the first weekend of January, I ran my 10th parkrun at Tamar Trails and stayed under 30 even though there was a long, steep surprise hill at the end, took part in my first ever white water race and didn't fall in, had a lovely and utterly international dinner and very professionally divined what 2018 will bring with Bleigießen on the Saturday, followed by Truro TT with a PB on the Sunday

: )

Thanks to Julie for the boat and the Cabreras for the idea of combining Wasserspatzen with Picante ; )’

Nice frosty morning! I was glad to have winter tires, but it was equally scary to think that the other cars probably didn't... hence one I drove past ended up on top of a hedgerow...

I think my main motivation for being as fit as I can be is not having to miss any events. I love weekends like this!