A week of severely cold weather and the early start time may have put some people off attending this race, which was a shame as the weather was not nearly as cold as in recent days. For those 82 hardy souls who turned out, there was only a slight mizzle of rain to contend with, and a grand opportunity to boost their series points by taking advantage of the uncharacteristically small fields in some of the classes.

For all three courses, the race consisted of a varying number of short laps. The turn at the nearest end had to be moved a little way from the start/finish to avoid a large boat which had unexpectedly moored, but this turned out to have some advantages for the finish marshals by giving clear separation between those turning and those finishing the race. Spectators were able to witness plenty of action from their vantage point at the nearest turn point. The value of an expertly-executed tight turn was never more in evidence.

Class winners were:
Class 1 (Senior K2) - Leah Falltrick & Matt Johnson (CLM)
Class 2 (K1 Open) - Keith Moule (CLM)
Class 3 (Ven M K1) - Danny Beazley (BSF)
Class 4 (u18 M K1) - Alex McIntyre (CLM)
Class 6 (u16 M K1) - Jonathan Pirhuhamedov (CLM)
Class 7 (16+ K1 & Adv C1) - Emma Russell (CLM)
Class 9 (u16 F K1) - Yun Ip (EAL)
Class 12 (C2) - Anna Maria Fischer & Stefanie Mullins (CAM)
Class 15 (u14 M K1)  - Leo Villaruel (EAL) - Bob Porter Trophy
Class 16 (u14 F K1 & C1) - Megan Smith (CLM) - Bob Porter Trophy
Class 17 (M GP) - Felix Isaac (HYM)
Class 18 (F GP) - Trish True (BAD)
Class 21 (u12 K1) - Gruff Thomas (EAL)

​Chelmsford CC were the overall winners, B Stortford CC second and hosts Barking & Dagenham CC third. On Dick Grieves points (based on performance by novice juniors only), Chelmsford also scored the most points, but the Dick Grieve trophy cannot go to the winners of the overall trophy - the all-important second place went to HYM-COPS and third to Leaside CC. 

The full individual and team results can be seen on the WS Results page, where the cumulated points for the series so far can also be found.

Before the race began everyone took a few moments to remember Steve Truglia, fellow Winter Series paddler and member of Barking Canoe Club, who died in a tragic accident last week in China in the course of his work as a professional movie stunt-man.  Read the Times obituary and support the fund for his repatriation from China.

The race attracted 97 competitors and passed off without a hitch. The special Bob Porter trophies for the fastest u14 Girl and Boy were presented to Jack Skippings (CLM) and Emilia Boylan (BSF).

The full results of the day's race can be seen on the WS results page, where series results to date can also be found.

The next race will be at Cambridge on Sunday 11th December - see CAM race details.

Whilst Chelmsford CC were predictably 1st overall, the home team took a convincing 2nd place, well clear of Leighton Buzzard in 3rd. Barking & Dagenham CC was also the club with the highest scores from its unranked juniors, and moves into the lead for the Dick Grieve trophy.

The full race results can be seen on the Winter Series results page, together with the cumulated positions from the series so far. Also some photos of the race and this YouTube video footage (below) taken by David & Penny from their K2.

Each year Barking presents two special trophies in memory of Bob Porter, to the winners of the u14 Boys and Girls races. This year the winners were Jonathan Pirmuhamedov and Bethany Morris.

The next race will be taking place in two weeks' time at Chelmsford - please note that there is an early start time of 11:00 for those on the short course (classes 13-21), with everyone else starting at 12:00. The aim is to have the prize-giving at 1:00pm. See race details for Chelmsford.