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The Winter Series resumed after the Christmas break with 147 contestants battling it out on the Chelmer. The course extended along the River Can through Chelmsford park and back, with racers on the short, middle and long courses completing one, two or three laps respectively. 
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Host club Barking & Dagenham CC provided safety cover with power boats along the course but there were few retirements and everything went off smoothly to plan. We hope that B&D can arrange some local parking and secure the future of this long-standing event on the River Roding.
The next race will be at Chelmsford on 14 January - see Chelmsford race information page.
Despite a bitterly cold weekend, the turnout for the Cheshunt Winter Series race was a good one, with 126 competing over 3, 6 or 8 miles on the River Lea.  The race was notable for the number of Canadian canoes taking part, as these have been declining in recent years. As well as the four boats in the C2 race (won for the second time in succession by Anna Maria and Stefanie of CAM), there were five C1s. David Shipway (LBZ) competed on the short course in Class 16, while four others (Paul Stenning of LBZ, Andy Porter of CLM and independents Ross Pearton and Nicholas Boyd) took on the 6-mile course - Paul won the medal for first C1.
The organisers and volunteers of HYM-COPS - the smallest of the clubs who host the Winter Series - worked very hard to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. They also ran a raffle to raise funds for Crisis at Christmas.
The next race will be at Barking on Sunday 3rd December - see the Barking WS page for full details.
There were 145 paddlers at this event with large fields for Class 1 (Senior K2) and Class 7 (Ladies K1 & Advanced C1). The largest number of boats was for Class 3 (Veteran Mens) - a record breaking 24 entries, of whom nearly half were SuperVets.
The next race will be at Herts Young Mariners Base at Cheshunt on Sunday 19th November - see the Cheshunt HYMB WS page for full details.
The final sprint of the 2017 Summer Series took place at Chelmsford. The home team were out in force, with three other clubs represented, and a total of 48 paddlers in all.
The morning was given over to 500m and 200m K1 heats. After the lunch break there were 200m and 3000m K2 races. The forecast rain held off and by prize-giving there was even a little sunshine. 
The full results can be found on the Summer Series results page. Photos of the event taken by Chris Worrall can be found in his Flickr album. Next Sunday Chelmsford will be hosting the third and final regatta of this year's series.  The regatta due to take place at Chelmsford on Sunday 25 June 2017 has had to be POSTPONED due to a heavy weed growth in their river.
The organisers hope to reschedule for a later date this season - the new date will appear on the Summer Series page and will be be circulated to those on the FRA mailing list (sign up for mailing list) as soon as it is decided. The AGM of the Flatwater Racing Association will take place at Bishops Stortford CC Clubhouse on Wednesday 14 June 2017 at 8pm. Each of the six member clubs should send their designated representatives. If anyone else wishes to come along, please let the Secretary know.
A good turn-out for the opening event of the FRA Summer Series, with 34 paddlers from Chelmsford CC, Leaside CC, Lee Valley Paddlesports, Bishops Stortford CC, and hosts HYM-COPS.  Early morning rain had given way to glorious sunshine by the time the 500m races started on the river. The paddlers transferred to the lake for the 200m races, in K1s, K2s and K4s.
 Race Organiser Alan and an enthusiastic team of volunteers made a splendid job of staging the event, which as usual culminated in the presentation of the series trophies, and also the engraved glasses for those achieving a 1st, 2nd or 3rd class position.  
Some photos of the event can be seen on Flickr.
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