Claire O'Hara: British Championships Series 2011

This year the 2011 British Championships are being held as a 6 part series with the winner not only taking home the title but also a coveted place on the 2012 GB Team.

Pringle going big to secure his place on the 2012 GB team

We are already 4 / 6^th of the way through the 2011 series with the Nottingham British Championships and Club Championships event having just taken place this weekend at the National water sports centre in Nottingham. Here is a quick summary of the series so far...

Event 1 : Nene, England

Way back in May the first event took part at the Nene white water course in Northampton, a great little venue suited to beginner and intermediate white water paddlers . The locals put on a good event and there were lots of people competing in the novice event. The main event took place in the pour over feature in pool A, a tricky feisty feature unlike anywhere else it tested paddlers ability to adapt technical skills and provided an entertaining day.

Sam Anderson flys into the lead with some massive moves on this very technical feature

Results...

1^st place Mens: Sam Anderson Ladies: Claire O’Hara Junior Mens: Quim Fontane Mase (Spain), James Benns (UK) Junior Ladies: Nuria Fontane Mase (Spain) Gabby Bates (UK) C1: Paul King OC1: Paul King Novice: Ciaran Miller

Event 2 : Treweryn, Wales

I missed this event as it clashed with my World Championships training. From what I here it was a great day in the Treweryn valley with the main event taking place in the top hole. I even heard a rumour that the sun came out.

Matt Rodgers in action

Results...

1^st place Mens: Sam Anderson Ladies: Lowri Davies Junior Mens: James Benns Junior Ladies: Rachel Bovill C1: Paul King OC1: Paul King

Event 3 : Cardiff, Wales

Next up it was the event at the new Cardiff International White Water Course. This was my first visit to the course and my first time on a conveyor belt system. The course is a lovely intermediate white water course on the outskirts of Cardiff set at a really friendly and welcoming centre. It was a night competition held under floodlights (in the pouring rain) that was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who attended.

Brandon Mc's the comp

Freestyle training in the main hole at Cardiff

David works on getting maximum points during the comp

Conveyor belts the ultimate shuttle

Results...

1^st place Mens: Sam Anderson Ladies: Claire O’Hara Junior Mens: Matt Rodgers Junior Ladies: Rachel Bovill C1: Mark Coleman (IRL) Paul King OC1: Paul King Novice: Elliot Goddard Flatwater: David Wild

Event 4 : Nottingham, England

This weekend saw the series return to the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham. This was a whole weekend of freestyle with over 75 youngsters turning up to compete int he youth freestyle series final on the Saturday and over 80 paddlers competing in the British Championships series and Club Championships event on Sunday. Freestyle legend and 4 times World Champion Eric ‘EJ’ Jackson was over in the UK and came to help out coaching the youngsters and support the event. His first time at the National Water Sports Centre since 1995. Also on hand to provide support and coaching all weekend were the UK’d two current World Champions Claire O’Hara and James ‘Pringle’ Bebbington, Squirt Boating Silver Medalist Jamie Austin and Freestyle Bronze medallists Bren Orton and Gabby Bates so it was a freestyle star studded weekend.