Leading paddlers battle it out for Trophy glory
Hundreds of canoeists from all over the South compete for Pangbourne Hasler
MARATHON canoeists and kayakers rallied at Pangbourne for the highly-anticipated Pangbourne Hasler.
On Sunday, September 11, around 350 competitors and their supporters flocked to Pangbourne Meadows from all over the South of England.
Only the highest-ranking clubs in each region compete in the Hasler Finals, all vying for the honour of winning the esteemed Hasler Trophy.
Participants competed across nine divisions over distances of four, eight or 12 miles.
Reading achieved first place in the Southern Region with 596 points, Newbury finish joint-second with Banbury & District with 586 points and Pangbourne finished in sixth place with 565 points.
Full listings of races and results are available to view at https:// entries.gbcanoemarathon.co.uk/ results/races/2022/pangbournehasler#race-div1.
Pizes were awarded at the end of the afternoon, with under-14s receiving water bottles and medals.
First, second and third placings across every division received buffs printed with the Pangbourne Canoe Club logo.
Prizes were also awarded to the highest-placed junior and female paddlers in each divisional race.
The Pangbourne Hasler is hosted at The Dolphin Centre, home to Pangbourne Canoe Club and Adventure Dolphin, one of Berkshire’s leading activity charities.
Event organiser Vicky Metcalfe said: “It’s the first race in the southern region at the start of the Hasler Trophy season, which begins on September 1.
“With racing kayaks and racing canoes, there is a lot more people now relative to what there used to be.
“We’re in absolute gratitude to Pangbourne Parish Council, who very kindly allow us to come and take over their meadow.
“The event also cannot happen without all our club members and their family and friends.”
More than 65 volunteers helped run the event, including the 1st
Purley and Pangbourne Scouts.
Amid the sea of spectators was Angela Kendall, of Devizes, who said: “My son started paddling three years ago, but of course he didn’t get to paddle much during the pandemic, so everything’s been a bit delayed.
“He’s done half-a-dozen races but it’s his first time at this venue.”
Her son, 12-year-old Simeon, competed in Division 9 and said: “It went quite well. I got hit a couple of times, but that’s marathon racing for you.”
The Hasler Award commemorates Royal Marines officer and pioneering yachtsman Major Herbert ‘Blondie’ Hasler.
Major Hasler headed a daring top-secret mission in December 1942 to destroy Axis cargo ships docked in Bordeaux.
A group of 12 Royal Marines
Commandos paddled 90 miles in six two-man canoes at night to attach mines to unsuspecting enemy ships.
Of the 12 men, only Major Hassler and his second, Bill Sparks, survived.
Major Hasler received a Distinguished Service Order for his exceptional valour and leadership.
The mission, codenamed Operation Frankton, was the subject of the 1955 film, The Cockleshell Heroes, named in reference to the Cockle Mark II collapsible canoes used in the raid.
A minute’s silence and applause were held during the event for the late Queen, who died on Thursday, September 8, at 96 years of age.
The date of next year’s competition is Sunday, September 10.