Schools paddle to Scottish glory
Youngsters from across the country took part in the Scottish Schools Canoe Slalom event in Clackmannanshire at the weekend.
Hosted by CRCATS at their base on the River Devon between Alva and Fishcross, 26 primary schools and 20 secondary schools om across Scotland competed for national titles in canoe and kayak slalom.
This year Redwell Primary School in Alloa, won the title with last year’s winners St Ninians finishing fifth. Other local schools competing were Thornhill Primary, Doune Primary and Dollar Academy.
Denny High retained the secondary school prize with Dollar Academy fourth and Stirling High seventh.
The weekend event saw awards presented each day for age groups, divisional and also schools. The competition is unique in the Scottish slalom calendar in that it includes the whole spectrum of the sport from paddlers on the Scottish squad to those just starting out, all competing alongside each other.
The youngsters are inspired by seeing the names of their canoeing idols on the trophies from when they were juniors and pevious winners have gone on to enjoy much international success with the most recent success coming from CRCATS member Sophie Ogilvie - who won both K1 and C1 awards in 2015 - having her first outing on the Senior GB team and winning gold in the team C1 event at the 2019 Canoe Slalom European Championships in France.
Results from Saturday:
Scottish Schools Kayak: K1M - J10 Douglas Knox (Pinkston Panthers) K1W - J10 Helena Nabili (Pinkston Panters). K1M - J12 Alex Thomson (CRCATS); K1W - J12 Hannah Toovey (CRCATS). K1M - J14 Oscar Wylie (Breadalbane); K1W - J14 Leah Cameron (CRCATS); K1M - J16 Sam Leaver (Edinburgh Schools); K1W - J16 Annouska Nabili (Pinkston Panthers).
Divisional: Div 3 K1M - Nigel Thacker (CRCATS); Div 3 K1W - Aimee Cameron (CRCATS); Div 3 C1M Ross Claydon (CRCATS); Div 3 C1W - Hannah Toovey (CRCATS); Div 4 K1M - Liam Schamrel (Breadalbane); Div 4 K1W - Freya Pryce (Edinburgh Schools); Div 4 C1M - Matthew Telfer (Forth); Div 4 C1W - Leah Cameron (CRCATS).
Results from Sunday: Div 3 K1M Alistair Ross (Strathallan) Div 3 K1W - Hanna Kupiers (Forth); Div 3 C1M - Magnus Moody (Strathallan); Div 3 C1W - Hannah Toovey (CRCATS); Div 4 K1M - Chris Towens (RNKA); Div 4 K1W - Francesca Main; Div 4 C1M - Andrew Carr (Strathallan); Div 4 C1W - Aimee Cameron (CRCATS).
Scottish Schools Canadian: C1M - J12 Fergus Davie (Breadalbane) C1W - J12 Hannah Toovey (CRCATS); C12 - J12 Hannah Toovey and Jack Toovey (both CRCATS); C1M - J15 Magnus Moody (Strathallan); C1W J15 Laura Pottinger (Strathallan); C2 - J15, Matthew Cameron and Jonathan Hendry (both CRCATS); C1M - J18 Vittorio Pezzaioli (CRCATS); C1W - J18 Catie Thomson (CRCATS); C2 - J18 Michael Denvir (Forth) and Vittorio Pezzaioli (CRCATS).
The final presentation of the day, made by a representative of the Submariners Association was Top Club honour which was awarded to CRCATS.