Canoeing Victoria Yarra Series – Race 3 – Griffiths Park, Eltham
The Yarra Series is an ongoing Canoe Victoria member competition comprising 5 canoe slalom races held throughout the season at different locations on the Yarra River. It provides slalom paddlers the opportunity to practice and develop skills at events close to Melbourne.
The first weekend in June saw the running of the 3rd Yarra Series Race for this year. Held at Griffiths Park Reserve, Eltham and run by the Eltham College Canoe Club on behalf of Canoeing Victoria. Race day was supported by good water levels, sunny skies and 75 race entries. In addition to coordinating the event, Eltham College Canoe Club volunteers served up some great food. Hot soups, home made hamburgers and sweet treats were well received by hungry paddlers from across Melbourne. All of this combined to ensure a good day for all involved.
Race categories included men’s and women’s events, various age groups, and individual, pair and teams events.
Race winners on the day were:
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Ladies K1
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Ladies C1
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Ladies C2
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Open – Dita Pahl
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Open Dita Pahl
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Open – Dita Pahl / Eliza Singleton
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U 18 – Maggie Webster
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U 18 – Maggie Webster
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U 14 – Hannah McConnell / Freya Wrigley
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U 16 – Eliza Singleton
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U 16 Eliza Singleton
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U 14 – India Goss
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U 13 – Sophie Day
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Mens K1
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Mens C1
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Mens C2
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Vint – Chris Wharton
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Vint – Chris Wharton
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U 23 – Lewis Wylie / Jack Currie
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Vet – Eugene Stackpole
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Open – Warwick Draper
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U 16 – Matthew Scott / Matthew Haddon
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Open – Warwick Draper
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U 23 – Lewis Wylie
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U 14 – Jordan Hogg / Ashley Hobbs
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Mast – Andrew Stamp
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U 18 – Tim Anderson
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U 23 – Scott Guinea
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U 16 – Matthew Haddon
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U 18 – Tim Anderson
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U 13 – Ashley Hobbs
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U 16 – Chris Fegan
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U 14 – Rob Anderson
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U 13 – Ashley Hobbs
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U 12 – Sam Currie
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The presentation ceremony at the conclusion of the event included the handing out of ‘winners jerseys’ to champions of the day (Warwick Draper and Dita Pahl), and to the ‘Young Gun’ paddlers of the Event (Sophie Day and Rob Anderson).
Special mention was earnt by parents (of some of our junior entrants) Mike Lau and Brendan Goss who teamed up in the C2 event but capsized into the chilly river just prior the finish line.
New paddlers to these events are always welcome, regardless of age or experience. Slalom coaching is available through Canoeing Victoria and local Canoe Clubs. Remaining events for the 2011 Yarra Series are Sunday 21 August (Yarra Series 4 – Warrandyte) and Sunday 23 October (Yarra Series 5 – Dights Falls).
