The Annual Foxton Loop Race on the Manawatu River waterway, the penultimate round of the 2020 Kayak Krazy series, attracted 69 paddlers of all ages and standards in pursuit of a full range of goals.
Despite the limits imposed by organising an event under the Covid Level 2 alert restrictions we had plenty of shining lights, none more so than aspiring Kathmandu Coast to Coast multisporter Shaz Dagg from Feilding. Shaz who best describes herself as “Limb-it-less Shaz Dagg”, due to her prosthetic left arm, partnered up with Palmerston North Canoe Club stalwart Brett Garrett in an adventure racing double kayak and negotiated the 12km course at a good steady pace.
On the 12 km course Jack Clifton (Whanganui) was the first open man followed by Carl Barnes (New Plymouth) and then Paul Moreno (Wellington). Palmerston North firefighter, Anne Cairns was first female home followed by Emma Kemp (Wellington) and Sophie Brooke Whanganui.
The 6km Course was headed by Angus Sewell (Whanganui) followed by Zane Mills-Nossiter (Whanganui) and Adam Opzeeland (Wellington). Anna Clifton (Whanganui) was the leading female paddler in this division followed by Poppy Barnes (New Plymouth) and Hayley Cudby (Foxton Beach).
Event Organiser Chester Burt was very pleased with the significant turnout and he is looking forward to organising the 2021 version of the Welly Paddlers Foxton Loop Race again next year – an opportunity which will hopefully attract an extra 10 to 20 paddlers who either missed the late entry cut off or were sick on the day.
The Foxton location punches above its weight for a small town due to its central location and the potential to paddle on an amazing waterway. With this we are sure the event will draw in more people in the years ahead.
Full event results:
https://www.webscorer.com/racedetails?raceid=219986
www.wellypaddlers.blogspot.com
Welly Paddlers on Facebook
Welly Paddlers Group on Facebook
Copy provided by the organisers
Photo Credit: Laurelle Winiata
