EXETER Canoe Club went into the winter break with resounding success at the South West League race on the River Fowey last weekend.

For the first time this year the club managed to turn out 31 racing canoeists covering almost all the divisions.

Leo Turnell Ritson produced the shock of the day winning the elite Division Two singles race and in a faster time than the winner of the Division One race.

Trish Davey from Bridestowe won Division Four and Mitch Hockin won Division Five.

Richard Ward from Sandford, for many years the club’s leading racing coach and mentor got back to winning ways in his Division with a podium finish.

Once again a number of local Blundell’s School students represented the club with Alistair Johnson Ferguson managing a creditable 13th in his very first race in Division Six.

Crediton schoolboy, seven-year-old Freddie Heard, became South West Champion, winning the Under 10 race, closely followed by Charlie Davey from Bridestowe.

In the doubles races Crediton’s Colin Heard and Jamie Piper from New Buildings were just pipped at the post to come second in the Division Two 12-mile race.

Ernie Lloyd, also from Crediton, partnered by Becky French produced their best result of the season coming fourth in a very competitive Division Seven. Unfortunately their elation across the finish line turned to humiliation as they lost concentration and capsized in the strong cross winds.

Local Blundell’s School students entered four doubles crews and produced podium finishes in two of the Divisions, plus a fourth and a sixth.

In another new venture Exeter University joined the Club and raced two novice crews. Local man, Sam Johnson managed fifth in Division Seven whilst in the doubles Julie Hojstrup and Esme Bateson surprised even themselves with third place in Division Eight.

Alan Quick