The racing begins …
We launched our racing section at Thamesmead on Saturday 2nd May 2026, with a 2k race for all comers. The idea was to welcome existing paddlers back to action, to get them try out new boats (racing boats) and to launch our new racing section.
We will add Racing Mondays to our programme of weekly activities, where paddlers will be introduced to all aspects of paddle racing, Marathon, Sprint and Wild Water, using the relevant racing boats and then, with a bit or training and experience we will be inviting paddlers to attend some very exciting events, locally, regionally, nationally, and who knows, internationally.
Results
Under 12s
The fastest under 12 boy was Hugo Flottwegg, who raced in a slalom boat and recorded a time of 16 minutes and 38.39 seconds.
The fastest Under 12 girl was Rita Newton, racing in a GP boat, her time was 28:31.84.
Under 14
The fastest Junior of the day was Mohammed Bouhassane, with an amazing time of 12:18.19, racing in a K1.
The second fates under 14 boy was Adam Whitehall, with a tie of 21:23.29, racing in a GP boat
Ivy Newton was the fastest U14 girl, her time was 29:21.87, paddling a GP boat.
Under 16
Amilia Flottwegg was the fastest U16, she raced in a GP boat and recorded a time of 21:15.87, she then repeated the course in a racing K1 and shaved off 2 minutes and 45 seconds, with time of 18:33.72, showing the difference between the boats!
The first U16 boy was Max Whitehall with a time of 21:23.29 in a GP
Thomas Billis was 2nd U16 in a GP boat, recording a time of 22:27.12.
Under 18
Jacob Flottwegg took the U18 crown with a time of 18:29.28, in a GP
Seniors
The fastest paddler of the day was Grant Underwood, who paddled in a Wild Water Racing kayak; his time was 12:00.27.
Giles Brunning, our lead coach at Thamesmead raced in a K1 and took 12:44.97, to complete the course.
Marco Canepari, a name to look forward to as he joins our coaching team, he raced in a K1 (the first time he has ever paddled one) and took 15:10.53, to complete the two laps of the lake.
Michelle Earl, another person joining our coaching team, was the first senior lady and her time in a Gp was 17:47.99.
K2
Senior Grant Underwood and U12 Abbey McDonald raced in a K2 and took 13:39.44.
Many Thanks to all of those who helped make the event possible, time keepers and safety crew and our partners at Peabody, we are always looking for new partners to help us deliver first class opportunities for people across our community, so please get in touch if you would like to sponsor our events, or help in any other way.
As we say, this is the launch of our Thamesmead racing Section and if you are interested in getting involved, please get in touch: email: thamesmead@thesharks.org.uk of call/text on 07481 564945.
After the event, there was an opportunity for people to try our new Sit-On-Top kayaks, which we have purchased with a generous grant from Sport England’s Movement Fund. These new boats will be used for our family and friends paddling sessions, which will launch later this month one Saturdays and Sundays, look out for details across our social media platforms:
Published 3rd May 2026