Coach and Athlete

Neal is our lead Wild Water Racing Coach, although he also coaches Marathon and Sprint. Like most of our coaches, Neal has a background in competitive canoeing and does still race.

Personal Details

YOB: 1960

Family Connections: Grant Underwood

Disciplines

Wild Water Racing

He collected a total of 4,985 points to take 51st place, he was 4th V60.

He came Third in both the London Sprints and Classic Championships, top V60 in both.

Slalom

A Division 2 ranking of 78th with a total of 65 points from just two events. Neal is also ranked the best paddler over 65 in the Country.

A family Partnership with Underwood came 13th with 676 points in Cane Doubles

Neal also raced in Division 3 C1, where he came 15th with 250 points, he was also 3rd in the National Masters over 65 league.

In 2023 saw Neal enter a Sea Race in around Holly Island of the coast on Arran.

Away from canoeing Neal is an active swimmer and enjoys Open Water Swimming and took part in the Bournemouth to Boscombe Charity Swim.

And Dorking is a favoured past time, open water swimming during the Winter

Neal is also often paddles C2 slalom with anybody who will get in a boat with him. He raced the Vintage Slalom with Eleftherios Chatzilamprou and they picked up 250 points from one race at Stone, a result that would put them 22nd in the rankings.

At 23rd in the C2 Rankings are Jasmin Uhlhorn and who raced at twice and collected 94 points, they are also 9th Mixed crew in the UK in 2024

.Neal has recently been awarded an outstanding contribution award by British Canoeing.

Updated 22nd December 2025