Staff members of Kent Sport recently undertook a canoe challenge along the river Stour from Grove Ferry to Fordwich. Organised by Canoe Wild, the teams undertook their heat to select a Kent Sport canoe team that will go up against other sports organisations in the area.
It might have been a little chilly at the start but once we had been fitted with the life jackets, launched the Canadian canoes and got paddling, we soon warmed up. The sun shone throughout the afternoon and into the evening providing perfect conditions.
Lee Thompson, Outdoor Supervisor and Pat Coogan from Sports Development finished at the front of the field in an impressive time of 1 hour 20 minutes. They were closely followed by Assistant Director Ben Trott and Marketing Manager Phil Darrell-Smith in boat number two.
The girls made the most of the experience and may well have covered more than the 5.3 mile course along the way! Vicky Annis from the Kent Sport Physiotherapy Clinic and Sadie Appleby, Memberships Manager, successfully negotiated a seat change mid course… if only they had the head cam on!
Initially Lou Arnold, County Coaching Officer and Lesley Parker, Kent Sport Bookings Coordinator, had the occasional steering issue, being their first time in a canoe, but a quick change on the river bank and they were on their way and had a thoroughly enjoyable experience. They even managed to rescue their very own ‘Wilson’ that had been floating along the river.
Lee will be away for the final, so Phil will partner Pat to represent Kent Sport on Friday 30 May. Watch this space!
