Competition canoeing/kayaking comes in a number of forms or disciplines (much like cycle racing or running). Harry is a 'flat water' racer, meaning that he competes in Sprint and Marathon Racing events held on flat, still water rather the 'rough water' disciplines of Slalom or White Water racing. He trains at, and competes for, Richmond Canoe Club and has done so for the last 3 years. In previous years his kayaking has been relatively low key. This year he has stepped up to the mark, trained harder and more frequently and he set his sights on entering and getting a decent result in the National Championships in both Sprint Racing and Marathon Racing.  
 

Sprint Racing
 
To be recognised as the overall champion, it was necessary for Harry to compete at four two-day National Regattas held at the National Water Sports Centre, Nottingham in May, June, July and September. The race distance is 500m and is in the form of a laned course (much like a 100m running race except on water!). Heats take place to determine the nine fastest paddlers/crews who qualify for the final. . .
 
Points are awarded (10 for a win, 9 for second place etc) for each of the three boat classes raced at every regatta; K1 (single person kayak), K2 (two person kayak) and K4 (four person kayaks). The overall champion is simply the person amassing the most points over the four regattas in all classes.
 
In the K1 class, Harry was nearly 100% dominant with 2nd, 1st, 1st and 1st places over the four regattas but, in the 'crew boat' classes, it was much tougher for Harry because he was without a regular partner from his own club and often had to scrabble around at the very last minute to find another paddler to team up with to race. This made the championship much tighter than one might suppose, looking at Harry's K1 results, however, in the final race of the season he managed to do enough to secure the title by just one point!           
 
Marathon Racing
 
Harry has also raced in the 'Lightning' Class in marathon racing throughout the summer with much success. To ensure equality in racing at his age, everyone must compete in a standard design boat known as a Lightning. Courses vary in distance between 2km and 5km depending on the venue and usually include a turn or number of turns plus the challenges a course over open, exposed water may throw up. There is a significant tactical element to the racing as well, with some choosing to save their effort for a sprint for the finish line and others trying to break away early.
 
The actual National Marathon Racing Championships took place over the August Bank Holiday weekend at Worcester and Harry comfortably won the Singles event there and so is now also the "Under 12 Men's Lightning Champion of Great Britain".
 
For good measure, he 'did the double' by winning the Lightning K2 event as well.
 
 It should be noted that in all of this years' racing, Harry has been competing in the Under 12s (your age for racing is defined by the age you are on 1st January) and he is still only 10 years of age. So he is eligible for this age group for 2012 as well. (In fact, with his birthday falling on 11th December he is only three weeks shy of being eligible for this class for another two years!).

We wish Harry every success for the future.