Walker paddles to win

Press, 27 October 1986, Page 20

Walker paddles to win

Waimairi’s Geoff Walker, paddling a single ski, was the first to finish the gruelling river race from Kerrs Reach to Pleasant Point Domain, the opening event of the surf life-saving season. Competitors left Kerrs Reach at staggered intervals.

The fastest time, just under 40 minutes, was posted by the Waikuku combination of Grant Restall and Gavin Bonnett, paddling a double ski. In the women’s section, Waimairi’s * Joanne Stevens was first, on a ski. The veterans’ section was

won by another Waimairi paddler, Eric Leask, in just over 41 minutes. The Fresh Up-spon-sored race was the first in the Radio Avon openwater series and a useful indicator of early form, particularly in the boat and canoe sections where North Beach dominated.

The only board paddler, Chris Hall, of New Brighton, finished a lonely but spirited paddle in about 75 minutes. Conditions for the race were ideal with times about five minutes faster on average than last year’s.

Results:— Open single ski: Geoff Walker (Waimairi) 1, Eric Leask (Waimairi) 2, Richard Boyle (Taylors Mistake) 3. Junior single ski: Paul Bethell (South Brighton) 1, Peter Walker (New Brighton) 2, David Moore (North Beach) 3. Women’s ski: Joanne Stevens (Waimairi) 1, Michelle Leask (Waimairi) 2.

Open boat: North Beach A 1, North Beach B 2, South Brighton 3.

Open canoe: North Beach 1, New Brighton 2.

Junior canoe: North Beach 1, South Brighton 2.