Last year was one of the best years in Wildwater racing history on both National and International stages.
Forty seven races took place across the country, in England, Wales, Scotland and including a ranking race for the first time in Northern Ireland, with 659 paddlers competing from 108 clubs returning Wildwater racing to pre-covid numbers.
2024 also saw a record number of paddlers ranking in Women’s, Men’s and Mixed C2 classes.
At each ranking race participants are awarded points, and their best three points scores go towards making their national ranking.
Two ranking lists are composed, the main national ranking includes all boats and the 2nd is the Wavehopper rankings – this only includes Wavehoppers and other kayaks meeting the dimension requirements.
Women’s K1 Ranking title went to Kerry Christie, scoring the maximum 6600 points, which also gave her the U23 title as well.
Interestingly, Kerry managed to compete in an amazing 28 races as well as competing internationally.
Molly Sandercock was 2nd with 6554 points and Katie Pocklington in 3rd with 6518 points.
Women’s C2 Ranking title was not surprisingly won by the World, World Cup and U23 European Champions Emma and Kerry Christie with the maximum 6600 points.
In 2nd place were Laura Milne and Mags Dilai with 6458 points and the under 16 crew of Elsie Landsborough and Ciara Maloney in 3rd with 6000 points.
A record breaking 65 crews raced during the year.
The Women’s C1 title was won by Molly Sandercock with 6600 points, Emily Maclean took 2nd with 6211 points and Chloe Bracewell 3rd in her first year competing in Wildwater with 6200 points.
Mixed C2 was won by Nicky Cresser and Emma Christie with 6192 points, with Leon Tomlinson and Kerry Christie in 2nd with 6158 points and Molly Sandercock and Nicky Cresser in 3rd with 6000 points.
This class also saw an incredible 97 crews competing in the year.
The Men’s K1 was potentially the hottest contested competition of the year with multiple race winners across the season.
Top spot goes to Veles World Cup Bronze Medalist Alex Sheppy with the maximum 6600 points, followed closely by Freddie Brown just 15 points adrift with 6585 points, then just three points to Huw Singleton, a Junior, in 3rd place.
The Men’s C2 competition went down to the wire with the title being settled at the last National Race of the year in Llangollen.
Andrew Crowhurst and Phil Dean took the title with 6600 points by just two points from Jacob Holmes and Robert Jefferies in 2nd, and Jamie Christie and Nicky Cresser in 3rd with 6161 points.
A record breaking 104 crews raced during the season.
Men’s C1 was won by 3 rd place World Cup Ranked Andrew Crowhurst, who had a clear lead from Nicky Cresser in second with 6400 points, and Callum MacDonald in 3rd with 6230.
Wavehoppers
In the Wavehopper rankings Louise Maloney topped the ladies with 4952 points, Heather Longhurst took second with 3912 points and Linda Allin in 3rd with 3561 points.
The Men’s rankings was won by Geoff Johnson on 4565 points, Harry Gregson U14 was 2nd with 4420 points and Malcolm Blowers in 3 rd with 3900 points.
Age Category Winners
The full rankings along with the age category winners can be found here.
The youngest age category represented in 2024 was Under-6 with the veterans racing in the over 70s category.
All the winners completing more than three races in the season will be invited to the Nation Prize giving to be held in the spring of 2025.
Here’s a celebration of a few of the younger winners here:
MK1 U06 Jakub Dovey
MK1 U08 Kiyan Zand Lashani
MK1 U10 Mostyn Jones
MK1 U12 Anson Coop
MK1 U14 Max Poole
MK1 U16 Finn Lovel
WK1 U10 Anna Dovey
WK1 U12 Lexi Jones
WK1 U14 Karly Leeson
WK1 U16 Ciara Malony
WC1 U12 Heather Longhurst
WC1 U14 Hattie McNeil
WC1 U16 Elsie Landsborough
MC1 U10 Bodie Ramsdale
MC1 U12 Anson Coop
MC1 U14 Jack Maloney
MC1 U16 Alex Watkins
For all the 2024 results, rankings and if you would like to learn more about Wildwater racing please click here.