Having had the second race of the series at Harlow cancelled due to high water levels, it was good to get the Chelmsford paddlers back on the water at Barking Creek for a race on the tidal section of water.

The weather can totally set the mood for this event, being a wide open stretch of water and, with the race starting on the top of the tide level, paddlers benefit from being able to read the flow.

Flat conditions at the start deteriorated when a thunderstorm broke about two thirds of the way through the event complete with rain and wind to match a tropical storm.

All the younger age groups had, fortunately, completed their races by this time just leaving the longer distance paddlers to battle against the elements.

The bulkier Canadians are always susceptible to being blown around, however, Bill Cozens/Richard Wallis finished first in 30 minutes 58 seconds followed by Joan and Alan Suttle in 31.43 over the four mile course.

A welcome re-appearance of the Byam-Shaw family finished less than two minutes later in fourth.

The Marathon Canadian race saw a second for Dave Jeffery/Dave Clarke in 47.42.

Over the same distance Lindsey Wilcox came second in 26.23 with Laura Richards fifth in 28.52 in U14 Girls K1.

One of the larger classes in this event was U15 K1 boys which was won by Gavin Hickman in 39.59 closely followed by Christopher Howe in second 39 seconds later. David Linnell was third in 45.03.

The Veterans fared well in their GP's with a second for Mike Lewis, only two seconds behind the winner from Bishop's Stortford, and third for Dave Groves in 49.34.

Glen Rogers made a welcome return to racing to win the Senior GP class over six miles in 50.30 and Phil Banks had an easy win in Veteran GP as did Di Edwards in Ladies Veteran K1.

Owen and Evan Shepherd continued their good form to win the Junior K2 by almost one minute while Alec Richards had a tough struggle to finish fourth in U16 K1 in 39.02.

Over the eight miles, Anita Bennett found the going tough against wind, rain and tide in the latter stages finishing fifth in 74.12.

Over the same distance Mick Barry came a good third in 66.49 followed by a sedentary Roger Edwards in fourth in 77.30 in Veteran K1.

The largest class of the day was the Senior K2 with 13 boats on the start line including several really fast crews.

A fourth place for Tony Chapman/Graham Howe was therefore a creditable achievement followed just 16 seconds later by juniors Mathew Dabbs/Cheryl Dunn in fifth.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.