Trying conditions test paddlers

Paddlers were tested physically and mentally when they took to the water on Saturday for what was a tough race over a 25km course for men and 20km course for women.

In total 27 paddlers took to the water however the conditions and course proved to be tougher than a couple could handle although the experience all adds to building their paddling prowess.

Top male paddler Reuben Dearlove took the conditions all in his stride as the paddling machine ripped across the 25km course to place first overall in the mens V1 division in a time of 2.26.10.

Some 10 minutes later, Tupuna Amo crossed the line in his V1 in 2.41.31 and in third in the mens 25km V1 race was John Beasley in an impressive time of 2.45.44.

In the mens OC1 division, Conrad Hunter was the man to beat on the water and he crossed the finish line in 2.42.36.

Kees Van Wijk was the second male OC1 paddler across the line in 2.51.53 while the top performance of the day would have to go to veteran paddler Sani Sosene who turned up 10 minutes late for the start of the race and placed 3rd in the mens 25km OC1 race in a time of 2.58.57.

Marc Cowan also had a good race battling illness as well as the sea conditions to finish in a time of 2.59.08.

In the womens division, Paulina Beddoes won the womens 20km course in the OC1 division in a time of 2.26.08 with Annie Fisher taking out second place in the same division in a time of 2.30.36 and Chrissy Thomas taking third a minute later in 2.31.

In the V1 division of the womens race, Vaea Melvin was ahead of the rest crossing the line in a cool 2.30.01.

Emilene Taulu was next in the V1 division crossing the line in 2.42.18 with first time V1 paddler Jane Pearson showing fantastic paddling skills to place 3rd in the division in a time of 2.46.58.

Local paddlers will continue to hone their skills with the Cook Islands Te Aito singles race just around the corner on June 11.

Results Paulina Beddoes (20km OC1) 2:26:08:35, Reuben Dearlove (25km V1) 2:26:10:71, Vaea Melvin(20km V1) 2:30:01:78, Annie Fisher (20km OC1)2:30:36:15, Chrissy Thomas (20k OC1) 2:31:4:87, Rob Grant (20km OC1) 2:34:05:37, Kirsten Willis (20km OC1) 2:34:17:21, Andre Tutaka-George (25km SS) 2:35:27:68 , Tungane Manuel (25km SS) 2:39:38:65, Tupuna Amo (25km V1) 2:41:31:54, Emilene Taulu (20km V1) 2:42:18:96, Conrad Hunter (25km OC1) 2:42:36:44, John Beasley (25km V1) 2:45:44:59, Liz Tama (20km OC1) 2:46:48:59, Jane Pearson (20km OC1) 2:46:58:06, Graeme Whitfield (25km V1) 2:49:32:34, Kees Van Wijk (25km OC1) 2:51:53:56, Joyce Fortes (20km OC1) 2:54:11:15, Aloma Moore (20km V1) 2:54:33:82 20 km, Danielle Cochrane (20km OC1) 2:56:06:60, Sani Sosene (25km OC1) 2:58:57:55, Marc Cowan (25km OC1) 2:59:08:34, Vina Manuel (20km OC1) 3:05:57:13.