Last weekend Scottish sprint paddlers raced at the first National regatta of the 2022 season. This race was also a selection event for international competitions including the Senior World Cups, the U23 and junior European Championships (Belgrade 23-26 June) and Brandenburg International regatta (13-15 May).

It was a tough weekend with a constant head/crosswind that made racing challenging and required athletes to be on top of their game at all times. The Scots rose to the task and delivered strong performance throughout the weekend.

The senior and U23 athletes had a good weekend and several athletes were selected to represent GB in the first international races of the season. Lewis Fletcher and Ieuan James finished 1st and 3rd in the k1 200m and also had great performances in the k1 500m and K2 500m. Ben Gallacher finished 1st in the 200m B final and Finn Cadell came 7th in the k1 1000m. Deborah Kerr came 2nd in the k1 500m and Lydia Dowling-Clarke made a huge step back from injury, competing in the C1 200m & 500m finals.

For the junior athletes, Kristina Armstrong had an excellent weekend winning the k1 200m and the k2 500m as well as finishing 4th in the k1 500m and will be racing at the European Championships in Belgrade. Aidan Leiper displayed some solid performances finishing 3rd in the k1 200m and winning the B final for the k1 500m. Findlay Lewis finished 2nd in the k1 200m B final and 4th in the k2 500m with Aidan Leiper.