GB call-up for Worcester duo to follow sprint success (From Worcester News)

GB call-up for Worcester duo to follow sprint success

3:30pm Saturday 15th September 2012 in Sport

WORCESTER Canoe Club duo Simon Williams and William Bird have been selected for the Great Britain junior development squad to compete in France.

They will be competing in the K1 races and also linking up to form a K2 crew in the event from October 11-14.

Meanwhile, the Worcester club had a number of medal successes when they competed in the National Sprint Regatta in Nottingham.

Bird won gold in the under 16 K4 event, K1 500 metres, K2 500m, K2 1,000m, K2 200m and K1 200m. Williams earned bronze medals in the K4 1,000m, K1 1,000m and K2 500m.

In the Men’s ‘B’ section, Jonny Tye, who won promotion to the ‘A’ division, took gold in the K1 1,000m with bronze for Dan Staines. Tye was also first in the K1 500m and in the K2 500m with Stuart West.

Tye took silver in the K2 200m as did Staines and Ryan Sneddon in the K2 500m.

Jon Bird and Stuart West also had success in the masters over 34 events, West grabbing gold in the K1 500m with bronze for Bird, who also won bronze in the K1 1,000m and silver in the K1 200m.

Sue Hawthorn wrapped up a highly successful event for the Worcester club by winning a bronze medal in the women’s over 44 K1 1,000m.

Four Worcester Canoe Club members are also undertaking a 24-hour endurance charity event today. aiming to travel the 220-mile length of the River Severn in less than 24 hours.

Nick Fowler, Ryan Sneddon, Dan Staines and Barney Turan will start at the source of the river in Plynlimon, in the Welsh Cambrian Mountains, and will cross-country run for 20 miles before swapping their running shoes for bicycles to ride the 110 miles through the night to Worcester Canoe Club.

From Worcester, they will paddle their kayaks for the final 90 miles, finishing in Weston-super-Mare.

The quartet are raising money for Worcester Pre-mature Baby Unit.