Worcester Canoeing Club celebrates founders 90th birthday

Robin Powell has kayaked through the Blitz, Cold War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the crowning of King Charles III and he is still going after spending 80 years in the sport. 

Robin Powell in his early career days. (Image: Robin Powell) At the age of 10, Mr Powell's father bought him a canoe, and from then on, he said he has never looked back.

He has competed in National Competitions, taught the next generation of athletes and built the Worcester Canoeing Club from a "wooden shack" to the centre it is today. 

READY TO GO: Mr Powell still can be seen kayaking on the River Severn. (Image: Robin Powell) Around 50 people gathered outside Worcester Canoeing Club today (Wednesday) to surprise Mr Powell and kayak down the River Severn with him.

The club had prepared a 90th birthday balloon to sit on his kayak and had helped change the numbers on his life vest to 90+.

INSPIRATION: Kayakers sang Happy Birthday to Mr Powell. (Image: Robin Powell) Mr Powell said: "My reaction was what on earth is going on (when everyone shouted surprise).

"I saw all the boats and that was my initial thought.

"I am touched. They say I am inspirational, but I enjoy kayaking, and I hope everyone else does.

"Certainly, the local Worcester people have either learnt from myself or from someone I have taught."

Mr Powell is proving that 90 is just another number. (Image: Robin Powell) One of the people taught by Mr Powell was Claudia Chester, the club's membership secretary.

"He is an absolute legend at this club - everybody knows him," she said.

"He was a founding member, so he was here right from the beginning when the club was in an old shack on the other side of the river.

RAIN OR SHINE: Mr Powell kayaking in the snow. (Image: Robin Powell) "He has been here the whole time, and in his youth, he was a top paddler and took part in national competitions. 

"The main thing about Robin is that he wants to share it with everybody.

"His attitude to everyone is that if you want to learn kayaking, then I will help you out."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Mr Powell posing with his 90th birthday balloon. (Image: Robin Powell) Other club members, now in their 70s, remember Mr Powell teaching them how to kayak when they were 13. 

Mr Powell said he has kayaked for 80 years and has no plans to stop anytime soon.

He said his brother quit the sport at 92, but he knows he has many more years left in him.