Across a very windy two days in Liverpool, >160 paddlers competed in the Paddle UK National Championships for 2024, with ECC qualification places on the line.
Each of the Open, Women and Youth leagues run in a format where anyone could ultimately win, opening up the opportunity for sides to play far more skilled and experienced opponents than they may do in their National League. This always results in an easier first day for the stronger teams, but a significant build-up in pressure towards the latter end of the competition for all sides, ending with the placing games.
In the Open league, fresh from victory at the Helmond International, FOA A were the home side favorites, but came up against an energised Kingston A side in the final. With FOA having taken the lead in the final on multiple occasions, Kingston kept finding impressive responses, some from quality team play and others from individual shots of brilliance. Taking the game to golden goal, Kingston A took the victory 5-4. Dragon A took the bronze medal, with Blackwater-ish and Rhonda Rhinos taking the Bowl and Shield respectively.
In the Women’s league, having met earlier in the competition to a tense 3-3 draw, East End Princesses and Kingston Ladies fought again in the final. Kingston A were seeking to regain their 2023 title, but the East End side took an early lead, and managed to hold out for victory and a first Nat Champs title 4-0. FOA X took the bronze medal.
In the Youth league, it was an all FOA affair for all the medals, with FOA E storming home to a 7-0 victory over FOA D in the final! Aberfan youth produced some great performances to be placed second after the group stage, but ultimately some sickness resulted in the non-competitive approach to their sides remaining games.
Thank you to all of the volunteers who made the tournament happen, particularly to FOA who were once again excellent hosts.