Surf Kayaking: IoM makes its mark at world championships

Manager 'immensely proud' of Manx team's achievements

The Isle of Man's surf kayaking team manager says he's 'immensely proud' of the Island teams efforts at the recent World Surf Kayaking World Championships.

The international contest took place over ten days from 29 September to 10 October in Bude, Cornwall with the Island fielding a seven-strong squad.

The championships had originally been due to be held in 2021 but were postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

IoM team manager, Richard Cregeen-Watson, got the Manx contingent off to a good start by winning his first round open high performance (Open HP) category heat to progress to round two.

Meanwhile, Steve Watt shone in the Grand Masters classes to reach round two in both the Open HP and long boat.

Elsewhere, the junior IoM representatives, Alex and Charlie Faragher, battled well to take fifth place finishes in the junior women's Open HP and junior men's long boat respectively.

In the team event, the Manx squad qualified for the small team final against Jersey and Denmark.

After a challenging long boat round, the Island team rallied in the Open HP section to win back four of the five points they'd trailed by in the previous stage.

There were also stand-out displays from the likes of Steve Watt and Alex Kissack who took heat wins in the short boat event.

Mr Cregeen-Watson says he's been delighted by the squad's efforts, four of whom didn't have any previous competition experience.

He adds the whole team approached the championships with a level of enthusiasm he 'could not have dreamed of'.

The team are next planning to be in action at the British Championships and Home Internationals being held in South Wales in 2023.