P&B Streaker Southern Paddle Series Finale at Alton Water Sports Centre

P&B Streaker Southern Paddle series at Alton Water © Paul Huff

Ian Bradley wins the 2014 P&B Streaker Southern Paddle Series © Paul Huff

Veronica Falat presents Ian Bradley with the Streaker Southern Paddle © James Dawes

This year's Pinnell & Bax sponsored Southern Paddle series concluded at Alton Water on 4th October with the final open meeting. A grim weather forecast put off a lot of people from turning up but the 5 of us who were there had some good racing to finish off the series. Class Chairman Ian Bradley won both races before lunch which just confirmed his place at the head of the Southern Paddle results table. He came into this final event with an unbeatable lead but that didn't stop the rest of us trying to give him a hard time! James Dawes was closest to him in race 1 and Veronica Falat in race 2 but Ian was always able to scoot away on gusts and keep clear ahead. After lunch it was a different story when the forecast strong wind came in and sailing conditions became really tough. Ian got a good start in race 3 but James beat him to the first mark. The race then became a matter of staying upright as much as possible and after two laps of a good size course it was only James and Veronica who managed to get to the finish line, bringing the series to a dramatic end.

The SP series had started back in March with the open at Tamworth and in total there were 13 events throughout southern England. 52 people competed in at least one of them and 15 qualified for the final prizes, counting their best 9 race results. Everyone also stood a chance of winning a brand new Streaker sail courtesy of Pinnell & Bax. For every race you entered, you got a raffle ticket and the draw was held at Alton Water – and this year's winner was Ian Bradley! He was quick to point out that it really can pay to do as many events as possible!

Although we're now at the tail end of the season, the Streaker events haven't finished yet. The Northern Paddle's final event will be on October 18th at West Riding SC, with a draw for a Sail Register sail as part of the prize-giving there.

Also, in the meantime, we'll be at Carsington this coming Saturday for the final races in our Noble Marine National Championships, held over from June when a lack of wind meant we only managed to get one race sailed. Many thanks to Carsington SC for inviting us back.

Pinnell & Bax Streaker Southern Paddle Series Results: