A Summer To Remember at the National Water Sports Centre

We’ve enjoyed such a fantastic summer of sport here at Holme Pierrepont Country Park, home of the National Water Sports Centre!

After the success of Team GB in the Olympic Games, it was time for the Paralympians to claim their place in history – and we were delighted to wave off our Paracanoe athletes with a celebration BBQ at their base of the National Water Sports Centre.

In the shadow of the Regatta Lake they train on throughout the year, athletes, coaches, staff and families came together in an event which would celebrate the sacrifices made by the entire team during the four-year Paralympic cycle.

Keir Worth, Director of Paddlesport at PaddleUK, said: “The Paralympic Games are the pinnacle event on the Paracanoe calendar and it was fantastic that we were able to mark the occasion with friends, family and colleagues.

“A huge thank you to the National Water Sports Centre for hosting the day and making everyone feel so welcome. Thanks also to them for their continues partnership.”

Once in Paris, the PaddleUK athletes had the long wait of not competing until the final weekend of the Games – but once it was their time, they did not disappoint.

With a viewing party held on the bank of the Regatta Lake at the National Water Sports Centre, the PaddleUK team achieved a record-breaking tally of eight medals.

The first came from Dave Phillipson in the KL2 final which was quickly followed by Emma Wiggs MBE’s gold in the VL2. The same race saw an agonising fourth for Jeanette Chippington OBE – competing at her eighth Paralympic Games. It was a British one-two in the Women’s Single VL3 with Charlotte Henshaw MBE getting the first of her two golds with Hope Gordon taking the silver. Rob Oliver was also in action, finishing 0.14 seconds from a podium finish but ultimately claiming sixth place in the KL3.

On Sunday, the KL2 final saw another British one-two with Charlotte Henshaw MBE becoming British paracanoe’s first ever double Paralympic champion, pipping Emma Wiggs MBE to the title. Paralympic debutant Ed Clifton finished seventh place in the men’s VL2. ParalympicsGB’s final gold of the Games went to Laura Sugar MBE in the KL3 final, with Jack Eyers getting a silver in the VL3 final.

Despite testing weather, our community joined us for a viewing party on our Regatta Lake to shout home the medals, as the National Water Sports Centre hosted the PaddleUK Sprint Regatta and the Euro Open on the White Water Course.

We’re so proud of the entire PaddleUK team and we’re honoured to play a small part in their successes throughout this summer – we can’t wait to see you all back in Nottingham.