Saturday 12 November saw a revival of the classic Lagan Descent. This outstanding race that echoes further back into Northern Ireland kayak racing than any other event, is now up and running under the new management of Mark Kerr. This year the water level could not have been better – everything nicely padded out with a low flood, and yet not so high that the weirs would engulf and consume your boat with Dyson-like power.

Everyone started at the Coca Cola factory at Lambeg (by the way, is it really a Coca Cola factory?). The entry included the usual wide range of machines from slivery K1s to play boats and an open canoe.

The hot competition was in two main areas, the K1s and WW racers forming one group and the fast touring singles forming the other. The race was lead by Shaun Chamberlain, a South African K1 paddler living in Belfast. A mere 9 mile race is only a warm up to South African paddlers for whom long, rough water courses in very high air temperatures are the norm. Shaun creamed the Lagan weirs, barely missing a stroke and took to the portages like a rat up an entry. Paul McLaughlin (K1) and Peter Howson(WWR) from Limavady held his wash to Edenderry but suffered from the all too common not-first-into-the-portage problem and lost contact on the leg to Shaw’s Bridge. With Shaw’s Bridge behind him Shaun continued to open the gap and cruised the flat mile and a half round King’s Bridge with his slow but fast (if you get my meaning) stroke. This new additional flat water loop, again courtesy of Mark Kerr, makes for a brilliant finish to the long course and has the added advantage of giving spectators a chance to see some of the action.

In the touring singles Davey Gibson continues to be the dog’s swingers. Despite stories of forearm injury Davey sliced the little hybrid through the water all the way to the Stranmillis finish. If that’s what tennis elbow does for you - I want it. Of course the silver fox, Roy McConnell, was never far away - hovering like a praying mantis lest Davey should weaken. In the same group David Leonard from Donegal CC is another force to be reckoned with. Leading a race in this class must be like being pursued by a pack of howling hyenas with any mistakes made by the leader rewarded by the merry chomping of paddles on bone.

A really excellent race was concluded with the luxury of showers (thanks to Belfast Rowing Club and Peter Spence), sexy prizes and really first class soup, tea and sandwiches. Well done to all finishers, but most importantly, a massive well done to Mark Kerr and his team for a superbly run event that rivals anything on the calendar.

Ray Rowe