SIX paddlers from local kayak racing club, the Tamar Valley Nomads raced at Richmond last month in the Hasler finals — the British Canoe Union marathon racing trophy.

The trophy was donated by the Royal Marines in memory of the Cockleshell raid on Bordeaux in 1942 by kayakers led by Major Blondie Hasler.

The top qualifying teams from each region in the UK gathered on the River Thames in perfect weather and river conditions to compete for the trophy. The divisional system allows for a full range of abilities from beginners in division nine to international standard paddlers in division one to compete against paddlers of a similar ability at both a regional and national level regardless of age and gender.

Tamar Valley Nomads is a small friendly club that meets at Calstock and Lopwell for regular training sessions and welcomes new members as well as offering taster sessions throughout the year.