Chichester leads the way in stand-up paddling world

The Chichester area continues to be a hot bed of talent in the world of stand-up paddling.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Oct 2010, 16:15 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 00:37 BST

At the British Stand Up Paddle Association national finals at Watergate Bay, Cornwall Neal Gent, Matt Argyle, Bobbie Cooper and Claire Blacklock all scooped trophies.

Gent won the men’s surfing division, making the doctor from St Richard’s Hospital the national stand-up paddle surfing champion for 2010.

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Argyle, who works at the University of Chichester, is now ranked fourth in the UK for the sport but is ranked second in the UK for stand-up paddle racing.

Cooper, a student from West Wittering, had a fantastic year, coming second in the ladies’ surfing and racing (in two categories).

Blacklock, from Chichester, who retains her champion status in stand-up paddle racing 
and is now ranked third 
in the UK for ladies’ surfing. The stand-up paddlers had to compete against 46 other hopefuls through out the 2010 season, with 36 competitors turning up at Watergate Bay to battle for the final points.

The conditions were hard with Gent and Argyle having to surf six 15-minute heats to get through to the final.

Conditions were windy and choppy for the 20 minute final, but Gent’s fluid and aggressive style won through.