26th February 2010
Businesses across Cambridge, Peterborough and Norwich can have a board meeting with a difference and raise funds to help life-threatened children and their families if they sign up to a new paddle boarding event taking place on the River Cam this summer.
The Paddle League, which is being organised by Roland Gurner, of Ely-based Fenpaddle Company, will see teams of six taking to paddle boards on rivers across East Anglia and competing in a series of water obstacle challenges to raise funds for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
Roland introduced flat-water paddle-boarding to the UK last year (a water sport which shares some skills associated with canoeing, kayaking, surfing and skateboarding), and he hopes the event will introduce the exciting sport to a wider audience and raise vital funds for EACH.
Anyone can sign-up, and those who do will receive a one-hour training session on the water to hone their skills of speed, agility and balance. Fenpaddle Company will also be offering surf-inspired balance board classes, at a cost of approximately £2.50-£5 per person per hour, based on groups of ten, and EACH staff have given it a go to inspire others to get involved.
Karen Chesney, EACH events fundraiser, said: "We are really grateful to Roland for hosting the Paddle League, which should prove to be a fun and exciting event.
"The training you get as part of the package is a great way to get to grips with a paddle board and have fun with your team mates too - you can have the training at your workplace and have a board meeting with a difference!
"We would urge anyone who is interested to sign-up as soon as possible to ensure this exciting event can go ahead and help raise funds for life-threatened and their families across Cambridgeshire."
Each team will compete in a minimum of three races on the day and should they post a fastest time then they will progress through to the finals. All is not lost for those that don’t make it to the final as there are lots of other prizes to be won on the day including best wipe-out, best team-spirit, and best recovery from a wipe-out.
The Paddle League is open to all manner of teams and no previous paddle boarding experience is necessary, as after the initial one-hour training session, teams will be welcome to book as much training as they wish.
The Norwich Paddle League takes place on July 18, Cambridge on July 25 and Peterborough on August 1. Entry is priced at £300 per team of six and includes: a one-hour training session, team t-shirts, all equipment inc paddle boards and buoyancy aids, safety cover, prizes and trophies.
To download tournament flyer and entry form click here or call 01353 664750 / 07979 857857.
