Canoeists are a top 10 hit in finals

Major Herbert ‘Blondie’ Hasler OBE is a name that not many people might be familiar with, unless of course you are a keen canoeist, writes Max Carter-Keall.

Hasler was part of the secretive Royal Marines Boom Patrol that took on Operation Frankton in World War Two, a mission in which he and his comrades paddled 85 miles upstream into occupied France to successfully blow up enemy shipping.

‘Blondie’, named after his ferocious blonde moustache, was rewarded with a Distinguished Service Order, an OBE and British Canoeing named a series and trophy after him.

This competition, The Hasler Series, recently occurred on September 25 at Runneymede Pleasure Ground, with Newbury Canoe Club competing for the first ever time.

The Hasler Series itself is the British national club championship in the sport of marathon canoeing, a long distance form of canoe racing, governed by the Marathon Racing Committee and supported by British Canoeing.

Competitors race on flat water in nine divisions ranging from four, eight or 12 miles long in a canoe or kayak, all for the opportunity for their club to lift the Hasler Trophy.

Qualifying for this event is a tough journey, having to fight off 24 other regional clubs over eight races.

Each paddler receives points for their finishing position in races, 50 for the winner, 49 for second, 48 for the third and so on.

The top 12 paddlers points from each club are added up and positions are then given, with 10 points awarded to the winning club down to one point for 10th place and onwards.

The resulting top five clubs go on to the finals, this year hosted by Wey Kayak Club and Addlestone Canoe Club.

Newbury performed admirably at the finals, seeing off nine of the 10 clubs in their region and placing tenth out of 32.

Race Team Leader Paul Jackson attributes the clubs recent success to an influx of new members as a result of the beginners courses being run every year.

He said: "What a huge achievement it was to reach the Hasler Finals this year.

"At the start of the year we made it our long term goal to get to the finals for the very first time, to get there at the first attempt was amazing.

"Massive credit to everyone who raced this year."

The club is now 83 members strong and anyone wanting to get involved can go on their website, Facebook page or email newburycanoeclub@hotmail.com.