Twelve-year-old Connor Proud, who lives in Westerhope, near Newcastle, was the recipient of this year’s Bobby Timperley Trophy for the best performing junior at Hexham Canoe Club’s national ranked Wavehopper race.
The newcomer to the sport, one of five Coquet Canoe Club members joining in with the action for the first time, won the award hands down as all five members of the judging panel agreed he was the stand-out performer as he showed huge levels of determination to compete in the race despite falling into the river a total of four times during the practice run.
Race organiser Chloe Glendenning said: “Connor was an absolute little star and the decision from all five members of the judging panel was unanimous.
”When the question was asked, everybody said immediately ‘the lad in the red hat!’
“He fell in the water four times but just kept getting back in the boat and kept trying. He was frozen by the time the race started but he was determined he was going to do it!
“Bobby was passionate about juniors, and Connor’s perseverance and dedication ticked all the boxes.”
Such is the continued success of the Bobby Timperley award, Hexham Canoe Club are in discussions about holding a similar event for juniors on Tyne Green in either May or June.
Next up for the club is the Tynedale Slalom in Wark on April 9 and 10.
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