This weekend I was lucky enough to attend the 2012 Isaac Ludwig Top Yough Race. The event was based on a class 4 section of the Yough river in Maryland. I had only paddled that section twice before so I wasn’t expecting to get a good time, but I was looking forward to getting out on the water with a big group of local paddlers. Needless to say the event didn’t disappoint.

I managed to get a practice run in with the guys from All Things Brown TV, which for me was a great opportunity to try and remember where to go and what to avoid. With the race starting at 1pm we were soon lined up at the start line just above the main falls, and it wasn’t long before I was called up to put in my run.

Without really knowing where I was going or how long I would be going for, I decided to concentrate on keeping paddling and keeping the right way up. Just under 14 minutes later I came into the finish line, tired happy and somewhere near the bottom of the pack but pleased to have made it down my first proper white water race. The beer in the sunshine at the finish line was very welcome!

Thanks to all the guys that organised and helped out for putting on a great event. Congratulations to the winners. Results can be found here. Only 363 days until next years race!