Category: News

‘On behalf of the BQA’ A Big thanks to Simon and his great team ‘Shoreline Extreme Sports’ for organizing another Bude’s Awesome Foursome Quadrathlon, blessed with fabulous weather this has got to be one of our most scenic Quadrathlons on the circuit. Sadly the numbers were on the low side, but a great time was had by all and we really must try hard to get more athletes down at this event wonderful event next September.

Shoreline Extreme Sports Report:

With a great field of quadrathlon athletes from all over Britain, Bude once again hosted the Awesome Foursome Quadrathlon in close to perfect conditions. At the end of the Individual race winner Mark Turner from Barnstaple was asked what he thought of the race. His reply was “Every bit of it is hard but at the same time enjoyable! The open sea swim was brilliant, calm conditions and a great temperature, the cycle ride has some of the worst hills I’ve ever been on, the kayak leg was smooth, the Bude canal is perfect for this and the cross country run with the coastal hills sapped everything I had left!” When asked would he come back and do it again, his reply was “Of course, it was brilliant!”

The Awesome Foursome Quadrathlon held annually in Bude combines the four disciplines of Swimming, Cycling, Kayaking and Running into one long endurance race. Athletes enter either as relay teams of four, as a pair or as individuals completing the whole event by themselves. The race makes the most of Bude’s wonderful environment and builds on the very popular Shoreline Triathlon which was run earlier in the year. The swim course, approximately 1000m, takes place at high tide within Summerleaze Bay. The 30 km cycle takes athletes out of Bude along the spectacular coastal roads to Widemouth, Wanson Mouth and the notorious 30% hill at Millook before returning the competitors back to the Bude and its historic canal. Next comes 10 km of kayak racing up and down the Bude Canal before the final 10 km run stage following the towpath to Helebridge, fields to Widemouth and coastal path back to the finish in Bude’s lower canal wharf area.

Race organiser Simon Hammond and his team at Shoreline Extreme Sports have been running this race for the last 20 years. and would like to say a ‘Huge Thanks’ to our sponsors Penbode Vets, The Crooklets Beach Cafe and Finn Solicitors and to all the many people that support us including the 26 local volunteers who brilliantly marshaled the course. “Its a really nice end of season event” Simon explained “We get lots of great local support both in terms of people volunteering to marshal and also plenty of local competitors. There are lots of races going on within the race. This year it was the local youngsters relay team of Zack Davis, Max Rodriguez-Emery, Drew Bardsley and Saul Barraclough that got everyone excited. They stormed off from the start and never looked like being caught, finishing first in the Relay category miles ahead of any other team!

Its a tough race if you do the whole thing on your own but so many of this years entries were either Pairs or Relay Teams where the experience is shared! Local Adventure business Adventure Bude put in a strong team and the oldest competitor Nick Cole who had his 80th birthday on the day of the event was in the the second placed relay team aptly name “The Birthday Party.”

With a late start this year at 2 pm, due to the tides, competitors were blessed with near perfect weather conditions, warm but with a little cloud cover to keep things safe! The fastest competitors were finishing in just under 3 hours, having completed the swim in around 20 minutes and then the cycle, kayak and run all taking around 50 minutes each.

So the fastest time of the day was set by Relay Team: ‘Class of 23’ (Bude) 2:49:35 
Individual Men
1st Mark Turner 2:50::26 (1st Senior)
2nd James Thornton 2:53:20 (2nd Senior)
3rd Steve King 2:55:15 (1st Vet 50)
Individual Woman
1st Rebecca Newson 3:10:11
Pair: Jon and Summer Gatrell (Bude SLSC) in 3:21:29
with BQA Members Hermione & Lance Ball in 2nd 3:24:30

Congratulations to all our BQA Members, as always thanks for flying the flag!

Nigel Unwin 2.59.26 (2nd Vet 50)
Peter Chappill 3.37.16 (2nd Vet 60)
Phillip Jumeau 3.44.54 (3rd Vet 60)
David Browning 3:47:26 (4th Vet 60)
Nicola Hamerton 3.42.32 (1st Vet 60)
Donna Chappill 4.29.40 (2nd Vet 50)
Full Results Below Quadrathlon Results 2023

Thanks to Lincsquad’s Donna Chappill for her recollection of her race! Well yesterday I completed one of the toughest challenges yet, the Awesome Foursome Quadrathlon. I’ve been wanting to do this for years, having watched Pete, Jean, Jac and other BQA members, but never had the courage to enter. However, this year I decided that I would and I am so pleased that I conquered my fears and entered (probably drunk at the time).

With the help support and encouragement, I was so scared, of my darling husband Jeff, my brother-in-law Pete and sister-in-law Dawn, I got to the start line and off I went. The sea swim was 800mtrs but they moved the buoy due to a neap tide so swarm just over 1100mtrs. This was followed by 30km of one of the most heart breaking hilly cycle courses which includes Millock, the never-ending hill apparently it’s a 1 in 3! Then for a nice sit down to paddle 10km in Bude canal, couldn’t help but say hi to people and a quick natter with the fishermen,  two low bridges, 5 turns and done. Finally a 10km mixed terrain canal/coastal path run, with an aching back and some great support from Jeff and the marshals, I actually completed this undulating course…..and then I was done….totally and utterly exhausted but so chuffed with myself….would I do it again oh yes, despite aches and pains where I didn’t know could ache.
Oh and I got this too in fact four of us all BQA received a trophy this year! 

Congratulations Donna … we are very proud for you! 

This leaves the BQA Trophy Series wide open and will depend on the results from the final race in the Series ‘Brigg Sprint’. Trophies are awarded each year, provided each winner has done 3 races in the series, and must be a current BQA Member. (In the event of a tie the 4th race points will count to decide the winner).

THANK YOU as always to John Kavanagh for his time and effort for putting together the Latest BQA Trophy Standings: BQA British Trophy 2023.4

It’s been a fabulous day at Manvers Lake today for the 2nd Race in the BQA Series. Congratulations to everyone who raced today in the ‘tropical’ conditions, it was certainly a hot one!

The BQA would like to say a Huge Thank -You to Mark Benton and his Manvers Team for organising this great race, you are a wonderful ‘Team’ of people thank you for your enthusiasm and for inspiring so many to take to the water and embrace the challenge, you have put so many smiles on peoples faces today. Without a doubt it’s such a fabulous feel good event, enjoyed by everyone, from seasoned athletes to first timers it was so good to see everyone just loving the day!

Thanks also to ‘David and Caz Jones’ who have been organizing Quad Training Days throughout the year and encouraging newcomers to our sport, they do a fantastic job to introducing people into our sport!

We started the morning at 8.30 with the QuadKidz Tri and Quad race a huge well done to them, they were all amazing all finished their races in fantastic style , most certainly our stars of the future!

The main race started at 9.30 the water was a balmy 22 degrees so wetsuits optional. It was 2 400m laps in the swim, Steve King was first out and looking strong as he went onto the bike, with Clare Addy first lady, followed closely by Gillian Melia.

Steve has been away from Quads for a year or two, but he’d certainly not forgotten how to push hard! He was well clear after the bike, and pulled away in the kayak leg, despite having to stop to adjust his seat, he ran well and went on to take the win comfortably. Newcomer to Quadrathlon was Stuart Jolly he looked strong through out, paddled very well and came in 2nd. Nick Farnell had a good race, and came in just a couple of minuits behind Stuart taking 3rd place.

In the Ladies race, Gill had a strong bike and soon went into the lead, she paddled well and went into the run well ahead of Helen Adams and Clare. Helen moved into 2nd place after the bike, she had a good kayak, but by now the sun was very hot and everyone found the run tough. Clare came in smiling excitably to take 3rd!

A huge well done to all competitors, and especially the lovely first timers to Quadrathlon, they all really enjoyed themselves and were very proud of what they had achieved, lets hope we see them again.  There was a great turnout from our BQA Athletes, all racing well as always thank-you for flying the BQA Flag, our small sport needs you! The Quadrathlon Family was at its Best, so much love, encouragement and support; you all inspire each other keep sharing the passion and happy a safe training until the next time.

I’ll keep spreading the ‘Fairy Dust’ … Jean your Fairy Quadmother, who hopefully will be back racing again soon.

Full Results Dearne-Valley__-Quadrathlon-Dearne-Valley-Quadrathlon-25-06-2023-1

BQA Trophy listings after 2 Races BQA British Trophy 2023.2

MALE
1st Steve King – 1:38:13
2nd Stuart Jolly – 1:43:11
3rd Nick Farnell (BQA) – 1:45:48

LADIES
1st Gilliam Melia (BQA) – 1:54:05
2nd Helen Adams (BQA) – 1:58:50
3rd Clare Addy – 2:07:44

Great Racing from all our BQA MEMBERS
Phillipe Jumeau – 1:50:27
Wayne Smith -1:52:08
Peter Chappill -1:52:34
Lance Ball – 1:52:58
Blake Mawson Burren -1:58:00
Russel Breyer – 2:02:00
Jeff Chappill – 2:01:32
Andrew Lawson -2:03:32
John Redmond -2:08:47
Donna Chappill – 2:17:12
Caz Jones – 2:31:27

Helen Ricchia (Did the Triathlon due to shoulder injury) Get better soon Helen!

Lots more photos on our BQA Facebook Page

Big Thanks for the Race Report from our Ladies Winner Gillian Melia

It was looking like it was going to be a perfect event; and it was! Thanks to Mark Benton and the Manvers Team and all their efforts in preparations from emails and pre race info, course recce on Saturday and on the day fun and support. The Manvers lake looked brilliant with the BQA flags flying in front of the transitions area …..Amazing!

Its an ideal spot to hold a Watersports Quadrathlon event not only a wonderful lake but with great facilities on site. There’s even a little bit of overnight camping for this event if yourself contained.

The weather was set to be hot, although predicted to be slightly cooler than the Saturday but it didn’t feel like it by the time I was on the run.

2019 was the last time I competed at this event and it was nice to be back. Manver’s host the Triathlon and Quadrathlon together and the swim is a mass start for both. The water was warm and we had already been given the choice of a non wetsuit swim. What do you do, what are others doing? I decided to stick with what I was used to.

The race kicked off just after 9.30 and swim conditions were good. Somebody entered the water and forgot their hat, easily done as it was already warm, you don’t want to put it on to early! A bit more time to get into position, I was determined not to get hemmed in as I had at the 1st race at Brigg, which was a river swim so much narrower and more weeds, Manvers was pretty much weed free. I set my self up near the front of the group, and apart from the first 100 meters I pretty much had clear sight on the 2 lap swim. Breathing was good and I was into my swim rhythm. You have no idea who’s who on the swim all you can see are the coloured swim hats, and arms and feet. I knew Clare Addy would be leading the way then Helen Adams and I following usually neck and neck, but who knows, it all part of the excitement to see who’s around when you get to transition 1.

At Manvers the Bike leg is 2nd, and after a quick strip of the wetsuit, shoes and helmet on and some vital hydration unrack the bike and run to the mount line. I had not got far and I couldn’t clip my shoes shoe in, what was wrong, and after trying a couple of time I decided to stop and check out the problem. I had not removed my cleat covers! New lesson learnt, and covers removed I was back on my way, that’s one for the check list next time.

The bike and run course are both trail and a combination of surfaces; mainly gravel with a section of tarmac. There are a few obstacles along the way from bike gates and boulder sections to slow you down, and some tight narrow corners under the bridges, plus some bumpy sections of old tree roots to get you out of the saddle. I was using a cyclocross which was perfect for this race. The heat was rising and there was little breeze as you were riding along, bikers in front and behind for both Tri. and Quad., only the athlete numbers giving away which event they are in. It’s and out and back bike route and you get to see your fellow athletes along the way and there is lots of encouragement being shared, its really great to see this happening plus there were a few new athletes on the course. Don’t forget to smile for the photographer as well!

Back in to transition 2, bike kit off and paddle kit on, I decided to put my little feet covers on to run the 25 meter gravel section to the beach and collect my boat, I remember this from 2019. Dave and Dave were there as launch assist and its much appreciated so you don’t detach your rudder or fall in at the first hurdle. Back out onto the lake for the 5 laps. It was pretty hot now at 28 degrees. One athlete was completing the paddle section on a Stand Up Paddleboard, she had kindly lent her Kayak to a friend to try in this same race, amazing stuff, I’ll stick to the Kayak thanks. I realised I was in front in the ladies race, its a good feeling but I still had the run ahead of me and I’m not keen on running the heat so wanting maintain the lead I had, Helen would be hot on my rudder.

Kayak complete and last transition , take on more fluids, a little gel for some energy and I was off. Just out of the transition area there was a water station I nearly passed it by but the Marshalls said “WATER” I said I’ve just had some” she said have some more, and I was so pleased I did as it was hot out there at 30 + degrees. So thank you Marshall for the prompt.

Its 5km around the Manvers lake; there is a little bit of shade at the beginning then after that you’re exposed for the remainder, its flat and gravel all the way. Lance Ball came along side me on the run then passed and drifted off not the distance, I’d have like to have tried to stay with him but the humidity had sapped my energy. Over half way and not much further, I said keep running, 3km 4km and then I could see the boat house, last 1km and it was all over, 1 hour 54mins. I’d have like to have been a quicker on the run, but on reflection I was pleased with my efforts.

Thanks again to “EVERYBODY” for a great day, loads of friendly faces and smiles, great team work and a brilliant fun event.

Good luck to all fellow Quadrathletes for the remainder of the series and see you next time.

Lastly I would also like to say a big thank you to Mark Pryor for all his support this year with my training and making me “go do it” when its raining and cold, to the cleaning and maintenance of my bike and more .

Gillian