NORTHERN IRELAND SEA CADETS PADDLE TO VICTORY AT THE NATIONAL COMBINED REGATTA

Over 400 Sea Cadets from across the UK have been training for months in regional heats to make it to the National Combined Regatta final, held on the River Thames at the ExCeL Centre, London. The cadets competed against each other in rowing, sailing, paddlesports and power boating.

The cadets from Northern Ireland did their region proud, bringing home a large stash of medals and entering into the spirit of the occasion, with plenty of singing and cheering.

Congratulations go to Joel Burns and Toni Dickson from the Holywood Sea Cadets, TS Formidable, who won gold and silver medals in their Kayak races, where they raced sprints over 500 meters and 2km. 

Joel also teamed up with Mark McGimpsey (Bangor Sea Cadets) to win a gold medal for the K2 double Kayak Sprint.

But the whole team did brilliantly well and were seldom out of the medals for all races throughout the day.

Thanks must go to the adult volunteers who made it possible for the cadets to attend, and who cheered them on throughout the day.