- Title: British Punting Championships
- Date: 31st July 2018
- Summary: Story – Chris “Kit” Nairne takes the British Punting Championship title The most graceful of all river sports punting has a long history on the river Thames in London, England. The earliest record of this Championship dates back to 1846. But it wasn’t until 1885 that the Thames punting club was formed. Aside from interruptions in the war years, and a break in the 1970s, this event marks 133 years of championship punt racing on the Thames. The event features single person and doubles races in punts that are 28 feet long (with 2 variations of width). Punts are essentially flat bottom boats, so long strong stokes are required to move the punt forward using the long poles, but the skill is keeping a straight course. Punters need to be aware of conditions both above and below the water; the wind, wake from other river traffic as well as what lies beneath as the poles can hit differing material on the river bed such as soft ground, gravel, stones or even submerged obstacles. Punting is a skilled sport that requires patience in order to learn how to react to the river and maintain control. Spectators lined the banks of the River Thames to cheer on competitors in these championships. The best racing punters from the 5 clubs on the Thames, including Dittons Skiff and Punting Club, Thames Valley Skiff Club and Wargrave Boating Club. There were some 20 single and doubles races. Punters tested their balance and endurance as they made their way along the course, which began downstream of Maidenhead Rowing Club. The championship course is not a club course; it is neutral ground so nobody has a ‘home advantage’. When they reached the end of the course, they had to stop and turn around to come back the other way; a manoeuvre that takes great skill. In the heats the course was 440 yards long with a single turn but in the final this extended to a total length of 1320 yards for the men. The sport is inclusive and includes mixed doubles as well as mixed sexed single open races. As many of the longer participants inevitably age, this is a sport keen to welcome youths to bring new blood and secure the sports future longevity. It’s a very technical sport demanding co-ordination and balance and you have to be fit, as it’s quite aerobic although many of the competitors row as well. Conditions on the day were overcast with the occasional shower. Wind conditions were variable. In the ladies single championship final Natalie MacLean won in a time of 5 minutes 43 seconds while in the Men’s event youth beat experience as 34 year old Chris ‘Kit’ Nairne beat Mark Vellacott; his winning time on the longer distance was 7 minutes 56 seconds.
- Description:Shotlist Sign “Thames Punting club” Two men putting buoys out in the river Competitors with their punts on their shoulders arriving Man taping punts with tape UPSOT (English) Peter Williams – Punter Start of start – mixed doubles Cutaway – man looking through binoculars Mixed doubles crew crossing the finish line UPSOT (English)Chris “Kit” Nairne – Punter (eventual winner of Gentlemen’s Amateur Championship) Men’s double start of race Punt goes past crowd who are watching Action from the river Cutaway – Man taking photo’s Action – Man falls in whilst trying to turn around in the punt UPSOT (English) Chris “Kit” Nairne – Punter (eventual winner of Gentlemen’s Amateur Championship) Chris “Kit” Nairne on the water UPSOT (English) Dame Katherine Grainger- Ex Olympic rower, and Great Britain's most decorated female Olympian. Gopro from a punt – looking at punter Action – two punters punting towards the camera Men’s doubles going past crowd watching Singles race – finish line Cutaway – stopwatch Men’s doubles heading off into the distance Men’s double race – Turning around at the half way marker Final – Ladies’ Single Championship – winner Na MacLean crossing the finish line Final – Start of the Gentlemen’s Amateur Championship Cutaway – lady looking through binoculars Chris “Kit” Nairne crossing the finish line to win the final Winner Chris “Kit” Nairne shakes hand with Mark Vellacott after race Upsot from Chris “Kit” Nairne Thropy being presented to Chris “Kit” Nairne
- Collection: Hot Under The Collar
- Producer:HUTC
- Transmission Date:01/08/2018
- Decade: 2010s