Hailing from Northern England, you will have met these women if you’ve attended any IRF European Rafting Championship in the last few years. Red Rose Rafting have held their flag high at several European competitions in the last few years, making their mark on the international stage at last year’s IRF World Plateau Rafting Championship in Yushu, Tibet. The team formed in 2009 by a group of friends keen to get involved in what was then a small sport in the UK. Persistence and determination has seen them push from being a group of friends getting together to have fun to a team committed to race and perform to their best ability (whilst having fun along the way).
Through determination and good luck, the team have secured the spot to represent Great Britain in Tully in May this year. They were selected as the GB2 team in the national selections in December last year but due to circumstances outside of their control but favourable in their fate, they have grabbed the opportunity and are looking forward to competing with friends old and new.
The team are honoured to be able to represent Great Britain and British Rafting. Each year they have gone from strength to strength and are wanting to continue and ensure they do themselves and GB proud.
So who is in the team for Australia?
Angela Thompson: Recreational races in the UK. Looking forward to racing on a new river and against international teams.
Beth Kirby: Race in Japan with U23’s, Slovakia last year with Red Rose. Looking forward to getting out on a new river and test our skills against some of the best teams in the world.
Steph Roberts: I’m a newbie to the raft scene but come from a marathon and sprint background competing at a national level
Alison Gedling: Looking forward to a good battle with the Aussies, especially in the downriver!!
Bex Faragher: I have competed at European competitions and loved the opportunity racing in Tibet. My highlight so far was getting a silver medal in Slovenia and standing on the podium with GB1 singing the national anthem. I am looking forward to the experience of racing in a World Championship and experiencing seeing more of the world through this fantastic sport!
SJ Evans: I competed in BR races since 2009, I love the opportunities that rafting gives for meeting new people, traveling to new places and playing on some awesome rivers. Competing in Tibet was a definite highlight.
Jess Evans: I first started racing in 2008 and have raced every year at British Rafting events, for the past 4 years I have competed at the European Championships and the Plateau Championship in Tibet. It has been an absolute honour to have led this team over the years and I’m definitely eager to race at the up and coming experience of a life time. I’m looking forward to racing against the best in the world and having another great battle with the Aussie ladies.
Red Rose Rafting Team is based throughout Lancashire and the North of England. Following a very successful season of R4 racing, we once again entered the R6 season. Competing in the National British Raft Racing selections in December we achieved 2nd place in the Open Women’s category. This gives us the opportunity to represent Great Britain at an international level for the 5th Year running.
Great Britain Open Women are our River Family. Are You?
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We’re looking for more stories of River Family – if you have a story to tell, email Sean with your story and photos.
