Dave Cassell, former chairman of Waveney Valley Canoe Club and a Level 3 Coach, has been honoured by Canoe England for his 'Out-standing Contribution to Paddlesport'.

Dave Cassell, former chairman of Waveney Valley Canoe Club and a Level 3 Coach, has been honoured by Canoe England for his 'Out-standing Contribution to Paddlesport'.

Cassell, head of maths at Sir John Leman High School, had been chairman of Waveney Valley Canoe Club based at Bungay, for 10 years and has been active in the sport for more than 20 years, coaching and paddling at various clubs in the Norfolk and north Suffolk area.

In that time he has introduced numerous people to the sport with a specific interest himself in open canoeing and sea kayaking.

He has overseen the Waveney Valley Canoe Club grow from a handful of members operating from a pair of wooden sheds to an organisation with around

150 members of all ages in a specifically-built club house but without losing its friendly atmosphere.

During his time at the club he has also organised paddling sessions for local youth groups and the partially sighted.

Cassell said: “I am accepting this on behalf of all the volunteers who have, over the last 10 years, made such vast contributions to make our club the fantastic organisation that it is today.”

Although he has recently stood down as club chairman he has no plans to slow up. While continuing to paddle and coach with the canoe club he is also planning to lead a school trip to Mount Everest this summer.

Waveney Valley is a British Canoe Union (BCU) affiliated amateur paddling club that accommodates all ages based at Bungay Staithe, from beginners to advanced paddlers.

The club hosts a range of BCU-endorsed courses in the summer months at Bungay Staithe as well as running river and sea trips and white water trips further afield, and racing activities. All coaches are qualified to BCU standards.

For more details click on the club website: www.waveneyvalleycanoeclub.org.uk