IT couldn’t have been a better day to be on the water.

As the sun shone down on the glistening River Itchen, around 50 canoe enthusiasts took to their boats for a bit of healthy competition.

Winchester and District Canoe Club members gathered for the annual slalom event – which is nearly as old as the club itself – at the North Walls Recreation Ground on Saturday (MAY 16).

Children and adults of all ages and abilities turned out to compete in the event’s 10 categories.

There were junior and senior divisions, as well as the male and female races, in single and double paddle classes which would take place at the 150 metre stretch.

Slalom and competition officer for the club, Ian Law, said: “This event’s been going for donkey’s years – 20 years at least – and it attracts people of all ages and abilities.”

Gareth Bath, chairman, said: “We’ve also got another event on May 30. This is a competition that we’ve been trying to get as many of our members as we can to participate in and it’s for people of all abilities too.”

The club is hosting a Go Canoeing event, for £5 per person per session, at North Walls, to bring together as many boaters as they can.