Young Birstall rugby captain completes 127-mile Leeds and Liverpool Canal kayak challenge with dad
A sports-mad youngster has navigated the whole 127-mile stretch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in a kayak.
James Waterworth, who captains the Birstall Victoria ARLFC under 10s, completed the mammoth challenge with his dad, Lee Webb, over the course of nine consecutive days.
The duo conquered the same route by bicycle last year, but this time they swapped dry land for the actual water, paddling for around eight hours per day whilst camping in a tent at the end of each gruelling shift.
James, with the help of his dad, has raised £2,000 which will be split between the two grassroots rugby teams the ten-year-old represents at the Vics and at Morley Union.
The valuable money will go towards equipment, training resources and opportunities for young players to enjoy both codes of rugby and develop their skills.
James’ mum, Kirsty Waterworth, said: “We are really, really proud. He did really well and he absolutely loved it.
“They have made memories that will last a lifetime for them both. When it got hard they worked as a team to get through it, especially getting through the locks.
“The money will be split between both teams. It is really hard for all grassroots sports to get any funding but it will all go back into the kids. The coaches put a lot of work in at both clubs.”
James’ team-mates surprised him and his dad along the way, and were also there at the finishing line to greet them at the end of the challenge.
James said: “It was great that I got to do it with my dad. He kept telling me to keep going. I was very proud of finishing it as it was something I really wanted to do.
“I just wanted to help my coaches and my teams out. The coaches put a lot of their own time into us and it was great to see a lot of my team-mates at the finish. I think they are happy.”
He is now looking forward to next year’s challenge with his dad - a bike ride from John o’Groats to Land’s End.
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