YOUNG canoeists have enjoyed a four-day trip to south-west France.
The group of 22 from all over Kirklees have returned from the Dordogne after completing a 100-mile expedition for their Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award.
The youngsters met for the first time last November to plan for the trip.
They began an eight-month training regime with the Kirklees Young People’s Service Adventurous Activities Team and other volunteer instructors.
Their first lessons came after breaking the ice in December on the Calder and Hebble Navigation canal.
The group chose the name Kirklees Canoe Cohesion as they are all from different parts of the borough and came together due to an interest in having a go at a sport they had never tried before.
The youngsters raised the money for their adventure with supermarket bag- packs, quiz and curry nights, half-marathons and support from the Jubilee Fund.
Denise Bedford, of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, said: “They had excellent instruction from the Adventurous Activities team and Mike Oldridge, from the Scout Association. They worked really hard to reach the appropriate British Canoe Union standard.
“Valuable skills have been gained also, not just on the water but how to work together as a team and help and support each other.”
