CANOE and kayak paddlers enjoyed messing about on the river when they took to the water in an epic display of prowess, skill and talent raising money for a good cause in the process.

Organised by the Essex Freestyle Community, a subdivision of the Colchester Canoe Club, the event saw paddlers from across Essex, including Andrew Good from Team Great Britain, show off their top skills on the River Colne for the day.

The Olympian spent the day with the Colchester Canoe Club, praising organisers for being able to organise and execute a celebratory freestyle kayaking event of its scale.

Paddlers of different ages took to the river for a day of freestyle fun with some never being in a boat before.

Participants from across Essex and Suffolk attended, including major names in kayaking, Kent Canoes and Squarerock, two renowned kayak retailers.

The event began in the morning with freestyle coaches offering their advice to any would-be freestyle canoers, honing their skills across the morning session.

After lunch, visitors enjoyed several paddling games before canoers showed off their freestyle moves, being judged on who showed the most impressive display.

A raffle was then held for the group’s Rising Star Fund which pays for training costs and travel to competitions for budding young canoers, who have demonstrated an avid interest in the hobby.

The raffle raised £390 for the fund.

Both groups have events planned for the near future, meaning anyone interested taking to the water can do so.

Essex Freestyle Community will host a sponsored paddle on May 20 and Colchester Canoe Club will host an NHS relax and unwind paddle on May 21.

With both events held at the Colchester Canoe Club in Brightlingsea, the sponsored paddle will seek to test paddlers' endurance raising money for the Vital Star Fund.

The NHS paddle will give critical workers a chance to take to the water and relax.

For more information on the events, or the Canoe Club itself, visit bit.ly/3VtgkKZ.

To contribute towards the Rising Stars Fund, visit bit.ly/3nnldJ5.