Hackney pupils enjoy white-knuckle water ride to celebrate Olympics

Thrill-seeking students took to rafts along white water rapids as part of a festival marking 10 years since London won the 2012 Olympic Games.

Youngsters from the Petchey Academy in Shacklewell Lane, Dalston, were among those who got to enjoy a free session earlier this month at the Lee Valley White Water Centre, along the same course which Team GB conquered to win gold and silver in the London Olympics canoe slalom event almost three years ago.

Medal hopefuls for this year’s ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships, Mallory Franklin, Adam Burgess, Mark Proctor and Etienne Stott, joined the students as part of the Schools Festival two months before they compete at the event that the centre is hosting in September.

Derrick Ashley, chairman of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, said: “Since 2011, when the centre opened, the annual Schools Festivals at Lee Valley White Water Centre have given thousands of young people the chance to try white water rafting for free and we’re proud to provide these opportunities.

“Ten years on from the announcement of London’s successful bid and three years after hosting the London 2012 Canoe Slalom event Lee Valley White Water is a shining example of a successful sporting legacy.”

The Schools Festival was hosted by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority in partnership with the venue operators Lee Valley Leisure Trust.