Partying paddlers help canoeist mark 90th birthday

Robin Powell is one of the founding members of Worcester Canoe Club

A 90-year-old canoeist is still making lengthy trips along the River Severn after decades in the sport.

Robin Powell was one of the founders of Worcester Canoe Club and paddles four miles (6.4km) three times a week, as well as tutoring those new to the activity.

His milestone birthday was celebrated at a surprise party organised by members.

Mr Powell said: "I started when I was 10 - you don't get kicked on the shins, you don't get knocked on the floor and trampled on like rugby."

Robin Powell has been canoeing since the age of 10 after his dad bought him a canoe for £2

Mr Powell said he fell in love with the sport after his dad bought him a canoe for £2 and since then he had spent 80 years exploring the River Severn and beyond.

He has coached and mentor generations of canoeists making their way through the club.

"Even as a 10-year-old I was the only one who knew how to paddle a canoe because we had one... I was tutoring people who were older than me," he said.

"Anybody that has been at the Worcester Canoe Club for any length of time has either been tutored by me or tutored by somebody I've tutored."

Helen, a member of the club, told BBC Hereford & Worcester she could not "imagine the River Severn without Robin".

She said: "Whenever I come down he is always here taking people out and he really puts other people before himself."

The club's membership secretary Claudia joked: "If I'm still getting out of bed at 90 I'll be amazed."

"[Robin] is so inspiring - to think at his age [he is] still paddling 12 miles a week is phenomenal."