Nick Harding | @nickhdg | Sportscene - From time to time a legend may be unintentionally forgotten if they lead a humble existence out of the lime-light post-paddling career or if their successes were not documented.

Sportscene would like to pay tribute to such a hallmark name of '60s paddling resulting from a request from his family to celebrate a decade of incredible achievement.

Dr Charles Evans was a World Champion long-distance paddler and member of the Royal Canoe Club. A modest Briton, he currently lives in Cornwall and has no idea about this article! His illustrious career spanned 7 years, 1963-1970, representing Britain. Highlights, below, included winning 8 National Championships.

1965 – * National Champion: Spain
1966 – * National Champion: Spain
1968 – * National Champion: Britain, Spain * Captain: British team
1969 – * National Champion: Britain, Spain * Captain: British team
1970 – * National Champion: Britain, Denmark * Captain: British team

His reputation took off in Spain, his dominance came from winning one race the most; the Riba de Sella. 'He won as a single in 63, 64, 65, 66, not 67 as he was sailing in the Fastnet, 68, 69, and in 70 he came second in the doubles,' described his proud wife.

From the Spanish Federation's 1970 Annual (image adjacent), Sportscene contributor Gonzalo found that Evans won a silver medal at the Cares-Deva descent, a race sadly not held for about six years. The competition was only 50 metres away from Gonzalo's family home, he was yet to be born by 4 years though! 'Canoeing is like a small village, everybody is connected;' he very aptly quotes. 

Even now relatives of ex-paddlers continue to be successful. Willem Van Riet (RSA) initiated the first Bergrivier Canoe Marathon in 1962, one of his sons Ernest won a silver medal at the Masters K1 35-39 in September this year at the Marathon World Championships in Rome, his other son Enslin also came 6th in K1 Men 60-64.

After paddling professionally, Charles then served in the British Royal Navy from 1963-2004 representing them at sequential Interservice Championships, achievements unrecorded. The trail stops there for the time being. Sadly Charles' newspaper cuttings and his medals were stolen some years back.

Therefore if any readers have any further information about his paddling career on the world stage or in the armed forces, please contact Sportscene.

We will try to update this post again as the search uncovers more archive material.

Latest Updates

• 22-11-2012 Charles Evans's name is engraved on the bridge at Ribadesella. We will try to arrange a photo. 
• 09-04-2013 Gonzalo Melero received a link to this video (from 07:00 minutes): www.rtve.es/filmoteca/no-do/not-1344/1486414/