Dean Jordan took part in the New Year's Day fancy dress paddle on Waterloo Lake in Roundhay Park. placeholder image
Dean Jordan took part in the New Year's Day fancy dress paddle on Waterloo Lake in Roundhay Park. | Steve Riding

14 brilliant photos as festive fancy dress paddlers make a splash at Roundhay Park to start 2026

Dozens of paddlers caused a splash to start off their New Year at Roundhay Park.

Aqua Paddle Leeds held its inaugural paddle at Waterloo Lake, in the Leeds park, on New Years Day.

Around 36 people took to the water at the event hosted by Dean Jordan and the team at the White Rose Canoe Club and Leeds Dock Paddle Boarding (SUP) School.

The next event will be held at the end of the month.

The free 5km paddle, which organisers say is like a Park Run but on water, was followed by a festive fancy dress paddle on the lake.

Colourful costumes including turkeys, dinosaurs and unicorns were spotted taking to the water as Yorkshire Evening Post photographer Steve Riding captured the action this morning.

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