The tradition of paddle boarding on New Year’s Day held strong at Roundhay Park today (January 1), as an impressive crowd turned out to watch enthusiastic members of local clubs taking to Waterloo Lake.
As always, the teams from Leeds Dock Paddle Boarding and White Rose Canoe Club were clad in vibrant and eccentric costumes, including scary sharks, spell-binding witches and colourful unicorns.
Families watched in amusement on the first day of 2024, as Yorkshire Evening Post photographer Steve Riding captured all the action. Here are some of the best photos –
![Members of Leeds Dock Paddle Boarding and White Rose Canoe Club were among those braving the waters in colourful and crazy costumes.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmI4N2U2MjZmLTQ5OGMtNDFjNS1hZGY2LTQyNzY4NjdhZjBmYzphMzBmODAwMy0xNTVmLTQ5NzktYWJlZi0wZTZmOTBjZDE5MmM=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
1. New Year's Day paddle
Members of Leeds Dock Paddle Boarding and White Rose Canoe Club were among those braving the waters in colourful and crazy costumes.Photo: Steve Riding
![These three sharks had a fin-tastic view of Roundhay Park from Waterloo Lake!](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjMzYmMzMjZmLTJlZGUtNDExOC04MDk0LWZiN2E3NGZhZGRhOTozNmYwNGNkOC1kMjEyLTQ4NTAtYWVmNS1lMWVhMTA2Njk1Yjc=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
2. New Year's Day paddle
These three sharks had a fin-tastic view of Roundhay Park from Waterloo Lake!Photo: Steve Riding
![Paula Johnston, from Bramley, donned a silly hat for the New Year's festivities.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjJmYmE3MTU5LTJhMWMtNGQ1NS04NDJlLWM2NDZkNzQ3MDhiMDo5ZDc2OTg4OC05OTUyLTQ0NGUtOGRiZS03YWEyYWM3ZDAzMGU=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
3. New Year's Day paddle
Paula Johnston, from Bramley, donned a silly hat for the New Year's festivities.Photo: Steve Riding
![There were hundreds in attendance for the annual tradition, ringing in the New Year.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjQ4MTg1ODhiLTc5ZmMtNDA2YS04NGU1LWU3MThiNjEzZDVhNzozNzhlZmQ0Ni1iYzIyLTRhZDctYjgyNC05NmM3YjYxMTE4YzU=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
4. New Year's Day paddle
There were hundreds in attendance for the annual tradition, ringing in the New Year.Photo: Steve Riding
![Christina McLeod, of New Farnley, ventured out on her paddle board to celebrate the arrival of 2024.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjlhMjlkZDM0LWExMWQtNGIxZS1hNTE1LThlNDMwZDJlOWY0ODowZWUxMjIwZC0zZDEzLTQyNmItOWM0OC05MjE5N2RhNTViODk=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
5. New Year's Day paddle
Christina McLeod, of New Farnley, ventured out on her paddle board to celebrate the arrival of 2024.Photo: Steve Riding
![One of the most eye-catching costumes this year, Dean Jordan was chasing rainbows on Waterloo Lake.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmQzMzM0ZDM4LWU5ODEtNGI1Yy1hNzEwLTFlNjI0M2VkMGFjYTpjNjJkNzJjYy05ZjFiLTRiMDctODEwNS03YzcwZjE5ZDI3M2E=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
6. New Year's Day paddle
One of the most eye-catching costumes this year, Dean Jordan was chasing rainbows on Waterloo Lake.Photo: Steve Riding