Leighton Buzzard Hasler
Please find here the information for the 2023 Leighton Buzzard CC Hasler race, which will take place on Sunday 18 June.
New Athlete Representative required for selection committee – Urgent!
The MRC Selection Committee are seeking a volunteer to join as Athlete Representative.Â
The athlete representative will be invited to all selection meetings, and will be able to contribute to the discussion, but is not a voting member of the selection committee.
Requirements of the athlete representative:
- Act as an independent member of the committee (not MRC, a current athlete seeking selection or club coach).
- They should bring with them experience of being an international athlete (where possible).
- Know and understand the selection policy.
- Question and challenge the process during the meetings to ensure selections are made in line with the policy
The next meeting of the selection committee will be in the days following the assessment weekend 10th/11th June, and the new athlete representative should be available to join this meeting.Â
For more information and to register interest please contact Tom Sharpe by Sunday 4th June.
K1/C1 & K2/C2 Assessment Weekend June 10/11th
This assessment weekend will have a singles long course race on the Saturday and doubles long course race on the Sunday. The assessment will be used for the following:
- Lead assessment for the European Championships
- The K2 assessment will be used with the Short Course Nationals as joint lead assessment for the Sanabria K4 (date now updated in the selection policy here).
- Continuous assessment for the World Championships (although is not the lead assessment for selection to this international)
To be considered for selection for the below internationals, you must complete the availability forms by Midnight on Wednesday 7th June:
- European Championships: Euros Availability Form
- Sanabria K4: Sanabria Availability Form
The assessment weekend was due to take place in the Thames Valley. Unfortunately, this has not been possible due an extremely high number of regattas and fates taking place over the same weekend on this stretch of the Thames. Elmbridge have kindly offered to host again. We would like to thank them. It not only keeps the event close to the original area announced but it also an excellent venue for the assessment weekend. We would like to recognise that the K2 race clashes with Royal’s Hasler, which is unfortunate as it is in the same region. We hope that this change in location does not impact their event.
Due to a local raft race, the busy time of year on the Thames, and to reduce interclass wash hanging, the starts will be split across the day into two starts. The Saturday will see a large gap between starts to avoid the local fete raft race. The Sunday starts will be run back to back. We appreciate the timetable may not be ideal for some, however Elmbridge have taken a lot of time to consider the best way to execute a professional and fair assessment event which is reflected in the schedule they have produced. They will shortly publish the race pack and open entries to the event. When open, entries can be found on the entry site: K1/C1 Entries, K2/C2 Entries.
Please take the time to familiarise yourself with the Selection Policy: 2023 Selection Policy. If you have any further questions regarding the Selection Process, please contact the Chair of the Selectors, Nanette North on: marathon.selectors@vol.britishcanoeing.org.uk
Updated Team Announcement for 2023 World Cup and German Nationals
The Marathon Selection Committee wanted to provide an update on the team attending the 2023 World Cup and German Nationals. Congratulations to the athletes on their selections to their respective teams.
Ted (Edward) Tandy
We were saddened to hear the news of Ted ( Edward ) Tandy’s death on 2nd April 2023. Ted was an active member of Bradford on Avon CC for many decades, and Commodore and Coach at the club from the late 1950’s.
Ted was instrumental in developing and introducing proper on- and off-water training techniques into long distance kayaking in the early 60’s, using his background in the Royal Marines as the foundation. Competing many times, and winning the 125 mile Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race on several occasions, Ted built up a fierce reputation as a coach, producing many top class paddlers – a number of whom went on to represent Great Britain as well as win multiple national titles.
After retiring Ted moved to Lancashire, but he recently relocated back to his home city of Bath. Last summer, at the age of 87, he was back down at his club helping to carry over sections of a new building, always wanting to be in the thick of any action!  Seen by some as a hard task master, he achieved and got results from himself and his paddlers. Long distance racing, the forerunner to today’s marathon kayak racing, owes a lot to a number of determined individuals such as Ted, without whose drive our sport might not exist today. Â
A great character, who had a huge and positive impact on so many, Ted always made sure everyone achieved their best, whether that was on and off the water.
National Short Course Marathon Championships 2023 – Final Details
The final race briefing for the 2nd edition of Short Course Nationals 2023 can be found here.
During the event, live streaming can be found via our Facebook group as well as updates throughout the day on our other social media channels.