Chelmsford Canoe Club Reclaims Hasler Trophy After Eight-Year Wait
Eight years after their last Hasler Trophy success, Chelmsford Canoe Club once again emerged as Britain’s leading marathon racing club, delivering a dominant display at the 2026 Hasler Final hosted by Richmond Canoe Club at Hurst Park.
The season finale brought together the strongest marathon racing clubs from across the country for one final showdown to determine the winner of British canoe marathon racing’s club competition. The day began under relatively kind conditions, but by the afternoon it felt as though autumn had truly arrived. As torrential rain swept across the venue, spectators were seen dashing for cars, event gazebos and dryrobes while paddlers continued battling for valuable points on the water. The dramatic weather only added to the atmosphere of a championship that produced large, competitive fields, with several start lines featuring more than 30 boats spread across multiple races on a packed river.
The Hasler Final is the culmination of a season-long competition in which clubs earn qualification through performances at regional Hasler races. The highest-scoring clubs from each region, along with a team representing the Combined Services, earn the right to compete for the Hasler Trophy. In 2026, 28 clubs from across England and Scotland secured qualification for the final through their performances across the regional Hasler series.
Earning a club place at the final is only part of the challenge. Most paddlers must complete at least three qualifying races during the season before becoming eligible to compete, while clubs must rely on performances throughout their entries to build a winning total. At the final, points are awarded across the divisions, with each club’s twelve highest-scoring paddlers counting towards the final standings. This format means success depends not only on race winners but also on strength throughout the club.
That depth proved decisive for Chelmsford. They managed to finish on 587 points, ahead of Elmbridge on 577 points and Wey on 576 points. The Essex side recorded thirteen podium finishes across the day’s racing, including three wins, six second places and four thirds. Such was their strength across the divisions that even removing several of their counting performances from the results still left them ahead of all other clubs.
Alongside the club title, individual trophies are also rewarded at the end of the day prizegiving. Chelmsford’s Cassian Payne claimed the Adam Thomasson Trophy as winner of the Division 2 race, while Seth Bailey of Truro secured the Ross Warland Memorial Trophy as the highest-placed junior in Division 4. Richmond’s Molly Bates took home the Committee Cup as the highest-placed junior woman in the highest kayak division. The Rhodes White Trophy for the fastest senior man over the 12-mile course went to Tom Lusty of Solihull, while Greta Roeser of Wey claimed the David Shankland Trophy as the fastest female paddler over the same distance. Henry Pitt of Royal earned the Barber Trophy as the fastest junior over the 12-mile course, and Richmond’s Brett Irvine and Steve Baker won the Bill Sparks Trophy as the highest-placed veteran K2 crew in the highest division.
As the rain finally eased and boats were loaded for the journey home, attention was already beginning to turn towards next season. The 2027 Hasler Final will be jointly hosted by Burton Phoenix Racers and Solihull Canoe Club on 10 October so make sure you get racing to qualify yourself and your club through your regional Haslers!
Thank you to Richmond Canoe Club and the team of volunteers who delivered an excellent 2026 Hasler Final at Hurst Park.
If you wish to find out more about Hasler racing, visit our website page here.