Masters Racing
In Canoe Marathon Racing, masters are paddlers who are over 35 years old on the 1st January of the year. Unlike the Hasler Series, many of the local and national races have entry categories by age group. This include the annual National Marathon Championships, the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race.
Internationally, Masters events are organised in conjunction with the World and European Championships every year. Racing at internationals is normally ranked in 5 year age bands for K1/C1 and 10 year age bands for K2/C2. Normally at the European and World Championships, Monday is masters K1/C1 racing and Tuesday is masters K2/C2 racing.
As the master’s teams are not based on a national selection process, joining the team is straightforward. Once you reach a proficient standard as a racer, you can get involved. On the behalf of the Marathon Racing Committee, Bryn Price co-ordinates Masters Racing Development and can be contacted for any questions or queries. There is a Whatsapp group where organisation for Masters Racing takes place. Access can be achieved by emailing the MRC Masters Lead via the email linked above as well as below..
Are the Masters Teams funded?
There is no funding available for individuals, so all masters team members need to pay their own travel and entry costs. The masters are financially supported by the Marathon Racing Committee, with a small budget, to facilitate a specific masters trailer to the major events – this covers part of ferry and carnet costs.As a member of the team, you can book a spot for your boat (subject to availability) and pay for the other costs for transport depending upon the venue.
This trailer transport normally arrives at the event site on the Friday evening/ Saturday afternoon prior to racing. Sunday is often the first day that the course is open for practice. Arrangements are made through the WhatsApp group nearer to the event to confirm loading details as well as on the MRC website. Usually, it is your responsibility to get your boat to one of the loading points although often team members combine transport to do this (arrange via WhatsApp). Ideally you should supply your own named straps and make sure your boat is in a secure bag for transport and protection. Only paddles in bags are to be stowed securely in boats. Upon return, arrangements will need to be made by you to collect your boat.
It is important to note that personal equipment on the Masters specific trailer is NOT insured and you should therefore make your own arrangements to insure your craft/paddles, as no responsibility can be accepted by the transport crew and drivers or Paddle UK.
How do paddlers go about training for international competitions?
Almost all of the masters paddlers regularly compete in the Hasler races and this provides a great background to building core skills. In 2020, a group of the masters team members started to run several training days at various venues around the country, with a particular focus on building K2 partnerships. We aim to continue to organise these in the future.
Will paddlers race in team colours?
Yes, masters, whatever their ability, are expected to race in an appropriate GB colours vest. To take part, you should be a full member of PaddleUK or national association. If you are able to make a podium position, you will be expected to wear a team tracksuit top, which will be loaned to you at the event.
Who do I notify if intending to take part in an international event and what status must I have?
You MUST be an ‘on the water’ member of Paddle UK (or equivalent devolved National Association). You MUST also inform the MRC Masters coordinator of your plans and details; your name can then be part of the submission to Paddle UK prior to the event. This is essential for INSURANCE purposes.
Third party only insurance is provided for the competition – it is important that you understand that personal or medical insurance do NOT come with Paddle UK membership. You should therefore arrange your own and ensure this includes kayaking competition.
If you are uncertain as to your suitability for competing at this level you should consider the specified distances for your age “class” and be confident that you can deliver reasonable comparable training runs; if in doubt you can discuss with the MRC Masters lead. If uncertain about any previous health issues, you should get your own independent medical advice. Events are of course arduous and can take place in much higher temperatures than those to which we are accustomed in the UK.
How do you enter and pay?
Entries are undertaken by individuals themselves using the online process that the event organisers publish. There is normally Bulletin 1 issued around 9 months in advance by the federation organisers giving basic travel and event details. Closer to the event Bulletin 2 is issued giving a timetable and it is at that point that entries normally open. Note that often entries are in two stages; first registering that you are competing and then entering specific races/classes. Additional races can be entered at the event but you must ensure you have completed registration and an initial entry as early as possible.
Payment for an entry is made directly through the organisers link, or if stated in bulletins, may be paid in Euros when registering at the event. When an entry is made, additional items can normally be paid for, such as meals on race days and passes for spectators. T-shirts etc can be bought at the event.
Accommodation, where available, is also able to be booked but normally only for the days of the Masters competition. The same accommodation is normally used for National teams arriving later in the week, so if you plan to stay to watch those events, you might want to book your own accommodation rather than use the organisers. Transport from nearby airports can also be booked although sometimes public transport or a hire car shared with others may be more economical.
Anti-Doping
All members of Paddle UK (and equivalent National Associations) are to abide by Paddle UK and UKAD anti-doping rules. Everyone entering ICF and/or International Rafting Federation (IRF) events has to abide by ICF/IRF anti-doping rules.
Anti-doping education is not just in the event that an athlete is tested, or to prove you have met a requirement, but to support the integrity of the sport and to help ensure our athletes are competing clean, making informed decisions and reducing the risks of inadvertent doping.
Paddle UK has an anti-doping education strategy “Paddle Clean” which sets out the education requirements set by the ICF and UKAD.
Paddle UK set expectations for behaviour, to consider the country that you are visiting and reflect upon what may not be tolerated or appropriate in the destination country such as bare chests, alcohol consumption etc. This equally applies in respect of Masters, as it does any other Paddle UK member.
Follow Masters Racing on Facebook™
Masters Racing also have their own Facebook™ group, which you can join if competing internationally is of interest to you as well as a place to find out all the latest information and general discussion:
Masters Canoe Team WhatsApp Group
There is also WhatsApp group for general discussion and information amongst the team. This is also a means of the MRC Masters lead passing information to you. These will be of interest to you as well as a place to find out all the latest information, raise questions and requests/offers of assistance. To request inclusion in the WhatsApp group please email Ian Bainbridge or Bryn Price.
For up-to-date news on Masters racing, please visit the news section under the Masters category here.
