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 Cups 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 very easy. 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.
Are the Masters Teams funded?
There is no funding available, 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. Members of a team can book a spot for your boat (subject to availability).
This trailer transport normally arrives at the event site on the Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning. 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. Ideally you should supply your own named straps and make sure your boat is in a secure bag for transport and protection. 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, as no responsibility can be accepted by the transport crew and drivers.
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 regional association. If you are able to make a podium position, you will be expected to wear a team tracksuit top.
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 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. Payment for an entry is made directly through the organisers link. When an entry is made, additional items can normally be paid for, such as meals on race days and passes for spectators, where applicable.
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.
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:
For up-to-date news on Masters racing, please visit the news section under the Masters category here.
