Category: International

The final international of the 2025 season is here and it is going to be a busy week of racing in Gyor, Hungary. Our Masters racing team kicked off the competition on Monday with the K1/C1 races, with triple medal success, followed by the K2/C2 races today. You can see all the finishes on the results page here. Well done to the whole team for an amazing competition once again! If you wish to get involved with the Masters team in the future, visit our dedicated information here to find out more.

The Junior, Under 23, Senior and Para racing kicks off from Thursday, with the official debut of para classes taking place on the first day alongside short course racing for the other categories. With multiple entries in races across all four days of competition, it will be an action-packed four days of racing so make sure you tune in to cheer on our amazing British team.

Start lists and live results for all events can be found here. Any live updates from our British team will be shared via our social media platforms throughout the event as well.

All racing will be live streamed via the PlanetCanoe Youtube Channel. For full information on how to become a member to the channel to access the live stream, visit our how to watch Canoe Marathon website page.

Thursday 4th September Schedule

Friday 5th September Schedule

Saturday 6th September Schedule

Sunday 7th September Schedule

We are looking forward to some exciting racing over the next few days! Good luck to all!

The 87th Descenso Internacional Del Sella will take place this Saturday 9th August in Asturias, Spain. We have a long history with paddlers competing in the event from teams being selected historically to several clubs now supporting paddler entries over recent years.

In the 87th edition, we have 60 boats with 104 paddlers representing Great Britain and their clubs on the start line. You can find the full start lists via the event results page here. All paddlers will start at 11am BST from Arriondas and racing the 20k route down to the sea at Ribadesella. If you have not had the opportunity to watch any of the previous Sella Descents, you can find live streams and videos on youtube here.

While majority of the racers will only compete on the Saturday, the Senior Men K2 and K1 racers also compete tomorrow morning in a time trial to determine their starting order on Saturday. You can view the full results from this time trial here.

Spanish television live stream the whole descent, with a focus on the front of the race. You can find the live stream for this on the RTVE website here.

We wish all British racers the best of luck and we look forward to cheering you all on via the live stream on Saturday.

This weekend (9th – 10th August), Melissa Johnson (Nottingham Kayak Club) and James Russell (Chelmsford Canoe Club) will be representing Great Britain and Canoe Marathon on the disciplines biggest stage, The World Games.

What is The World Games?

The World Games is an international multi-sport event, similar to the Olympic Games, but including sports that are not part of the traditional Olympic Games Programme. It is held every four years and in 2025, it will take place in Chengdu, China. Canoe Marathon has been an official event at The World Games since the 2022 edition in Birmingham, United States. Dragon Boating and Canoe Polo will also be part of the event programme, as well as many other sports.

Nations are required to qualify spots in the two race categories at the previous years World Championships. The two categories available for qualification are Senior Men K1 and Senior Women K1. For the 2025 edition, our senior athletes qualified both available spots, which continues our prefect qualification record for a second games in a row.

What does Canoe Marathon look like at The World Games?

At this year The World Games, canoe marathon involves two distances, short course and standard distance.

On Saturday 9th August, James and Melissa will compete in short course heats, where the fastest five boats from each heat will go into the final as well as the five next fastest finishers. The short course finals will be later that afternoon.

On Sunday 10th August, both categories will have a standard distance race of 21.5 kilometres and 8 portages.

How can I watch and support the team?

The World Games has officially launched it’s own platform for spectators and fans to follow all the live action. The World Games Live is an website and app which “will offer live coverage of competitions, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, and medal ceremonies for all 34 sports of the programme. After each event concludes, all streamed content will become available as video on demand (VoD), ensuring fans can relive the highlights whenever they choose. Additionally, the platform will feature daily highlights and a dedicated Daily Show throughout the Games. The application will be available on desktop and mobile versions, completely free-of-charge”.

You can also follow along via our normal social media channels (as well as possible with the time difference!).

Schedule of Events

Thursday 7th August

Saturday 9th August

Sunday 10th August

We look forward to cheering both James and Melissa!

The final day of racing kicked off with what is often the most chaotic event at any canoe marathon championship: the Junior Men’s K2. Representing Great Britain were Will Short (Elmbridge Canoe Club) and Alex Worgan (Richmond Canoe Club), both racing for the third time during this championship. The question on everyone’s mind: could Will make it three-for-three in the medals with Alex’s support?

The race began with difficulty, as Will and Alex found themselves squeezed into the back washes and positioned off the outside of the front group almost immediately, forcing them into chase mode within the first twenty strokes. Undeterred, they showed grit and determination, setting a relentless pace as they fought their way back through the field.

By the end of the second large lap, the British pair had made up significant ground, closing in on a lead group of four. A disorganised first portage from the leaders created the perfect opportunity for Will and Alex, and they successfully moved up into a chase group of five. The two Hungarian boats managed to slip away at the front.

The next lap was marked by frustration, as indecision within the chase group prevented any meaningful pursuit of the Hungarians. Despite their best efforts to rally a cohesive chase, Will and Alex had to shift focus to securing the bronze.

Approaching the penultimate portage, a strong run broke the group apart, leaving just the British duo and a capable Italian crew in contention for third. A tactical and controlled final lap followed, with Will and Alex taking the lead from the bridge onward. Holding off a final sprint from the Italians, they crossed the line in 1:34:50 to secure the bronze medal.

This result marked a remarkable achievement for Will Short, who became the only Junior Man to medal in all three of his events at the championships; completing the full set of gold, silver, and bronze.

Reflecting on their championships, Alex said: “The first two laps were pretty hard. I was throwing up before the start because I was quite nervous, which didn’t really help. But then we put the hammer down after the first turn and just pushed hard until we caught up with the group. We managed to get into a group of four before the first portage and then we saw the two Spanish boats fall in and we got into a group with them from there.”

“It was pretty hard to deal with [co-ordinating the group to chase the lead pair]. It was quite frustrating. The Spanish weren’t really agreeing with anything that the group was doing and didn’t want to do much work but we managed to get away from them with the Italians and worked hard to the end.”

“[My personal highlight] was catching the other group up. Will did a really good job and then we managed to break away at the second to last portage as well.”

Will said: “[We had to] stay relaxed after the start because it is pretty hard, we were quite far back and we just did what we knew what we were good at so I think we executed that well.”

The Senior Women’s K2 event featured a smaller, yet competitive field packed with experienced international paddlers. Great Britain fielded two crews for this race. Katie Brookes (Richmond Canoe Club) and Elise Montagna (Royal Canoe Club) teamed up after strong individual performances in the Under 23 Women’s K1 race earlier in the week. The second British crew featured marathon debutants Jessie Urquhart (Nottingham Kayak Club) and Brynde Kreft (Falcon Canoe Club), both making their first appearance together on the international stage.

A tough start saw both crews miss the front group and its vital washes. Nevertheless, they quickly settled into a determined chase. Within the first two laps, both British boats had overtaken the Danish crews and began reeling in one of the Portuguese pairs, catching them just as they entered a portage.

From there, Katie and Elise broke away alongside the Portuguese team, while Jessie and Brynde, beginning to feel the fatigue, were forced to drop back slightly. A small rudder issue toward the end of the race cost Jessie and Brynde additional time, though they managed to hold their position.

Katie and Elise delivered a strong final lap to secure 7th place in a time of 2:04:01. Jessie and Brynde followed shortly after, finishing in 9th with a time of 2:07:33, a commendable performance in their international marathon debut.

The final race of the day and of the entire championship was the Senior Men’s K2, an event that consistently delivers high drama and excitement. As the afternoon wore on, temperatures climbed to nearly 30°C, adding an extra layer of difficulty to the gruelling 30km course.

Great Britain was represented by two boats: newly-crowned European Champion James Russell (Chelmsford Canoe Club) partnered with Charlie Smith (Nottingham Kayak Club), while young Under 23 athletes Joe Enoch and Sam Cribbett (both of Nottingham Kayak Club) lined up in the second crew.

A blistering start saw both British boats secure spots in the front group. The pace was relentless from the outset, quickly stretching out the field until a lead group of ten formed; a mix of seasoned competitors and promising younger crews. That group remained largely intact through much of the race, with any small splinters managing to rejoin thanks to well-timed efforts. Joe and Sam delivered a particularly impressive performance, repeatedly catching back onto the group and positioning themselves smartly on the wash after each effort. 

However, as the race approached the penultimate portage, the intense pace began to take its toll. Both British crews slipped off the back washes and, despite their best efforts, were unable to re-establish contact with the leaders. The final long lap followed by a short lap saw James and Charlie secure 8th place with a time of 2:03:31, closely followed by Joe and Sam in 9th with 2:03:37, just 90 seconds outside the podium.

This race brought a close to an outstanding championship for the British team. Finishing 4th in the overall medal table, the squad delivered numerous standout performances, not only in medal finishes but also in top five and ten placements, as well as many promising debut appearances. All of which should boost this team going into the next events in the 2025 season. 

To see the full results from Sunday’s racing, you can visit the Memosoft results site here.

Looking ahead, attention now shifts to the National Canoe Marathon Championships, set to take place in Norwich on the 26th and 27th of July. In August, the spotlight turns to the World Games in Chengdu, where James Russell (Chelmsford Canoe Club) and Melissa Johnson (Nottingham Kayak Club) will proudly represent Great Britain on the global stage.

James Russell (Chelmsford Canoe Club) was victorious in the K1 Senior Men race on Saturday of the 2025 Canoe Marathon European Championships, becoming the first Brit to claim the title ever. Will Short (Elmbridge Canoe Club) also continued to add to the impressive results from the team as he took the silver medal in the K1 Junior Men race at the start of the day.

The spectators packed the traditional and well-known Ponte-de-Lima bridge for the start of the last race of Saturday and it was the turn of the K1 Senior Men. Representing Great Britain were seasoned international racers, James Russell (Chelmsford Canoe Club) and Matt Johnson (Nottingham Kayak Club). Matt even had the privilege of having the on-board camera for the live stream during his race so as the race got underway we got great shots of his start and how he moved onto the front wash in the lead group. James had a dominant start, finding himself on the front washes from the beginning. 

A large group into the first turn meant the back washes were strung out on the start of the upstream stretch. James survived well through the relentless changes of pace throughout the laps into the first portage, whereas Matt dropped back into a respectable chase group. The race has already been deemed one of the best tactical Senior Men K1 races for years, with a highly competitive front group that stretched the field early. Constant wash changing and smart decisions took a lot of energy out of the field but made an exciting race for those watching. It ended up coming down the final portage, turn and sprint in. Not even the commentary could call it.

A tactical masterclass and raw turn of speed saw James surge past Romahlo from Portugal and Vold for Norway to claim the European Title in a time of 02:06:32 over the 29.8km course. Matt put down a strong finish to secure 15th position in a time of 02:11:30. 

Reflecting on his historic win, James said: “It feels pretty amazing at this point. I am also quite tired so I have a bit of a mix of feelings at the moment but I didn’t know that [I am the first Brit to take the title] going in or after. That’s quite a cool thing to hold and I am really really excited about it.”

“Quite a lot [was going through my mind coming into the last portage and final sprint]. The whole sort of last two laps when it came back together was quite hectic, so much battling for the lead. I just sort of picked my moment and tried to make it stick, which I did going into the last portage. Then I was focusing on getting back in with the group. I knew I had a big finish in me after the short course racing so I was trying to stay attached to the leaders so I could use that in the last hundred metres and it all worked out.”

“I want to give a big shout out to the two canoe clubs. I have been through Chelmsford [canoe club], where I grew up and where I learnt a lot of the racing skills and then my current club at the moment, Nottingham [Kayak Club]. We’ve got a big training group there and I think that definitely paid off today when the group of eight started happening the last two laps. I am lucky enough to train with more than eight people on a regular basis so I think that paid off today.”

The standard distance race in the Junior Men’s K1 category covered 22.6 km and included five portages. Great Britain was represented by Will Short of Elmbridge Canoe Club, fresh off his victory as the newly-crowned Junior Men’s K1 Short Course European Champion, and Alex Worgan of Richmond Canoe Club.

With a large field of over 24 boats on the start line, competition for the front washes was fierce. Will launched off the line and quickly secured his place in the lead group. Alex faced a more challenging start but worked hard to get on the wash before the first turn.

As the race progressed upstream, the leading pack began to stretch out and fragment. Will managed to maintain his position in the front group, while Alex found himself dropped back into a chasing pack. The intensity of the portages at the front of the race created a high-stress environment, but Will remained composed and focused throughout.

The medals came down to a final portage and an all-out sprint to the finish. Will delivered a strong run to position himself alongside reigning World Champion Candela of Italy. In a thrilling final push, Candela edged ahead with a slightly quicker sprint finish. Will claimed the silver medal in a time of 1:38:50, adding yet another international medal to his growing collection. Alex continued to fight all the way to the line, finishing a commendable 9th in 1:42:44. Both athletes are set to join forces in the K2 race tomorrow morning, promising more exciting action to come.

Reflecting on his race, Will said: “It was very different to the short course [on Thursday] as there was a much bigger group for a lot longer. [Tomorrow] the plan is to stay safe in the first couple of laps and then see what we can do towards the end [in the K2].”

Racing alongside the Junior Men K1, the Senior Women’s C1 event saw Beth Gill of Nottingham Kayak Club return to international marathon competition following injury. Beth got away cleanly from the start line, but a tough battle for wash around the top turn saw her slip back in the field. Despite the setback, she showed determination and resilience, powering through the race to finish in a time of 1:27:45. With her return to form underway, we look forward to seeing Beth competing at the front of the international marathon scene once again.

In a fiercely competitive Junior Women’s K2 race, Britain was represented by two boats. Kamila Sklenarova of Norwich Canoe Club paired with marathon debutant Frankie Scrivener of Falcon Canoe Club, while Elmbridge Canoe Club’s Sophie Dunlop teamed up with 15-year-old Matilda Burton, making her international debut.

Sophie and Matilda got off to a fantastic start, confidently securing a spot in the front group. Kamila and Frankie experienced some early incidents but skillfully latched onto the wash of a Hungarian K2, allowing them to bridge up to the leaders. A tight group of over ten boats remained intact through the first lap, but the pace and tactical turns eventually caused a split before the first portage.

Both British crews found themselves in the chase group, working hard to stay in contention. Kamila and Frankie crossed the line in 6th place with a time of 1:33:05, closely followed by Sophie and Matilda, who finished 8th in 1:33:17. 

After her race, Frankie said: “It went very well. We had clean portages on all of them and we stayed calm. We had a good race. The flow [is a particular challenge]. We had to be careful on both turns, and had to learn which arch is best to take the quickest line. We practiced it on the water before the race and tested it out as well as having other opinions from the seniors of how they found the course and learning from them.”

The Senior Women’s K1 featured a small yet highly competitive field. Melissa Johnson of Nottingham Kayak Club represented Great Britain for the third consecutive year at the European Canoe Marathon Championships. The race began with a battle for position, and Melissa found herself contesting the back washes of the front group alongside Denmark’s Winther. As the race unfolded, the front group fractured due to a mix of high pace and capsizes. Melissa remained composed, staying in the hunt within the chase pack.

A powerful final lap saw her reel in Czechia paddler Katrina Milova, and the two engaged in a head-to-head sprint to the finish. Melissa surged ahead to take 8th place, crossing the line in a time of 2:09:53, which is another strong performance on the European stage.

To see the full results from Saturday’s racing, you can visit the Memosoft results site here. 

Sunday will see the last few races of the championship and the turn of the K2’s for both the Junior Boys, Senior Women and Senior Men. It will certainly be an action-packed day of racing. Follow all the live action on the PaddleUK social media channels and Canoe Europe’s YouTube livestream.

Good luck to all our athletes!

Will Short (Elmbridge Canoe Club) was crowned K1 Junior Men Short Course European Champion in a strategic and smart head-to-head race against Sean Butterly from Ireland, while James Russell (Chelmsford Canoe Club) upgraded his 2024 European Bronze medal by claiming an excellent silver medal in the K1 Senior Men Short Course Final.

The European Championships in Ponte de Lima, Portugal, saw continued British success in the fast-paced short course format; an exciting 3.2km event featuring tight turns and two portages. Despite persistent rain, all British athletes progressed through their morning heats to reach the finals.

To read the rest of this write-up, visit the Paddle UK New article here.