News

News

Masters International Racing 2025 Opportunities

2025 will see three great international races that we hope to have GB Masters competing in.

The Waterlands International race, 12th April,  in Holland is a challenging marathon on canals and a lake. The windy conditions make this a true test of stability and stamina. Entries are now open and there may be places on the Paddle UK trailer or car share with other paddlers.

European Masters Championships will be on the 2nd & 3rd June in Portugal. Provided there is enough interest, we will be taking the Masters trailer.

World Masters Championships will be in Hungary on the 2nd & 3rd September. We will be taking the Masters trailer to this great event.

To help with planning and coordination please let the Masters lead, Bryn Price, know if you want to join the team for any of these events via his email here.

Volunteer Needed: International Logistics

The Marathon Racing Committee are seeking a willing volunteer to support them in the co-ordination, organisation and bookings for International Trips. This is an urgent role that needs filling ASAP to ensure 2025 internationals happen. We welcome enquires from anyone but especially someone with experience within the travel industry. There will be suitable guidance and support from experienced volunteers.

The role involves:

  •  Identify and book suitable flights and accommodation following input from the Chair of Selectors regarding team size, construction and is within budget. For 2025 this will include the German National Marathon Championships in May, European Marathon Championships in June, World Marathon Championships in September and the French National Marathon Championships also in September. Plus possibly the World Games in August.
  • Liaise with MRC treasurer and internal logistics admin re hotels, ferries and flights.
  • Liaise with ICF/ECA race organisers re transport to and from the airport and also the hotel.
  • Liaise with both the French and German Nationals race organisers re our juniors competing. 
  • Liaise between staff and PUK transport department re collections and return of the minibuses and trailer. This will include raising the Carnet with HMRC in good time following input from international logistics admin and sending to the team drivers.

Please contact the MRC Secretary here if interested.

Updated Paddlesport Head Injury Guidance

Please see the linked information of the updated Paddlesport Head Injury Guidance as published by PaddleUK. Head injuries can occur in various ways and it is imperative that anyone within Paddlesport is able to spot the signs of these type of incidents, whether as a coach, race organiser or just a paddler themselves.

JDS Winter Skills Days 2024/25: Day 2 sign-up now open!

The MRC, SRC and Paddle England Talent are pleased to announce that our second JDS winter series event is now open for booking. Please click HERE if you would like to book a spot. 

The event will be taking place at Papercourt Lake, near Guildford on Saturday 14th December. The day will be in K2/C2s and will seek to develop crew boat skills amongst paddlers, including building an understanding of how to run the boat, the importance of communication skills and pacing. Paddlers will need to bring a K2/C2 to the event, please speak to your club about borrowing if needed and/or liaise with other paddlers who may attend.  

The session specific coaching will be led by Maia Wallace-Loziou (Richmond Canoe Club) & Becky Solway (Elmbridge Canoe Club) throughout the day, while being supported by the JDS Steering Group. The steering group will be running an educational lunchtime session around motivators and goals for the juniors as well to support conversations with their coaches at their home clubs.

For more information about the JDS, including entry criteria and to sign up please click HERE. As a reminder, the cost is £10. Sign up closes on Friday 6th December at 17:00. Late sign-ups won’t be accepted.  

Club Coaches are encouraged to attend, either to support the running of the sessions (on the water) or to shadow and learn for development opportunities. To do this please sign up HERE. Coaches that will earn 10 CPD points for their coaching record. 

Training Camp Spots: Individuals and Clubs

The German canoe marathon team is planning a training camp in Crestuma/Portugal from March 6th to March 22nd, 2025. For this purpose, they are looking for common partners to form a strong training group from which everyone can benefit.

We are at the ELIO training camp in Crestuma. Everyone has to book their own journey.

The following services are provided (60 Euro per day per person and each group gets its own invoice):

  • Shuttle Airport
  • Laundry service
  • Motorboat (petrol extra)
  • Rental boat
  • Full board
  • Group accommodation for 2-4 people, separately by arrangement.

The camp is accompanied by two German trainers: Elena Colajanni and Reinhard Ross. Contents of the training are individual after consultation with the trainer group.

Pre-register by November 25th, 2024.
Final registration by January 5, 2025.

Total participants according to free capacity, whoever registers first is there first.

Contact Reinhard Ross via his email here.

Marathon Racing Committee Meeting: Community Points or Issues

The Marathon Racing Committee will be meeting for their annual all day meeting on Saturday 16th November. If anyone has any points, issues or comments that they would like the MRC to consider during that meeting, please email to the MRC Secretary by midday on Sunday 10th November.

Recruiting now: Expression of Interest for the MRC Selection Committee 2025

The MRC Selection Committee are seeking expressions of interest from members of the canoeing community who would be like to become part of the selection panel for Great Britain marathon canoeing. 

We are seeking people who have a sound understanding of marathon canoeing in the UK and an awareness of the processes involved for athletes seeking International Selection. We are particularly looking for individuals who demonstrate integrity, impartiality and good communication skills to join our committee. 

All interested parties should apply by email with a supporting statement (approximately 500 words) to the Chair of the Marathon Selection Committee, Nanette North, by Wednesday 6th November. 

National School Championships 2024 – Entries now open!

The MRC and Devizes to Westminster Organisation are looking forward to hosting the 2024 edition of the National School Championships on Sunday 17th November at Hawley Lake.

For full information on entry requirements, please visit the DW website page here.

To enter, you can download the entry form here.

Junior Development Squad Winter Series 24/25 Day 1 Sign-up

The MRC, SRC and Paddle England Talent Department pleased to announce that our first JDS winter series event is now open for booking. Please click HERE if you would like to book a spot. 

The event will be taking place at Gloucester Canoe Club on Saturday 19th October. The day will be in K2/C2s and will seek to develop crew boat skills amongst paddlers, including building an understanding of how to run the boat, the importance of communication skills and pacing. Paddlers will need to bring a K2/C2 to the event, please speak to your club about borrowing if needed and/or liaise with other paddlers who may attend.  

The day will be led by Alice Murphy & Holly Mobbs. 

For more information about the JDS, including entry criteria and to sign up please click HERE. As a reminder, the cost is £10. Sign up closes on Friday 11th October at 17:00. Late entries won’t be accepted.  

Club Coaches are encouraged to attend. If any coach would like to play a more formal role in the day by supporting the delivery to paddlers we would be very appreciative, to do this please sign up HERE. Coaches that will earn 10 CPD points for their coaching record. These days would not function without volunteer coaches and we are greatly appreciative of ALL coaches that can offer some time to support and are also willing to learn and develop practices during the day.

Hasler Finals 2024 Cancellation

Please see the below letter from Richmond Canoe Club, the organisers of the 2024 Hasler Final.

Dear Participants, Volunteers, and Supporters,

It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the cancellation of the Hasler Final 2024, scheduled for Sunday, 6th October, at Ham Riverside, Richmond upon Thames. This difficult decision was made with the safety and well-being of everyone in mind.

Why we’ve made this decision
As of 1st October, river flow at Kingston is 246.171 m³/sec—far exceeding safe levels for paddling. Unfortunately, with more rain expected and high water levels unlikely to recede in time, we cannot guarantee safe conditions for the race.

We know it’s a regular occurrence for races to be cancelled on this stretch of river. Even though we Richmond paddlers like to blame all the water from upstream, we also know how dangerous this stretch of water can be, and as such, we have spent significant time in our risk assessments and PLA condition negotiations, all of which are telling us it’s not safe to proceed. 

The river is just too dangerous, with strong currents and increased debris that even experienced paddlers would struggle to navigate. Safety measures we’d normally rely on are also less effective in these conditions. We cannot take the risk.

Looking ahead
We are considering the possibility of rescheduling the event. We are looking at the feasibility of holding the event at a November race date at an alternative location. We will keep you updated with any developments over the next 14 days, including refunds and transfer of entries.

Volunteers & Vendors
Volunteers will be contacted personally with further information. Vendors and suppliers will hear from us individually to discuss arrangements.

Thank You
We want to extend our deepest thanks to everyone. Athletes, volunteers, sponsors, and the community of Richmond Canoe Club, your support has been incredible, and it means a lot. We know how much time, energy, and passion you’ve all invested in this event and the Hasler series in 2024, and we share in your disappointment. 

While we can’t race this time, I have no doubt that we’ll come together for future events when conditions allow us to enjoy the sport we love.

Please stay safe on the water, and we look forward to seeing you all soon. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out at marathon@richmondcanoe.club, and stay tuned to our website and social media for updates.