News

News

JDS Winter Skills Days 2024/25: Day 4 sign-up now open!

   22 February 2025    Athlete Development, Athletes, Coaching

The MRC, SRC and Paddle England Talent are pleased to announce that our fourth 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 Reading Canoe Club. The day will have a K4 focus for athletes and will seek to develop knowledge, understanding and skills for crewboat racing. This JDS event will be led by Imogen Collins and Nerys Hall.

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 7th March at 17:00. Late entries 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. 

European Masters Championships 2025

   22 February 2025    Athletes, International, Racing

Registration for the European Masters Championships to be help in Portugal is now open and you can find the first bulletin for the event here.

Paddle UK need to be informed of any team members going. Information to follow on this.

Transport of Boats

The plan for the trailer taking kayaks to the European Masters Championships has been finalised.

The Trailer will be loading on the 24th May and the 25th May from Maidstone. This is a weekend to facilitate people bringing boats.

We will be returning to Maidstone on the 6th June and boat collections will be on the 7 & 8th June.

This will allow boats to be delivered at the weekend and collected likewise at the weekend after we return from Portugal.

The cost per boat will be £170.00.

As usual the cost will include the Insurance needed to cover any import / export duty for a boat not able to be returned to the UK.  This does not cover the actual boat, and paddlers are reminded that you can organise your own Boat Insurance through your Household Insurance or through Paddle UK Deal.

Team Kit

Joe Fitzpatrick, MRC Kit Lead, is ordering the new Paddle UK kit. If you still have the Team GB kit, we used last year this will still be valid for the European Championships. We will provide an update soon on the new kit if you wish to update.

Bryn, the MRC Masters Lead, will have a couple of Podium Jackets that will need to be worn when you get on the podium.   

K2 Races 

As usual, we hope to field a strong team in both the K1 and K2 events. If you have not yet found a K2 partner, please use the Masters WhatsApp group to try to link up with a paddler in an age group the same as or near your age group. Access can be achieved by emailing the MRC Masters Lead here.

Flatwater Technique Workshops

   22 February 2025    Coaching

The England Talent Programme is offering clubs the opportunity to host a forward paddling technique workshop. The workshop is run and delivered by Scott Hynds, our Flatwater Coach Developer 

The workshop will cover all aspects of forward paddling technique and will provide coaches the opportunity to understand in person the more intricate parts. Moreover, the in person experience seeks to build upon the three technique guides that were released last year and provide an opportunity for discussion and questions from those in attendance. 

If your club is interested in hosting a forward paddling technique workshop, please contact Scott Hynds directly at [email protected].

UPDATE: 2025 Key Marathon Dates

   5 February 2025    National, Racing

Due to reasons completely out of Worcester Canoe Club’s control, the original published date for the 2025 Hasler Finals has had to be moved to the 5th October.

Please update your personal calendars as well as any club calendars used. We look forward to seeing lots of competitive racing from qualified clubs and paddlers on the new date.

Seeking Volunteer for International Trips 2025

   22 January 2025    Coaching, International, Volunteers

The Marathon Racing Committee are seeking volunteer staff to support the GB team at its international races this year.

It’s a fun, rewarding but tiring few days travelling with our best athletes, helping them achieve their best possible results. You will be an integral part of the team and help out in a variety of ways potentially including driving, general organising, drinks changes at portages, emotional support, and safeguarding. Teams will be led by an experienced manager so new staff will be well supported and all forms of experience are welcome to volunteer. All expenses are paid, and team kit is provided.

We are looking for support staff for the following international trips in the 2025 season:

  • German National Marathon Championships – Kassel – 16-18th May
  • European Marathon Championships – Ponte-de-Lima, Portugal – 2nd-8th June
  • World Marathon Championships – Gyor, Hungary – 1st-7th September
  • French National Marathon Championships – Vernon – 27th-28th September

Travel will be around the advertised dates of the championships.

Please find further details and sign up below:

JDS Winter Skills Days 2024/25: Day 3 sign-up now open!

   12 January 2025    Athlete Development, Athletes, Coaching

The MRC, SRC and Paddle England Talent are pleased to announce that our third 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 the National Watersports Centre in Nottingham. The day will be in K4s and will have a focus on introducing and developing race day processes, as well as supporting the development of crew boat skills. The day will be led by Imogen Collins, while being supported by the JDS Steering Group. There will be also be a lunchtime talk as well as a parent talk available.

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 24th January at 17:00. Late entries 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. 

Non-Hasler Marathon Races 2025

   8 January 2025    Racing

Have you set a new years resolution to do more racing? Why not try out some of the marathon races that do not sit within the Hasler series? In the UK, we are incredibly fortunate to have a wide variety of races, from descent races to ultra marathons or even 10k time trails.

Have a look at our current list below. For live and up-to-date information on events throughout the year, keep an eye on our racing calendar here. Entries for lots of these races can be found on our entries site here.

2025 Key Marathon Dates

   3 January 2025    Governance, National, Racing

As we enter 2025, four key dates must be in your calendar so you can get involved in marathon throughout the year.

As always more dates can be found on the racing calendar throughout the racing season, including dates for local regional Hasler’s, international races, sprint regattas and even ocean races! This is the most up-to-date version of racing dates.

Masters International Racing 2025 Opportunities

   17 December 2024    Athletes, International, Masters, Racing

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.

URGENT Volunteer Needed: International Logistics

   1 December 2024    International, Organisation, Volunteers

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.

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