News

News

Britain continues to be a strong presence at the Masters Canoe Marathon World Championships

   10 September 2025    International, Masters, Racing

The Masters team once again fielded strength with entries in many of the categories at the 2025 edition of the Canoe Marathon World Championships. Twenty seven paddlers took to the water to chase their goals and wherever possible bring home medals. Although the level of competition is clearly rising year on year, we were pleased to see our Masters deliver two golds and two silvers. 

We applaud Brian Greenham (Reading Canoe Club) adding to his collection of golds in the over 75 men K1 and Gilbert Speirs (Linlithgow Kayak Club) topping his over 70 men K1 class to clinch the triple of National, European and World Championships titles!

Melvin Swallow (Chester Canoe Club) delivered a strong silver in over 70 men K1 and Sarah Swallow (Chester Canoe Club) teamed up with him in over 65 Mixed K2 for a 6th place. 

Jane Millar (Nottingham Kayak Club) added a silver to her collection in over 65 women K2 (with Mary Parry formerly of Maidstone Canoe Club and now paddling for Spain) during a busy two days competing in K1, K2 and over 65 mixed K2 (with Bryn Price from Maidstone Canoe Club). In other mixed K2 races, Emma Watts (Wey Kayak Club) and Gina Moullec (Gloucester Canoe Club) fitted in similar multi race agendas, paddling with Robbie Molnar (Maidstone Canoe Club) and Billy Butler (Falcon Canoe Club) respectively.

Stan Missen and John Escott (both Bradford on Avon Canoe Club) had a tight race in over 65 men K2 missing bronze by a fraction of a second but beating the next boat by a similar margin. Matt Enoch (Nottingham Kayak Club) also scored a 4th in over 45 men K1 and again with Jason Graham (Shrewsbury Canoe Club) in over 45 men K2. While Dave Flynn (Exeter Canoe Club) secured a 5th (out of 22) in over 70 men K1. There were an unusual number of DNFs in many races, which probably reflected the choppy course and the commitment by all. 

The interesting course incorporated natural islands and sharp turns – many preferred its layout to the out and back nature of so many. Billy Butler (Falcon Canoe Club) and Jon O’Grady (Runcorn Canoe Club) agreed with a top Hungarian paddler from Gyor, saying the course is a particularly choppy challenge – apparently known for that amongst the Hungarians.

Well done all and our thanks to Bryn Price for co-ordinating and leading the Masters element of the team.

Thank you to Gina Moullec for creating this report and highlighting the competitive nature of the Masters international competition. If you are interested in getting involved, the Masters team welcomes all abilities and experience levels so please contact Bryn Price and visit our Masters Racing information webpage here.

Great Britain Cap 2025 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in Style

   7 September 2025    International, Racing

Great Britain capped the 2025 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in style with more medal success on the final day of action in Hungary.

Will Short made it two medals for the championships as he and Alex Worgan claimed a brilliant silver in the junior men’s K2 behind favourites Kevin Budai and Zarand Lanczi.

It left Great Britain sixth in the overall medal table with a gold, silver and bronze, following a fourth-place finish in the European Championships, while there were three golds and a bronze for GB’s paracanoe paddlers.

To read the rest of today’s write-up, you can visit the Paddle UK website post here.

Russell Top Brit on Day Three of Marathon World Champs

   6 September 2025    International, Racing

The Great Britain team put down some more solid performances on day three of the 2025 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in Hungary.

European K1 longcourse champion James Russell was unable to add a world medal in a fast-paced senior men’s K1 final won by Mads Pedersen, but recorded the day’s best finish for GB in sixth.

Russell lined up alongside team-mate Matt Johnson in a huge 44-man field, and after a predictably hectic start, both manoeuvred themselves into the front group before Russell got into an early breakaway group of eight.

To read the full write-up, visit the Paddle UK Website Page here.

Continued Success for Brits on Second Day of Marathon Worlds

   5 September 2025    International, Racing

Dianora De Bilio secured a brilliant maiden medal for Great Britain on day two of the 2025 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in Hungary.

After claiming two world titles on a hectic opening day of short course in Gyor, GB were quickly back in the medals once more as attention switched to the longer distances.

De Bilio produced a powerful finish to claim a well-deserved bronze in the junior women’s K1.

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet, but I’m very happy and really looking forward to tomorrow as well,” said the under 16s paddler who still has two more years of racing in the junior category.

And after success in KL1 on day one, former Paralympic champion Jeanette Chippington picked up her second gold medal of the championships in the women’s senior VL2 race.

To read the full article, visit the Paddle UK website here.

Brace of Golds for GB on Opening Day of Marathon World Championships

   4 September 2025    International, Racing

Great Britain celebrated a gold medal double as the 2025 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships got under way in Hungary.

Buoyed by a fine European Championships in June, a confident British squad brought this momentum into a busy opening day of 3.6k short distance heats and finals in Gyor.

Will Short turned in a stunning performance to win Britain’s first-ever junior men’s short course gold.

And with official Paracanoe world titles contested for the first time here, Jeanette Chippington became Britain’s first-ever official Paracanoe marathon world champion with a dominant performance in the women’s 6km KL1 race.

To read the rest of today’s article, visit the Paddle UK News Page here.

World Championships 2025 – How to follow along!

   2 September 2025    International, Racing

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

07:00 BSTK1 Junior Women Short Course Heat 1Kamila Sklenarova (Norwich)
07:30 BSTK1 Junior Women Short Course Heat 2Dianora De Bilio (Royal)
08:00 BSTK1 Junior Men Short Course Heat 1Will Short (Elmbridge)
08:30 BSTK1 Junior Men Short Course Heat 2Will Roeser (Wey)
09:30 BSTC1 Senior Men Short Course Heat 1Owen Chisholm (Richmond)
10:00 BSTK1 Senior Women Short Course Heat 1Jessica Urquhart (Nottingham)
11:30 BSTK1 Senior Men Short Course Heat 2Charlie Smith (Nottingham)
James Russell (Chelmsford)
12:45 BSTOpen Paracanoe MenJon White (Exeter)
12:50 BSTVL2 Senior MenShaun Cook (Norwich)
12:55 BSTKL3 Senior WomenCharlotte Creamer (Leighton Buzzard)
14:30 BSTK1 Junior Women Short Course Final
15:00 BSTK1 Junior Men Short Course Final
15:30 BSTC1 Senior Women Short Course FinalBeth Gill (Nottingham)
16:00 BSTC1 Senior Men Short Course Final
16:30 BSTK1 Senior Women Short Course Final
17:00 BSTK1 Senior Men Short Course Final

Friday 5th September Schedule

08:00 BSTK1 Junior WomenKamila Sklenarova (Norwich)
Dianora De Bilio (Royal)
08:05 BSTC1 Under 23 MenOwen Chisholm (Richmond)
08:10 BSTC1 Junior WomenIsabella Keane (Richmond)
10:20 BSTKL2 Senior MenJonathan White (Exeter)
10:20 BSTKL3 Senior MenTimothy Lodge (Wey)
10:25 BSTVL2 Senior WomenJeanette Chippington (Bisham)
13:00 BSTK1 Under 23 WomenKatie Brookes (Richmond)
15:15 BSTK1 Under 23 MenJoe Enoch (Nottingham)

Saturday 6th September Schedule

08:00 BSTK1 Junior MenWill Short (Elmbridge)
Will Roeser (Wey)
10:15 BSTK2 Junior WomenKamila Sklenarova (Norwich) & Dianora De Bilio (Royal)
10:25 BSTC1 Senior WomenBeth Gill (Nottingham)
13:30 BSTK1 Senior WomenKatie Brookes (Richmond)
15:50 BSTK1 Senior MenJames Russell (Chelmsford)
Matt Johnson (Nottingham)

Sunday 7th September Schedule

08:00 BSTK2 Junior MenAlex Worgan (Richmond) & William Short (Elmbridge)
10:00 BSTK2 Senior WomenJessica Urquhart (Nottingham) & Brynde Kreft (Falcon)
12:30 BSTK2 Senior MenJames Russell (Chelmsford) & Charlie Smith (Nottingham)
Matthew Johnson & Joe Enoch (Nottingham)

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

Masters World Championships Trailer Details 2025

   19 August 2025    Masters

All masters boats going on the trailer to Gyor will be loaded on either the Monday 25th August or Tuesday 26th August  at Bryn’s House: 12 Bredgar Close, Maidstone ME14 5NG.

Please ensure that all your straps have your name on them and, if possible, let me know a rough time and day that you will be bringing your boats. Bryn can be contacted by his email here.

The return trip is planned to arrive back at Bryn’s House on the evening of Friday 5th September with unloading on Saturday 6th or Sunday 7th September. Please again contact Bryn directly to confirm collection of your boat.

Humid Weather Challenges British Paddlers during Canoe Marathon at the World Games

   18 August 2025    Athletes, International, Racing

The World Games in Chengdu, China saw canoe marathon take place last weekend.

With humid and varied weather across the weekend, the best racers from the top 20 countries in the world took to the water, including GB athletes James Russell and Melissa Johnson.

Both appeared in short and long distance races across Saturday and Sunday, qualifying for their respective finals at Xinglong Lake.

To read the full article, visit the Paddle UK News page here.

Open Invite: Calling All International Competitors – Lyon Kayak 2025 Is On!

   8 August 2025    Athletes, Racing

Please see the below open invitation to paddlers re Lyon Kayak 2025

Lyon Kayak 2025 is introducing an exciting new format:
🏁 The Combined Short Race & Marathon – Single Kayak (K1)
📅 September 20–21, 2025
📍 Lyon, France – Confluence District

A unique weekend combining high-level competition and a festive atmosphere in the heart of one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.

🔥 Why Participate?

Two spectacular races:

  • Short Race (Saturday afternoon): 3.5 km sprint between the Rhône and Saône rivers, with two 200 m portages in an exceptional urban setting.
  • Marathon (Sunday morning): 21 km downstream on the Saône, with an optional portage and a finish at the Confluence Water Plaza.

Prize Money 💰 for Open Men & Open Women podiums:

  • 🥇 1st place: €300
  • 🥈 2nd place: €200
  • 🥉 3rd place: €100

Special offer for international elite athletes:

  • ✅ Nelo boat rental provided (limited availability – first come, first served)
  • ✅ Participation fee of only €100 for the first 5 international elite athletes registered for the combined event

🚆 Easy Access – No Excuse Not to Join!

The Lyon Kayak Village, located in the heart of the Confluence district, is highly accessible:

  • By train: just 20 minutes from Lyon Part-Dieu station
  • By plane: 40 minutes from Lyon Saint-Exupéry International Airport
  • By public transport: direct access via tram, metro, and bus
  • By car: parking available nearby

👉 Accessibility is not a barrier – everything is designed to make your participation easy, no matter where you’re coming from!

🎉 A Festive Event in the Heart of Lyon

  • 🍝 Friendly Pasta Party on Saturday evening for all participants
  • 🎶 Free entry to the Lyon Kayak Private Party: music, great vibes, and networking in the riverside park at the confluence of the rivers
  • 🛶 Lyon Kayak Village buzzing all weekend with exhibitors, water activities, food trucks, and more!

📝 Register now at LYONKAYAK.COM

📧 For more information: [email protected]
⚠️ Spots are limited – don’t miss this unique experience combining sport, celebration, and the discovery of Lyon!

87th Descenso Internacional Del Sella – How to follow along!

   6 August 2025    International, Racing

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.

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