2026 Canoe Sprint Junior & U23 World & European Championships Team Selection
This announcement reflects the final selection for the Junior & U23 Championship Teams for 2026 and
follows on from the crew boat process and athlete pool selection in April.
Please see the International Panel Statement that lists the sprint teams for World Cups 1 & 2
Please see the uploaded International Panel Statement
This is a scheduled update that provides further detail on the selection process from athlete pools for 2026 senior & Paracanoe teams as well as some important updates which includes the selection policy and registration process for the University Worlds and a reminder for all athletes to register for selection.
The latest IP Statement that can be found here
Paddle UK has now published its 2027 World Class Programme Qualification Policy, covering paracanoe, sprint and canoe slalom/kayak cross.
The policy has been written in conjunction with UK Sport as well as the British Elite Athletes Association.
It includes full details of the funding matrix to provide clarity on how performances will be assessed during the international season, and the process used to identify athletes across programmes who will qualify for the next 12 month period.
You can find the full policy HERE.
The 2026 GBR Canoe Sprint & Paracanoe selection policies were published on the Paddle UK Website
on 17th December. Within the Junior & U23 Selection policy, the International Panel in section 8.3.1
of the published selection policy committed to providing more detail on the crew boat process and
coaching decision methodology which is now available
The information is available on the Paddle UK website which can be found here.
Please find attached below an update from David Martyn, Chair of the Sprint Racing Committee.
The 2026 Canoe Slalom, Kayak Cross, Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe selection policies are now published by the respective International Panels and are the result of significant work behind the scenes.
The IPs would like to thank everyone who contributed to the development of the policies through the public consultation process in the autumn of 2025.
The IPs have also published accompanying statements which highlight a number of key items and shares the key themes from the consultation process.
Please take the time to read the policies and familiarise yourself with the processes to be used for the 2026 season.
Andy Maddocks
Head of Performance – Operations
(on behalf of the IPs)
A draft of the minutes from the 2025 Paddle UK Sprint Racing Committee Annual Consultative Meeting is now available.
If you spot any anomalies in the minutes, please let the SRC Secretary know at the address below.
This winter we are delighted to offer a series of sessions which will form our GB-ONE Coaching Community of Practice.
These are aimed at coaches working with juniors & U23 athletes, who are aiming to progress towards national and international level.
The aim is to share knowledge, expertise and common experiences across a number of topic areas in a range of formats. Our hope is that a community of practice will be developed where coaches can explore different areas together and over time contribute to raising the national level of coaching.
Topic One – Planning & Periodisation: Led by James Train
Wednesday 1st October 20:00 – 21:30
(For coaches of juniors aiming to compete internationally)
Wednesday 8th October 20:00 – 21:30
(For coaches of juniors who are starting to train regularly)
These two sessions are designed to provide an understanding of the underpinning principles within a paddlesport yearly training programme. It is aimed at those who are looking to improve their knowledge and understanding of planning and periodisation approaches and how this can support on-water performance.
Topic Two – Training with a purpose: Led by Gabor Szeltner
Wednesday 12th November 20:00 – 21:30
(For coaches of juniors aiming to compete internationally)
Wednesday 19th November 20:00 – 21:30
(For coaches of juniors who are starting to train regularly)
These two sessions are designed to explore how to make training purposeful whilst understanding the constraints that exist such as environmental changes, supporting paddlers through exam periods and managing individuals within training groups.
If you are interested in attending one or more of these sessions, please express your interest by emailing Scott Hynds using the address below, stating which session you’d like to attend.
Further sessions will follow this winter!