News

News

GB-ONE Junior Development Conference

Following on from our inaugural GB-ONE conference in March this year, we are going to be delivering a GB-ONE conference centred around junior development.

This will take place on Saturday 7th October at Falcon Boat Club (Meadow Ln, Oxford OX4 4BJ). The day will start at 11:45 and culminate around 17:00.  

To sign up, please follow the link below. Deadline for sign up is Monday 25th September.

The provisional topics to be presented are the following. Presenters will be announced in due course

  • Forward Paddling Technique – Common Errors & Fault Finding 
  • Crew Boats as a vehicle for skill development 
  • International Competition Reflections & Learnings 
  • Pathway Overview 

The event will be free of charge and will include lunch. Coaches in attendance will also receive 10 CPD points. 

2023 ACM – NEW DATE

The Sprint Racing Section’s Annual Consultative Meeting has been postponed by three weeks. The new date of the ACM will be Wednesday 18th October 2023, beginning at 7:30pm via a zoom online meeting. Due to an unusually high number of positions on the committee being up for election, this decision has been made in order to allow more time to receive nominations.

In addition to the Treasurer which is to be appointed for a term of three years, the position of Chair is up for election. Tim Scott, who was elected as Chair at the 2022 ACM, intends to step down at the 2023 ACM. Therefore, the successful candidate will serve the remaining two years of the Chair’s term.

The Sprint Racing Committee members are also elected for a period of 3 years. Due to a number of resignations, there are 5 places open on the committee. We would strongly encourage anybody who feels they are able to contribute to the administration and running of Canoe Sprint activities in the UK to stand for election to the SRC.

Anyone who would be interested to stand for election to the Sprint Racing Committee, or as the Treasurer or Chair, please send a nomination form (available below), supported by the signatures of two full Individual British Canoeing members, either electronically or by post to reach the SRC Secretary no later than midnight on Tuesday 5th September 2023.

Likewise, any item for discussion at the ACM, must be returned in writing, supported by the signatures of two full Individual British Canoeing members, again to reach the Secretary, either electronically or by post no later than midnight on Tuesday 5th September 2023.

Secretary, BC Sprint Racing Committee
Mr P Miles, 67 Foxes Way, Warwick, CV34 6AY
canoesprint.secretary@vol.britishcanoeing.org.uk

The Hooley 5k 2023 – Open for Bookings!

We’re pleased to announce the return of the Hooley 5K for its third edition in October 2023! 

Date: 21st October 2023

Location: Strathclyde Country Park, 366 Hamilton Road, Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, ML1 3ED

For bookings and more information, please visit: 

Join us at the renowned Strathclyde Park Regatta course near Glasgow for an incredible day of racing, where the Hooley 5K will also serve as the British Championship event.
Experience the thrill of 5K racing, with opportunities to race in K1, C1, C2, K2 and K4/C4 throughout the day.


After the day’s racing, join us for a celebration evening and ceilidh. Enjoy the Hooley 5K prize-giving, celebrate the 5K British Championship medalists, and savour delicious food, whilst immersing yourself in a traditional Scottish ceilidh, where music and dancing will ignite your party spirit.

Book your place now!

2024 Canoe Sprint Selection Policies

In preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe International Panel have published the following documents:

Full story on the British Canoeing website:

Congratulations to ‘our Cathy’

Cathy Wynne has been named as a Medallist of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours List, for services to sport.

Cathy, from Tonbridge, Kent, is an integral part of the domestic and international canoeing community, volunteering for over 35 years. Until very recently, Cathy was Secretary of the Sprint Racing Committee and Chief Official at the National Regattas and, although she has handed these positions on, she is still very much involved in the organisation of the regattas at Nottingham. 

She has also been one of the world’s foremost International Regatta officials for the International Canoe Federation and the European Canoe Association having worked at the highest level at international regattas including World Championships, European Championships, World Cups and several Olympic Games.

More on this story:

SRC Expression of Thanks to Cathy Wynne

Sprint National Regatta – June 2023

During the National Sprint Regatta on Saturday 5th June 2023, the Sprint Racing Committee offered a token of their appreciation to Cathy Wynne, a long serving volunteer at the heart of the sprint racing community.

The Sprint Racing Committee would like to express their deepest gratitude to Cathy Wynne for her tenure as Secretary of the committee over 18 years.  Cathy’s contribution to the Sprint Racing Committee has been enormous, and it is of utmost importance that we recognise the efforts of the volunteers that give up so much of their time and energy to develop and improve our sport.

Aside from being a member of the Sprint Racing Committee, Cathy has been qualified as an International Canoe Federation technical official for over 20 years, and has been assisting the running of British Canoeing national regattas in a variety of roles for over 25 years. Cathy’s eminence in the canoeing community, not just nationally but internationally, is testament to the skills and expertise she has amassed through years of dedication to canoeing.  Cathy will continue to serve on the Regatta Committee, overseeing the organisation of National Regattas, and will also continue her work as an International Technical Official for the ICF, officiating at major sprint competitions worldwide.

Phil Miles was appointed as Secretary to the SRC in November 2022 when Cathy stood down. He can be contacted via canoesprint.secretary@vol.britishcanoeing.org.uk

Junior Selection Policy Webinar

17th May 2023 at 19:30

On the 17th May at 19:30, we will be running a webinar about the Canoe Sprint Junior Selection policy in conjunction with the IP. Our aim is to give athletes, coaches and parents clarity of the process and expectations ahead of the selection regattas.

Here is the link to attend:

Imogen Collins
Pathway Development Coach

Become a volunteer at the Paris 2024 Olympics

The organising committee of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are seeking volunteers to assist with the running of events. Therefore the ICF have requested those with experience volunteering at events staged by the ICF to consider applying to become a volunteer at Paris 2024.

It is a common knowledge that the Olympic Games are only good as its volunteers, and we would like to encourage our paddling communities with experience hosting ICF events to represent our sport at the highest level. The Paris Organising Committee is looking for volunteers who have previously participated in staging ICF events in any capacity. In order to be considered for a volunteer role at the Olympic Games candidates must sign up through the official channels, a link which can be found below. Once completed, please email the Secretary of the SRC who can then endure your application to the organisers of the canoeing events.

April Regatta (15/16 April) – Traffic flow, parking, boat storage, and patio lawn charges

There are new directions from Serco (the HPP managers) related to traffic flow, parking, boat storage, and patio lawn use changes for the 2023 racing season.

Access to parking is via the Main Car Park entrance then, at the Elms Gate (at what3words ///foods.stored.rungs ) turn right on to the new one-way system. The exit will be via the Ski Tow gate (at what3words ///secret.engage.universally).

Use of the Boathouse entrance is restricted to Paddle Ability, Regatta Officials, and Paracanoe. However, long trailers can be parked (with one tow vehicle) near the boatsheds. Standard charges for the vehicle (see below), but no extra for the trailer. 

Boat racks are also available near the boathouse and are free to use on a first-come first served basis. There is space for approx. 500 boats.

Participant parking will only be allowed on the grassy bank on the south side of the lake. There will be no parking in front of the concrete stepped area near the Patio Lawn. Please be mindful of others when erecting gazebos, windbreaks, etc and do not block/take up parking space. Parking will be charged on entry at ÂŁ5.00/day (or ÂŁ9.00 for 2 days), with payment by cash or card to the Serco-contracted marshall.

Additionally, clubs/participants using the Patio Lawn by erecting gazebos, etc will be charged ÂŁ25. This must be pre-booked by email through: cindy.appleby@serco.com. Please, do not store boats on the patio lawn.

The café will be open for breakfast from 7.00 am and will have hot food available until 4.00 pm, but will remain open for snacks and drinks until 6.00 pm. Alcoholic drinks will also be available.