Canoe Racing consists of two disciplines, Sprint and Marathon. It is fun and may be enjoyed by people of all ages in any type of canoe or kayak.

Racing boats are designed to travel fast through the water and are narrower and less stable than many other types of canoe or kayak, they come in single, double and for sprint racing only, four seat versions.

Sprint racing takes place over relatively short distances, usually 200, 500 and 1000 metres with races of 6,000 and 10,000 metres also run. In Scotland, regattas are held during the summer months at Kirkcaldy, Linlithgow and Strathclyde Park. Competitors from Scotland also travel to Nottingham to take part in British Championship regattas.

Marathon racing takes place over distances from 4 to 54 miles on all types of water from lowland canals to lochs, rapid rivers and estuaries.

The racing season runs from March through to October with events most weekends and some weekday evenings. Paddlers from Scotland have regularly taken part in the British National and Haslar Marathon championships. Most races are open to all paddlers, however organisers may restrict entries at races where there are potentially hazardous conditions.

Qualfied racing coaches are available in many areas to provide specialist advice and coaching for people interested in canoe racing can be contacted via the National Coach whose details you will find by following in the Useful Contacts page.

If you are interested in taking part, or would like to know more about canoe racing you'll find contacts for the Sprint and Marathon Racing secretaries by following the Useful Contacts link.

Race organisers will be able to provide information on the events they run and you can contact them via the link where you will also find the latest details of all events for the current year. Events for 2001

Detailed information including course maps is provided in the Sprint and Marathon Yearbook which can be purchased from the Sprint Racing Secretary.

Sprint and Marathon Home Page