Summer Series
The Summer Sprint Series usually consists of three local regattas and is primarily aimed at those new to racing. Sprint racing is one of the Olympic disciplines for canoeing and regularly attracts world class paddlers to the major national and international competitions held at Nottingham between April and September. The Summer Series is a local competition which acts as gentle introduction for those who would like begin sprinting. The races are held over various short distances, with prizes on the day and for performance across the series. It is also an opportunity to gain qualification times for the National Regattas at Nottingham.
Summer Sprint format
A single seat fee covers participation in all the day's races. Paddlers will book in at the start of the day and will be assigned a race number which will stay the same throughout all the regattas. There are 16 classes by age and sex: male and female in each of u10, u12, u14, u16, u18, u23, 23+ and veteran (35+). C1 and Paddle-Ability paddlers will additionally be entered into C1 and Paddle-Ability classes.
At each regatta there will typically be singles races over at least two different distances (200m, 500m or 1000m) and at least one crew race or relay. For each race all participants will typically compete twice in small groups (usually 4 boats). To make sure everyone gets a good race, groups are arranged by ability rather than class. For the crew races, experienced paddlers are encouraged to partner less experienced ones.
Each event ends with a prize-giving, where the medals for the day are awarded for performance within each class, determined by the paddlers' overall performance across all the singles races. Paddlers' class positions at each event also result in series points, and class series trophies are awarded at the last regatta of the season.
Please read the Summer Sprint Rules. The series uses printed number boards which must be returned at the end of every regatta. Don't lose them because you will be charged!
At each regatta there will typically be singles races over at least two different distances (200m, 500m or 1000m) and at least one crew race or relay. For each race all participants will typically compete twice in small groups (usually 4 boats). To make sure everyone gets a good race, groups are arranged by ability rather than class. For the crew races, experienced paddlers are encouraged to partner less experienced ones.
Each event ends with a prize-giving, where the medals for the day are awarded for performance within each class, determined by the paddlers' overall performance across all the singles races. Paddlers' class positions at each event also result in series points, and class series trophies are awarded at the last regatta of the season.
Please read the Summer Sprint Rules. The series uses printed number boards which must be returned at the end of every regatta. Don't lose them because you will be charged!
Summer Series 2022
Unfortunately there was only one Regatta in 2022 (at Bishops Stortford on 11th September 2022 - results are here). We hope to have more events for you in 2023.
Sign up to the FRA mailing list if you would like to receive details of future regattas when they become available.
Entries
Race entries can only be made by somebody registered to do so. If you are paddling as part of a team, please let your Team Leader know that you would like to take part and ask them to pre-enter you. It is also possible for independent paddlers to enter without being part of a team. In this case they (or their parents if juniors) take on all the responsibilities that would normally fall to their Team Leader, so they must go through the registration process too. See the Registration page to register as a Team Leader / Independent Paddler.
Fee: £5 per paddler covers the whole day's competition. There are no late fees and no pre-payment is required. Your Team Leader will let you know whether you should book yourself in at the desk on arrival, or whether they will book the team in themselves en bloc.
Race numbers: When you check in you will be given a number board for the day. It won't always be the same number. Boards must be returned on the day or you will be charged (£5). Paddlers who are not racing as part of an official team from a BC-affiliated club will need to leave a deposit for their board. Please use the pins provided!
Insurance: All paddlers are required to have Public Liability insurance through British Canoeing. When participating as a member of a team from an FRA member club, all club members should be covered. Everyone else needs to show personal BC membership cards (ideally by emailing photos in advance) or purchase British Canoeing Event Insurance (£5). At some venues boats must also be licensed - please note that Event insurance does not include a licence.
Privacy: The FRA take your privacy seriously. We will process competitors' details on the basis of our legitimate interest as the coordinators of this race series. Race results and reports will be published and will include names and age/gender/PaddleAbility classification. Photographs taken at events may be used in race reports and publicity for future events. You have the right to object to the processing of your information. Please contact the Secretary with any concerns. See the Privacy page for more details.
Fee: £5 per paddler covers the whole day's competition. There are no late fees and no pre-payment is required. Your Team Leader will let you know whether you should book yourself in at the desk on arrival, or whether they will book the team in themselves en bloc.
Race numbers: When you check in you will be given a number board for the day. It won't always be the same number. Boards must be returned on the day or you will be charged (£5). Paddlers who are not racing as part of an official team from a BC-affiliated club will need to leave a deposit for their board. Please use the pins provided!
Insurance: All paddlers are required to have Public Liability insurance through British Canoeing. When participating as a member of a team from an FRA member club, all club members should be covered. Everyone else needs to show personal BC membership cards (ideally by emailing photos in advance) or purchase British Canoeing Event Insurance (£5). At some venues boats must also be licensed - please note that Event insurance does not include a licence.
Privacy: The FRA take your privacy seriously. We will process competitors' details on the basis of our legitimate interest as the coordinators of this race series. Race results and reports will be published and will include names and age/gender/PaddleAbility classification. Photographs taken at events may be used in race reports and publicity for future events. You have the right to object to the processing of your information. Please contact the Secretary with any concerns. See the Privacy page for more details.
