Winter Series
The Winter Series is a well-established series of marathon canoe races, currently consisting of six races usually held between November and March on the Chelmer, Lea, Stort, Cam, and Grand Union Canal. The Winter Series is a great introduction to the sport for newcomers as there are several classes aimed at the new paddler. It also has a lot to offer the experienced racer with a number of distance events. The races are often attended by some of the best paddlers in the region.
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As well as individual trophies there is a strong club element, with clubs vying for the overall trophy as well as the Dick Grieves trophy for the club with the most successful team of novice juniors.
The classes are organised by age, sex and boat type over three different distances. An outline of the classes and distances can be seen below; for complete details, please read the Rules (see below). If you would like more details about Marathon canoeing in general you will find information at British Canoeing's Marathon website (http://canoeracing.org.uk/marathon/). For past results and trophy winners see WS results page. |
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Race dates 2019/20
Race 1: Bishops Stortford - 3 November 2019
Race 2: Cambridge - 1 December 2019
Race 3: Cheshunt (HYMB) - 15 December 2019
Race 4: Chelmsford - 12 January 2020 (11:00 & 12:00 starts)
Race 5: Leighton Buzzard - 26 January 2020
Race 6: Leaside - 9 February 2020 - this race was cancelled due to adverse weather
There is no reserve date in the event of race postponement.
All races start at 12:00 (unless otherwise stated).
Download a poster of race dates & classes.
Urgent announcements: last-minute changes are possible due to adverse weather etc. Where possible we will try to email the registered team leaders. Status bulletins (if any) will also appear on this website.
Race results - see the Winter Series results page
Series awards: To qualify for an individual series trophy, paddlers/crews must have competed in at least three races, and their final score will be the sum of their best 5 results (out of 6).
Race 2: Cambridge - 1 December 2019
Race 3: Cheshunt (HYMB) - 15 December 2019
Race 4: Chelmsford - 12 January 2020 (11:00 & 12:00 starts)
Race 5: Leighton Buzzard - 26 January 2020
Race 6: Leaside - 9 February 2020 - this race was cancelled due to adverse weather
There is no reserve date in the event of race postponement.
All races start at 12:00 (unless otherwise stated).
Download a poster of race dates & classes.
Urgent announcements: last-minute changes are possible due to adverse weather etc. Where possible we will try to email the registered team leaders. Status bulletins (if any) will also appear on this website.
Race results - see the Winter Series results page
Series awards: To qualify for an individual series trophy, paddlers/crews must have competed in at least three races, and their final score will be the sum of their best 5 results (out of 6).
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be NO WINTER SERIES 2020-2021.
Classes
* C1 paddlers of Div 6 standard or higher must enter the Group 2 (Class 4) C1 Advanced race.
Juniors entering K1 Open (Class 8) must be at least Div6.
Ages are classified according to the paddler's age on 1st November 2019. Vet=35+.
Juniors entering K1 Open (Class 8) must be at least Div6.
Ages are classified according to the paddler's age on 1st November 2019. Vet=35+.
Rules, Safety & Responsibility
The full Winter Series rules can be seen here: Rules 2019/20. The key changes for 2019/20 are:
Please remember that the BC Marathon Racing Committee general safety rules for a Group B race also apply (display MRC safety rules) - taken from the Racing Handbook online. These include requirements for boat buoyancy and use of personal buoyancy aids, and also require that all competitors must be able to swim adequately in the waters on which the race is being held.
Competitors are reminded that Canoeing/Kayaking is by its nature an unpredictable sport and therefore inherently involves an element of risk. Participants (and those with parental/legal responsibility for u18s) should be aware of and accept these risks, and be responsible for their own action and involvement. As with all river activities, there is a small risk of Weil’s disease.
While the ultimate responsibility for the decision to participate lies with the competitors or their parents/guardians, the FRA also requires Team Leaders to endorse the competency of their team members, to check the safety and suitability of equipment and clothing, and ensuring that buoyancy aids are worn by all u16s and all Div 7/8/9 (or judged to be of that standard by their Team Leaders) and where they deem necessary. Team leaders should also ensure that their members are aware of the need for care in lifting and handling boats.
Each host club is responsible for ensuring the safe running of its event and may impose additional requirements in response to local conditions or to comply with local rules, these will be detailed in the event description and/or at the briefing on the day.
- In addition to the supplementary medals for "SuperVets" (age 50+), there are now further supplementary medals for "UltraVets" (age 60+). Both paddlers in a crew boat must qualify.
- The u12s class ("Yellow") remains as one class for race points and series points purposes, but the top three boys and top three girls will both receive gold, silver and bronze medals. There are already separate series trophies for the boys and girls in this class.
- MC2s can now enter Class 9 on the long-distance course, alongside the K2s.
Please remember that the BC Marathon Racing Committee general safety rules for a Group B race also apply (display MRC safety rules) - taken from the Racing Handbook online. These include requirements for boat buoyancy and use of personal buoyancy aids, and also require that all competitors must be able to swim adequately in the waters on which the race is being held.
Competitors are reminded that Canoeing/Kayaking is by its nature an unpredictable sport and therefore inherently involves an element of risk. Participants (and those with parental/legal responsibility for u18s) should be aware of and accept these risks, and be responsible for their own action and involvement. As with all river activities, there is a small risk of Weil’s disease.
While the ultimate responsibility for the decision to participate lies with the competitors or their parents/guardians, the FRA also requires Team Leaders to endorse the competency of their team members, to check the safety and suitability of equipment and clothing, and ensuring that buoyancy aids are worn by all u16s and all Div 7/8/9 (or judged to be of that standard by their Team Leaders) and where they deem necessary. Team leaders should also ensure that their members are aware of the need for care in lifting and handling boats.
Each host club is responsible for ensuring the safe running of its event and may impose additional requirements in response to local conditions or to comply with local rules, these will be detailed in the event description and/or at the briefing on the day.
Registration & Booking In
Competitors/Crews joining the series: 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 seat for all ages and all classes. 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: Competitors will be issued with pre-numbered boards, which must be returned on the day - there will be a fine of £5 for lost boards. Independent paddlers and non-FRA teams will be required to leave a returnable deposit when the boards are issued. Fablon squares will issued for boats which do not have number board holders. Although paddlers/crews will race under the same race number throughout the series - unless changing classes, partners or boat type - boards MUST be returned to HQ on the day.
Insurance: All paddlers are required to have £5 million Public Liability insurance. Most paddlers will have this through membership of British Canoeing, or membership of a BC-affiliated club. Membership of a BC-affiliated club is only valid when paddling as part of your own club's official team, so everyone else needs to show personal BC membership cards (ideally by emailing photos in advance). Where none of these apply, an "Event Ticket" (British Canoeing Competition Insurance) must be purchased (£5).
See the Registration page to register as a Team Leader / Independent Paddler.
Fee: £5 per seat for all ages and all classes. 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: Competitors will be issued with pre-numbered boards, which must be returned on the day - there will be a fine of £5 for lost boards. Independent paddlers and non-FRA teams will be required to leave a returnable deposit when the boards are issued. Fablon squares will issued for boats which do not have number board holders. Although paddlers/crews will race under the same race number throughout the series - unless changing classes, partners or boat type - boards MUST be returned to HQ on the day.
Insurance: All paddlers are required to have £5 million Public Liability insurance. Most paddlers will have this through membership of British Canoeing, or membership of a BC-affiliated club. Membership of a BC-affiliated club is only valid when paddling as part of your own club's official team, so everyone else needs to show personal BC membership cards (ideally by emailing photos in advance). Where none of these apply, an "Event Ticket" (British Canoeing Competition Insurance) must be purchased (£5).
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.