Winter Series
The Winter Series is a well-established series of marathon canoe races, usually 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 2021/22
Race 1: Bishops Stortford - 7 November 2021
Race 2: Cambridge - 5 December 2021
Race 3: Chelmsford - 9 January 2022 (11:00 & 12:00 starts - tbc)
Race 4: Leighton Buzzard - 23 January 2022
An additional race may be inserted after Christmas on a date and venue to be confirmed.
Races may be re-scheduled in the even of bad weather.
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 all their results across the series, bar one race.
Race 2: Cambridge - 5 December 2021
Race 3: Chelmsford - 9 January 2022 (11:00 & 12:00 starts - tbc)
Race 4: Leighton Buzzard - 23 January 2022
An additional race may be inserted after Christmas on a date and venue to be confirmed.
Races may be re-scheduled in the even of bad weather.
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 all their results across the series, bar one race.
Classes
* C1 paddlers of Div 6 standard or higher must enter the Group 2 (Class 4) C1 Advanced race.
In Class 4 K1 (F 16+) there are medals for fastest u18, Sen, Vet, etc & separate perpetual trophies (see rules 9 & 11)
Juniors entering K1 Open (Class 8) must be at least Div6.
Ages are classified according to the paddler's age on 1st November 2021. Vet=35+.
In Class 4 K1 (F 16+) there are medals for fastest u18, Sen, Vet, etc & separate perpetual trophies (see rules 9 & 11)
Juniors entering K1 Open (Class 8) must be at least Div6.
Ages are classified according to the paddler's age on 1st November 2021. Vet=35+.
Rules, Safety & Responsibility
The full Winter Series rules can be seen here: Rules 2021/22. The key changes for 2021/22 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.
There may be additional safety requirements at events in response to local conditions or to comply with local rules, these will be detailed in the event description and/or in the briefing.
- All competitors will need to purchase a BC Event Insurance unless they are either (1) members of one of the consortium of clubs that have organised the event and are paddling as part of that club's team, or (2) hold personal On-Water BC membership
- All MC2s now paddle in Class 9
- This year, teams should be booked in en bloc by their Team Leader, and only Team Leaders should come to the booking in desk.
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.
There may be additional safety requirements at events in response to local conditions or to comply with local rules, these will be detailed in the event description and/or in the briefing.
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. This year, teams should be booked in en bloc by their Team Leader, and only Team Leaders should come to the booking in desk.
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-BC-affiliated 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 the designated return points on the day.
Insurance: All paddlers are required to have Public Liability insurance through British Canoeing. Competitors who are members of FRA clubs (CLM, BSF, LBZ, CAM, HYM), and are participating as a member of their team will be covered. Everyone else needs to show personal BC membership cards (ideally by emailing photos in advance) or purchase British Canoeing Event Insurance (£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. This year, teams should be booked in en bloc by their Team Leader, and only Team Leaders should come to the booking in desk.
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-BC-affiliated 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 the designated return points on the day.
Insurance: All paddlers are required to have Public Liability insurance through British Canoeing. Competitors who are members of FRA clubs (CLM, BSF, LBZ, CAM, HYM), and are participating as a member of their team will be covered. Everyone else needs to show personal BC membership cards (ideally by emailing photos in advance) or purchase British Canoeing Event Insurance (£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.
