The club once again hosted a round in the Hasler racing series. This year the event (our 25th) was on Sunday May 17th.
We once again had a fantastic turnout.
Can you spot yourself on this video of the event?
If you have pictures this years event, please forward them to . Alternatively, please
pop a CD or DVD in the post to:
Dave Bevan
5 Tiverton Way
Frimley
GU16 8XB
Flat Water Racing could be regarding as one of the club's "Specialist Subjects". There are a significant number of very
experienced racers in the club.
This exciting part of our sport is known as Flat Water Racing or Marathon Racing but very few of us paddle the 26.2 miles that this implies.
The BCU's excellent web site for this discipline can be found at:
BCU Marathon Site
The Distances
If you are under 12 you can enter races in boats called Lightnings which are stable craft ideal for young people up to 12 years
old and under 60Kgs. The distance raced is typically 2 miles. There are also sprint events for Lightnings with distances from
500Mtres to 1000Mtres.
Races for the various divisions are:
Divisions 9, 8 & 7 - 4 miles
Divisions 6, 5 & 4 - 8 miles
Divisions 3, 2 & 1 - 12 miles
The actual distances may vary a little from event to event, largely due to the safe and accessible length of water available to
race on.
Most races have portages which means you have to get out of your boat and walk or run around the obstacle such as a weir or lock
getting back in your boat to continue the race. Portages are usually only for the 8 and 12 mile races (division 6 and above).
Equipment
Basically the longer and narrower the boat the faster it will be but narrower means less stable and the length is limited within
international rules.
The BCCC has a wide variety of boats suitable for beginners and improvers alike with fast tourers to full racing craft either with
or without a rudder operated by your feet via a tiller bar.
For clarity the boats are mainly described as K1/C1's or K2/C2's where K is for Kayak and C is for Canadian. A K1 is a single racing
boat, K2 a double and K4 has 4 paddlers.
You can use a standard paddle but the lighter the better. Most people very quickly prefer an Asymmetric paddle and move to racing
wings for the ultimate power advantage.
If you are under 16 you must wear a buoyancy aid for a race and all paddlers in divisions 9, 8 and 7 whether they are over 16 or
not must also wear a buoyancy aid.
The Races
The racing season is normally from May to November but the racing year runs from September to August (so the finals can be in
September rather than December!) Each participating BCU affiliated club is in a region i.e. London. Southern Eastern etc. Clubs in
that region offer to run a race in the Hasler series championship. Clubs in that region enter teams of paddlers who gain points
for their finishing position in the races i.e. winner 20 points, second 19 points and for K2 crews; winner 40 points etc.
Points per club are gained at each race and the top 4 clubs in each region then compete at the Hasler final where they meet
other clubs from all around the country.
Hasler results for 2008
Additional races throughout the year can be found including the gruelling 125 mile Devizes to Westminster race held over the
Easter weekend.
There is also a sprint series for Lightnings, kayaks and Canadians held in Nottingham
racing in straight lines for 200m to 1000m.
There are local people that have represented the UK from BCCC such as Mike Martin, Yael Chance and James Lee plus other local
clubs such as at Reading, Weybridge and Guildford so why not you?
What to wear?
You will generally get too hot wearing a wet suit and arm movement could be restricted. Our advice is to wear a thermal top or a
man made fibre T shirt (NOT cotton!), either shorts, track suit trousers or wet suit shorts with light shoes, neoprene booties and
lastly a cag and hat if it is cold, wet or windy.
How to start?
Get in a boat and paddle!
The BCCC racing squad meet twice mid week during the summer on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6.15 and throughout the year on
Saturday mornings from 9.15. During the winter months the midweek times and days will vary.
The BCCC have a Hare & Hounds series held on the third Saturday morning of each month. Paddlers race
against the clock every month over 2, 4 or 6 miles and, hopefully, improving their times with training and coaching that we can
provide.
racing in straight lines for 200m to 1000m.
There are local people that have represented the UK from BCCC such as Mike Martin, Yael Chance and James Lee plus other local
clubs such as at Reading, Weybridge and Guildford so why not you?