Sprint
About Sprint
Sprint Racing is one of 2 Olympic Canoeing disciplines, the other being Slalom. It is great fun and may be enjoyed by people of all ages in any type of canoe or kayak. During the last few seasons, paddlers from 6 years to over 70 years of age took part.
Sprint boats are designed to travel fast in a straight line and are therefore narrower and less stable than many other types of canoe. They come in single (K1), double (K2) and quadruple types (K4). There are also equivalent classes for canoes, paddled with single blades in a high kneeling position (C1, C2 & C4). For under 12 year old paddlers clubs have Lightning Kayaks that are smaller and more stable which allows these young paddlers to develop their skills on an equal footing.
Sprint racing takes place over relatively short distances, usually 200, 500 and 1000 metres with some regattas having races of 5,000 and 10,000 metres. In Scotland, regattas are held during the summer months at Kinghorn Loch, Linlithgow Loch and at Strathclyde Park. Competitors from Scotland also travel to Nottingham to take part in British National regattas. Scottish Junior & U23 paddlers have achieved considerable success in sprint racing representing GB in recent years.
Most races are open to all paddlers, however organisers may restrict entries at races where there are potentially hazardous conditions.
SCA Performance, through investment from sportscotland, operates programmes in Sprint and Slalom to support athletes with the potential and commitment to achieve Olympic medals. The Sprint Performance programme is based at the EICA, Ratho, west of Edinburgh and makes full use of the Union Canal and the indoor training facilities.
If you are a competent racing paddler and are interested in further opportunities to train alongside others then you can attend the Performance Community Sessions to be held at Strathclyde Park throughout the year. Full details can be found
here.
Safety Notice
Below is an extract from the Sprint "Safety Rules and Information" document.
The full document is available
here
1. Personal Floatation Devices (buoyancy aids and life jackets)
A) All personal floatation devices (buoyancy aids) must be EC approved (compliant with EN393, EN395, ISO12402-5 or ISO12402-6) and worn in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions:
- It must be the appropriate size for the wearer to ensure adequate buoyancy in the event of capsize.
- It must be a snug fit to ensure it does not lift in the water in the event of capsize.
- It must be fastened securely using all buckles, zips and fastenings whenever the wearer is on the water.
B ) All paddlers aged U14, those ranked Division D and those who have not met the minimum standards for Sprint Racing as published in the BC Canoe Sprint and Marathon Handbook must wear an approved buoyancy aid (floatation device) at all times on the water.
C) Organisers may require other competitors to also wear approved buoyancy aids if they feel that the conditions require it, so all competitors should come prepared to comply with this requirement.
2. Boat Buoyancy
- Buoyancy both fore and aft should be present and secured to the structure of the boat.
- Buoyancy should be sufficient for the boat to float in a horizontal plane when filled with water with sufficient reserve buoyancy to support the paddler. (Inherent buoyancy in composite boats is not sufficient to meet this requirement. Additional foam buoyancy or air bags must be fitted.)
- Bulkheads if fitted should be intact and sealed.
Sprint Development Group
| Role | 2023-24 - Responsible Person |
|---|---|
| Chair | Mike Chandler |
| Secretary | April Chapman |
| Treasurer | Margaret Chapman |
| Safeguarding Officer | Marianne Patrick |
| Event Safety Officer | Margaret Chapman & Linda Szabo |
You can contact the group at sprint@paddlescotland.org.uk
