Sprint/Marathon

Sprint Kayaking

Sprint Kayak Racing is one of the two Olympic events in the kayaking world and takes place on flat water at regattas. Distances raced are 200m, 500m and 1000m. In some Competitions 5km and 10km races are included. At the Olympics there are 200m and 1000m races. Competitions are held on a course with 9 lanes, heats, semi-finals and finals. The first across the line wins. Racing takes place in singles, doubles and fours.
In Britain, racing is based around five regattas at the National Water Sports Centre, at Nottingham, with an interclub championship and age group national championships being included. There are also a number of local regattas run at various sites around the country during the season for beginners.

Marathon Kayaking

Marathon racing is an event combining skill, stamina and tactics and can be enjoyed by paddlers of all ages and abilities. It attracts large numbers of kayakers onto the rivers, canals and lakes of the UK throughout the year.
Marathon covers a wide range of events with distances from a few miles to over 100. Many longer races are divided into classes based on age and gender of competitor and type of craft. Races forming the Hasler Trophy competition in England cater for single and double kayaks and are raced in divisions based on ability. Novices compete over distances of about 4 miles and the most experienced race over distances of up to 12 miles.