Past Olympic Games. The Ealing Canoe Club supports and encourages athletes who aspire to compete at national and international levels.
Ealing Canoe Club welcomes individuals of all ages and skill levels. For beginners, the club offers beginner sessions to learn the basic paddling skills necessary before progressing to a racing kayak. On average, it takes around three to four beginner sessions to be ready for a racing kayak. Experienced kayakers who can safely control a kayak can contact the club directly to arrange starting in a stable racing boat.
Experienced racers are also invited to join the club's regular training sessions.
Kayak flatwater racing is an exciting sport that challenges fitness, skill, and determination. Competitions take place over various distances, including sprints, marathons, and ultra-marathons, on calm water canals, rivers, and lakes. Participants race in divisions based on ability, allowing individuals of all fitness levels to enjoy competing and improving alongside others of similar skill. In the UK, there is a friendly and vibrant community of flatwater racing clubs, regularly competing at regional and national levels in marathon and sprint events throughout the year.
With over 12,000 race entries at around 70 events each year, flatwater racing is a popular and thrilling sport.
One of the highlights of the racing calendar is the annual two-day National Marathon Championships. Over 1,000 paddlers participate in this event, competing for medals across various age and ability classes. The championships feature K1 (single-person kayak) races on the first day and K2 (two-person kayak) races on the second day.
In addition to the National Marathon Championships, the UK hosts four two-day National Sprint Regattas each year at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham. These regattas include over 200 races across different age and speed categories, as well as K1, K2, and K4 events.
Sprint race distances typically range from 200m to 1000m, while regional marathon distances vary from 2 miles (for under 14s) to 4 to 12 miles (for over 14s and adults). International and elite marathon races often involve longer distances. For those seeking an extra challenge, there are also ultra-marathon races, including the renowned 125-mile Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Marathon.
Sprint racing is an Olympic sport, and Ealing Canoe Club supports athletes who aim to compete at national and international levels. Team GB has achieved great success in sprint racing at past Olympic Games, and the club encourages individuals with elite aspirations to join and train with the club.
Ealing Canoe Club prides itself on being an inclusive and friendly community club, dedicated to supporting its members in their pursuit of fun, fitness, personal achievement, and competition in the sport of sprint and marathon kayak flatwater racing. With a team of dedicated coaches and volunteers, the club provides a welcoming environment for individuals of all ages and skill levels to discover and excel in this thrilling sport. Join Ealing Canoe Club today and embark on a journey of adventure, friendship, and personal growth.