Courses & Timetable
All courses will be held on the Basingstoke Canal.
| Briefing |
Start |
Singles |
Doubles |
Distance |
Portages |
| 10:00 |
10:30 |
Divs 7, 8 & 9 |
Divs 7, 8 & 9 |
4.4 miles |
0 |
| 10:00 |
10:30 |
Mini K1 & Fun Race |
- |
2 miles |
0 |
| 12:00* |
12:30* |
Divs 4, 5 & 6 |
Divs 4, 5 & 6 |
8.1 miles |
1 |
| 12:00* |
12:30* |
Divs 1, 2 & 3 |
Divs 2 & 3 |
10.6 miles |
1 |
| 12:00* |
12:30* |
|
Mini K2 |
2 miles |
0 |
*Times for the second start are dependent on the course clearing from the first set of starts.
Note: The mini K2 race in particular will set off after all the divisional races have started and will be on a separate course; entrants should not enter the canal until directed.
Entries
Entries open 1st April 2026 and run until the day of the event. Entries received after 10 May 2026 will include a surcharge of £5.
Senior Paddler: £14 [late entries £19]
Junior Paddler: £10 [late entries £15]
Geoff Sanders Series Paddler: £5 [late entries £10]
Note: Entry is open to all paddlers; from clubs around the UK, to independent paddlers at all divisions stated above.
Check In & Number Boards
Check in (for team leaders only) from 9am, with a single prize giving session at approx 14:15.
Number boards will be issued to team leaders at check in and need to be returned after the race. Lost boards are charged at £5 each.
Race Rules
The race will be held in accordance with the racing rules and by entering the event all competitors acknowledge they have read, understood and will abide by the published rules.
Safety
All paddlers ranked in Divisions 7 to 9 and U14s must wear approved buoyancy aids. Team leaders to decide if paddlers in higher divisions should wear them.
The canal is flatwater with near nil current. Water is shallow in almost all places although footwear is advised due to the uncertain nature of the anal bottom.
Entrants should note that the canal will be open to other boat users including barges and recreational canoes, SUPs and kayaks. Racing does not have priority and entrants are expected to show due courtesy and consideration to other canal users. Disqualification will result from aggressive or abusive behavior, at the sole discretion of the race organiser, and with presumption in favour of non competitors.
Parking
All paddlers and spectators will need to park across the road in the old Potters Steakhouse carpark.
All paddlers with boats are asked to drive into the Canal Centre, drop off their boats at the gate and leave their boats and equipment on the grass next to the B3C barn as normal, and then drive back out to the centre and park across the road in Potters carpark. Parking Marshals and signage will direct you accordingly.
Thank you for your adherence to this years parking arrangements. As always, please be mindful that the site is a public site with many campers, dog walkers, cyclists, walkers and general public parking onsite using the centre's onsite facilities - hence the importance to park at Potters as instructed. Thank you in advance.
General
Booking in, toilets and refreshments for competitors are in the Canal Centre function room. The onsite cafe will be open for spectators to buy refreshments and food all day.
Please take care when carrying your canoe - there will be other visitors using the Centre.
Parents/carers are reminded to keep their children under supervision at all times and to ensure that all warning/age restrictions are complied with in the canal centre grounds.
The course is fully accessible from the towpath, which is on the opposite bank to the Centre.
The section of canal we use for racing is registered as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and this sensitive ecosystem is under threat from invasive, non-native, species. Will all paddlers please CHECK, CLEAN and DRY boats, paddles and kit (especially paddling shoes) before coming on site and if possible at least 24 hours before racing. Further guidance on how to stop the spread can be found at http://www.nonnativespecies.org/checkcleandry/.
Photographers should note that the Mytchett site is directly under the flightpath for Farnborough Airport and is therefore not suitable for drone flights.
Please note that the site is now managed by Surrey and Hampshire County Council and new fees that we have had to pay for including, the canal, towpaths and land used for parking, along with a fee for all participants. Hence the unfortunate small increase in the price for this year's event.
For more information about our club, please visit: www.b3c.org.uk or feel free to contact the club secretary in advance at:
b3c.secretary@gmail.com.