The Classic Bath to Bradford Canoe Race, Saturday 27th June 2026
Start: The Bathampton Mill, Mill Lane, Bath, Somerset, BA2 6TS
Finish: Bradford on Avon Boat Club, Pound Lane, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, BA15 1LF
Timings: Check in from 14:00 - 14:30
Briefing at 14:30
Starts from 15:00
Races: Over a 12 (long) or 8 (short) mile course
⦁ Seniors (over 18) – 12 miles singles and doubles racing craft.
⦁ Juniors (under 18 on 1st Jan 2023) - 8 miles singles and doubles racing craft
⦁ Mixed doubles – 8 miles racing craft
⦁ Open class – 8 miles singles and doubles any craft
⦁ Open class – 8 miles SUP and Canadian Canoes.
Fees: £12 Senior, £8 Junior
Entries: By Paddle UK Race Entry System. Payments by Stripe when entering.
Parking: Bathampton Mill has a bar and restaurant which will be open. Please park in the small side public car park – we can arrange some transport from finish to the start before racing, upon request, please try not to leave cars at Bathampton Car Park or park in the pub part of the car park. At the finish, park in the Bradford on Avon Train Station Car Park or Tithe Barn Car Park – NB these are Pay and Display Car Parks.
Buoyancy Aids: These must be worn by all paddlers ranked in Divisions 7-9 irrespective of race entered. All under 18s must wear buoyancy aids with the exception of those entered in Division 6 or higher with their Team Leader's permission. The race organiser may insist that additional paddlers of any division wear buoyancy aids and or spray decks if conditions on the day warrant this.
Rules: As this is a classic race and a non-Hasler event club vests are optional. Please follow the instructions from marshals on the weir portages, assistance can be offered to those who require it on the weir faces.
Courses: The race follows the River Avon, the 12-mile course first heads downstream turning around Pulteney Bridge, Bath, before heading back upstream to Bradford on Avon Canoe Club. The 8-mile course heads downstream before turning around the first road bridge before heading back upstream. This is a testing course with 5 portages (4 weirs and an optional get out at the Limpley Bridge rapids), river levels can change dramatically but be prepared for shallow sections and plenty of reeds!
Additional Info: An overstern rudder is recommended for the course, however it can be completed with an understern if the competitor is careful. A tailend K2 will be following the race but there is no other safety cover along the route apart from the weir marshals at Warleigh (portage 2) and Avoncliff (portage 5).
Toilets and limited change facilities are available at Bradford on Avon Canoe Club at the end of the race.
There will be a barbeque (weather permitting) as well as cakes and hot and cold drinks available to purchase at the end of the race.