Wild Water Racing University Challenge Championships

What are the Wild Water Racing University Challenge Championships?

Going as FAST as you can downstream, it's great for learning more about rivers and developing skills - even better as its challenging, fun and exciting!

• This Championship will be based on results gained in ranking races, both Div A and Div. B held all around the country, which are run by the BCU Wildwater Racing Committee to help introduce students to Wild Water racing. The races are either over two short runs or one slightly longer run.

•Students race individually and points scored at all events will be totalled over the season.

• Individuals are classed Men's K1 or Women's K1 or Mixed (any combination of WK1,C1,C2)

• Wavehopper Kayaks can be provided just contact the race organiser for details. To start with however you may wish to use a Kayak that you are more used to so long as it's under 4 metres in length, just bring along your buoyancy aid, paddle, helmet and spraydeck

• Paddlers should be at least Three star standard

• Paddlers must be in full-time Further Education and members of their University Canoe Club

Results

5th Wild Water Student World Championships

Report

How to start River Racing

Questions such as;
What exactly is wild water racing?
What do I have to do?
How good do you have to be to start?
I won't know anybody there if I go?
How do I enter?
Can I bring a friend with me?
I bet all the people will be really good and I will be miles behind everyone?
What boat do I need?
Blimey, not only do I need a boat, but what do I wear? What equipment do I need?

These are just a few of the questions that have gone through my head in the past and many others. However, the one thing that seems to put all of these aside is the anticipation of what it might be like, and the feeling of awe when you are zooming through the waves, with the sound of water all around you. It is the attraction of control, power, adrenaline and buzz of paddling down rivers and rapids. Where no matter what happens, it will never be exactly the same experience twice.

So here is something to put your mind at rest from all those questions, thoughts and fears, so you can get on and get out and get active. Read on and let wild water racing expand your mind and provide experiences and opportunities you may not have thought possible.

This information pack is not just a guide for the individual i.e. parents of youths, university students, club individuals, but also for groups such as scouts, guides, canoe clubs, university clubs etc. This pack intends to answer all of the niggling questions that fill your mind and inform you of all of the things that you haven't even thought of yet. The pack will include, how to enter a race, answer the above questions and more, and give you some advice into preparation for a race.

Lets begin…

Now here are some questions which may pop into your head now that you are interested. So Click on a question to reveal some answers. It should be as simple as that…

Your Step by Step Guide of How to Enter a Race
What is river racing?
What standard do you have to be?
What equipment do I need?
What boat could I use?
What do I have to do in the race?
What do I have to do to begin?
What do I have to do to prepare?
What equipment do I need?
What happens at a race weekend?
What about taking groups?
Where does it happen?
Where can I go to practise?
Where do I go from here?
Why do it?
When are the races?
When are the seasons?
Who can help?
Who can point me in the right direction?
Who could I ask to help at races?
How do I begin?
How do I enter?
Can I phone someone to ask advice?
Can I contact someone for more information?
I am a uni student and want to try but don't have access to transport or boat…What can I do?
I am the competition secretary for my canoe club and want to get a group from my club to try wild water racing, but we don't have any boats…

To return to the list of questions after you have read the answer just click on Questions to return you to this list.
1 Questions

2 Your Step by Step Guide of How to Enter a Race

1) Go to EVENTS section on the menu, then on GB race Calendar. Select a race that is appropriate for your ability, fits in your calendar, you can get to.

2) Once race has been chosen, on the same calendar, the name of the organiser should be given. Note down the organiser, club that is running race, and address of club/organiser. You need to send an entry form (will say where/how to get that in a moment) to this address. Before you click away from this page, note down if it is a classic C or a sprint S, and that it is suitable for your division, Div A, Div B, Perception Wavehopper Challenge.

3) Now to find where an entry form is,
Go back to wild water racing homepage, click on INTRO, then on DOCUMENTS & DOWNLOADS. Scroll down until you see Race Entry Forms. You now click on the appropriate one for your computer. Now here is my top tip, for future I would save it on your computer and type in all the information you need for each race. That way when you come to do your next race, you just change the info on the word document and then print.

4) Filling out the Entry Form
First things first, name, club you wish to race for, don't worry if don't know you can leave it blank for now. Membership number, you need to be a member of the BCU to compete in a wild water race. If you are not one, you can get weekend membership allowing you to race, but in the long run it is advantageous to become one, will save you money on many things, star tests for example.
Race details, say name of race, e.g. Tryweryn 2, Classic, Date of race etc. Depending on which division, if new to the sport you will be in Div B.
Boat details MK1/WK1 - women's/men's kayak, C1 - solo canoe men or women, C2 - tandem canadian. You then put what type of boat you are in river racer - composite boat made of Kevlar, carbon, fibre class; wavehopper - plastic version of river racer; plastic boat - general purpose kayak.

You also need to write in your name, address, email, telephone number. As well as the amount you enclose as an entry fee.

5) How much do you put in for entry fee,
DIV A ENTRY FEES
Senior/Veteran £10 per Paddler £15 if Late
Under 23 £8 per Paddler £12 if Late
Under 18 £5 per Paddler £7.50 if Late
25% reduction if "Double" events entered 2 or more weeks before the events
DIV B & OPEN ENTRY FEES
Senior/Veteran £5 per paddler
Under 23 £3 per paddler
Under 18 £3 per paddler

Late entry fee applies if you enter with under two weeks till the race itself
Reduction available if you are entering more than one race on one weekend to same race organiser. This applies if you are entering more than 2 weeks before event.
6) Send entry form and cheque normally written to race organiser's club, e.g. Leeds Canoe Club to address noted down from GB calendar. Hey presto you are one step closer to racing.
Click on here to return to list of Questions

The What Questions…
Many of these questions can be answered very simply.

What is river racing?
Well in fact, river racing is also known as wild water racing, wacky racing and down river racing. They all refer to the same thing, which has been given a little intro already. River Racing involves going down a river on timed runs in as fast a possible time as you can, without stopping. A Sprint race has two short runs where the times are added together.The Classic race is a single run, of a longer distance - usually thirty minutes in length.
Questions

What standard do you have to be?
It is recommended that you are of 3 star standard, as for most instances you are racing down a river on your own. However, if not and still want to try get in contact with your local club to try it out under supervision. Questions

What do I need to wear?
Depends on weather, typically, when on the river, you must wear a CE approved helmet and buoyancy aid. A paddle is always useful, and of course a boat. Then of course a spray deck, or splash deck or, as I call it, a drip tray, that way it keeps out all the drips and keeps you nice and warm as well as prevents water coming into your boat. Thermal clothes can add warmth in winter and lots of warm dry clothes to wear between runs. Spare dry paddling kit can be an advantage to change into between practice runs and race runs. Questions

What boat could I use?
This is the great thing, initially you can race in pretty much any type of boat. That's including plastic boats, playboats, slalom boats etc. As my handy tip the longer the playboat you can find the more efficient you shall be at going as fast as possible. There is of course an actual river racer and its plastic sister the wavehopper. So for your first race, there are no excuses. Questions

What do I have to do in the race?
Have fun, enjoy the experience and try and go as fast as you possible can from the time you cross the start line to the time to cross the finish. The start and finish line are always made quite obvious by the person who either will call you to the start, or shouts or whistles that you have finished. Questions

What do I have to do to begin?
Well easiest thing is to follow the how to enter a race step by step guide. Questions

What do I have to do to prepare?
The recommendation is to try and increase your fitness, increase the number of paddling sessions you currently do. Also to practice paddling the boat you wish to race in. A good recommendation is to check your equipment, make sure it is all water tight and if in doubt speak to the race organiser. That way you can confirm where the start of the race are, best way to get there, (if you are unsure). Etc… Questions

What equipment do I need?
This one has been answered before, but boat, paddle, spraydeck, helmet buoyancy aid warm clothes that are good when wet, such as a cagoule, dry cag, dry trousers, waterproof trousers, etc etc… Questions

What happens at a race weekend?
First of all, you need to go and register and collect your bib. That way the organisers know who is going to race etc. It is then recommended to do a practise run of the course , normally with the group you have come with, or if you have come alone ask others if you can follow them down. Everyone is always friendly about this. Then make sure you allow plenty of time to get to start line, avoids nerves. Then race. Afterwards stay around be social with others and find out where you have come in the race, this you will find out at prize giving. Questions

What about taking groups?
Taking groups is never a problem. Just make sure you have enough people on hand to help with shuttling cars, enough cover on the water, enough boats etc. If in doubt about boats speak to the organiser of the race. Questions

Now for the where's, why's and when's.

Where does it happen?
Races are held in all parts of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The race calendar can be found on www.wildwater.org.uk The races can be on articficial courses such as at the national white water sports centre at Nottingham, aka HPP. Or on natural rivers such as the Dart (devon), Tay (Scotland), etc. So just look at the calendar and find an appropriate race near you. Questions

Where can I go to practise?
Depending on access agreements you can go and practise on a variety of different rivers. There is of course the canal network of the UK that you can also paddle and train on. Questions

Where do I go from here?
Well why not get out and go for a paddle! Simply look at your diary for the year, work out a suitable race to go to that is of an appropriate level, then work towards that. Try and go and practise the river before hand, if possible…get out in the boat you wish to race in…get fit by going to the gym, going for a bike ride, running, rowing or swimming, whichever you most enjoy. Questions

Why do it?
There are so many reason's as to why to river race. I hope that many of these have been given to you in the intro to river racing. However, if still unconvinced, think of it as an experience that not everyone can have in the world. The fact that you are reading this, means you have an incling for adventure and are wanting to experience new opportunities and experience a new discipline. So what are you waiting for… Questions

When are the races?
Races go on throughout the year. The main season begins in late January and goes through to May. During the months of May, June and July there tends to be International races occurring. Then there is a break before the Autumn season is kicked off during September through to late November. So pretty much all of the year, with December off to get ready for Christmas. Questions

When are the seasons?
Generally there is a sprint season and autumn. Spring running from late January to May and Autumn from September to late November. With the international racing season during late May, June and July. Questions

So we have done the what's, the where's the why's and finally the when's…so now onto the who's

Who can help?
There are actually more people willing to help than you can ever imagine. The main key to who can help is just ask. When at race's anyone will try and answer your questions and if they don't know they will find out or pass you onto someone who does. When not at a race, there are local canoe club's, local paddling development officers, and of course the web. Yep if unsure you can put a post on the GB wildwater forum, found by going on the homepage www.wildwater.org.uk then click on DISCUSSIONS and post your question and await an answer. Questions

Who can point me in the right direction?
Many can point you in the right direction look at 'who can help?' Questions

Who could I ask to help at races?
This is easy but generally I would recommend asking the race organiser before the race so they can point you in the right direction. Otherwise other competitors who have been racing a long time are always helpful people. Questions

How do I begin?
Begin by looking at how to enter a race step by step guide. Then go to the question 'where do I go from here?' to aid more answers. However, if not, look in your diary, choose an appropriate race for your paddling ability and accessibility (distance to race). Send entries for race off, start practising and preparing for race. Questions

How do I enter?
See the how to enter a race step by step guide for easy instructions in both getting hold of an entry form and how to fill it in. Questions

Can I phone someone to ask advice?
Of course, if wanting to go for a specific race phone the race organiser, or email them. It worked for me at my first race, when I arrived I was most welcomed and the organiser after I had registered remembered my name. Other than that, your local canoe club should have details of someone to contact. Questions

Can I contact someone for more information?
First port of call for more information is the www.wildwater.org.uk website, this has the most up to date information. Obviously the race organisers or perhaps a local river racer themselves. Questions

I am a uni student and want to try but don't have access to transport or boat…What can I do?
This can be a difficult problem, but one that can be resolved. Having been at university myself for a number of years, I have incurred this exact problem. So onto the solutions…
first of all you can contact your local canoe club that is near your university. They are often very useful and you can often leave your boats there and train with there group. Another alternative is to contact another university to see if there are other students who river race and see if they can point you in a direction, some of the larger university canoe clubs will typically have members that are river racers… such as Nottingham, Loughborough, Leeds, Newcastle, Durham, Birmingham, Bath.
Transport Issues…this is a hard one to get over…but if you try you can be clever and organise lifts with other people going to race's. So ask on forums etc.
Boat Issues…this may be you have a boat but cant get access to train, or your university doesn't have any boats for you to try. Dealing with the first, best idea to speak to you canoe club committee and usually you can organise to borrow keys to get access to the boathouse. If your university doesn't have any boats, then depending on where you are situated in the country, there are fleets of wavehoppers that are available for use when at races or can organise with someone to try. So again get in touch on the www.wildwater.org.uk forum to ask where they may be and how you can try one. Questions

I am the competition secretary for my canoe club and want to get a group from my club to try wild water racing, but we don't have any boats…
Similar to the university student question. Also see 'what about taking groups?'
This is the great thing about wild water racing, as it is all about trying out something new and going down a river will be ever so slightly different each time. So you can never get bored. Questions