What is Wildwater Racing
Wildwater Racing is a form of canoe sport that sees competitors race in time trial format down rough rivers, navigating through rapids, over weirs, around rocks and under trees. It s believed that Wildwater Racing was invented by alpine skiers as a summer alternative to downhill ski racing. There are two types of Wildwater event, the classic and the sprint. Classic racing, as its name suggests has been around since the very beginning and consists of a single race run between two and six kilometres long. Sprint racing, a more recent addition to the sport, consists of two times runs over a stretch of rough water lasting between 200 meters and 600 meters, with a competitors best time counting towards the result.
Wildwater Racing internationally has been around for approximately 60-70 years, with the first World Championship taking place in 1959 in Treignac, France, on the river Vezere. It wasn't long before the sport arrived in Ireland, with the first known races taking place in the mid 1960s in folding or canvas canoes on the river Boyle in Roscommon and the Avonmore in Wicklow.
The challenges facing a competitor in Wildwater Racing are manyfold. The paddler tries to use the energy of the river to their maximum advantage, to speed their way to the finish line. They must negotiate the natural and man made obstacles en route from start to finish in the fastest time possible and there are no gates to negotiate. Aerobic fitness, strength, speed and skills are required in equal measure, with many Wildwater Racers also competing in other canoeing disciplines, where their blend of skills can be both practiced and put to good use at the same time.
Type of Boat Used
The International Canoe Federation Rules describe the following type of boats which are raced internationally:
Single Kayak (K1): length 4.50m maximum width of hull 0.60 m minimum, minimum weight 10kgs
Single Canoe (C1): length 4.30m maximum width of hull 0.70 m minimum, minimum weight 11kgs
Double Canoe (C2): length 5.00m maximum width of hull 0.80 m minimum, minimum weight 17kgs
See below for photos of these racing boats.
In addition to the above, in Ireland, Open Canadian Canoes and General Purpose (GP) or Adventure Kayaks (AK) are often raced.
Domestic Races
The Irish domestic season runs from Autumn to Winter, to avail of the wetter weather, leading to swollen river levels and ideal conditions for racing.The domestic calendar can be found here.
At domestic races, the following classes are offered:
Men’s WWR Kayak
Junior men’s WWR Kayak.
Women’s WWR Kayak.
Junior Women’s WWR Kayak.
Junior C1
C1.
C2.
Open Masters Class (for people over the age of 40, paddling in any type of boat eligible for the categories listed above).
Wildwater Racing is a form of canoe sport that sees competitors race in time trial format down rough rivers, navigating through rapids, over weirs, around rocks and under trees. It s believed that Wildwater Racing was invented by alpine skiers as a summer alternative to downhill ski racing. There are two types of Wildwater event, the classic and the sprint. Classic racing, as its name suggests has been around since the very beginning and consists of a single race run between two and six kilometres long. Sprint racing, a more recent addition to the sport, consists of two times runs over a stretch of rough water lasting between 200 meters and 600 meters, with a competitors best time counting towards the result.
Wildwater Racing internationally has been around for approximately 60-70 years, with the first World Championship taking place in 1959 in Treignac, France, on the river Vezere. It wasn't long before the sport arrived in Ireland, with the first known races taking place in the mid 1960s in folding or canvas canoes on the river Boyle in Roscommon and the Avonmore in Wicklow.
The challenges facing a competitor in Wildwater Racing are manyfold. The paddler tries to use the energy of the river to their maximum advantage, to speed their way to the finish line. They must negotiate the natural and man made obstacles en route from start to finish in the fastest time possible and there are no gates to negotiate. Aerobic fitness, strength, speed and skills are required in equal measure, with many Wildwater Racers also competing in other canoeing disciplines, where their blend of skills can be both practiced and put to good use at the same time.
Type of Boat Used
The International Canoe Federation Rules describe the following type of boats which are raced internationally:
Single Kayak (K1): length 4.50m maximum width of hull 0.60 m minimum, minimum weight 10kgs
Single Canoe (C1): length 4.30m maximum width of hull 0.70 m minimum, minimum weight 11kgs
Double Canoe (C2): length 5.00m maximum width of hull 0.80 m minimum, minimum weight 17kgs
See below for photos of these racing boats.
In addition to the above, in Ireland, Open Canadian Canoes and General Purpose (GP) or Adventure Kayaks (AK) are often raced.
Domestic Races
The Irish domestic season runs from Autumn to Winter, to avail of the wetter weather, leading to swollen river levels and ideal conditions for racing.The domestic calendar can be found here.
At domestic races, the following classes are offered:
Men’s WWR Kayak
Junior men’s WWR Kayak.
Women’s WWR Kayak.
Junior Women’s WWR Kayak.
Junior C1
C1.
C2.
Open Masters Class (for people over the age of 40, paddling in any type of boat eligible for the categories listed above).
The National Championship
The National Championship is run over the full set of ranking races, with each person's best six results counting towards their total championship result. Points are awarded in each class as follows: winner 101, 2nd 99, 3rd 98, 4th 97.... etc, with the person having the highest score over sixty percent of the ranking races winning the championship overall. Attendance at a good number of events and consistency are the keys to a good championship result. Perpetual championship trophies are awarded at the annual wild-water racing AGM/Social. Separate championship results are kept for all classes, including recreational (open singles).
Wild Water Racing is an opportunity to experience the freedom of white-water in a fun and competitive atmosphere.
For many wild-water racing is a way to get close to nature and see the rivers of Ireland. For others wild-water racing offers a chance to push themselves physically in white-water. This includes the excellent opportunity it offers for cross-training for paddlers in other disciplines including canoe-polo, marathon, sprint, freestyle and slalom.
Can I race?
If you are interested in trying out Wild Water Racing, it couldn’t be easier to get involved. If you are thinking of coming along to do a race, you can enter on the day. The only requirement is that you are competent on the type of river that the race will be run on and that you have the necessary equipment (canoe or kayak*, paddles, helmet and buoyancy aid). If you are not familiar with the stretch of river in question, the best way to determine this would be to contact the race organiser (their contact details are provided on the race calendar) in advance of any event you are thinking of doing and they will be able to provide you with information on the course, the grading of the river, etc.
Note
The National Championship is run over the full set of ranking races, with each person's best six results counting towards their total championship result. Points are awarded in each class as follows: winner 101, 2nd 99, 3rd 98, 4th 97.... etc, with the person having the highest score over sixty percent of the ranking races winning the championship overall. Attendance at a good number of events and consistency are the keys to a good championship result. Perpetual championship trophies are awarded at the annual wild-water racing AGM/Social. Separate championship results are kept for all classes, including recreational (open singles).
Wild Water Racing is an opportunity to experience the freedom of white-water in a fun and competitive atmosphere.
For many wild-water racing is a way to get close to nature and see the rivers of Ireland. For others wild-water racing offers a chance to push themselves physically in white-water. This includes the excellent opportunity it offers for cross-training for paddlers in other disciplines including canoe-polo, marathon, sprint, freestyle and slalom.
Can I race?
If you are interested in trying out Wild Water Racing, it couldn’t be easier to get involved. If you are thinking of coming along to do a race, you can enter on the day. The only requirement is that you are competent on the type of river that the race will be run on and that you have the necessary equipment (canoe or kayak*, paddles, helmet and buoyancy aid). If you are not familiar with the stretch of river in question, the best way to determine this would be to contact the race organiser (their contact details are provided on the race calendar) in advance of any event you are thinking of doing and they will be able to provide you with information on the course, the grading of the river, etc.
Note
- races marked as junior series on the race calendar are typically on easier stretches of river.
- sprint races involve paddling shorter distances so consequently may be more suitable for those wishing to try Wild Water Racing for the first time.
- * If you don’t have a suitable canoe or kayak, the National Wild Water Racing Committee have a number of plastic Wild Water Racing Kayaks (Wavehoppers) available for use at races. For further details contact [email protected]
