Competition

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Why Compete? Well its fun and its cool. It will do a lot to improve your skills! It gives you a focus for your paddling. And who knows, you could be a future champion!

You don't have to be 'really serious and all competitive about it!' Whatever area of paddlesport you choose to try, you can start at an easy level and can take it as far as you want to. Most competitions have a pretty good social side to them, with the chance to meet and make friends with people from across the country as well as giving you new paddling challenges.

Halifax CC has always encouraged competition but what does this mean? I would argue it is about participating and improvement, by trying to better yourself (effectively competing against yourself whether individually or part of a team). In my opinion it is not all about winning - if you take the view 'you can never win or lose if you don't run the race' then you are missing out on a lot of the fun in doing the 'race'. The BCU's view on competition is 'While many canoeists may not be interested in competition at any level, one common theme of all types of Paddlesport is that your enjoyment will increase as your skill level increases'.

So what areas of competition can I have a go at with the Club? The main areas of competitive canoeing that the Club is involved in at the moment are:

Freestyle

Also know as play boating and rodeo, this is where you get to show off all your tricks - cartwheels, front air loops or a more modest flat spin - the more tricks you can do the better your score. many people just do these for fun, but there are opportunities to compete in a national series of events.

For youngsters there is also the Youth Freestyle series - a series of events for under 18's aimed at novice freestyle competitors. These events include coaching to help you improve as well as competitions.

Click here for more information.

Slalom

This is where you race down the river, negotiating a series of gates as you go. Hitting or completely missing out a gate gets you a time penalty, so the aim is to 'fast & clean'

Beginners start in Division 4, racing on easy water with lots of opportunity to practice before you race. As you improve and gain promotion to a higher division, the water and the courses get harder. All events give junior prizes as well as the main trophies.

We run Division 2, 3 & 4 events at the club and provide coaching. There are also many other beginners events within easy reach of the club including Oughtibridge (Sheffield), Bradford & Bingley, Marple (Stockport), and West Tanfield (near Ripon).

Click here for more information.

Wild Water Racing

This is straight down river racing, but don't be fooled - it still takes skill to select and stay on the fastest line and avoid rocks and eddies that will slow you down.

Everyone starts racing in Division B races, which generally take place on easier water or a mix of flat water and simple rapids. As you get better there is the chance to get promoted and race on more challenging water. Races are either sprints (1 - 2 minutes) or longer classic races (10 - 20 minutes).

For youngsters there is also the Wave Hopper Challenge - a series of races around the country to introduce youngsters (under 16) to wild water racing.

Click here for more information.

Other Competitive Disciplines

If those above are not of interest, then you could try Marathon or Sprint racing, Canoe Polo, Canoe Sailing, Surf or Dragon Boating (still a paddlesport if not a technically canoeing). While we don't offer these within the club we can try and put you in touch with other clubs in the area that can help you.

For more information on getting into any aspect of competition speak to Les Ford ( 01484 854099 or email

Freestyle information

Slalom information

Wild Water Racing Information

UK Freestyle website

Canoe Slalom website

Wild Water Racing website

British Canoe Union website