Canoe: Sprint Championships 2026-27

Saturday 20 – Sunday 21 March 2027

Whitlingham Country Park, Whitlingham Lane, Norwich, NR14 8TR

Tuesday 15 December 2026

Tuesday 23 February 2027 at 23:59 – Student / Competitor Deadline

(Students / Competitors must apply by this deadline)

Thursday 25 February 2027 at 23:59 – Institution Administrator Deadline

(Institutional Administrators are given 48 hours after the student / competitor deadline to approve entries)

Entries for the K2 disciplines must be ranked as pairs, based on who is competing together in a boat (e.g. 1, 1, followed by 2, 2 and so on). Please ensure BOTH competitors enter this event.

Individual entries (K1 & C1) – £34

Crew boat and relay entries (K2 and relays) – £17 per person

Should the competition allow more entries a Stage 2 Entry window will open. Priority will remain with the entries received before the Stage 1 entry closing date. Entries received in the Stage 2 window and accepted into the competition, will be charged an additional 20% fee.

Should there be a Stage 2 Entry window. The dates will be as follows.

Friday 26^th February 2027 -  Stage 2 Entries Open

Tuesday 2^nd March 2027 at 23:59 – Student / Competitor Deadline

Thursday 4^th March 2027 at 23:59 – Institution Administrator Deadline

Stage 2 Entry Costs:

Individual entries (K1 & C1) – £40

Crew boat and relay entries (K2 and relays) – £20

• Female and Open K1 200m
• Female and Open K2 200m
• Female and Open C1 200m
• Female and Open K1 2x200m Relay
• Female and Open K1 500m
• Female and Open K2 500m
• Female and Open C1 500m
• Female and Open K1 5km
• Female and Open C1 5km
• Mixed K2 500m

Please see Appendix 1 and Reg 6 for available BUCS Points.

Each event has a capacity of 30 boats. Should the event reach capacity, BUCS may need to restrict the number of entries per institution.

This means when submitting entries on BUCS Play, for both the Men’s and Women’s competition, competitors should be ranked in order of preference e.g 1, 2, 3, 4 and so on, before being submitted.

Additionally, entries for the K2 disciplines must be ranked as pairs, based on who is competing together in a boat (e.g. 1, 1, followed by 2, 2 and so on). Please ensure BOTH competitors enter this event.

To apply for the competition all eligible competitors must follow these steps:

1. Competitor to apply to the event on BUCS Play (Instructions on how to do this can be found here)
2. Institution administrator approves entry (Instructions on how to do this can be found here)
3. BUCS approves/denies entry into competition and publishes confirmed entry list

Any data will be handled in accordance with BUCS Privacy Policy

By participating in this event you agree to adhere to BUCS General Event Disclaimer

To check whether you are eligible to compete in BUCS competitions, please visit REG 4 Individual Eligibility.

BUCS Canoeing Rules and Regulations

All competitors should be familiar with and understand available gender categories and regulations under REG 4.3. Please find further information on gender eligibility here.

Boats & Gear
All boats and equipment must follow official PWW Canoe Sprint rules (Chapter 3).

K1 & C1 5km Events

• 5km races are run in laps.
• Once 1st place crosses the finish line, everyone else finishes their current lap and stops—you don't have to complete the full 5km.
• However, if you don't complete the required number of laps, you will be marked DNF (Did Not Finish).

Heats, Semi-Finals & Finals

• Progression to the next round depends on your finishing place and the fastest overall times among non-automatic qualifiers.
• Heat seeding is based on the rankings submitted by your university/institution.
• Note: Final race structures depend on total entry numbers.

We welcome all para athletes to this year's BUCS Canoe Sprint! To express your interest and discuss any accommodations you may need, please email [email protected].

Boat Inspections & Safety

• All kit and boats will be checked on the day for safety and PWW compliance.
• Buoyancy aids are mandatory for open events, and may be required for championship events depending on weather/water conditions.

Boat Hire (£5/weekend)

Need to borrow a craft? A limited number of boats are available to hire for £5 per boat, payable upon collection at the event.

To request one, email Tim Scott at [email protected] with the following details:

• K1 / C1: Current boat make, model, and size
• K2 / C2: Current boat make, model, and size

Note: Stock is limited and requests will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please see REG 7.9 for our withdrawal policy.

Withdrawals before the IA Approval Deadline (23:59 on Thursday 4 March 2027) will not be charged.

Withdrawals after the IA Approval Deadline (23:59 on Thursday 4 March 2027 and before 23:59 on Friday 12 March 2027) will still be charged the entry fee. 

Competitors who withdraw after 23:59 on Friday 12 March OR do not attend the competition will be classed as a late withdrawal/no show and therefore will be charged the entry fee. They will also be fined £50 which will be charged after the event, to the competitor’s athletic union.

Withdrawal of a competitor does not guarantee a replacement into the competition. Reserves will only be charged an entry fee if they are accepted into the competition.

Withdrawals must be made in writing by the institution administrator to Tanyel Mustafa, BUCS Event Coordinator.

This will be released closer to the competition date.

Anyone wishing to take photos or video at this event must complete the BUCS Media Accreditation Form prior to the event. Once you have completed the form, please go to the BUCS Desk at the event to receive your media accreditation.

BUCS reserves the right to prohibit photography equipment being used at a BUCS event. BUCS reserves the right to request that the individual ceases to take photographs, deletes any images and, if considered necessary, leaves the venue.

If you wish to take photos or videos at this event, please contact the BUCS Event Lead. 

BUCS’ mission is to provide exceptional student sporting experiences that inspire, develop and unite.

Critical to our success is our commitment to always providing safe, friendly and enjoyable environments for all participants. Whether competing, coaching, officiating, volunteering, working or spectating at these events, the welfare of all is critical to our mission.

To find out more or report a concern, please click here.

All questions should in the first instance should be directed to your Institution Administration.