Committee Notes 2026

March

Hi Everyone,

There is a lot going on for NKC paddlers this spring/summer - great idea from Nicky was to list it all... and encourage you to take part!

Firstly, we have the last Winter Race on Sat 28th March, 10am start.  Will be prize-giving for the Series and even a few prizes for last years winners too!

1. Lots of regional Marathon Hasler races, Mar - Jul, for Divs 2-9.

First one is Leamington Spa - great course.  Sun 29th March.  Look out for whatsapp alerts from Lynne Fender (Marathon Captain) - thanks Lynne.rch

2. Sprint Regatta, Holme Pierrepont, 11-12 April  (the first of 4)

Be great to continue to increase our turnout at the Sprint Regattas, (see no. 10 below).  Even if you're not competing, do come down and support - we're getting a bigger gazebo!

3. NKC Sprint Regatta at the Club!  Sat 25th April, 12 noon onwards

This is a first: Matt F. is kindly organising a mini sprint regatta at the Club.  Will be heats and finals for all, over 200m and 500m - and a bbq!  Be great if lots of people, whatever your speed, would support this and race.  Can join in in any boat!

4. We're hosting an Assessment Race, Sat 2nd May

See the best paddlers in the country battle for selection (mostly  NKC paddlers!) - a great watch, especially at the portage outside the club.  Matt E. kindly organising this race and our Hasler Marathon race.  We will need support at both events to do food/turn marshalling/car park marshalling/portage laying out, etc,.

5. National Short Course Championships, Sun 3rd May, Rotherham

You get to do two 3.6k races, fast and furious!  A very sociable event, really good for spectators, as 2 portages each race.

6. NKC Hasler Marathon Race, Sun 17th May

We need everyone to enter this one!  Would be really good to have representation across all 1-9 Divisions

7. Sprint Regatta, Holme Pierrepont, 30-31 May

Good one to prepare for the Inter-Clubs Regatta (see no. 10 below).

8. NKC K4 Races, dates tbc

Nicky and Louise will be organising another fantastic K4 Race at the club (we had 18 K4s last year!) - and also a second K4 race at Holme Pierrepont.  This is a fantastic opportunity for all club members - at all levels - to paddle together, nothing beats a K4 race!  Dates tbc - watch out for info on whatsapp.

9. Aquapaddle/GB SUP race, Sun 31 May

This is a race from the club, round the Toll Bridge and back, for any craft, mainly rec. boats and SUPs.  This race is going to be a GB SUP race as well, so there will be lots of people turning up.  Feel free to enter in a rec. boat or SUP?!  Big thanks to Louise, Richard and Sue for organising this, taking over the mantle from John H.  There may be further Aquapaddles during the summer.

10. Inter-Clubs Sprint Regatta, Holme Pierrepont, 4-5 July

Louise Maloney (Sprint Captain) is asking if as many NKC paddlers as possible could race at this Regatta, especially people who have never/hardly entered a Regatta before (eg. like me!).  Lets have a real go at winning this 'Inter-Clubs' Regatta.  Thanks Louise.

11. National Marathon Championships, 11-12 July, Reading

Hold the date - we need as many paddlers as possible, doing as many races as possible at the Nationals.  We're the current National Champions, so we need to defend our title!

12.  Sprint Regatta National Championships, Holme Pierrepont, 5-6 Sept

The National Championships and last sprint regatta - another one to attend in force.

13.  National Hasler Finals, Richmond

We usually only have a few paddlers attend, but this year, lets get a big group to go and dominate this race, like we do the National Champs.  **(We have been asked by the National Marathon Racing Committee to host the National Hasler Finals in Sept 2027.  We are seriously considering this at the moment - no decision made yet)

On top of all this, we are putting on three 6-week Beginners Courses like last year, the first one starting in late April.  Big thanks to the whole of the Rec. group for organising this - these courses bring in new members and are the foundation of the club.  If you know anyone who wants to sign up, its great value:  £100 for the 6-week course, but that includes club membership for a year. This was John H.'s genius idea -  Shout out to John who so developed the Rec. courses and the Aquapaddle races over the last few years.  There will also be several Rec. group paddles around the loop over the summer - see alerts on the whatsapp group.

There are also numerous WWR races/daleks sessions over the summer months, see Nicky/Kerry for more details.

Last but not least, Nicky is planning a revised format for 'Wednesday Club Nights' to get as many people as possible involved, in a range of craft.

If anyone has any questions about how to get involved with any of it, do reply or ask on the whatsapp.

Lots going on - do hope to see you at as many events as possible.

Martin (Rinvo)

NKC Chair