The club runs an annual national canoe marathon / descent race from Stratford-on-Avon to Bidford-on-Avon. This testing course covers 10 miles and 6 weirs or portages and usually takes place in early November, when hopefully there is plenty of water!

Club members help with various tasks, ranging from serving food and drink to tired paddlers at the end, to acting as rescue cover on the weirs.

See the Avon Descent Map in a larger format, or view it from here using the controls on the embedded map. The placemarkers show the start and finish of the race, along with the locations of the weirs.

The 2011 event took place on Sunday, November 6th. The race results are now available, along with some photographs – see table below. If anyone has any pictures or articles of their own that they would like me to include (this can include links to external sites or YouTube videos etc), please let me know via one of the contact email addresses.

Classes

A handicap system is used for the amalgamated divisional classes of 3 minutes per division for K1 (1-3), (4-6) and (7-9). For K2 (1-3), (4-6) and (7-8), the handicap is 6 minutes per division.

Entries will also be welcomed from paddlers who are simply interested in touring this pleasant stretch of the River Avon. Classes may be combined.

There are some photographs of the weirs and guidance on shooting or portaging them, but be aware that conditions may vary considerably on the day.

Race Results

Results of the race are made available here soon after the event. Results from previous years can also be downloaded.

Email: Avon Descent enquiries