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Axe Vale Canoe Club

Contact us at: info@axevalecc.co.uk

Affiliated to the Paddle UK & Quality Mark Accredited

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New: (19 Aug)
2025 Date TBC

River Axe Race - TBC Sunday 23rd March 2025

Race Results available -->>
Photos also -->>

Results 2024

Axe Race Results 2024,   Axe Race Times 2024

Axe Race Photos 2024

The annual River Axe Race is proposed to be held on Sunday 23rd March 2025 and is suitable for all paddlers of all ages to have a go (11-70) with some experience of moving water. Organised by the Axe Vale Canoe Club, we typically have 100 boats on the river in about 12 classes depending on the type of boat being used.
We would particularly like to encourage you all to have a go in whatever boat you feel like (from canoe to K1/K2 to sea kayak to slalom kayak to Sit-on & SUP).

(The date does not clashes with the Grizzly or Mother’s Day so no excuses).

This popular race is an excellent introduction to canoe racing and also provides a challenge for the more experienced paddler. All classes are open to paddlers with disabilities, though they need to access the boat from a field edge.
 Pre-booking your entry is both cheaper and makes running the event easier for all concerned
(quicker booking in, numbers known, less admin on the day, easier to process results, etc.).

The race starts 5 miles south of Axminster at Whitford Bridge M/R 263953 (nr EX13 7NN). The river Axe twists and winds its way through the Axe Valley for 4 miles before opening out onto the estuary, with a further 1 mile of racing to the finish at Axmouth Harbour (AVCC club within the Axe Yacht Club marina) (nr EX12 4AA)

Separate classes and age categories allow for fair competitive racing and there are medals for all classes.
Treat it as a race or just a fun paddle. Sit-ons and SUPs are welcome.

Click here to read our Event/Course Data Processing Notice.

Axe Race Entry Information - (Booking Opens 1st Jan)

See the information sheet on the right, (for pre-booking from 1st January to 21st March):
Go to the WebCollect AVCC home page
and you should see River Axe Race listed as an Event on 23rd March. Select ‘Book places >’.
(You may have to Register with WebCollect first if you have not used it before.)

Free refreshments are available to all competitors.
To encourage youngsters, U12s (in any class) gain half-price entry.

There is limited parking at Whitford, so it would be ideal if you could arrive in time to drop off equipment at Whitford, then drive down to the end (10 minutes at most) and park in the Axe Yacht Club (where there is ample parking) and then get a shuttle back to the start

Race Details:

Booking in:      9.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. Whitford Bridge
Briefing:          10.30 a.m.   --   Race Start:     10.45 a.m.
Finish:            Axe Yacht Club, Axmouth Harbour Seaton

Entry Information
This Year

Axe-Race-2019-TN

Axe Race 2024 Information (PDF)

We would like all application via
WebCollect AVCC home page

axeracewebcolscreen
tn-applynow

Alternatively, if you need a paper application form contact:

AVCC c/o Colin Schofield
37 The Beeches
Beaminster
Dorset
DT8 3SL
Mobile: 07889 842104
e-Mail: treasurer@axevalecc.co.uk
 

Race Rules:

  1. For safety reasons:
    - Competitors must render their canoes/ kayaks sufficiently buoyant to remain afloat and to support the craft if capsized.
    - Competitors should be able to swim 50m.
    - All competitors must wear an appropriate buoyancy aid for the duration of race (including SUP paddlers) in line with British Canoeing advice. Any competitor who removes their buoyancy aid during the race will be disqualified from the competition.
    - Wearing of helmets is strongly recommended for all paddlers and compulsory for all under 18s for the duration of the race. Any paddler under 18 years who removes their helmet will be disqualified from the competition.
    - if SUP paddlers choose to wear a leash, this should be an appropriate quick release coiled leash (e.g. waist leash) in line with British Canoeing advice on avoiding entrapment.
  2. Competitors take part on their own risk. The race organisers cannot be held responsible in anyway for loss, accident or damage to persons or property during the event.
  3. Any competitor retiring from the race must notify race officials at the finish as soon as possible.
  4. All competitors are obliged to render assistance to any other competitor who may be in difficulty.
  5. Entry fee is £10 in advance and £15 on the day.
    (Under 12s gain half-price entry (any class) - £5 in advance, £7.50 on the day).
     

Class Guide - Classes A to P are available.

ar-k1
Class A - K1 Racing Single

ar-k2
Class B - K2 Racing Double

ar-k1-touring
Class C - K1 Touring/
Sea Kayak

ar-k2-touring
Class D - K2 Touring, etc. - Double

ar-c1
Class E - C1 Touring Canadian Single

ar-c2
Class F - C2 Touring Canadian Double

ar-slalom-a
Class G-J - Slalom (e.g Fusion, G3 GTS)

ar-slalom-b
Class G-J - Slalom

ar-wavehopper
Class K - Wild Water Racer
(e.g. Wavehopper)

ar-m-sup
Class L - SUP (single or double)

ar-m-siton
Class M - Sit-on (single or double)

ar-surfski
Class N - Surf Ski

ar-n-katakanus
Class P - Katakanus
(Treat as Adult Doubles Team when entering naming two primary paddlers)

 

Notes:
- Boats with fins need to be aware that in low water conditions there may be shallow gravel banks to be avoided or to hop off & walk across.