Hare & Hounds
We run a series of races over the winter with anyone welcome to take part in any type of kayak or canoe. It is based on a time trial format with the slowest paddlers starting first and faster ones later with the aim of everybody finishing at the same time. This makes for a very exciting event in which no one is left behind on the water. A paddler’s finishing time for one race becomes their start time for the next. There are two classes run as part of the winter series – Dash Hounds and Hare & Hounds.
All participants must be competent to paddle the course safely. If under 18 years of age, a parent or club coach must verify the paddler’s competence to the organisers on race day. Please advise the organisers if you or any competitor has a health condition that we should know about and is relevant to any safety issues. All entrants must either be a member of Paddle UK or a member of a PUK-registered club. If in doubt, please discuss it with the organisers.
Hare & Hounds
The Hare & Hounds course is 10km (6 miles) up and down the river Wey from the clubhouse, with two portages in Guildford town centre and turning in front of St Catherine’s lock. All entrants are expected to complete the course in under 90 minutes – an average paddler takes about 60 minutes, while the course record stands at under 40 minutes! If you would like to take part in the next Hare & Hounds series or an individual race then please use the online registration form (below) which will save a lot of time during the race check-in.
Dash Hounds
The Dash Hound series runs on a shorter 5km (3 mile) course starting and finishing at the club house and turning in front of Debenhams. With no portages these races are specifically aimed at U14s who are not quite up to the full Hare and Hounds course. These are friendly and low key races aimed at introducing younger paddlers to the challenges of winter racing. If you would like to take part in the next Dash Hounds series or an individual race then please use the online registration form (below) which will save a lot of time during the race check-in.
2024/2025 Dates
| Race Dates | Spare dates (If race cannot be held) |
|---|---|
| 20 October 2024 | 17 November 2024 |
| 10 November 2024 | 12 January 2025 |
| 15 December 2024 | 9 February 2025 |
| 19 January 2025 | 30 March 2025 |
| 16 February 2025 | 6 April 2025 |
Timetable / Fees
| Hare & Hounds | Dash Hounds | |
|---|---|---|
| Booking in | 9.45 – 11.00 | 9.00 – 9.45 |
| First start | 11.20 | 10.00 |
| Finish | 12.50 | 11.00 |
| Fee per Race | £8.00 | £4.00 |
| Fee per Series | £35.00 | £15.00 |
Prizes
There will be trophies for Masters, Seniors, Juniors, under 16, under 14 and under 12 age groups. Trophies for the series as a whole are given to those in singles who show most improvement over the series, based on the 4 best finishing positions from the 5 events.
Competitors food
Biscuits & Squash afterwards. With other cooked food, chocolates, cakes, tea, coffee and cans available to buy from the kitchen.
Race Organiser
Hare and Hounds Results
Dash Hounds Results
Hare and Hounds Course Records / Current Year’s Best Times