Promotion

There is no automatic promotion from Division 4 to Division 3. Paddlers who are not already ranked in any of the divisions Prem, 1, 2 or 3 may race in Div 4 repeatedly, but may request promotion to Div 3 whenever they choose to or after 3 wins.

Promotion to Div 2 and beyond goes on points or on the equivalent of 3 wins – see below. At every race you get points according to your position, and you count your best five results towards your ranking and promotion. The points you count must all be from races in the current year.

Points are a way of comparing results when there are more competitors in one race than in another. The winner gets maximum points and the other competitors get points on a sliding scale according to their place. If a class is not quorate (that is, less than 5 boats race) points are calculated by a factored comparison with K1M times.

Maximum points is 2000 at a Prem race, 1000 at a Div 1, 500 at a Div 2 and 250 at a Div 3.

Promotion on 3 Wins

You can be promoted by scoring your division’s maximum points or more* at three races, by winning a race in your own class or by scoring your own division’s maximum points or more when paddling up at a next-division-up event.

If you are ranked in Division 1, 2 or 3 you can enter races intended for the next division up from your own. Points will be awarded by comparison with the higher-division paddlers in your class, or with K1M if your class is not quorate.

If you race in the lower division at a combined-divisions event you get points by comparison with others in your own division only, not by comparison with higher-division paddlers.

If you paddle up (compete in a race that’s for paddlers one division above yours) and beat more than half the higher-division paddlers, you can get more than your own division’s maximum points.

Getting into the Ranking System / What to do if you get promoted

The best starting place for newcomers is our getting started page.

If you’re not already a member of Paddle UK, the Scottish Canoe Association, Canoe Wales or the Canoe Association of Northern Ireland, you need to join first. Then contact the appropriate bib officer to register for a bib, once your bib has been added to the system by the bib officer you can apply for your bib.

When you get promoted into Div 2 and higher

If you are already in Division 3 or higher, you are promoted when you’ve achieved three wins or the points target. A bib number in your new division will be issued automatically, and you can use the online entry system at once for races that offer it.

You will need to apply for your new bib returning your old bib in the process. Your new bib will not be issued until your old bib has been received.

If you do not apply for a bib your points may be cancelled.