International Canoe Federation

Indeed the season of the Kayak Ergometer is back and Indoor Kayaking Championships are popping up all over the world. Last year's editions in France, Great Britain were a great success as were this year's Hungarian and US editions. Aimed at not just the elite athletes, recreational paddlers joined the starting line at the US Indoor Kayak Championships and athletes of all abilities were placed side-by-side. France's one-day event drew in athletes who competed fiercely for the 200m and 500m titles while Great Britain's Indoor Kayak Championships were massive in comparison. With Olympic Champion, Tim Brabants, some of his fellow Olympians and European Champion, Rachel Cawthorn and Slalom World Championship medallist, Fiona Pennie in attendance, it's clear that indoor kayaking is a long-term feature of our sport.

At these events, held by KayakPro, racing is held in the warm and dry thanks to a series of kayak ergo machines which are set over a number of distances. Plus, a number of disciplines can feature on the programme, from the 2km individual and 10km challenges to the show-stopping shorter distances of 200m and 500m events.

This year's British Indoor Kayak Championship will be held on 20–21 November. The 5,000m Team Challenge will follow the hugely exciting 200m events on the Saturday while the 500m and 1,000m will take place on the Sunday. Covering all categories, Open, Masters, Youth and Juniors, everyone is welcome from the Under 10s to the over 65s. Click for more information, and an entry form.

Other organisers have used the Indoor Kayak experience to test up-coming talent. Portugal's Canoe Federation worked with the National Education Ministry for the first time and went to 50 schools with 6 indoor kayaks to organise a National Championships for students aged between 13–16 years old.

So don't get too down with the dark days and freezing cold water, if you can't get down under, go inside for some indoor kayaking action.