British Open 2026

It was an actioned packed weekend at Lee Valley White Water Centre as some of the best national and international canoeing and kayaking talent battled it out for international ranking points and the title of 2026 British Champion.

This is an important event in Lee Valley White Water Centre’s calendar, comprised of the Olympic Premier Race 10 and two ICF World Ranking Races on Saturday 3 October and Sunday 4 October, with Sunday's World Ranking Race combining as the British Open finals.

This highly anticipated fixture is the only event to attract international competitors from France, Austria, Czechia, Sweden and Ireland. Athletes were keen to race on Lee Valley’s world class Olympic Standard Competition Course in preparation for next year’s World Cup in August.

Lee Valley local athletes put in a series of standout performances with highlights including James Kettle, finishing second in the C1 Men’s Premier Race, Bethan Farrow and Ellis Miller taking second and third respectively in the C1 Women’s Final and Cally da Silva being crowned U16 British Open winner.

The sun shone, the fans cheered and the venue was bustling with visitors from the local community and beyond, enjoying inspiring world class competition in the very same venue that offers adrenalin fuelled white water experiences for all, leisurely paddles and a busy programme of community, club and schools activity.

Huge congratulations and thanks to the team behind this successful event, including event organisers Lee Valley Paddlesports Club who work closely with Paddle UK. It’s been a long held aspiration of the resident paddlesports club to be hosting national and international events, and this marks the second year that they’ve delivered a British Open to remember, with the support of local volunteers. As venue operators, the GLL Lee Valley White Water Centre team provided support throughout the event, as did venue owner Lee Valley Regional Park Authority’s events team.