From Sunday to Tuesday, the Masters programme opened an important week of European marathon canoeing, with athletes competing across several age groups and boat classes. The event once again showed the strong community spirit of Masters canoeing, combining competitive racing with the experience, commitment and passion of paddlers who continue to represent their nations at European level.
The Masters competition featured a wide programme of K1, C1, K2 and mixed K2 races, with several categories contested as official European Championship events and others as European Cup races. Across the three days, the course in Bascov-Pitesti welcomed close racing, experienced athletes and a strong international presence.
In the official European Championship races, titles were awarded to Sverre Petlund of Norway in K1 Men 65-69, John Escott of Great Britain in K1 Men 70-74, Wladyslaw Jedrzejczyk of Poland in K1 Men 75-79, Istvan Szabadi of Hungary in K1 Men 35-39, Dariusz Bukowski of Poland in K1 Men 55-59, Jesus Leon of Spain in K1 Men 45-49, Johan Brekke of Norway in K1 Men 60-64, Erwin Smids of Belgium in K1 Men 50-54, Monika Duc of Switzerland in K1 Women 50-54, Denmark’s Kenneth Pedersen and Jeanette Knudsen in K2 Mix 55-64, and Elzbieta Hoffmann and Siarhei Yashyn in K2 Mix 65+.
With the Masters competition now completed, attention turns immediately to the 2026 Paddle Europe Marathon Championships, which begin today in Bascov-Pitesti. The official Opening Ceremony is scheduled for 17:00, marking the formal start of the main championship programme.
Before the ceremony, the first races of the championship will already take place this afternoon, with the opening competitions dedicated to Paracanoe. It will be the start of another important chapter in a busy week of European marathon racing in Romania, bringing together athletes, teams and officials for one of the key events of the Paddle Europe season.
Full results for masters can be found
here
24.6.2026
