Who is racing the Legendary Barrow?
The second in the Winter series takes place on Saturday 7th November 2026. We want as many Shark paddlers as possible to attend and have a great time paddling and mixing with other paddlers. Click here to enter.
Why the Barrow?
The Barrow Race is 3k long and is on a gentle stream, that twists around the Leicestershire countryside. It is suitable for paddlers new to competition and is a good workout for those more experienced. So no excuses, the Barrow is for you.
The race is organised by the Soar Valley Canoe Club, it is a great friendly race, which has developed over the years to encourage participation and for everybody to have fun in a friendly, yet competitive environment.
We meet and finish at The Moorings public house, where refreshments are available, we can lunch there or gos to one of a number of places in nearby Loughborough. Making the day a sociable occasion as well as a competitive one.
Having fun, learning, socialising, meeting people, paddling, and did we mention having fun!
You can enter online here, if it is your first race and need help entering or have any questions, please contact us, call/text: 07951 770241, or email: canoeing@thesharks.org.uk.
Where is the Barrow?
Barrow upon Soar, is just outside Loughborough in Leicestershire, we meet at the Moorings Pub, in Barrow-on-Soar, LE12 8PN.
Barrow is about 120 miles from London, most of it by motorway, so easy to get to. Ideally if we know who is going we can arrange car sharing to reduce the cost and the carbon footprint. We do need to know who is going by Thursday November 5th, so we can load and plan boat logisitics.
The Course
The course is 3k long, so if you have paddle 3k or more in the past, you can do it, you have the stream with you, so it will seem easier.
We get on the water at the canal and paddle about one kilometre along the canal (ideal warm up), then we portage the boats to the River Soar, which is where the race begins. It is a time trial format, so paddlers start every minute, if it is your first race we will organise an escort to paddle behind you so you feel comfortable and safe.
There are no rocks on the River, but it does twist and turn, there are also patches of weed, which are best avoided as they slow you down.
Entries
Entries cost £8 per person, you can enter online here, if you need help or have any questions please get in touch, call/text: 07951 770241, or email: canoeing@thesharks.org.uk.
We attend all the Barrow Races, they run from October to March, this is a report from January 2026.
Some pictures from previous races
Published 26th October 2026