University of Nottingham crowned champions at 2025 BUCS Canoe Slalom
The BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) Canoe Slalom Championship returned to Nottingham on the last weekend of February, with University of Nottingham athletes storming to overall team victory at nearby Holme Pierrepont’s white-water centre.
Published 27 Feb 2025
Before any athletes had even hit the water, the championships took a dramatic twist as 50mph winds forced the event to move entirely to Saturday, meaning athletes had just one chance to put down their best run instead of the usual two. Despite the pressure, Nottingham’s paddlers delivered outstanding performances, securing multiple podium finishes.
Ben Brown dominated the K1M event, taking gold, with teammates Ed Dickinson and Edward McDonald completing the podium in second and third. Brown would also win the Kayak Cross event whilst McDonald also shone in the C1M - claiming first place - with William Mayer secured silver. The pair then teamed up in the C2, taking gold in another strong showing.
In the team events, Nottingham clinched first place in the Open Team category through the trio of Ed Dickinson, Edward McDonald, and Ben Brown, and the Mixed Team category thanks to William Mayer, Kate Lyndon, and Aimee Collins - further cementing their dominance on home waters.
Reflecting on the event, BUCS Captain Ed Dickinson commented: "A wild day for my last BUCS competition, having Sunday cancelled! However, the team performed well nonetheless – a great experience as always."
Looking ahead, several of Nottingham’s slalom scholars will now set their sights on the GB U23 and Senior team selection in April.
Everyone at the University of Nottingham would like to congratulate our athletes on their performances at the championships.
You can find out more about the event here: BUCS Canoe: Slalom Championships 2024-25
To find out more about performance canoe at the University of Nottingham, please visit our dedicated web page here: Performance Canoe
It was a wild day for my last BUCS competition having the Sunday cancelled! However, the team performed well none the less, and it was a great experience as always to represent the University of Nottingham
Ed Dickinson, University of Nottingham sport scholar
University of Nottingham are the top UK University for team sport, placing 2nd in the overall British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) rankings in the 2023/24 season. For more information on our performance sport offer, including scholarships and support for student athletes, please click here.