International canoe spring regatta

The International Spring Regatta in Essen is a traditional canoe regatta held on Baldeneysee in the south of Essen. The International Spring Regatta is organized by the Canoe Association of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Canoe Regatta Association. Baldeneysee eV German national and international flags are displayed in a row, visualizing the importance of this major canoe regatta. A large, fully-filled campsite and fully-booked camper van sites offer overnight accommodations for national and international participants directly at the Baldeneysee In 2025, significantly fewer parking spaces will be available due to construction work on the regatta grandstand .

Traditionally held in the merry month of May and therefore one of the first major races of the season, the International Spring Regatta attracts canoeists from all German states as well as international athletes to Baldeneysee. It is rare for a layman to have the opportunity to watch so many different nationalities and age groups practicing canoe racing at the same time. The competitions include various races over sprint, short and medium distances as well as a long-distance state championship for NRW.

The event will take place in 2025 under more difficult conditions. This does not affect the race track itself. The Albano facility, which was newly purchased for 200,000 euros after the floods in 2021, is intact and is usually brought out of hibernation more than a week before the start of the competitions and set up and anchored on Baldeneysee . In 2025, it will affect the immediate surroundings of the competitions on land. The regatta grandstand was already demolished in 2024. The new building is not due to be completed until 2026. As the area around the construction site is largely cordoned off, there is not only a lack of seating for watching the competitions, but also parking spaces and therefore parking spaces for motorhomes. There are still tent and pitches that could be reserved in advance by the organizers. However, due to limited capacity, clubs from the surrounding area have been asked to refrain from staying overnight or to find alternative accommodation.

There will be qualifying races for the sprint, short and middle distance races if more than nine entries are received. We have listed the different distances and requirements for athletes in an information box at the end of this article. The starting draw usually takes place two weeks before the regatta in the Regattahaus of the city of Essen, so that it is clear in good time who will start from which course. The regatta course has a water depth of 4 to 8 meters and the long course is a circular course on Baldeneysee .