Grandtully has been host to many national Wild Water Racing (WWR) and Slalom races over the years however this will be the first international WWR competition. 

This prestigious event will bring together Europe’s most talented young paddlers to compete on Scotland’s iconic River Tay which is ideally suited to host these championships thanks to its renowned Grandtully rapids. 

The classic race will start just down from Edradynate and finish below Fourth falls at Grandtully, featuring eight rapid sections competitors need to negotiate. The sprint course will take place over Grandtully rapids and we look forward to the event culminating in an exciting sprint final on Saturday 15th August 2026 when unforgettable moments of sporting excellence are expected to take place.

Cynthia Berry, Chair of Paddle Scotland WWR Development Group says “Hosting these championships is a huge honour for Paddle Scotland and a chance to showcase our new facilities at Grandtully, alongside the country’s exceptional landscape, rich paddling heritage and warm hospitality to athletes, teams and visitors from across Europe.” - 

Senior and U23 C2 World Champion Kerry Christie says “I'm super excited for the European Championships to come to the UK. This is my last year as an U23, so having the championships at home is extra special. I can't wait for all the other athletes to come paddle and race one of the best and most beautiful rivers we have in the UK.”

Manuela Gawehn, Paddle Europe Board Member says “Hosting the Junior and U23 European Championships at a brand-new venue for our wildwater canoeing community marks an important milestone for our wildwater discipline. The young athletes will face a modern, technically demanding track that challenges their skills, precision, and creativity in moving water. We greatly appreciate the commitment of the new organiser and look forward to setting a strong sporting signal together - one that stands for progress, youth development, and the future of wildwater canoeing in Europe.”

Paddle Scotland and the WWR Development Group are in the process of forming a delivery team to make these championships a success. We welcome engagement from the whole Scottish paddling community and British WWR community who will join us in making this event one to remember.