What is it?

Not the pedal boats you rent on Sunday afternoon, no, very special construtions take part in these Championships. The swimming bath tube or the high-tech-racing boat - you will see everything here.

High technology for the world record.

 

 

Who can participate?

Every team or person who has a boat which is propelled only by human power (muscle power) and most of that by the legs (exceptions: handicapped persons) may start. Families, youth groups, sportsmen, students - it is fun for everybody. And not only for the participants: Usually there are more spectators than for rowing or canoe regattas.

 

 

 

 

When does it happen?

 

Every year, if possible on the first weekend in August, championships take place. One year we have world championships in Europe, the other year european championships.

 

 

What are they heading for?

 

 

The teams compete in six disciplines:

• 100m "Speedstrip" through two light rays, world record discipline
• 10km long distance race
• 200m slalom
• Bollard Pull (pulling force)
• Burn-Out (Acceleration race)
• Special Trial (game dicipline, top secret until the start)

·         several design and special prices

 

 

 

Where?

The championships take place in different cities in Europe.

 

It depends on:

• nice place at the water
• infrastructure
• support by local authorities
• sponsors

·         public interest

 

 

 

What can you see there?

 

 

Hydrofoils "Af Chapman II" (S) and "Haarlem Shuffle" (NL) 

 

 

"Hydrodynamosaurus Austriacus" (A), Bollard Pull 

 

 

"L´Ordegno" (I), "Fast Waterbike" (NL), Long distance race

 

 

Who is interested in that?

 

TV, radio

 

 

newspapers

 

 

and many, many spectators...

 

 

I want to take part!

 

But how?

 

As a sponsor?

Because you have a product which includes innovative technology - or is simply fun!

 

As host (City/club for any kind of water sports)?

Because you have a nice place at the water and want to become better known - or only because you like it?

 

 

As participant!

 

In each case this is the right address:

HPV Deutschland e.V.
Andreas Schlief
Osterstr. 9
D-20259 Hamburg
phone: +49-40-27 87 72-13
fax: +49-40-27 87 72-15
e-mail: andreas.schlief@hpv.org

For actual regatta dates look up the actual event calendar under www.hpv.org and there also the separate invitations.

Photos by Renata Kinz (1-3, 5-13), Olaf Schultz (20-21) and Ferdinand Graf von Westphalen (19)